tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18840945209311430942024-03-05T15:50:43.074-08:00Jordan Stones Blog Care through the process of restoration; Partnership toward overcoming and thriving.
Intentional living, practical strategies, and inspiration to sew meaning into your everyday life. Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-73414974636896677942024-01-08T18:23:00.000-08:002024-01-08T18:23:49.639-08:00Jordan Stones...Blessings at the Gate of the New Year <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABXF5m2ah5s9gDNjmWI9m_czO-X3wJPJznpgJICc5M3CKAxJ_BVmqxjoeWOlTM_7cSt4At5cqtiRqrdWyiqzqf94a-OtAuKmUUIgN-cd0U2_SrCfgy80-SiZ5ystyLgZkU1JmjjXOzzNX9_70X2mEQcLJHX1QUSK4JctpRarDddg2PpihSrNkUurd6OH9/s800/and-these-stones-shall-be-for-a-memorial-_-joshua-4_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABXF5m2ah5s9gDNjmWI9m_czO-X3wJPJznpgJICc5M3CKAxJ_BVmqxjoeWOlTM_7cSt4At5cqtiRqrdWyiqzqf94a-OtAuKmUUIgN-cd0U2_SrCfgy80-SiZ5ystyLgZkU1JmjjXOzzNX9_70X2mEQcLJHX1QUSK4JctpRarDddg2PpihSrNkUurd6OH9/w200-h200/and-these-stones-shall-be-for-a-memorial-_-joshua-4_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Beloveds, welcome into a fresh turn of digits and a fresh trip around the sun as 2024 opens its unwritten pages for us to live out.<br /></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-11d5720c-7fff-b71c-8a98-ab2b5808d092"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I have shared with many of you that, personally, I am starting 2024 <i>out with a limp</i>. I have a meniscus tear that is not healing and it will be patched up in surgery on January 9th. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I was thinking how sometimes God gets his best work done when we are wrestling to be OK, when we are in unsure places, when we limp. When Jacob wrestled for his blessing from God and ended up with a new name, Israel, the father of the 12 tribes of Israel…from where Jesus came to us. I would say that was worth the wrestle in the night. (Genesis 32: 22-32)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As we poise ourselves toward whatever we hope for in the new year, the l</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCJnq2hUxOE" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">yrics of a song</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> we sing at church often comes to my mind: “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Whatever picture I have isn’t big enough; Whatever picture I have isn’t good enough; Whatever picture I have doesn’t sum you up; Couldn’t sum you up”. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibctZPg6UvfBO38WalVP1zAROpmpwOzlYMhFdKp0YyWCRjC_taQPzCaz4RASiCywk4p1TFSwYtOvBOnSvIBKXHZRSDHumEMmqzSh0RuPx1K4-pQMpqO5bChLcwj5o38p4jC2FHi8ef7BjFvKcVUeyhcafyLpeCgkYhvAa4T561gInHzZPSfShKB9UgyPRr/s225/eph3.20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibctZPg6UvfBO38WalVP1zAROpmpwOzlYMhFdKp0YyWCRjC_taQPzCaz4RASiCywk4p1TFSwYtOvBOnSvIBKXHZRSDHumEMmqzSh0RuPx1K4-pQMpqO5bChLcwj5o38p4jC2FHi8ef7BjFvKcVUeyhcafyLpeCgkYhvAa4T561gInHzZPSfShKB9UgyPRr/s1600/eph3.20.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are like me, limp and all… it doesn’t seem to my natural eyes like this idea that his good is going to outdo my idea of good is for real. It’s just an emotional song. Jut a pipe dream, wishful thinking. But, what if there is more than meets the natural eye going on? C.S. Lewis knows how to make the most true, wise, and profound things clear to me. He speaks to this pain of seeing dimly with my natural eye and doubting his goodness in this excerpt: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Touchstone, 1996), pp. 175–176. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UCL7NPkIzbluGV9AWGnHzupatSBfPAkWO3u49YQV7a37RgEEyhRDrGQnHk9sAEGxTwwnEs-hw-8nMathw3QTXqc7xmjHrueDYR0C2OKhGYbbw3t3uJxce6QIQgmIHjc1ULUh4tJtM8bBZSCqpNw6uS_1Q_CCqYfGTkgOZXc0_QL89XxAe_vpy6yXvm_f/s245/building%20a%20palace.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="245" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UCL7NPkIzbluGV9AWGnHzupatSBfPAkWO3u49YQV7a37RgEEyhRDrGQnHk9sAEGxTwwnEs-hw-8nMathw3QTXqc7xmjHrueDYR0C2OKhGYbbw3t3uJxce6QIQgmIHjc1ULUh4tJtM8bBZSCqpNw6uS_1Q_CCqYfGTkgOZXc0_QL89XxAe_vpy6yXvm_f/w400-h336/building%20a%20palace.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When Jacob wrestled with God and got not just a new name but a limp….he also got a promise. He had no idea that he would not only escape the consequence of wronging his brother in exchange for forgiveness (see Genesis 33), but he would be a part of the lineage of the savior of the world that makes all of our wrong things right. Jacob was beseeching for the blessing he knew to ask for…God was giving the blessing Jacob couldn’t dream up. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the words of </span><a href="https://lysaterkeurst.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lisa Terkeurst:</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> We see a cottage. God sees a palace. We see destruction. God sees construction. We see only what the human mind can imagine. God is building something we cannot even fathom. It’s not what we wanted, but it is so very good. And in the end, maybe it’s not what God is working on but how God is working in us that matters most of all. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Finally, if any of you are Lectio 365 App listeners, this was offered on 12/31/23 and I love it so much I want to offer it to you as a blessing over 2024:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5PnJp463wlgQi7Cjc_VNT7aIVQ11aJVPqj67igg6SyqKF4qqKxQVFCMLr4GSUUZOIX8vZfoUepk8rBICvrhFGZi-Q-fXjOcLsH6fPICGDGuKb7afHYQCyDnOBh3Wm7aFnIUn_3VTLUpTCHri-dxswrwhfmqReJPkTPZ6qqV8uRjOg9ZX3_xYAa3ZlsSC/s937/gate%20of%20the%20year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="937" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5PnJp463wlgQi7Cjc_VNT7aIVQ11aJVPqj67igg6SyqKF4qqKxQVFCMLr4GSUUZOIX8vZfoUepk8rBICvrhFGZi-Q-fXjOcLsH6fPICGDGuKb7afHYQCyDnOBh3Wm7aFnIUn_3VTLUpTCHri-dxswrwhfmqReJPkTPZ6qqV8uRjOg9ZX3_xYAa3ZlsSC/w640-h362/gate%20of%20the%20year.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7yYncs9TcF3B8jXrTJ2RizoCOgZOGqNnuUOh-mZfRXcanrNm2QK3655H0yoEHeREy0_6ws-add7I0AijKNBWTvYQ7iyG-9nvqV3lsF-DKsH8Np-03GHK5TkxEq4Z53Uxcc5X1Lj2V-yyndkEde21xS1ypjW3BUKdXsnKRY_WlcgQBWJp7KYz5vKCToy3/s200/you%20are%20beautiful%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7yYncs9TcF3B8jXrTJ2RizoCOgZOGqNnuUOh-mZfRXcanrNm2QK3655H0yoEHeREy0_6ws-add7I0AijKNBWTvYQ7iyG-9nvqV3lsF-DKsH8Np-03GHK5TkxEq4Z53Uxcc5X1Lj2V-yyndkEde21xS1ypjW3BUKdXsnKRY_WlcgQBWJp7KYz5vKCToy3/s1600/you%20are%20beautiful%20.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mandi </div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-39390894375911519202023-11-13T08:31:00.000-08:002023-11-13T08:31:24.558-08:00The Necessity of Beauty to Defy Pain and Disorder <p><b id="docs-internal-guid-6e350ab5-7fff-a767-1182-530672d4a011" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EI7wiZwXQ_ywcR4DMbgrWNgxhKgLsgy4JaXka7FQHSKUxW3DVYkUg_p4hUGfHZmX1uhjT6jbBuwgyj6vYKh_SUeWHme00gA47UmFZVj-8PDJ-ro-TgcHRy-ABpLN39Fdb64eKzFa_OL__prFKaTGiI8VSxwcEPAQU-DEVdPUfKtouVkA0Zf3hkiRseoF/s3428/Muir-Nature-and-Soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="3428" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EI7wiZwXQ_ywcR4DMbgrWNgxhKgLsgy4JaXka7FQHSKUxW3DVYkUg_p4hUGfHZmX1uhjT6jbBuwgyj6vYKh_SUeWHme00gA47UmFZVj-8PDJ-ro-TgcHRy-ABpLN39Fdb64eKzFa_OL__prFKaTGiI8VSxwcEPAQU-DEVdPUfKtouVkA0Zf3hkiRseoF/s320/Muir-Nature-and-Soul.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As we leave October and all of the unrest in the world bleeds into the merriment of the holidays, how do we hold both beauty and the destruction that is playing out in front of<br /> us on the world’s stage?</span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I was blessed by Sarah Clarkson’s words on beauty. She has written on the subject in her book: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Beautiful-Truth-Goodness-Darkness/dp/1540900517/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1J8TGZ1ATZ2DU&keywords=sarah+clarkson&qid=1699652893&sprefix=sarah+clark%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-3" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This Beautiful Truth: How God's Goodness Breaks into Our Darkness</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. She encourages us with the healing, transformational function of beauty. Maybe it’s partly why our Christmas trees do our hearts so much good, the twinkling lights shining in a darkened living room penetrate not just the dark of the room but the residue of the day that may have been filled with too many pastries or parties or purchases. </span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">She has a quote from a </span><a href="https://renovare.org/podcast/sarah-clarkson-the-gift-of-beauty?utm_source=Renovare&utm_campaign=3eabf55904-email-2023-10-20-beauty&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-2a1f4343f7-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=3eabf55904&mc_eid=55805f7c05" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">podcast </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I heard her on that I love several quotes from : </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Well, [it is only for the affluent] if beauty is about having a perfect house. But beauty is healing those who have been hurt in a war zone. It's creating shelters where children can have refuge. It's rebuilding what has been destroyed… Beauty is a defiance of the forces of evil and disorder and destruction because it is [their] opposite: where evil tears down, beauty creates; where there is absence, beauty fills.”</span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Where there is disorder, beauty brings order. </span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Whether it is a warzone across the ocean, in Washington DC, or playing out on the landscape of your personal holiday calendar…beauty heals. </span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Taking a walk in the fall leaves, or just sitting for a while in front of the lit tree, the gentle smile on the old cashier’s worn face, or appreciating a moment at the window with your coffee may feel frivolous in the context of any of the aforementioned warzones.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvLscA5KK076JkIZOPFNK_4hqhccAc3ll3NyGF3oB2s2I3sHUBJVxxPLopSIGsqkCADoE9woZulHnbfCZdNRR-u6tUamCNHMu740Otd8Vli4XpbDzH_pntuZG7gycjaP2NjKCckdVEqyndN6mJqWSNlBf2sQPokdox_R6LwozZ6m4XEL7kJAWW3SCdClz/s940/converse-creations-calming-beauty-helps-soothe-our-frazzled-souls-quote-c-joylenton-40poetryjoy.com_.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvLscA5KK076JkIZOPFNK_4hqhccAc3ll3NyGF3oB2s2I3sHUBJVxxPLopSIGsqkCADoE9woZulHnbfCZdNRR-u6tUamCNHMu740Otd8Vli4XpbDzH_pntuZG7gycjaP2NjKCckdVEqyndN6mJqWSNlBf2sQPokdox_R6LwozZ6m4XEL7kJAWW3SCdClz/s320/converse-creations-calming-beauty-helps-soothe-our-frazzled-souls-quote-c-joylenton-40poetryjoy.com_.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">But it is a participation in the “defiance of the forces of evil and disorder and destruction because it is their opposite” Because, as Sarah explains, authentic beauty is by definition an encounter with God’s goodness. </span></p><p><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And if you can’t put your finger on what you need to be a little more well, what the world needs, it is an encounter with God’s goodness…every time. So give yourself permission to attune to God’s goodness through moments of beauty that may have felt too frivolous or gone unnoticed. And let that be the thread that holds together the order and the disorder, the hard and the glorious, the grief and the gratitude. </span></p><p><br /><br /></p>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-18993509421757080422023-11-13T08:15:00.000-08:002023-11-13T08:15:22.304-08:002023 Invitations of Advent <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m3H0cNifnoy-wDQMbdi9RtNI9kqtS5GghW9IOhWhPHr12bJ7gBWhBq7hovWU6yzOBWBP2mHLI306vswA9cQA30Qfy7fPEcL7hmyQzXp3MYkgoAupxM3IEmMA7gv-in9__QI4dwKd3fWjTpXQiaqtuLk3_uToXsIvTyjfE9z6wNASplo8dZqxxvPfNJjV/s1640/2023%20Advent%20FB%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m3H0cNifnoy-wDQMbdi9RtNI9kqtS5GghW9IOhWhPHr12bJ7gBWhBq7hovWU6yzOBWBP2mHLI306vswA9cQA30Qfy7fPEcL7hmyQzXp3MYkgoAupxM3IEmMA7gv-in9__QI4dwKd3fWjTpXQiaqtuLk3_uToXsIvTyjfE9z6wNASplo8dZqxxvPfNJjV/w535-h300/2023%20Advent%20FB%20Banner.png" width="535" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dca43736-7fff-0b2b-a9cb-643e2e762ac7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s set aside a little time to slow down during advent and pay attention. We are going to walk through the precious little book: Silence and other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro. It is based on the unlikely story of Zachariah and Elizabeth and has true gems of how to integrate the whole of life into the sometimes lopsided season of Advent. Meeting 4 Sundays for reflection on the weekly portions of the book, discussion questions for the live chat, guided Lectio Divina on a corresponding Scripture, a simple commemoration practice or ritual and lighting of the Advent candle.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For this group offering, please feel invited to join with other Advent lovers for a private Facebook group with a private FB Live video every Sunday at 6PM EST 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17. </span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It will be recorded if you can’t make it live. </span></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It will include some don’t-miss points from the readings from the week.</span></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It will include a <a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2017/05/what-is-lectio-divina.html" target="_blank">Lectio Divina</a> reading on a portion of related Scripture</span></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It will include a brief commemorating ritual marking the content of the readings for the week and sealing them in our experience with intention. I will let you know what supplies you need to have with you if you want to play along at home. You will definitely want to acquire an Advent wreath and candles if you do not have one already. </span></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Participation: You chose your level of engagement. You may want to watch and keep your experience private. I will pose a question or two each week that you can chose to interact with via the chat. If you have something on your heart and want to speak and and share, you are welcome to raise your hand in the video and I can add you in to share. The group is here to interact with each other throughout the Advent season.</span></span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What you need to do: </span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Order the book: </span><a href="https://amzn.to/478b84j" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> https://amzn.to/478b84j</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/478b84j" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Silence and other Surprising Invitations of Advent byt Enuma Okoro </span></a></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Save the dates: Sunday 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17 6PM EST (or recorded for your later viewing, posted in the group) </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Register by clicking into the portal, clicking the forms button, and filling out the Advent 2023 registration form. Cost is a one-time charge of $60 for the 4 week experience. </span><a href="https://jordanstones.secure-client-area.com/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">https://jordanstones.secure-client-area.com</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></a></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once you register, you will be added to the group and will have access to the content and recordings posted in the group until 1/1/2024.</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div>Email me if you have any questions! </span></span></div><p></p>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-3548611646403914862023-08-22T15:03:00.006-07:002023-08-23T07:51:21.273-07:00A Tale of Two Disturbing Poems<p><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMPIHOMfhOHo9VNuAWwz5wBIRHaoZ0YmX360JVCPRuc0JkeesaGfmAGwLdhEhF_9DrHLxlcA0u_8ATVggWXB7JqeMSrdZY3_JreorLWNE7_v_kKMJbxOXjBmiyI94tAZvPXm2CmhWwTPbIZ5d0iDgZUYnRzAajQ9WMt1gFBvYcCO3ImBbTVkI8uCSNJ89/s275/two%20poems.1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMPIHOMfhOHo9VNuAWwz5wBIRHaoZ0YmX360JVCPRuc0JkeesaGfmAGwLdhEhF_9DrHLxlcA0u_8ATVggWXB7JqeMSrdZY3_JreorLWNE7_v_kKMJbxOXjBmiyI94tAZvPXm2CmhWwTPbIZ5d0iDgZUYnRzAajQ9WMt1gFBvYcCO3ImBbTVkI8uCSNJ89/w320-h213/two%20poems.1.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">I have that feeling…that as we come out of the hush or bustle of the summer, something is presenting itself. Something that presents Itself with hopes we will say Yes. Quite often, the fall season calls for a re-arranging, a new-year-esque lens to see our moments, coming and going, what we are up to, our rhythms of rest and work, through. Examination. It’s a soul-giving thing to stop and let it do its work. </span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-984cc099-7fff-2895-2d2e-7f037c96175a" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yn5q3qy6GyJ5vQvbiGFo7YuFzu6ESExYkFra7VdMYkg4xseO_xHAclnLGA-bm_ReYTkb3UxXCdvP8i1F4n5W8E3PGnkDqUNi4tok7AWgr6yRJLGEzR3VLpvHwft5GuXqFunMhSk-dgDothAX3oZ2Yp0VI3Jy1af_ZtXzwAQg42wkAOZOYw5eIAYKY1hZ/s226/self.sabotage.2.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="226" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yn5q3qy6GyJ5vQvbiGFo7YuFzu6ESExYkFra7VdMYkg4xseO_xHAclnLGA-bm_ReYTkb3UxXCdvP8i1F4n5W8E3PGnkDqUNi4tok7AWgr6yRJLGEzR3VLpvHwft5GuXqFunMhSk-dgDothAX3oZ2Yp0VI3Jy1af_ZtXzwAQg42wkAOZOYw5eIAYKY1hZ/w200-h173/self.sabotage.2.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>This poem recently came across my email via more than one list I am signed up to receive…which means you should listen, right? It is a poem I think we need to encounter in certain intervals of our process…in order to be “disturbed” toward what is next, in spite of our self-sabotaging settlement in the too small, too known, too safe. </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptPdSZUnMUMmpoRKMfvgrPhDij5KobfLbnykEr12D7e_w9KjuHVihlKgItueHuTRhlCcvk39hr4EmqSsnKipvr7yZvdSOXkxfUAnI81fL9Lvc8i1uCELArewV8-snDy_W8dqZ4oQpgqnNCyMPaxCyBJZEIFAvGLCArAERovWNeBo1GZE7l23qL9YnSmZG/s300/contemplation.picture.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptPdSZUnMUMmpoRKMfvgrPhDij5KobfLbnykEr12D7e_w9KjuHVihlKgItueHuTRhlCcvk39hr4EmqSsnKipvr7yZvdSOXkxfUAnI81fL9Lvc8i1uCELArewV8-snDy_W8dqZ4oQpgqnNCyMPaxCyBJZEIFAvGLCArAERovWNeBo1GZE7l23qL9YnSmZG/w400-h224/contemplation.picture.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If it is available, gift yourself a moment of stillness and breath. Get quite inside and when you find you can receive…slowly roll the lines of this poem over in your mind. You might even practice a</span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2017/05/what-is-lectio-divina.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> lectio divina-like</span></a><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> reading of it, maybe going back once or twice over it rolling it around in your soul. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Disturb us, Lord, when</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are too well pleased with ourselves,</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When our dreams have come true</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Because we have dreamed too little,</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When we arrived safely</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Because we sailed too close to the shore.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Disturb us, Lord, when</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">With the abundance of things we possess</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have lost our thirst</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the waters of life;</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Having fallen in love with life,</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have ceased to dream of eternity</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And in our efforts to build a new earth,</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have allowed our vision</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Of the new Heaven to dim.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To venture on wider seas</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Where storms will show your mastery;</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Where losing sight of land,</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We shall find the stars.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We ask You to push back</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The horizons of our hopes;</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And to push into the future</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In strength, courage, hope, and love.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Attributed (but we are not certain!) — Sir Francis Drake — 1577</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BeKtoVXeU1NqYYBe0PQk4n2bWv2UyqggJe2h-jT3_wi6njt4dcth90HZ8y3Xb35ENTejeQVO215mQg0r59GUAaexIGPNDjj7Ibyg9A0hpP8lima9gJXFu4TcU4VMXIhQSxCuFc6m-57NcGFb8gjdoEZMvs9Qp9QxFcVTXHMeM7W1JGkx_K3tt51ZE5Qu/s225/wake.up.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="225" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BeKtoVXeU1NqYYBe0PQk4n2bWv2UyqggJe2h-jT3_wi6njt4dcth90HZ8y3Xb35ENTejeQVO215mQg0r59GUAaexIGPNDjj7Ibyg9A0hpP8lima9gJXFu4TcU4VMXIhQSxCuFc6m-57NcGFb8gjdoEZMvs9Qp9QxFcVTXHMeM7W1JGkx_K3tt51ZE5Qu/s1600/wake.up.jpeg" width="225" /></span></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Consider some contemplation questions:</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What line stands out to me in this poem? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Is there a picture, certain feelings, certain desires that surface when you consider that line?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ask the Spirit why that line, that phrase? What does he want to offer you through your attention held there?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-93a80096-7fff-47fb-309c-c4d1c56784a7"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Is there an invitation for you to “</span><a href="https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/imagination-and-praydreaming/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline;">pray-dream</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">” about something stirring or awakening, desiring?</span></span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #595959; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Then simply as you can manage, pray not with words but by "relaxing into God's goodness" for a minute or two. (Rolheiser, 2009)</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have been following these bread crumbs for a couple years and believe I have rested on something to share. My example is on a pretty macro level, but I adore being in authentic relationship with you so I will share. I have had for a while “a something” I couldn’t discern: between an idea, an invitation, or an amusing day dream about the content that I am drawn to again again (when my soul is awake enough to pay attention and be drawn). </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB1J-SRaHA9YiQNzlNI-m_rwW7YTdnqj-5Pgu-GawZxHevCNqjXVJ59fhKYlW4TjTn9Hog32G3keiEHVJK94B60LgJS1IqEACET7oSxNm_O9tIpK8LkTs85Ju6qjGxoJ4gSx0P7u6Z7MqaSC7LUz9cc-oAuFd4LM4Nxts5cyq1pY1ktG_i4uL5sm5cjoD/s224/be%20brave.take%20risks.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="224" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB1J-SRaHA9YiQNzlNI-m_rwW7YTdnqj-5Pgu-GawZxHevCNqjXVJ59fhKYlW4TjTn9Hog32G3keiEHVJK94B60LgJS1IqEACET7oSxNm_O9tIpK8LkTs85Ju6qjGxoJ4gSx0P7u6Z7MqaSC7LUz9cc-oAuFd4LM4Nxts5cyq1pY1ktG_i4uL5sm5cjoD/s1600/be%20brave.take%20risks.jpeg" width="224" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I find myself at 47 with opportunities and freedoms I didn’t think I would have to invest in my life path. After rolling around this marble in my mind and consulting my wisdom supports, I think I have reached clarity that I am experiencing an </span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">invitation</span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from the Spirit’s work in my mind and heart to pursue and receive from the experience of Doctorate in Spiritual Formation program. The content and experience at the Biola program sounds delicious and though it is not definitive because there are some outstanding steps to lock it in ... I am hoping to join the cohort in 2024. I look forward to blessing you precious ones of mine with overflow from what I receive. </span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the spirit of awakening desire and listening well to your inner world….I would like to include this re-interpretation of the original poem above, written by </span><a href="https://renovare.org/about/people" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Brian Morykon</span></a><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> who works at </span><a href="https://renovare.org/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Renivor</span></a><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. He passed it along in one of their publications. I think his inspired poem offers another angle of our contemporary landscape reflected in the cry we all hear if we offer ourselves enough stillness to listen. I offer it to you as an addition or an alternative to sit with the reflections questions above and see what is here for you. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwTmeP9UFMoqRUUJqpQv0obnaRcDiqkefB-q5nikTcuKUlKdW93nnwlcit9Cwel82ukQm0LCGfOjPW8GSBYpOS1MHE8AAcoNZkbVQMeZVSqxw_YcbcuIepULUUkYXMc8f4Ax7n0OhWc8Q5QG8Vxzibco11EoMOwZPwUYHUjyOws4sXDOq-3RHGxJFMkSQ/s1024/two%20poems.2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwTmeP9UFMoqRUUJqpQv0obnaRcDiqkefB-q5nikTcuKUlKdW93nnwlcit9Cwel82ukQm0LCGfOjPW8GSBYpOS1MHE8AAcoNZkbVQMeZVSqxw_YcbcuIepULUUkYXMc8f4Ax7n0OhWc8Q5QG8Vxzibco11EoMOwZPwUYHUjyOws4sXDOq-3RHGxJFMkSQ/s320/two%20poems.2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Awaken me, Lord, when</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have nodded off to the rhythm</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Of a steady paycheck</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Or sedated myself</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In a cycle of shame.</span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Awaken me, Lord, when</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Lulled by lesser things</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I mistake sleep for shalom</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And silence the longings of my soul</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One swipe at a time.</span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Awaken me, Lord, to recover</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The dreaming of my youth;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But give me new dreams,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Vessels shattered then</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Strengthened by suffering,<br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Reclaimed jars that brim with</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bread for hungry hearts</span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I ask you to open up</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The inner places shut down</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By trauma and triggers,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By my choices and others’,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By taking on too much</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And leaning in too little.</span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Awaken me, Lord,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To your goodness</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By your love,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">With a kiss or a quake</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Or any means necessary;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY21qUjnKI53Of8IVXy5d-gxbLsD0DPbWDHRP2F62vMolbrQ3SvG1C8WSQWRFuALVFggawXzbBXw0VqGTgvACCMbw3JGNf03wEFycGZiyfuPvzBZobaWsw2nh2HK2PVS1dFGmQ9w0XW8eNIY8jpCr0nqt8nc9kmBtJqYYFfu2GMDpwV0dUQtxmyuO1mdB/s200/you%20are%20beautiful%20.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY21qUjnKI53Of8IVXy5d-gxbLsD0DPbWDHRP2F62vMolbrQ3SvG1C8WSQWRFuALVFggawXzbBXw0VqGTgvACCMbw3JGNf03wEFycGZiyfuPvzBZobaWsw2nh2HK2PVS1dFGmQ9w0XW8eNIY8jpCr0nqt8nc9kmBtJqYYFfu2GMDpwV0dUQtxmyuO1mdB/s1600/you%20are%20beautiful%20.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Because being awake </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">With you and to you</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Is better than being asleep</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anywhere else.</span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://renovare.org/about/people" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Brian Morykon</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://renovare.org/about/people" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Renvior </span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E283" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E283" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span class="qowt-font2-Quicksand" id="E284" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E284" style="color: #222222; font-size: 15pt;">As always, I am here to listen and hold and resource you through your process however that may look. I invite you to “step outside of your life so you can work on your life”. Set aside time, schedule with me and we can meet in the therapy cave, or in our Jordan Stones zoom room. You can find me here: </span>
</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E285" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E285" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 11pt;"></p><dd style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-left: 6px; text-align: center;"><span style="border-radius: 4px; border: 0px solid rgb(226, 226, 226); margin-right: 10px; padding: 10px 5px 10px 0px;"><a href="https://jordanstones.secure-client-area.com/" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; overflow-wrap: anywhere; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://jordanstones.secure-client-area.com</a></span></dd><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rolheiser, R. (2009). </span><span face="Quicksand, sans-serif" style="color: #0f1111; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian <span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>Spirituality. Image Publishing. New York. </span></span></div>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-60345922249258342142022-07-28T11:09:00.004-07:002022-07-31T09:20:30.670-07:00Boundaries you Cannot See And Cannot Ignore <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nAMvJ9Eo1wnWhSokb9a7EN7W5wxnN3bs2m4Gr421PoVgcYYuTugp2Syygr7wvrq_9OwHueEJUx2hz1unc84ZUXp79FpVAtyo3fi6XOviNbyvxIldApYew_6MibaOKIKvXMZ-aMBaVFWA-oyRt4qkroicnNEksn78vQXb2OnmIyU-bzfN6egvQ20Alw/s405/boundary.2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="405" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nAMvJ9Eo1wnWhSokb9a7EN7W5wxnN3bs2m4Gr421PoVgcYYuTugp2Syygr7wvrq_9OwHueEJUx2hz1unc84ZUXp79FpVAtyo3fi6XOviNbyvxIldApYew_6MibaOKIKvXMZ-aMBaVFWA-oyRt4qkroicnNEksn78vQXb2OnmIyU-bzfN6egvQ20Alw/s320/boundary.2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Let me begin by introducing you to one of my personal favorite emotional coping tricks. Prayer Pictures. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b7310223-7fff-1ca3-e4c2-10107fffc712"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><u>What is a Prayer Picture?</u></span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">A Prayer Picture is a term I coined to mean an image or symbol, representing a bigger, more complex or powerful insight that came to you at some point. One of those…an “oh, that is good!” moments or one line from a podcast or a book that was just for you and you know you are going to need it in the future. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">When we are on the fly we are zipping through appointments and classes and shopping and relating and debating and carpooling and deal making and number crunching...whatever fills your hustle. It is my experience that it is pretty near impossible to pull down a complex psychosocial/psychospiritual clarity or coping mechanism on the go. Our brains are built to serve us on the fly and put us in a sympathetic chemical (autopilot) brain atmosphere. When we are there, automatic reaction mostly determines choices, behavior, and outcome. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So, in an effort to grab that gift and allow it to serve me in the moment of need, I call on a Prayer Picture. I close my eyes (if possible), settle and smooth with a prayer breath, and I couple my inhale with the image of the thing I need. </span></span><p></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><u>A Boundary You Cannot See </u></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7iGII-hU9Mo1SQiB1eauWDrMXOXttednnV7rAoyZB0WJt7PPsbt9mWimJJzAf7gVDvoTeWByCcqfHLCjVbM5k6rsRSDPEK7eJj_B02SzH9hfUreK_ZMYE8YJ2IlcaEvfNROkarv-FOMJriMll2O1z7TkPZ3FTRwcUl6ckrqxBJTPh9yenyJvHe0Hhw/s310/boundary.4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7iGII-hU9Mo1SQiB1eauWDrMXOXttednnV7rAoyZB0WJt7PPsbt9mWimJJzAf7gVDvoTeWByCcqfHLCjVbM5k6rsRSDPEK7eJj_B02SzH9hfUreK_ZMYE8YJ2IlcaEvfNROkarv-FOMJriMll2O1z7TkPZ3FTRwcUl6ckrqxBJTPh9yenyJvHe0Hhw/s1600/boundary.4.jpeg" width="310" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">When we define what we can and can’t control, we come to a boundary. Something that separates you from everything else and everyone else. Everyone. There is a place where you end and I begin. Your husband begins. Your child begins. Your teacher begins. The person driving that annoying car beings. The “helpless help desk” representative begins. </span></span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">I believe we have an unseen world that is more critical to our life than what we see. It is the inner territory of our soul, the true self, the essence of our being and the seat from which we get present and connect with our Good Shepherd Lord. It is the place where we are knit-up with the Holy Spirit. It is important. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIACsqNiNcNXNz8cEt2BCH68t6WW2H30-AUUuoiOGRpFi07v6xTsnBxPqdLHiPZlibsXRwQCOxUxpDtyIJhlVaOewDM2Gl3F8OkhjSUAHbLbbccLCI2N0_9FpM8ty-srOM7px_dtS_BOy4NkvxGatydYZO_BgqNq1i----WTW4SWd2VjH7EC745erqiQ/s259/boundary.1.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIACsqNiNcNXNz8cEt2BCH68t6WW2H30-AUUuoiOGRpFi07v6xTsnBxPqdLHiPZlibsXRwQCOxUxpDtyIJhlVaOewDM2Gl3F8OkhjSUAHbLbbccLCI2N0_9FpM8ty-srOM7px_dtS_BOy4NkvxGatydYZO_BgqNq1i----WTW4SWd2VjH7EC745erqiQ/s1600/boundary.1.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">This territory is “take off your shoes” territory. This innermost being is a gift from your Creator that He intends only to be space for rest in Him. We can’t do it quite entirely, but it is precisely from a place of rest that we are invited to take on the most challenging moments and aspirations in front of us. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">God is the Lover of your soul. I am going to go so far as to say this innermost territory might be likened to a marriage bed. It is only intended for two people: you and your Savior. All other loves are enjoyed in the next soul layer and only insofar as we keep the innermost set apart, that second soul layer relationships and connections can thrive. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: x-small;">I am anxious for you with the deep concern of God himself—anxious that your love should be for Christ alone, just as a pure maiden saves her love for one man only, for the one who will be her husband.2 Corinthians 11:2 TLB</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need to remember, as we talk about God’s intolerance of idolatry, that everything comes back to a passionate love that is so immense, so powerful, that it burns hotter than a billion suns. - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="https://faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/god-is-jealous/#.Yi6WpmjMKEs" target="_blank">Kyle Idleman.</a></span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><u>Prayer Picture and Your Emotional Boundary </u></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So, here is the Prayer Picture...</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Open up that dusty file drawer that is in the back of your mind. You may find a folder from high school biology. In it, you may find some information about cells...mitochondria, chloroplasts... let’s simply focus on a single cell in the human body. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you read further into that folder, you might remember that cells have a </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cell wall</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It’s outer perimeter that divides it from the rest of the material of the organism it resides in. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There may be a phrase you recall...that cell has a “semi-permeable” membrane. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This means that there is intelligence in this microscopic little circle far smaller our eye could ever perceive. Intelligence. Fascinating.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgwa_WWN_ORMaMdS4pILDOyCawMRNu6zR4RzYkizXlQBU7zE9kQoAnXh9bnluQw5aOEbKhTSBjWhl7jHfGl4V8NwxHhBdmJefSBcr3QyQouk7p4tU8x3_VrzTsp0uHk1LPgITnV2sc2EMfUMMonBlofkEdtrBg12_8GjecJDdsBhtUCHPiOv6NXJwwg/s901/bubble.3.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="721" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgwa_WWN_ORMaMdS4pILDOyCawMRNu6zR4RzYkizXlQBU7zE9kQoAnXh9bnluQw5aOEbKhTSBjWhl7jHfGl4V8NwxHhBdmJefSBcr3QyQouk7p4tU8x3_VrzTsp0uHk1LPgITnV2sc2EMfUMMonBlofkEdtrBg12_8GjecJDdsBhtUCHPiOv6NXJwwg/s320/bubble.3.jpeg" width="256" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">That cell is in charge of <a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2012/03/self-governing.html" target="_blank">governing</a> it’s boundary. It has to permit certain things to pass through and it has to escort certain things out in order to “maintain homeostasis”. Maybe a certain amount of salinity goes in and waste is passed out. Otherwise the cell is compromised and eventually perishes. That is about the extent of my file drawer recalls on cells. </span></span><p></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Now let's consider how our inner territory is like one of those microscopic cells in the context of a Prayer Picture. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">In my mind, a cell looks like an iridescent soap bubble. As mature souls, we are invited to govern our “cell wall”, that boundary that separates your being from the rest of the world including those you love the deepest and fiercest. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">We GET TO decide what passes into and out of our inner being and in doing so “maintain homeostasis”. Who or what makes their way into your “cell” is responsible for the climate of your being. By this I mean your mood, your thoughts, your behavior, your impulses, your assumptions….this collective “weather” that you live in moment by moment and experience your life through.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">As stated earlier, that "soul weather" of the most inner chamber of your heart and mind was made to exist exclusively in consistent connection to the Lord and Lover of your soul. As you become more and more familiar and experience Him as the backdrop of your being you will find yourself well and at rest, even in chaos and even when those around you are not. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">In my prayer picture, my iridescent soap bubble has a water line halfway up. I know that I have not been <a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2012/03/feudalism-self-governing-part-2.html" target="_blank">governing my cell wall well</a> when I feel like my “water is sloshy” and my inner space is stirred up or whipped up or splashing all around. It’s a feeling. It is a perception. It is an observation of my mental climate.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsQQV6ECW4q_r-QluY1rpg6awEcIs3Rx0hxlJnERgQCm6cJjbsRrqEiYuKatSDkuVShjGvg0oiSNDd-XvCC7OQm-LdZfi8h5_Civt1V09n_GWMgSdina1JUAO2rLl_N3pFbNoWwvWA8EZjm9LqPp4QokW1wPHOHZOQp9k9d6dgFsRw-MQYB_oPFUqIw/s626/water.slosh.perfect.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="626" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsQQV6ECW4q_r-QluY1rpg6awEcIs3Rx0hxlJnERgQCm6cJjbsRrqEiYuKatSDkuVShjGvg0oiSNDd-XvCC7OQm-LdZfi8h5_Civt1V09n_GWMgSdina1JUAO2rLl_N3pFbNoWwvWA8EZjm9LqPp4QokW1wPHOHZOQp9k9d6dgFsRw-MQYB_oPFUqIw/s320/water.slosh.perfect.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">When I am aware the Good Shepherd is present, the water is still. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">He leads me beside quiet waters. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">What this doesn’t mean:</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">You don’t care about the other person’s feelings</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">You care more about your feelings that the other person</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">You shut down your feelings </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">You pretend you are OK so the other person doesn’t think you are too sensitive or burdensome </span></span></p></li></ul><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">This does mean that we can offer those we care for and even those we randomly bump into the most authentic Spirit-filled self available to us. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">This does mean that when you walk in the room options change for everyone because you bring a connection to the Living Source...whether you speak to a soul or not. You carry that root into stillness with you like a seed of radiation, doing it’s work while you go about your day,<b><i> still water stilling everyone and everything around you. </i></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><b></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2Gru29wngEPjLHuzEcLzLfk75lh3_ZY-dmjlU_WpZr_xbiffVu-dQARPRzbVDNj8kdwYfTGhENQBCg3o6KmS0l8sw3OcwOXvTh7hQBBqUPXBMz-mIXZH5PzUFb_xtDv7ioU0bR8fC39Yl9CholBhMaPf3G7t6lB2y3KJPCWCwobztaSvV4lp7598uw/s277/water.still.cell.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="277" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2Gru29wngEPjLHuzEcLzLfk75lh3_ZY-dmjlU_WpZr_xbiffVu-dQARPRzbVDNj8kdwYfTGhENQBCg3o6KmS0l8sw3OcwOXvTh7hQBBqUPXBMz-mIXZH5PzUFb_xtDv7ioU0bR8fC39Yl9CholBhMaPf3G7t6lB2y3KJPCWCwobztaSvV4lp7598uw/w371-h244/water.still.cell.jpeg" width="371" /></a></div><br /></b></span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">This does mean we move<i> in the direction of</i> “I can give myself permission to be OK even when _______________ is not OK. (fill in the blank with your loved one)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><u>The Hardest Part </u></span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Let me highlight the gut-wrenching part: In the context of the most important relationships we have, we still have to do this work. It feels like a moral infraction to be OK when my kids are not. I have swam in both pools. I have been in a panic, I have drown in tears, I have shut down, I have worried myself sick over my babies when they are not ok. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">By the grace of the Lord, at one point he offered me a different plan. Remember that they are separate from me and ultimately, even my children and I do not share that sacred marriage-bed type of inner being space. When I ask myself in a rational moment, I would not want to intrude on theirs and they should not tread on mine. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">And… mercy, when I have done the work of rooting and claiming and reminding and “begin again-ing” I am a WAY better mom and there is space for God to do the good stuff that I literally can not. I used my kids in this example, but such is true for our other precious points - spouses and parents and the closest friends. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLojzZka7xBybY0zWxysI9_cVntsgDVjnlwl5W_erYurcYV5MePLVqlDEzEMEzszaoH4XgbzVdYsvw9GgiZXlrkbdrgzHEd_1sS9NPdCEnxg72ejnWENmnyeytsKnKGqzbiLhg4d1ti9AjHCUlsJW5Ia_xCdaPoamxkgsfEdl6q28bOJugHNjxpwO4EQ/s276/water.still.cell.2.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLojzZka7xBybY0zWxysI9_cVntsgDVjnlwl5W_erYurcYV5MePLVqlDEzEMEzszaoH4XgbzVdYsvw9GgiZXlrkbdrgzHEd_1sS9NPdCEnxg72ejnWENmnyeytsKnKGqzbiLhg4d1ti9AjHCUlsJW5Ia_xCdaPoamxkgsfEdl6q28bOJugHNjxpwO4EQ/s1600/water.still.cell.2.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">We cultivate that direction but I suspect it would be impossible to do this perfectly. We will be stirred but we can always make our way back to still.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">And that is the most loving thing we can do in the context of caring for our and serving beloveds well. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv55QOvMYtxxpozOPvMynRhbrrlT3W-JrGZoNRhFV5E3kzde7288V501g8jMA6ono0QeCmfp46VyZzZvbwiyXozVvc5BdkdB6k0byrIVRm5FUDW0BVWQarrkjmXK6NL9oiHWRyTwv6it_xQy7D8TaN71nya1WM88BqNq0iAkIXtjsD1usiKT8Lhpssdw/s200/you%20are%20beautiful%20.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv55QOvMYtxxpozOPvMynRhbrrlT3W-JrGZoNRhFV5E3kzde7288V501g8jMA6ono0QeCmfp46VyZzZvbwiyXozVvc5BdkdB6k0byrIVRm5FUDW0BVWQarrkjmXK6NL9oiHWRyTwv6it_xQy7D8TaN71nya1WM88BqNq0iAkIXtjsD1usiKT8Lhpssdw/s1600/you%20are%20beautiful%20.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.608; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-44531255303093141722022-01-03T15:31:00.008-08:002022-01-07T08:37:06.464-08:00Discernment and Opening Spiritual Eyes <span id="docs-internal-guid-fa915e9f-7fff-7883-31db-32d96e0a33a4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beloveds, as 2022 greets us with all of its yet to be seen highs and lows lying in wait, what better to chew on than discernment? Tooling up for what lies ahead is so behooving. It is one of my jams. I only published one blog and email in 2021…you can read between the lines and infer what sort of year it was for me! Probably like many of you. I did write a good bit in 2021 though and so have some good words in the cue to meet you with this year. It feels so right. Thank you for a place to share what is on my heart. </span></p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ5fwMoLa4v8hWFfwFlJWiZzD5sXIjkNEcTYoOVqpCz_hUTdS8v4cW9YYZcwipFejd69GDSZ4IoVbxJguSfpKNwboatSngEC429_t6jmyIq5PhsNiipCZEGZwOwE2WH3bKHIX5cdC3IcM3pgMl8pt_AllQZ50eWzKq5MkUvIevJLZIQkDZ6J9_nmS6lA=s1680" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1680" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ5fwMoLa4v8hWFfwFlJWiZzD5sXIjkNEcTYoOVqpCz_hUTdS8v4cW9YYZcwipFejd69GDSZ4IoVbxJguSfpKNwboatSngEC429_t6jmyIq5PhsNiipCZEGZwOwE2WH3bKHIX5cdC3IcM3pgMl8pt_AllQZ50eWzKq5MkUvIevJLZIQkDZ6J9_nmS6lA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-3133ccfb-7fff-0e5c-2297-22b430dfe79c"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In order to do this, let me introduce you to a new service brought to you exclusively by Jordan Stones Counseling...JS Blink List. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/meet-app-transformed-reading-1-5-million-people?utm_source=gsn&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=15405570131&utm_content=130520434213&utm_term=__567841955921_c_dsa-1513430171736_CjwKCAiA8bqOBhANEiwA-sIlN0BOmxt2oRu8k_NaBNIj_ewqKWSSoF196OIRH0bgIxAqi3NqSi7sPhoCCFkQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bqOBhANEiwA-sIlN0BOmxt2oRu8k_NaBNIj_ewqKWSSoF196OIRH0bgIxAqi3NqSi7sPhoCCFkQAvD_BwE" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blink list</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is an app I found a couple of years ago that takes those books that you really have to read, but you don’t ever seem to get to (for example “7 Habits of Highly Successful People”). Blink list doses these books down to 15 minutes or so of the critical content for your fast absorbing enjoyment. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The insight-junkie in me sees part of my calling is to gravitate toward content you may or may not have the exposure to bump into. And when I do, I want nothing more than to share it with you! In the spirit of this, the first installment of JS Blinklist is </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God’s Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God’s Will, by Mark Thibodeaux</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is Discernment?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God’s Voice Within</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is about discernment. Discernment is the ability to judge well. We tend to think of discernment as decision making but it goes much deeper and broader than simply making choices. It is not only a matter of reason but of spiritually. It involves every aspect of a person from emotion to analysis, from desire to resistance, from personal will to personal prayer. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We vitally need to judge well when we make decisions...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we are struggling with critical thoughts…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we feel uneasy in a relationship…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we sort out how to position ourselves in the meaning-loaded climate of our country... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we engage and respond on FaceBook,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we don’t know what to do…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How will you fill up your day?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How might you serve Christ?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How might you take good care of yourself today?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What sort of attitude should you have?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4B-wk0IL_qgjckdo6afur8ryuAuVRur_2sQFlBLZ_Mm2PesayLjJyFvYoqyDi8V6SwBXKirGiNiwVFTBP610vKBFqTUv4ZSNl_DUwLZSPBURmDUG2udIX5igwNwdWa2VuNm1jn6XtU1Hrkc_KLrcmbOyFaKwAyqkWr70jHvomWIlOH-2RhomRhRBO1g=s318" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4B-wk0IL_qgjckdo6afur8ryuAuVRur_2sQFlBLZ_Mm2PesayLjJyFvYoqyDi8V6SwBXKirGiNiwVFTBP610vKBFqTUv4ZSNl_DUwLZSPBURmDUG2udIX5igwNwdWa2VuNm1jn6XtU1Hrkc_KLrcmbOyFaKwAyqkWr70jHvomWIlOH-2RhomRhRBO1g" width="318" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On and on and on the need for discernment goes with no end. Anyone who has lived long enough knows it is not simple because very few dynamics in life are black and white. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our old friend and faith father Ignatius of Loyola honored that decisions inherently carry so many variables that any formula would be presumptuous.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead, Ignatius set out to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">teach people how to become a kind of person who, through a sort of learned intuition, could detect the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sources</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions.</span></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8j4bI2POtE_9eaCOpxijEkDWIi6ULTipMBhJxCI6bwUbyKyvfTE0g_CLIjEht1jaRv1rL6n_nTBq5eF3KkisdJCi2neleisTbsLpjcYgOg03ybEKoraiR4jN9E3r1zoGDc_GdV4f9vD7Ppx_UbLLzpReEXmc-wGYzQQpk3AmmxQ23a6kwQvq30BsX2Q=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8j4bI2POtE_9eaCOpxijEkDWIi6ULTipMBhJxCI6bwUbyKyvfTE0g_CLIjEht1jaRv1rL6n_nTBq5eF3KkisdJCi2neleisTbsLpjcYgOg03ybEKoraiR4jN9E3r1zoGDc_GdV4f9vD7Ppx_UbLLzpReEXmc-wGYzQQpk3AmmxQ23a6kwQvq30BsX2Q=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ignatian discernment is not so much about what we do, but who we are. </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXJ3Wg62pQw51X2qk9seUGPwveno9toOnuS5bghTrxbr8r4lY8FnO2z0QHcorybv9U6eyRKm7Yoigz2J5oB76VUIqMWHJFF3mzYBZxMX4E0fn-5EA5YKAOiRMxjrSTiorGOJbaBszqlhJLy32K9fWySRGQ57DQ9B5sO5r2szOWSBe_zngKULdPpCxLIA=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXJ3Wg62pQw51X2qk9seUGPwveno9toOnuS5bghTrxbr8r4lY8FnO2z0QHcorybv9U6eyRKm7Yoigz2J5oB76VUIqMWHJFF3mzYBZxMX4E0fn-5EA5YKAOiRMxjrSTiorGOJbaBszqlhJLy32K9fWySRGQ57DQ9B5sO5r2szOWSBe_zngKULdPpCxLIA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through a personal journey of reflection (details of his biographical process found in the book), Ignatius realized at all times he could pay attention and notice that there was a source behind his given emotional state.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDNOqvWaOXXc2Qcb_75EV5fvg_boRdiZtlqt1fm5pUqXOcsU7KxMFZLq7-J9W92d1eYGryyzCJuBuDCVmmvfeB2yJNf_XK39LYiWBPmq8xsx_NL_MMCho_-Hn-f-qcqMTboaS_ZQuAPUdmrtAzOlqthS8DvSdceQLayCZ49zQuMUWbcrvUUfY5zQleEg=s304" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="304" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDNOqvWaOXXc2Qcb_75EV5fvg_boRdiZtlqt1fm5pUqXOcsU7KxMFZLq7-J9W92d1eYGryyzCJuBuDCVmmvfeB2yJNf_XK39LYiWBPmq8xsx_NL_MMCho_-Hn-f-qcqMTboaS_ZQuAPUdmrtAzOlqthS8DvSdceQLayCZ49zQuMUWbcrvUUfY5zQleEg" width="304" /></a></div><p></p><div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He noticed his heart and mind were in a moment inclined toward a certain bend. He created a simple polar continuum for us to utilize. On one side, Ignatius would say one is inclined, “toward great deeds of life and love”. On the other end of the spectrum, we are inclined toward lower dreams and lesser loves moving us to act against the life-giving inspirations of God” P. 11</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His language for the pull toward holding attributes, mannerisms, characteristics, and love consistent with the goodness of God he called “true spirit”; the pull away from God “false spirit”. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ignatius attributed one of these two spirit conditions to the movements </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">beneath</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> each thought, feeling, or action stirring your spirit.</span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, what exactly are these spirits? Is it as simple as if you are feeling in a good way you are in your True Spirit and if you are in a bad mood you are experiencing a False Spirit? No!! It is more profound, pragmatic, and powerful than that. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyn_z6N-Qbo3otJtjqLpo-4dIlzO3y-nDZR4UZ-GfQdWgbcDa-vSml5vXA_eT1PtcO76R09wn8dNV1DUc4WkiZDCtyLQG1gmyjdrIc7qrrAXN_NC1EkOFrItO7BRSPwMQE-1DPo3_g3F91bKoReaI45_pNv_14pK4CICdXCOmQjzrHCORV39KJMwB-hA=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyn_z6N-Qbo3otJtjqLpo-4dIlzO3y-nDZR4UZ-GfQdWgbcDa-vSml5vXA_eT1PtcO76R09wn8dNV1DUc4WkiZDCtyLQG1gmyjdrIc7qrrAXN_NC1EkOFrItO7BRSPwMQE-1DPo3_g3F91bKoReaI45_pNv_14pK4CICdXCOmQjzrHCORV39KJMwB-hA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For example, did I snap at my father because, “the devil made me do it”, because of some childhood psychological wound or because I didn’t get enough sleep the night before? The Thibodeaux’s answer to this question is, “Yes!” ALL of these factors combine to pull me away from God. This influence we call the false spirit. </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS5QQsbstKRN34JRHUDbpS1PK5qnLHI_YIMpmYWFJ_v6HYCPTCrXGuq4Gz-WFu5UjTF-OT0YsuFlgtSn-I5VO2MijM8hii-y3Qhg-TdHr-iQ9gIp6pyMHKqhL2VgKTIUFQrKZe4iPP-g9RwNm6DAMvXIk2qnUu7LlHOepitywFcEuJjMonVId7Uj3TZQ=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS5QQsbstKRN34JRHUDbpS1PK5qnLHI_YIMpmYWFJ_v6HYCPTCrXGuq4Gz-WFu5UjTF-OT0YsuFlgtSn-I5VO2MijM8hii-y3Qhg-TdHr-iQ9gIp6pyMHKqhL2VgKTIUFQrKZe4iPP-g9RwNm6DAMvXIk2qnUu7LlHOepitywFcEuJjMonVId7Uj3TZQ=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discernment can be understood beyond good feelings or bad feelings. It is becoming the sort of person that recognizes the source of movements and impulses. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consolation and Desolation</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Using Ignatius’ understanding of the interior life, we say that when a person is under the influence of the false spirit they are in a state of desolation. When a person’s spirit is under the influence of the true spirit, we can say that they are operating in a state of consolation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am in desolation when I am (p 17)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preoccupied with the small: petty resentments, irrational worries, superficial pleasures, or low reaching goals. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empty of faith, hope, and love</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empty of of the sense of God’s being close to me or the veracity of my spiritual history with the Lord. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Influenced by disquietude (restlessness) and agitation</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Influenced by boredom and “tepidity” (apathy)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Filled with fear or worry</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of inviting God’s daydreams in me, desolation allows the false spirit to “nightmare in me”.I become preoccupied by false futures of impending doom. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Push things into secrecy. </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Consolation</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Felt sense of faith, hope and love are experienced: </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faith exhibited as greater trust in God, in the church, or in the God-given people in my life</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope evidenced as greater optimism for the future and deeper confidence in God’s providence-</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love evidenced with thoughts occupied with greater love of my neighbor</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In ordinary life God’s love is recognized in every object, person, or event.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Transparency: Sharing with transparency as a rule with vulnerability as a lifestyle protecting you from suffering pain and temptation alone</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In consolation, Ignatius above all else focuses on a strong, deep, lasting sense of God’s love and presence. Thibodeaux says, “...when returned from prayer, in his ordinary life he recognizes God’s love for him in every object, person, or event. There suddenly exists a fourth dimension in the universe--a newly found reality of God’s personal love singing in the stillness and in the action of creation, in the solidarity of the tree and in the fury of the thunderstorm.” (P. 49)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thibodeaux describes his own experience of consolation: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_xuHYGImJAEwAsPYP2-ITpqRV8Flu2D-Cnm6K3rSlXL87NB3SurHiqlswlFdNYHySQyuZ_4ydp2tJZ6QFfnixftaRy-ll-AOwpgTI_84jrF5VDrjXQ5KbPSI33LpfUtBrgcNHPDq00sHC8Bk3glC9rHrpGpKAg5zRhMuISm3TBV5ZJgzPMp6Kbg1iug=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_xuHYGImJAEwAsPYP2-ITpqRV8Flu2D-Cnm6K3rSlXL87NB3SurHiqlswlFdNYHySQyuZ_4ydp2tJZ6QFfnixftaRy-ll-AOwpgTI_84jrF5VDrjXQ5KbPSI33LpfUtBrgcNHPDq00sHC8Bk3glC9rHrpGpKAg5zRhMuISm3TBV5ZJgzPMp6Kbg1iug=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace and Tranquility </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not to be understood as an absence of problems, negative emotions, or a state of no conflict. That would be “peace as the world gives”, as Jesus described in John 14. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The peace and tranquility is the state of being at peace specifically about the various agitations and temptations in life. This is a peace despite the difficult, despite the process, and despite unresolved issues in life. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you in Consolation or Desolation?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do you discern if you are in a place of consolation or desolation in the interior of your life? One of my favorite spiritual practices offers a very effective way of knowing. The practice of Praying the Examine is an ancient meaningful and pragmatic way to self-reflect and keep your heart, mind, and soul in a place of consolation- inclined toward faithfulness, hopefulness, and love. I have </span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2018/11/examine-of-gratitude.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blogged</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FriMvToDVzE" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you-tubed</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> about it. But for a recap, here is a quick and dirty explanation:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Examine Applied:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Self reflection looks like recalling the contents of your day or part of your day and considering: “what have been the primary things on my mind and in my heart today and what might my goals and accomplishments of the day have been? “Once I name those things that took up my time and psychic energy, I can then ask, “Did those thoughts, feelings,and goals lead me toward being a person of greater faith, hope, and love or away? (p.17)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faith</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Did my actions today give me greater trust in God, in the church, or in the God-given people in my life--or did they lead to unproductive and paralysing doubts?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hope</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Have feelings I’ve been experiencing lately lead me to greater optimism for the future and deeper confidence in God’s providence--or have they lead to despair and to forgetting that god wll take care of me, no matter what?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Have the things that have preoccupied my thoughts today really led me to greater love of my neighbor--or have those thoughts coaxed me into isolation, secrecy, passivity, or aggressiveness?</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decision Making </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately, when we are pursuing discernment it is because we are faced with making a decision. Thibodeaux brings all of these meaning-laden points together in the end of the book to make this practical, but not entirely step-by-step. Because who needs a linear one-size-fits-all way to engage with the unique decision that we face in our individual journeys?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT07UySQ9Ix6IZMmUOW_rRaM69jlzCS8jA3_C3IXe59aRrMFCrr3IIZ5Pl71RH4GSNc1z79Ev-ZteGCHoqytJpZ0IVwHBhCfO3nJFII0-K3OHdGSnG8i4rpxWY7JWWcENvQakUx1sfI14VME4RQKIc8ExJ-YtSe79StXBiSGIW899pQpoKQGeWoUbnnQ=s299" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="299" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT07UySQ9Ix6IZMmUOW_rRaM69jlzCS8jA3_C3IXe59aRrMFCrr3IIZ5Pl71RH4GSNc1z79Ev-ZteGCHoqytJpZ0IVwHBhCfO3nJFII0-K3OHdGSnG8i4rpxWY7JWWcENvQakUx1sfI14VME4RQKIc8ExJ-YtSe79StXBiSGIW899pQpoKQGeWoUbnnQ" width="299" /></a></span></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He suggests: (*get the book for more practical advice on each of these steps!)</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get Quiet (Thibodeaux offers some suggestions and my blog is jam-packed with offerings to practice soul quieting). Obviously getting quiet will lend itself to prayer which cannot be separated from the Jesus’ follower’s decision making process. I really liked this quote on prayer he offers: </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Prayer does not necessarily take up a lot of my time, but it does take up a lot of my interior space in terms of its impact on the whole of my life… It is almost as if my prayer life were a person with whom I am in a loving relationship: I care for it, nurture it, and give my whole heart to it. My prayer life in turn nurtures me, grounds me, and gives me direction. Sad to say, I also neglect my prayer life. I get bored with it and tussle with it. Sometimes we just don’t get along. But I am always in relationship with it.” --</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">M. Thibodeaux</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gather Data: This is quite simply rolling up your sleeves and doing some research on what the different options will offer. Consider writing this down for weight of comparison. He offers “Prayerful Brainstorming” in the spirit of the story of Samuel selecting David to anoint as future king of Israel. All of the options were in front of him in the form of the older brothers and none seemed quite right. Until, he stepped outside the box and realized there was another option: David the youngest music-loving sheep-tending brother who was off in the distant fields.</span></p></li></ul><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dream Dreams</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dreaming is a part of the discernment process. God dwells in our desires. Not only are desires not evil, but they are also one of God's primary instruments of communicating to us. God inflames the heart with holy desires and with attractions toward a life of greater divine praise and service. </span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ponder The Dreams</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offered here are some opposites to flush out the dreams you land on: Does the dream leave me in consolation or desolation (the list of questions he provides here is similar to the above list). Is there an experience of Peace or Disquiet, deep-down agitation? </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhbuBBJBU1F6X_LFE-LmM5Puk_g2QSxfqLv73L8QrQU1sb-4AyE9kTPpDMDDFuM-_Mt284K6m_vvsrS2BqtEzTZJGNWUDWeYGfbjXb9-9SSf_RT7ggZoj-CTXVuWOId7CcfcooOYH87G7yK_JJAOdHaQMvyl2nKbqtFVXknYqK6P-stW0Wc_dzhw4xAA=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhbuBBJBU1F6X_LFE-LmM5Puk_g2QSxfqLv73L8QrQU1sb-4AyE9kTPpDMDDFuM-_Mt284K6m_vvsrS2BqtEzTZJGNWUDWeYGfbjXb9-9SSf_RT7ggZoj-CTXVuWOId7CcfcooOYH87G7yK_JJAOdHaQMvyl2nKbqtFVXknYqK6P-stW0Wc_dzhw4xAA" width="300" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-14c93056-7fff-4801-837b-d0018f176d0f"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-91715ed1-7fff-ea51-e71c-7ee25e790224"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God’s Voice Within (Thibodeaux, 2010) is a really wonderful instrument to help us find discernment. A blend of exposing practical spiritual formation practices and an application of these to the discernment and decision making process. As we enter this new year, all of these components offer us soul food to pursue our the next right thing in the months to come and offer ways to Practice God’s Presence as we take each step. Selah. </span></p></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Selah. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You. Are. Loved. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-left: 28pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thibodeaux, Mark E. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God's Voice within: the Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Loyola Press, 2010. </span></p></span><br /><br />Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-7897865675761754572021-01-25T11:10:00.011-08:002021-01-28T17:41:41.030-08:00Gyroscope - Constructing From the Inside Out <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{1fb2d62b-988b-46c7-83d7-31ee92ba9297}{237}" paraid="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Well, Beloveds, here we are. Still held in this cosmic web of upheaval. </span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{1fb2d62b-988b-46c7-83d7-31ee92ba9297}{237}" paraid="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{1fb2d62b-988b-46c7-83d7-31ee92ba9297}{237}" paraid="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkkSG0rxkhbW46_ChZ8bzdmxS9Lh7HnpggUDJwixRbCRf46hys4y5CJn2aHEfotKYXqup0V0Um3fUhpN0LAe1XAt_EwtHMQtz3BlKFSytWFVHgzLPtEm47ILtFyRVS8NL89NQrVdaUEQb/s275/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkkSG0rxkhbW46_ChZ8bzdmxS9Lh7HnpggUDJwixRbCRf46hys4y5CJn2aHEfotKYXqup0V0Um3fUhpN0LAe1XAt_EwtHMQtz3BlKFSytWFVHgzLPtEm47ILtFyRVS8NL89NQrVdaUEQb/s0/images.jpeg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">2020 taught us that keeping in view what we can and cannot control is a matter of survival. We do not know what 2021 holds...but whatever happens we CAN bring those lessons and the new contours of our thinking and being that we learned from the surprises of 2020. </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">What we learned from the unexpected in 2020 equipped us for 2021 and there are hidden </span></span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/04/sowing-weeping-and-thin-places.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">covid</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">-blessings</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to be counted</span></span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/04/sowing-weeping-and-thin-places.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">,</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> less we miss the gift</span></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Fullness of life has GOT to look better than it did in 2020. All the #quarantinelife</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> truth on YouTube</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> pretty much nails it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Life has got to be fuller, deeper, energized, infused with meaning, richer, and more CONNECTED….So HOW</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">? </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">One of my cornerstone </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW7157535 BCX0" href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2018/09/tent-stakes.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">tent stakes</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> (some spiritual directors call it a “rule of life”) helps me answer questions like this. And today I want to highlight it: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Anchor into your still point</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfcdwdgh73yr34GTWyKh-NQWBrDVBKpEWT-80GrMppAJSmQl9jX-zORL4-D-nDPME_2w66tyNjF5USvxT8zQvr44BQ0ZfP4rD3OAmMa0SQXNkG6qbeZ7eWazMBjXij5CoDoES7hUH8Q3S/s800/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfcdwdgh73yr34GTWyKh-NQWBrDVBKpEWT-80GrMppAJSmQl9jX-zORL4-D-nDPME_2w66tyNjF5USvxT8zQvr44BQ0ZfP4rD3OAmMa0SQXNkG6qbeZ7eWazMBjXij5CoDoES7hUH8Q3S/w400-h400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Let’s use a symbol to sink this down into your believing place where it will make a difference. Have you seen a gyroscope lately? Why would you have? They are kind of random. But, a little Y</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">outube</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> search finds this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsOU0WEc6OU&fbclid=IwAR0Qgi0EbtA-g1LH1LrRCgGctNDeCL4mTSR9Zntk56jlYtyvygGmnzh2jWg" target="_blank">{CLICK to view video}</a></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsOU0WEc6OU&fbclid=IwAR0Qgi0EbtA-g1LH1LrRCgGctNDeCL4mTSR9Zntk56jlYtyvygGmnzh2jWg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVFfnl0JDK6MSTKe8Kfz2VMNGKqguZWmlSYnGNojajFDyhZuX7cI1S-7lbDZN0XuwxoBrkYE2vJqqL5MnBOrX09uTttv-mQPXkevR1kLahrC34_Km9cl7pFwAH8_YIP6fNrSCWDvCm-v7/s320/gyroscope.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So, if you were to hold a gyroscope in your hand or lay it on the table it would...just lay there. But if you spin it, the different circles, weight, gravity, and centripetal force create this long sustainable dance. It will even spin beautifully on a thin little string</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">When we mark time, a new year, there is a divine invitation to turn a page and move your calendar, your intentions, and your affections into a new landscape. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/04/sowing-weeping-and-thin-places.html" target="_blank">This is thin space</a>. </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Y</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ou don’t want a life that just flops over like a still gyroscope.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none;">The spin is not the problem, the spin symbolizes a full life.</span></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAYYs0ulQ6odjmuqBUdsGFcCbBOZ7csqZdkZzCsFttG98COtXAMKP5hypiMiQ0R9SNN0y4euYsFl4RtWvzfuwbxmBq33iDWt-UXrmUpxIgCwWA7-vPSBat3QK08JIXH0pOVfeCSEt8vsd/s800/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAYYs0ulQ6odjmuqBUdsGFcCbBOZ7csqZdkZzCsFttG98COtXAMKP5hypiMiQ0R9SNN0y4euYsFl4RtWvzfuwbxmBq33iDWt-UXrmUpxIgCwWA7-vPSBat3QK08JIXH0pOVfeCSEt8vsd/w400-h400/3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The experience gets uncomfortable when we live exclusively zipping around the peripheral circles of our gyroscope life. That heralds reactive, unorganized, overwhelmed, unproductive autopilot. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Most importantly, it disconnects us </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">from meaning and from our Source.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW7157535 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">We need to appreciate and carefully select the circles and rings that we gather together for our gyroscope dance into 2021. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW7157535 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #444444; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW206997542" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{20}" paraid="9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{226}" paraid="47" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7xj8L7U80k5ST0E0Or6VAEnbsIh3SCaTzsuRrfgj6Tr0sDzDXMkGSn99u3Vo77zmk9iiGq7wycE2DAKvRKYtMhv9i39QUdynmpIE5YGKMvSLyrCtCFd1QtpDvyMK_0VHxU7j8MAe5MBY/s800/5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7xj8L7U80k5ST0E0Or6VAEnbsIh3SCaTzsuRrfgj6Tr0sDzDXMkGSn99u3Vo77zmk9iiGq7wycE2DAKvRKYtMhv9i39QUdynmpIE5YGKMvSLyrCtCFd1QtpDvyMK_0VHxU7j8MAe5MBY/w400-h400/5.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{232}" paraid="48" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{236}" paraid="49" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Your way of being in your outside world is only as well as your way of settling in and inhabiting your internal unseen world. What I mean by inner world: affections, inclinations, emotions, thoughts, aversions, ambitions, and sense of self. </span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{242}" paraid="50" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{246}" paraid="51" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">T.S. Eliott deserves admiration for capturing this way of being in the world in this quote which inspired this blog:</span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlM2oDcQUuhRjUdARhl8kN0wlhW66ajlgWTpyu23j2UphG58NF__eFzWICGGFTZQCVW4UDn8Mtlc0gVKHrOyl7Eho9DoOSp7MAZ1NEoFgxNlU3aqcuQMXMy2jM8j74nJyrfXCmKrmqQU5/s800/9.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlM2oDcQUuhRjUdARhl8kN0wlhW66ajlgWTpyu23j2UphG58NF__eFzWICGGFTZQCVW4UDn8Mtlc0gVKHrOyl7Eho9DoOSp7MAZ1NEoFgxNlU3aqcuQMXMy2jM8j74nJyrfXCmKrmqQU5/w400-h400/9.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{75008bd7-c7a0-452e-b8f3-ff7753440e4e}{252}" paraid="52" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{1}" paraid="53" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Let this be an invitation to you to find and cultivate. Above all, practice the experience of dropping into your center, your still point, your Savior-Anchor.</span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{1}" paraid="53" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{1}" paraid="53" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPYuy6QMfBb3kgddeA16TW5KKWDSsbDYNGwU9pmYvLshZZ82DunaKmOa-iEjokvZHNBA7ZoYVuK7BOApDGairLjM-sivD0qi27roUKBEt25S3kq0ZMdlCLtn0hVqKNPproKQhJg0d4R-C/s800/eph.3.17.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPYuy6QMfBb3kgddeA16TW5KKWDSsbDYNGwU9pmYvLshZZ82DunaKmOa-iEjokvZHNBA7ZoYVuK7BOApDGairLjM-sivD0qi27roUKBEt25S3kq0ZMdlCLtn0hVqKNPproKQhJg0d4R-C/w400-h400/eph.3.17.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span color="windowtext" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{90}" paraid="67" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">It is difficult to find practices to drop into your center that don’t involve embodiment, incarnate sort of experiences. We all know what that head-heart-body disconnect feels like when we have not rested in the center. Jesus modeled us again and again getting solitary and still...</span><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">and he did so in a body. </span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{98}" paraid="68" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{102}" paraid="69" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">These practices are about making that “18 inch journey” from your head to your heart (your believing place). </span><b><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">That place inside you can only accessed when we settle the body down and let it be a bridge from seen to unseen, from earth to heaven. </span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{102}" paraid="69" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{102}" paraid="69" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuRmkAlNUqNy_YIie5S4dI0_EwE8ka06XbGV4ozFs9weQ6jrNEeEYDJOt_8XJx7srbqf6lUC0DTAJZhNqZzUQnHUluQuwWdhyki7qiH_MVsr0Mbr1DBXQMXQt3pvGhtmpAyRx_5Tos3Qu/s800/14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuRmkAlNUqNy_YIie5S4dI0_EwE8ka06XbGV4ozFs9weQ6jrNEeEYDJOt_8XJx7srbqf6lUC0DTAJZhNqZzUQnHUluQuwWdhyki7qiH_MVsr0Mbr1DBXQMXQt3pvGhtmpAyRx_5Tos3Qu/w400-h400/14.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #202124; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span><p></p></div><div class="SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{130}" paraid="73" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #202124; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><h2 style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Here are a few creative suggestions:</span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></h2><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{134}" paraid="74" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{134}" paraid="74" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36rkWOso91SQH6CAuC9tVeQ7pOL-LxRiuVUDspOso35L-a_GrNlEmdtHtVKHMqG2nSWNggQstDbl2oPYH1XPzOenNR__QqEhWkGAAeu2NkP10AGyfkiHTT0V2V1l3Nw5vp-Lx_oEO1d0L/s800/15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36rkWOso91SQH6CAuC9tVeQ7pOL-LxRiuVUDspOso35L-a_GrNlEmdtHtVKHMqG2nSWNggQstDbl2oPYH1XPzOenNR__QqEhWkGAAeu2NkP10AGyfkiHTT0V2V1l3Nw5vp-Lx_oEO1d0L/w400-h400/15.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2017/10/thirds-breaths-and-breath-prayers.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">{Click HERE for Prayer Breath Guide}</span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIrAVCf_8_6oq2ASFWEZlQfp_A3Sh9l636KLeX4gBHQ3MovTQQaNORuxl7sEslFeaN3HAfMZJOTlW9AbNoJScOgx8f1wbahhFW8LJ88sgVH6Ryixdt2H_Oyj_g1qpbsFFLpObt7Z_Tz7P/s800/16.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIrAVCf_8_6oq2ASFWEZlQfp_A3Sh9l636KLeX4gBHQ3MovTQQaNORuxl7sEslFeaN3HAfMZJOTlW9AbNoJScOgx8f1wbahhFW8LJ88sgVH6Ryixdt2H_Oyj_g1qpbsFFLpObt7Z_Tz7P/w400-h400/16.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Kr6UbDOo3rA0-_witCI3j4FLJb6lqVyu4GDwugnLoNymktn24cDEo5RwxcohpAWkrQ5KGXRkOvwPsGaxaAuu8U24t9UaSyl3ugL3Y9ZS8Agmndyzja_CgBecyqHONRGss1rdtFrcaKoG/s800/17.png" style="margin-left: 1em; 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font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqxOXA_S-X0" width="320" youtube-src-id="NqxOXA_S-X0"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><p></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><ul class="BulletListStyle1 SCXW206997542 BCX0" role="list" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="" data-leveltext="●" data-listid="2" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{140}" paraid="75" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span color="windowtext" face=""Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"> </span></p></li></ul></div></div><div class="SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{213}" paraid="84" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"></span></div><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Whatever you do to cultivate an awareness of your anchor, remember that you will need to “begin again” daily...or hourly.</span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Incorporating some <a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/06/part-2-routine-ritual-and-liturgy.html" target="_blank">rhythm and repetition</a> into your coming and going that is your path back when you feel off kilter or overwhelmed is the most important part of this. You will wonder from center. You will forget that it is a dance and experience it as hustle. That is a given. </span></span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{213}" paraid="84" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><br /><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{213}" paraid="84" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">How will you find your way back to that “resting place of his love” as the “source and root of your life”? Find your *insert your name* - shaped way of coming home and do it as often as you can manage. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW206997542 BCX0" paraeid="{db8bb4a3-7f6f-4dfc-8437-77ab71110519}{219}" paraid="85" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW206997542 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuLwkqIxnsWZ1JMnN5ybxuT1PSWG3P9-xc2tVcPNBeyIZ-ghKJK9VRKRNUlL-fc4SyvPxerwf8SJfgi96df_jTpbJzGPA6OFbSeU13T4Lmh1j4A9MPt2BxDwT2X6EIgivuK-8yrx13n1O/s200/you+are+beautiful+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuLwkqIxnsWZ1JMnN5ybxuT1PSWG3P9-xc2tVcPNBeyIZ-ghKJK9VRKRNUlL-fc4SyvPxerwf8SJfgi96df_jTpbJzGPA6OFbSeU13T4Lmh1j4A9MPt2BxDwT2X6EIgivuK-8yrx13n1O/s0/you+are+beautiful+.jpg" /></a></span></div><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span><p></p></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW206997542" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="EOP SCXW206997542 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; line-height: 26.45px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><p style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></p></div>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-14946862704181450922020-10-27T11:40:00.002-07:002020-10-27T11:47:56.985-07:00Fusion and Defusion - Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength <p style="text-align: center;"> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cognitive Fusion and Defusion</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c364e069-7fff-019a-9d10-1a4c7b2515db"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another Intersection of Theology and Psychology </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf0NAzgg5BHK0aZvzC3KXWU0Sa92F6r_KMvOtosvlDgdt6uKkyVqvuM79gacFGpDG5onKoTozPL9fC8PJg2mmbS7KQHm9ChRc0L1PbgxA0LBY1_dJTZIwuc-fmjv1MSU9GUOp3J6IyPO-/s275/same.old.thinking.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf0NAzgg5BHK0aZvzC3KXWU0Sa92F6r_KMvOtosvlDgdt6uKkyVqvuM79gacFGpDG5onKoTozPL9fC8PJg2mmbS7KQHm9ChRc0L1PbgxA0LBY1_dJTZIwuc-fmjv1MSU9GUOp3J6IyPO-/w320-h213/same.old.thinking.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defusion</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--Looking at thoughts rather than from thoughts. Noticing, rather than being <br />caught up in thoughts. When we move from a state of psychological fusion to defusion, our aim is to reduce the influence of intrusive or negative cognitive processes in order to enhance psychological flexibility. </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psychobabble translation = we are able to decide what to focus our thoughts and mental energy on and stop assuming & behaving as if </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thoughts need our attention. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVuNm4T4puabQHv05EnCXcz04obIdP9ZjzlqK1eXH4pZBR1Kd_FlUk_5dVePiyB0fSDrBJxBOMC1xxMKhrhFFRYN3dFE4qvqUUJMuPDcMsRk6iqqqaacqP3MYGbpi_AhE269bDs6G1Lf-/s534/defusion.2.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVuNm4T4puabQHv05EnCXcz04obIdP9ZjzlqK1eXH4pZBR1Kd_FlUk_5dVePiyB0fSDrBJxBOMC1xxMKhrhFFRYN3dFE4qvqUUJMuPDcMsRk6iqqqaacqP3MYGbpi_AhE269bDs6G1Lf-/s320/defusion.2.png" width="320" /></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cognitive defusion is the process by which you change the relationship with your thoughts by stepping back and simply witnessing their presence. When you defuse, you disentangle from your self-talk and observe cognitions as entities separate from yourself, as just words.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This allows you to look at your thoughts rather than from them.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Cognitive Fusion: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts are reality; it's as if what we're thinking is actually present, here and now</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts are the truth; we literally believe them</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts are important; we take them seriously, and give them our full attention</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts are wise; we assume they know best and we follow their advice </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Harris, 2019)</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Cognitive Defusion:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts are merely sounds, words, stories, bits of language passing through our heads</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts may or may not be true. We don't automatically believe them.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts may or may not be important. We pay attention only if they are helpful. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts are not orders. We do not have to obey them. </span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts may or may not be wise. We don't automatically follow their advice. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Harris, 2019)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Observing Self and the Soul</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your True Self/The Observing Self is the part of you that can think about what you think. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is c</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">onsistent perspective from which to observe and accept all changing experiences. The place to look at emotions from rather than within them. It is important to understand that we are <b>more than our thoughts</b>. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgIHjnxdRi16wVCAwPJ9Md1_lnR3gpRyAVUmMoNkcW5gjvU3hY_LwGVwhLQhhJn7ctRuV1DqRQVNu10cBiOvOqMMWoNVEfVrEhgWYgkJNW6yKRVBEpn_uo9n4hG6lUxVuMgmsc0IL5S0E/s800/Mark.12.30.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgIHjnxdRi16wVCAwPJ9Md1_lnR3gpRyAVUmMoNkcW5gjvU3hY_LwGVwhLQhhJn7ctRuV1DqRQVNu10cBiOvOqMMWoNVEfVrEhgWYgkJNW6yKRVBEpn_uo9n4hG6lUxVuMgmsc0IL5S0E/s320/Mark.12.30.png" /></a></div><br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are invited to love God with all of our “heart, mind, soul, and strength.” Spiritual formation writer Dallas Willard (2018) offers helpful distinctions. Simply stated, consider the </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mind</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as your thinking cognitive component, your </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">heart</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as your hub of emotional experience and your </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">strength</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as this flesh and bone incarnate body container we have been given to live from. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SOUL</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is this true, observing self..our eternal being knit into the Holy Spirit that runs like a cohesive “operating system” cloaking in unity all of these three other inner dynamics with Christ as we abide in Him. In the psychological tactic of stepping back from your thoughts, the soul is the greater place to anchor. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Above thoughts, beneath emotions, and beyond body lies a resting place from which to govern your life. </b></span></h4><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW213583541" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0414eaa1-554c-45da-acb3-fed3f57b096e}{34}" paraid="1400376092" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Tinos, Tinos_EmbeddedFont, Tinos_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Want to learn how to leverage that invisible muscle that will </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Tinos, Tinos_EmbeddedFont, Tinos_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">anchor</span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Tinos, Tinos_EmbeddedFont, Tinos_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> your sovereign soul? You have options! </span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Tinos, Tinos_EmbeddedFont, Tinos_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 BCX0 SCXW213583541" role="list" start="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 BCX0 SCXW213583541" role="list" start="2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; 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background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Search the Jordan Stones blog for mindfulness content...there’s a lot!</span></span><a class="Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW213583541" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1884094520931143094/1494686270418145092#" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></li></ol></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW213583541" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0414eaa1-554c-45da-acb3-fed3f57b096e}{92}" paraid="919888239" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span><br class="BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;" /></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 BCX0 SCXW213583541" role="list" start="3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW213583541" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0414eaa1-554c-45da-acb3-fed3f57b096e}{99}" paraid="152626551" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Check out the JS E-Course on Spiritual Temperament...there are many threads of inner formation that are in the service of rooting into your </span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">true-self</span></span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">-soul:</span></span><a class="Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW213583541" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1884094520931143094/1494686270418145092#" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Jordan Stones E-Courses</span></span></a><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #6f7282; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and</span></span><a class="Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW213583541" href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1884094520931143094/1494686270418145092#" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #6f7282; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21.5833px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Resources</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></li></ol></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW213583541" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0414eaa1-554c-45da-acb3-fed3f57b096e}{125}" paraid="1260222677" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span><br class="BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;" /></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><ol class="NumberListStyle1 BCX0 SCXW213583541" role="list" start="4" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW213583541" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0414eaa1-554c-45da-acb3-fed3f57b096e}{132}" paraid="2038765619" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Text me for an appointment and meet me in the therapy cave to personalize this for you and hash it out: 678-757-5785</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></li></ol></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW213583541" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0414eaa1-554c-45da-acb3-fed3f57b096e}{143}" paraid="738692707" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span><br class="BCX0 SCXW213583541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;" /></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW213583541" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-left: 28pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Harris, Russ. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ACT Made Simple: an Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2019. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-left: 28pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">McCall, Darren. “Cognitive Defusion Education and Exercises for Clients.” </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Darren McCall LPC</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 2019, eightfoldcounseling.com/wordpress/cognitive-defusion/. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-left: 28pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Willard, Dallas. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. IVP, 2018. </span></p></span>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-2415849022156852712020-08-31T09:17:00.003-07:002023-08-08T06:49:36.039-07:00You Might be a Mystic If... <p><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At one time you have experienced a familiar sense of non-being,</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a one-dimensional existence througho</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ut the day tha</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">t results in a collapse</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> into bed at night wondering what the day really amounted to. It is so uninspiring to wake up tomorrow just to stare at a seemingly unchanged ball-and-chain to laundry, spreadsheets, Zoom calls, and groceries.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-97d5e200-7fff-02cc-b47e-d70f133ed15a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the aversion to </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tedium,</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “rat race”, drudgery sort of occupation is something you </span>experience as a bit familiar, you might be a mystic. Although the connection may not have gotten your attention just yet. And so the solution remains out of reach. I want to connect with you around this hunger and unlock with you practices to diminish its effects on your spirit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-wAIr1H_jNu2IM_5emJ2yTYshH_TPFyzbMy_fmBANGFUPgByOHSPkG6RBm_A02azloD-27Foa1yXXpVGjc6UARAlhBB4N7Pc1PR8gvie9asnDOSSVXQU6oDf1OjQKaN-khMp8-KRrygr/s800/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-wAIr1H_jNu2IM_5emJ2yTYshH_TPFyzbMy_fmBANGFUPgByOHSPkG6RBm_A02azloD-27Foa1yXXpVGjc6UARAlhBB4N7Pc1PR8gvie9asnDOSSVXQU6oDf1OjQKaN-khMp8-KRrygr/w513-h513/2.png" width="513" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mystic and Profane</span></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are two types of people in the world: the mystic and the profane. When I hear the word profane, the concept I most quickly associate is “profanity”. But in the dictionary, profane is defined as “</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious.” </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the context of the word in the following thoughts. A reasoned, logical, and known preference toward the mental environment. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Profane </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">does </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> refer to a bad person in the least, but a person </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">uncharmed by the unseen and mysterious</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The nonreligious man is not drawn to supernatural or unfathomable. In the end, his conviction is that man makes himself. He is grounded in the seen and the logical. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we make this a continuum rather than a black and white concept, we could also create a category that some religious folks would find home within. They prefer profane ways of being in the world. They are oriented to the stream of our faith that leans toward study, logic, and known lines and boundaries. In my spiritual temperament course, these are the Thomas Aquinas ST’s.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The mystic seeks to experience the sacred as much as possible, experiencing it as reality </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">saturated with being</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The profane, for the mystic, feels </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unreal</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and leads to a feeling or a state of </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nonbeing</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. She knows that there is more than meets the eye and peers through the content for the meaning behind it. She uses her feelings, thoughts, and inclinations-yielded to the Lord- as a cipher to understand what is the next right thing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0V4303reOrT2-u5lsI4VW7d45KnjLod5huc8beyF4Y5SLhd8DcsFAiqLr2t-fFOrQputRCEoQzSRfz-sXRVkRCkignQOSf9h89_zFvZvf5MCXOC4npg47qsk-gsdawdbaJB_hClCJWZG/s800/4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0V4303reOrT2-u5lsI4VW7d45KnjLod5huc8beyF4Y5SLhd8DcsFAiqLr2t-fFOrQputRCEoQzSRfz-sXRVkRCkignQOSf9h89_zFvZvf5MCXOC4npg47qsk-gsdawdbaJB_hClCJWZG/s640/4.png" /></a></div><br /><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Christian mysticism is all about experience...but it’s also about a spiritual reality that undermines experience itself, deconstructing all your masks and self-defenses and leaving you spiritually naked and vulnerable before the silence of the Great Mystery. </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is the spirituality of bringing heaven to earth</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” (McColman, 2010)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As mystics, we long for our every day to be transfigured into something charged with sacredness. We tend to fixate on outcome, acquisition, and achievement. In doing so we lose the in the present moment state of being. We struggle to </span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2015/03/teach-us-to-be-people-who-stay.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">meditate</span></a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to fix our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Stilling our minds seems impossible. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something is missing...</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the possibility for everything from laundry, emails, money, to talking, eating and sex to become a sacrament or communion with the Sacred</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> haunts and alludes us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Christian mystic therefore is one for whom God and Christ are not merely objects of belief, but living facts experientially known first hand; and mysticism for him becomes,</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> insofar as he responds to its demands</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a life based on this conscious communion with God.” Evelyn Underhill </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To know love that surpasses knowledge</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ephesians 3: 17 -19 describes the ineffable, word-defying mystery of God’s vast love: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to know this love that surpasses knowledge</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqboqWwZ6dOI1RFfykVlI3mUZ4k0pl2h7S685TlPrxks1BCZgb5h0ChXCAupejo6X7S8acvWhcYNHwGWx9YhWaO5rs_ynjk8HrWYeK4eQ2z8TjKbB4czOb6j3CSk3GkyyFDaWex-JkMZx/s800/8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqboqWwZ6dOI1RFfykVlI3mUZ4k0pl2h7S685TlPrxks1BCZgb5h0ChXCAupejo6X7S8acvWhcYNHwGWx9YhWaO5rs_ynjk8HrWYeK4eQ2z8TjKbB4czOb6j3CSk3GkyyFDaWex-JkMZx/w410-h410/8.png" width="410" /></a></div><br /><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do you “know something that surpasses knowledge?” It took me a while to roll that around in my mind until I cracked the code. I believe you have to encounter an </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">experience</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to know something to be true that surpasses knowledge and the limits of human vernacular. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For example, something in worship might grasp you with the reality of God’s favor. You can’t explain it. But you know it, because you encountered it, and it happened to you. You felt it. It was a reality that you can confirm by your witness. What cannot be done very easily is explain to someone else how to intersect with the reality you just experienced. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To know something that surpasses knowledge reminds me of a Bible study I did in college called Experiencing God. I remember Blackabee describing God as a flowing river. We can’t redirect it or command it, all we can do is as intentionally as we can manage, put ourselves in the way of </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Him and His wil</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">l. We can hope to be caught up in the experience of the Mystery when we show up and do the things we know to do to put ourselves in his way. That is what this post hopes to awaken in you. To lead others to this river is one of the most moving calls on my life. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My most favorite mystic of all mystic verses is in Colossians. The experience of having the privilege of a divine sense of knowing that He sees fit to reveal his treasures and counts us worthy of them is more moving than I can express. I guess that is why it “surpasses knowledge”. This mystery is at the heart of the contemplative life that mystics are drawn to.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colossians 1:26</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> TPT</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “There is a divine mystery</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it’s being revealed, unfolded and manifested for every holy believer to experience. </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">27 </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This mystery of Christ, embedded within us</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/05/routine-ritual-and-liturgy.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">recent blogs</span></a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, we have talked about </span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/06/part-2-routine-ritual-and-liturgy.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ritual, routine, and liturgy</span></a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. This involves consecrating a time and space to cultivate a reality “saturated with being”. It is a staple in the life of a mystic Jesus lover. It is to tune our inner ear and interior eyes to perceive the unseen as much as the seen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">“When people engage in ritual activity, they separate themselves, partially if not totally, from the roles and statues they have in the workday world. There is a threshold in time and space or both, and certainly a demarcation of behavior over which people pass when entering into ritual. The day-to-day world, with its social structure, is temporarily suspended.” - Tom F. Driver</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temple Life as a Prism </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHXuvP2vzMFcD4eHNVJL3r7UU1QIyg9_6moOvZxly7MNpw10CzSi2pQ5AQbaEquCy7og1BtkSBqq_plGTUv9gFEH6_GDZK1EEqvqRH9DjPLYno_QJWdk95TgWK14aBBhGgF5fVuo2613u/s800/12.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHXuvP2vzMFcD4eHNVJL3r7UU1QIyg9_6moOvZxly7MNpw10CzSi2pQ5AQbaEquCy7og1BtkSBqq_plGTUv9gFEH6_GDZK1EEqvqRH9DjPLYno_QJWdk95TgWK14aBBhGgF5fVuo2613u/w410-h410/12.png" width="410" /></a></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An essential component to mysticism is an embodied, temple way of life. Rather than disconnecting from our physical body and world, understood accurately, mysticism anchors us in the temple of flesh and bone and breath. We are incarnate, in the image of Jesus. Christ’s body is essential in the Kingdom, and so is ours. We are called to live and move and have our being in him. And in this embodied, temple way of life, we find the space within that is knit up into our true selves. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When one enters a temple, one enters marked-off space in which, at least in principle, nothing is accidental; everything, at least potentially, is of significance. </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The temple is a focusing lens</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, marking and revealing significance...The ordinary becomes significant, becomes sacred, simply by being there. </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It becomes sacred by having our attention directed to it in a special way”</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Smith, 2010).</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we truly </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">enter</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> our own container and arrive in our body in the present moment settled in the temple that God declares it to be, ordinary things become holy occupations. The infusion of meaning makes them not only bearable, but satisfying acts of worship if engaged with by a honed practice of mindful contemplative prayer. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is no difference between a sacred vessel and an ordinary one. By being used in a sacred place, space, or time, they are held to be open to the possibility of significance, to be seen as agents of meaning as well as utility. Wine is just wine until it is the Blood of Christ. A handshake is just a handshake until it is used to reveal secret truths. Shoes are just shoes before you remove them to step on sacred ground” (Smith, 2010).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How to engage with the Mystery that </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">longs to reveal himself to us</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He LONGS to reveal himself to us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For this reason the Lord is still waiting to show his favor to you so he can show you his marvelous love. He waits to be gracious to you. He sits on his throne ready to show mercy to you. For Yahweh is the Lord of justice, faithful to keep his promises. </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overwhelmed with bliss are all who will entwine their hearts in him, waiting for him </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to help them</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah 30:18 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No matter whether you gravitate to mysticism or logic, similar to Blackabee’s river that is God’s will, approaching God’s presence looks like putting ourselves in the way of Him as simply as we can manage. Even if we have not discovered or fine-tuned it yet, we all have a </span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2020/06/part-2-routine-ritual-and-liturgy.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">series of steps we go through to do so</span></a><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. <b>EVERY spiritual temperament has a comfortable way to do so and it varies from type to type.</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have created an online course that has been an effort of compilation over the last 10 years. I have taught it before in person, but this is way more. Content and sources since then have bubbled up and added ingredient after ingredient into this spiritual formation course. </span></p><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This online course is not just for mystics. T</span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">his course is for ALL SPIRITUAL TEMPERAMENTS! </b><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="" style="color: #222222;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The point is that you name and learn your natural tendency to absorb spirituality, and then you balance your </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">autopilot with practices from other spiritual temperament streams. </span></span></span></i></h4><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would love for you to check it out because, whether you are a thinker or a mystic, there is a spiritual personality that is specific to you that will emerge from the course. Resources for finding your way into the presence of the Mysterious are all throughout. Even if you have taken this course with me before, consider dipping your attention in it again because you will find the years have added a lot of goodness! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You. Are. Loved. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eliade, M. (1987). </span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sacred and the profane ; the nature of religion</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span face="" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">McColman, C. (2010). </span><span face="" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The big book of Christian mysticism: The essential guide to contemplative spirituality</span><span face="" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Charlottesville, VA, VA: Hampton Roads Pub.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 15pt;"><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smith, J. Z. (2010). </span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To take place: Toward theory in ritual</span><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.</span></p><div><span face="" style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-28091340276554217192020-06-09T05:56:00.003-07:002020-06-15T05:47:43.079-07:00Part 2: Routine, Ritual, and Liturgy<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{186}" paraid="1823768828" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The balanced weight we need is found in knowing the veil between us and “What takes up where we leave off”. The Lord is extraordinarily close. Moment to moment, we are invited to slow down or gear up for what waits as our highest blessing. Entrance into the Abundant Kingdom of God ...now. Not later...now.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoGYA80y2DLK7DzqFKJ60xK9WYAfBx6vn0EPZV339cbDcvEdpqtlW3Sied_7JoMOKJy8UCulaYrNGUJoTLZ7jkseyhyphenhyphenbIcs5P9IqAHLo9yGieCJNc7McOwnt4G8zgLSrUaoz9dy5RVdF3/s1600/Mark.1.15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoGYA80y2DLK7DzqFKJ60xK9WYAfBx6vn0EPZV339cbDcvEdpqtlW3Sied_7JoMOKJy8UCulaYrNGUJoTLZ7jkseyhyphenhyphenbIcs5P9IqAHLo9yGieCJNc7McOwnt4G8zgLSrUaoz9dy5RVdF3/s320/Mark.1.15.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{190}" paraid="1584851874" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Daily practices, rituals, and ceremony are our initiative toward the Lord. They are a sacrifice of our focus, presence and time. They are an offering. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{194}" paraid="722674333" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">One of the most change-making things about routine and ritual is that it bypasses our linear cognitive mind and side steps past our rational mind so that we can enter another realm. If only for a few minutes, what would it be like to be more in tune with what is unseen than what is seen? (Hebrews 11:1)</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{198}" paraid="465739763" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{200}" paraid="558380477" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Trish Harrison Warren (2019) calls us to remember that each day, full of hurry or doldrums, holds an invitation to this other Realm. Routine and ritual remind us of what we know in our heads but don’t feel in our hearts consistently…</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{204}" paraid="1689950712" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i2JxJMENkhPoYn7Vi0pVPo_B0YDJsB4lAzULKcXApqHObVOLgX3lf9OaY8G9an9SOWEqZEWxUMylIQfaT3ind7HlF6XF_t5zxk5DVliZF8Jz56iW3FQ1wL_2BLNVLjaMef0hcomk6UYZ/s1600/every.day.is.holy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i2JxJMENkhPoYn7Vi0pVPo_B0YDJsB4lAzULKcXApqHObVOLgX3lf9OaY8G9an9SOWEqZEWxUMylIQfaT3ind7HlF6XF_t5zxk5DVliZF8Jz56iW3FQ1wL_2BLNVLjaMef0hcomk6UYZ/s320/every.day.is.holy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{208}" paraid="1758940261" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We are marked from our first waking moment by an identity that is given to us by grace: an identity that is deeper and more real than any other identity we will don that day….We wake not to a vague or general mercy from a far-off God. God, in delight and wisdom, has made, named, and blessed this average day...</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{212}" paraid="473077585" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">What I in my weakness see as another monotonous day in a string of days, God has given as a singular gift. (2019, P. 8)</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{216}" paraid="665838038" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">So, how to? </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW175321036 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW175321036 BCX0" role="list" start="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{220}" paraid="1051589974" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">1. Let Spirit lead into creating rituals for occasions and situations you would like to structure. Consider if you are drawn to mini-ritual around making your bed in the morning (starting off with that one rectangular beacon of order is more powerful than you may think). A more meaty ceremony of prayer walking around your home once a quarter? Or, a liturgy around morning quiet space? Consider the location that you need to execute the experience in. Take care to prepare that space to be a homecoming for each time you repeat your ritual or routine. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{227}" paraid="267517529" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<ol class="NumberListStyle1 SCXW175321036 BCX0" role="list" start="2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">
<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{229}" paraid="1154687005" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">2. Once you have chosen our heart’s inclination toward developing the particular practice, begin to set up a stated intention for the ceremony. This will engage your mind in the creative. The more simple and clear the intention, the better. Hold your intention loosely enough to give the Spirit room to shift as He pleases.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{238}" paraid="1457661896" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">3. Make a plan and take seriously the task of managing your attention distractions as you know works for you best. You can find many different practices to try on for size if you search through the “Mandi on Mindfulness” Jordan Stones blog posts. This one</span><a class="Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW175321036" href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2018/05/how-to-deal-with-distracting-thoughts.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW175321036" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> *click here* </span></span></a><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">is a great, simple place to start. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{d62b7174-0c21-4d5a-ae89-a8fc46d24d84}{252}" paraid="1533101038" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">4. Set yourself up for success by keeping it simple. Walk through any sort of movement (some simple yoga forms?), </span><a class="Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW175321036" href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2017/10/thirds-breaths-and-breath-prayers.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW175321036" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">breath work</span></span></a><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, writing, journaling, sensory additions (candles, essential oils, instrumental worship music, or classical music. Gregorian chants are a powerful way to experience the cathedral of your heart’s inner chamber as holy worship territory.)</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" role="listitem" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{11}" paraid="1950181967" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj87YdTan2MqDLEC3LJoF8hTTwOju-24V0XKW0XIHI6lRHY8XSAMX5GB11_wOcjgmwL-wME-6Iy56aAGMvsYP_lJT6mE_0Pf76HSmhbkrtuodxbvb0wRhoXix6ZX6MuI5piPa8zArE6cJ/s1600/prayer.ritual.image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj87YdTan2MqDLEC3LJoF8hTTwOju-24V0XKW0XIHI6lRHY8XSAMX5GB11_wOcjgmwL-wME-6Iy56aAGMvsYP_lJT6mE_0Pf76HSmhbkrtuodxbvb0wRhoXix6ZX6MuI5piPa8zArE6cJ/s1600/prayer.ritual.image.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{29}" paraid="819081906" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Here is an example from one of my favorite books (</span><a class="Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW175321036" href="https://youtu.be/FriMvToDVzE" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW175321036" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">*click here* for JS YouTube expounding on this fan-favorite resource)</span></span></a><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> of a ritual that the author uses in the beginning and ending times of prayer: </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{38}" paraid="1391318335" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Opening</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<ol style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I make the sign of the cross</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I say the Our Father or the Morning Offering</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I sing or hum one verse or the refrain of my favorite hymn</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I bow before my prayer spot</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I place my hands, palms up, in a gesture of receptivity</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I light a candle</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I quite myself down. I slow down my breathing. I sit very still for a moment and try to turn down the volume on my crazy, random thoughts and preoccupations</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I ask God to make his presence all around me and even within me. If it feels natural to do so, I allow myself to linger in this sense of God's presence. I descend into and soak in this experience for a moment, as though it were a hot bath. If I do not sense God’s presence, I wait quietly and patiently for another moment. If I still do not sense God’s presence, I don’t let it bother me. I simply lean on my faith that he is here, even when I don’t perceive his presence. I let my heart, mind, and soul remember what it does feel like when I do sense his presence, and I let that suffice for now. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{98}" paraid="555399964" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Closing</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="ListContainerWrapper BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<ol style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I place my hands together as a sign of closure. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I blow out my candle</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I sing or hum a verse or the refrain of my favorite hymn</span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I close with the Our Father or Morning Offering </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I make the sign of the cross</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I bow before my prayer spot before leaving. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{144}" paraid="1522625758" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thibodeaux, M. E. (2015). </span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Reimagining the Ignatian Examen: Fresh ways to pray from your day</span><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Chicago, IL: Loyola Press, a Jesuit ministry.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 31.2958px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{152}" paraid="532501310" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{154}" paraid="1679355592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial, arial_embeddedfont, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">2019. Warren, Tish Harrison. Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life. IVP, an Imprint of InterVarsity Press</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: arial, arial_embeddedfont, arial_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW175321036" paraeid="{0c951947-0c90-4c41-aeff-e6a4e1e3227a}{158}" paraid="738692707" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="BCX0 SCXW175321036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW175321036" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-75170165854718551692020-05-17T15:06:00.000-07:002020-05-22T07:05:53.803-07:00Routine, Ritual, and Liturgy<div id="E167" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E167" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
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<div id="E171" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E171" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E172" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E172" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether it is a pandemic, a heartbreak, a world upside down, financial bleakness, raw nerves from tussling children...we wear down. At some point, we hedge a bit of the battle as we push back </span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E173" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E173" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">entropy</span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E174" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E174" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the physics principle that tells us the universe is in a state of decline unless acted upon by an outside force.</span></div>
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E189" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E189" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">In these weary times <span style="color: blue;">(<a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2015/07/good-tired-or-dangerous-tired.html" target="_blank">dangerous tired</a>?),</span> we need to find banks for our river...the river of our thoughts, our feelings, our expectations, banks that hold our coping and our enduring and our overcoming. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "arial unicode ms" , "arimo" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These banks can be found in rituals, routines, liturgy, and ceremony. More or less, I refer to these interchangeably. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They all have the quality of repetition and crossing the threshold of seen and unseen. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They connect us to our spiritual nature. </span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-0577e488-7fff-2296-137e-84c8cbe2a55f"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is important to acknowledge routine because it shapes us. Whether or not we realize it, we all walk and move in ritual. Do you wake up and take a shower? Make a cup of coffee? Look at your phone for what you missed in the handful of hours you were asleep? And that is just examining the first 30 minutes of your day. Suspicion would suggest that you would find routine and mini-rituals in most aspects of our moments and days. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E207" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E207" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">They are more significant than we would ever accidentally notice. Their power is worth examining because even after we </span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E208" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E208" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">incline our attention toward</span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E209" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E209" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> them, we don’t effortlessly acknowledge them; or as I love to say….govern them. They govern us.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJOP1CtBbWgUgXCB4fra1m4LYdSnw_9UhH8Kb_6nogkJKjtxsmconaWj5uUXN6tcjWbX7C9ZcJBUQL9PJTrpA8I4WQtrQNznxENuRWCLvtwkjbHRbW-hh2z7wEBcsmHiAn42U5E9p3H5u/s1600/6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJOP1CtBbWgUgXCB4fra1m4LYdSnw_9UhH8Kb_6nogkJKjtxsmconaWj5uUXN6tcjWbX7C9ZcJBUQL9PJTrpA8I4WQtrQNznxENuRWCLvtwkjbHRbW-hh2z7wEBcsmHiAn42U5E9p3H5u/s640/6.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E217" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E217" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a search for the string laced between mundane meals, making beds and money and moving dishes from washer to cabinet...and a lifestyle of encounter with the Lord.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">t’s one that is categorically a lifeline to those of us stifled in too much hustle- traction, and too little spinning-wheeled-traction. </span></div>
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<span id="E219" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E219" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></div>
<div id="E220" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E220" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E221" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E221" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would like to offer that the search for this string lacing together holiness into the mundane </span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E222" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E222" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">can be found in rituals, routines, liturgy, and ceremo</span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E-57" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-57" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ny. </span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E223" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E223" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E224" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E224" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span id="E226" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E226" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></div>
<div id="E227" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E227" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E228" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E228" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The design of ritual is to call to attention parts of your spirit that are needed to engage with the present moment, to engage with the presence of God, to engage with life from a place of worth and purpose.</b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_-DdUD7GUfoRrERUwvQOoh_5qupgkhJSeknrLDTnUn-ma3jBoJ2NMuj7Je9EXcWT_VdaJiHJ1tW45pS_Uheqk4MR3r8g2IP9-Nx53zmj4jJb32me-V-0RSiDjv1aeoATBvDszyx442OA/s1600/11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_-DdUD7GUfoRrERUwvQOoh_5qupgkhJSeknrLDTnUn-ma3jBoJ2NMuj7Je9EXcWT_VdaJiHJ1tW45pS_Uheqk4MR3r8g2IP9-Nx53zmj4jJb32me-V-0RSiDjv1aeoATBvDszyx442OA/s640/11.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E240" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E240" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E240" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we are looking for holiness in the mundane, rituals and ceremony can be the lens to look through if you want to find it.</span></div>
<div id="E241" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E241" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 1.65pt; padding: 18.95pt 0px 0px;">
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E242" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E242" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We show up to rituals when our humanness most resists the mundane and is most vulnerable to “autopilot”.</b></span></div>
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E244" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E244" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div id="E245" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E245" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E246" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E246" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">They slow us down, call our inner being to pay attention, and get past what we “feel like” doing...to the thing we really NEED to do for nourishment from the well, for boundaries on the river of your external life. </span></div>
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E246" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="E249" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E249" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E250" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E250" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">They help us incline our hearts toward the Kingdom and Savior King we long for (Psalm 119:36).</span></div>
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<span id="E252" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E252" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></div>
<div id="E253" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E253" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 1.65pt; padding: 18.95pt 0px 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E254" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E254" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And finally, Warren (2019) offers wisdom again in reminding us that showing up for habit, liturgy, ceremony, ritual...whatever you call it...is not what we do to earn the ear of the Lord or concoct his blessing or evoke his Presence:</span></div>
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E246" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div id="E255" is="qowt-word-para" named-flow="FLOW-22" qowt-eid="E255" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 1.65pt; padding: 18.95pt 0px 0px;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E256" is="qowt-word-run" named-flow="FLOW-23" qowt-eid="E256" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When Jesus was baptized, he had not set one toe in the waters of his ministry. Yet, upon baptism the Father said, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.” He didn’t serve or do a miracle or teach a single thing, and he was counted loved and favored. So go you and the approach to integrating new practices into your life...you do not do them to acquire love or </span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" is="qowt-word-run" named-flow="FLOW-23" qowt-eid="E256" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">favor...that is already in tact: We look at practices--how we spend our days, how we worship together. But before we begin we must note that though these rituals and habits may form us as an alternative people marked by the love and new life of Jesus, they are not what make us beloved. The reality underlying every practice in our life is the triune God and his story, mercy, abundance, generosity, initiative, and pleasure” (Warren, 2019) </span><span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" id="E257" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E257" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div id="E255" is="qowt-word-para" named-flow="FLOW-22" qowt-eid="E255" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 1.65pt; padding: 18.95pt 0px 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E257" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">*This content is so rich I had to split it up into two parts. The important follow up includes a practical HOW-TO so don’t miss it!*</span></div>
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<span class="qowt-font2-Calibri" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E257" style="display: inline; font-family: "calibri" , "carlito" , sans-serif "important"; font-size: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="E364" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E364" style="display: inline; font-family: "arial" , "arial unicode ms" , "arimo" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">2019. Warren, Tish Harrison. Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life. IVP, an Imprint of InterVarsity Press</span></span></div>
Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-89993474568929270732020-04-19T10:44:00.001-07:002020-04-19T10:59:16.062-07:00Sowing, Weeping, and Thin Places<span id="E56" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E56" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You know how I love “</span></span><a contenteditable="false" href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2018/09/tent-stakes.html" id="E57" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E57" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank"><span id="E58" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E58" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">tent stakes</span></a><span id="E59" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E59" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">”. Well, officially, we all need one about now. Something that has roots, something that is sure, something that is predictable. In the upheaval I feel a survival instinct to ground my approach to the COVID-19 crisis. I felt a little nest arrive to harbor in when I read Psalm 126</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad6sW9zdAC7fzjup8ftzMqobR5Gs9s-qA1M41DZCb314Y7-CwFcaeSVQSS3RHv7-jyv8qLkB4uWD1vhuCqC9HUoDU1d7stOtcWM8MIlSQpgRyUTkEPCZiJDfeYnzmEui8_zPiOd4fbrRV/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad6sW9zdAC7fzjup8ftzMqobR5Gs9s-qA1M41DZCb314Y7-CwFcaeSVQSS3RHv7-jyv8qLkB4uWD1vhuCqC9HUoDU1d7stOtcWM8MIlSQpgRyUTkEPCZiJDfeYnzmEui8_zPiOd4fbrRV/s320/1.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E65" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E65" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span id="E67" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E67" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This verse is where I want to hang my hat because it holds both poles...the sorrow that we can’t rush past...and the opportunity to sow seeds into our life and soul development. </span></span></div>
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<span id="E69" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E69" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div id="E70" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E70" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E71" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E71" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holding both sorrow and gratitude in equal measure is how we expand our soul container. Imagine you have loss and grief in one palm, and gratitude in the other. If we hold grief heavier than hope, like “opposite attracts magnets”, the magnets slam together and our hearts close off, get quiet, and fade. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E75" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E75" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, if we hold in one palm grief and loss and in the other palm gratitude - this time in equal measure...in the way one same placing two like magnetic poles near each other, they repel, make space, open up your soul container to be ready to receive greater measure of what you are capital “H” soul food Hungry for and what you have to others is richer and vaster. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E77" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E77" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span id="E79" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E79" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Personally speaking, I do not want to find myself on the other side of the COVID crisis and reflect within, “I endured the bad and survived...but I took none of the peculiarly charming offerings that were the <b>“treasures stored in dark places”</b>. I don’t want to survive the bad and take none of the good. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBIUT5tB06oKAqsRnlQBqc0AAcvjTBZ4cqxGtB03x0hebolw9l2kxQZgUHBBLx9Wqc1M-eBQXN-TSDTRmeEYoTFWA2kUHBor__3V39IeZVdcDmDFTqoxKHCaPAO8-YqPAJMHI2MxQkBCN/s1600/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBIUT5tB06oKAqsRnlQBqc0AAcvjTBZ4cqxGtB03x0hebolw9l2kxQZgUHBBLx9Wqc1M-eBQXN-TSDTRmeEYoTFWA2kUHBor__3V39IeZVdcDmDFTqoxKHCaPAO8-YqPAJMHI2MxQkBCN/s320/5.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span id="E91" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E91" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The moments we are in are extraordinary and will be known as so as history unfolds and is scribed. And the paper of your heart is being scribed now too. We are </span></span><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=payjb4n9aS0" id="E92" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E92" style="font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank"><span id="E93" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E93" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the middle of it</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E94" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E94" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">--in the middle of the grief and if we are brave to hope and patient to wait, in the middle of the gratitude</span><span id="E95" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E95" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span id="E85" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E85" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E97" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E97" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E98" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E98" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E99" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E99" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have this atmosphere, a felt environment that has removed the everyday things obstructing our long-game view. White space to dream, to serve, to connect in extraordinarily, especially deliberate ways, to grow spiritual roots. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E101" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E101" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E102" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E102" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E103" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E103" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we miss the </span></span><a contenteditable="false" href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2015/01/staying-power-through-threshold.html" id="E104" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E104" target="_blank"><span id="E105" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liminal Space</span></a><span id="E106" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E106" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> if we rush it. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2ZrioHBFqM7DCrUrf8wUXntgwsYkiwCRzNGCtb9_kQWXXObgcYc3iVKTgsv1fknzMgMky3hIeFtb2Zu3S12muTNeXLyBSTcdFZRG_uK8HDf2CJN6eEVKSBfrRzv50r28WhS5m7LMfkrU/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2ZrioHBFqM7DCrUrf8wUXntgwsYkiwCRzNGCtb9_kQWXXObgcYc3iVKTgsv1fknzMgMky3hIeFtb2Zu3S12muTNeXLyBSTcdFZRG_uK8HDf2CJN6eEVKSBfrRzv50r28WhS5m7LMfkrU/s320/7.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E110" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E110" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E111" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E111" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E112" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E112" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No matter what shape the pandemic impact might hold for you on an individual level, hold reverence. </span></span></div>
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<span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E112" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hold reverence for the devastation of lives that deserves a Holy Shelter moment to weep. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E114" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E114" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E115" is="qowt-word-para" named-flow="FLOW-3" qowt-eid="E115" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E116" is="qowt-word-run" named-flow="FLOW-4" qowt-eid="E116" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We could not be more anchored in a space of liminal right now. Liminal means</span></span></div>
<div is="qowt-word-para" named-flow="FLOW-3" qowt-eid="E115" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span is="qowt-word-run" named-flow="FLOW-4" qowt-eid="E116" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">threshold, in-between, suspended between the known of what was... and what we don’t know is next to come. We have CLEARLY left the known and are CLEARLY not in a place to know what is going to happen next. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E118" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E118" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E119" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E119" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E120" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E120" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As ridiculously uncomfortable as it is, the thing I treasure most about the liminal is that the “veil is thin”. A “thin veil” It is a spiritual formation term used to describe those moments when the physicality of our experience in this world is somehow closer to the unseen Kingdom. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E128" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E128" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anne Voskamp writes in metaphorical terms of Joseph’s multicolored robe, torn and bloody and worn when presented by his brothers to his father as false evidence of his death,”When you are brave, you give yourself the gift of facing and touching torn places. </span><span id="E129" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E129" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">The places where we’re torn into pieces can be the thin places where we touch the peace of God”</span><span id="E130" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E130" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<a contenteditable="false" href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2019/01/invitation-to-beloved.html" id="E140" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E140" target="_blank"><span id="E141" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E141" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beloveds</span></a><span id="E142" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E142" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, our experience of COVID-19 sheltering takes my breath away a bit in the sense that the energy of the whole globe is suspended in the threshold of interruption of life as we know it. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz4TbV3ARm05XXsQekpsLC-Mc-LyDlNxTnxaTv4m6Jz2U_MQ7nR8gWZPVmXBN4AMkRMSaapeLap3deRGA8Q1ehvLfMrmUF7iuzvx4b9ALwWBDSZq9rC13xTl1TAEZcnjnMNHG7-7PFV-p/s1600/13+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz4TbV3ARm05XXsQekpsLC-Mc-LyDlNxTnxaTv4m6Jz2U_MQ7nR8gWZPVmXBN4AMkRMSaapeLap3deRGA8Q1ehvLfMrmUF7iuzvx4b9ALwWBDSZq9rC13xTl1TAEZcnjnMNHG7-7PFV-p/s640/13+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E152" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E152" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E154" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E154" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since it seems we are not birthing out of this doorway anytime soon, I want to offer you the experience I</span><span id="E155" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E155" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have found to be most “sanity stabilizing”. Simple as it is….is the </span><span id="E156" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E156" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">practice of staying in the present moment. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1baWew7mw-UxTWGayJgR7M8Q3W_bqA7vMr2RUzul6xMW7y8NxKNJvHZDupt2AXSyFf7xQ5C9E91O3K9o1wc4e8rxyyW6pZBfstQ-axApK9wHPkcuJ_M5DhF-zdgy6p_JOl7c-LygCmXKd/s1600/seek+the+present+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="960" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1baWew7mw-UxTWGayJgR7M8Q3W_bqA7vMr2RUzul6xMW7y8NxKNJvHZDupt2AXSyFf7xQ5C9E91O3K9o1wc4e8rxyyW6pZBfstQ-axApK9wHPkcuJ_M5DhF-zdgy6p_JOl7c-LygCmXKd/s400/seek+the+present+moment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="E158" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E158" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div id="E159" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E159" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px;">
<span id="E160" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E160" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is surrender from allowing fear of future to overtake our emotions. If you are interested in cultivating a practice of staying out of the future...look back through some of my <a href="https://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2017/10/thirds-breaths-and-breath-prayers.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">“Mandi on Mindfulness”</span></a> Blogs and try a practice or two (<i>do a search on my blog, there are a ton</i>). I also offer you to look back on some of my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwQM7nY-otGZPDFPg3FjXJQ" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">JS YouTube</span></a> commentaries...most of them have a thread of staying present and leaning into the thin places in one way or another. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuu_f6EruxSf4bvw0dUbs9hdq4hZ5Nbjou0uoKQ04ldUhsEyEHBfQ84rd2DLJtYeHpZT-ljthwPWR4B1pkn8BBMZWwBY2MZmQYJSjudQiPEDO-51UjBZ6CzHKBtUfRBtvpJN9oLlb38Uf/s1600/15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuu_f6EruxSf4bvw0dUbs9hdq4hZ5Nbjou0uoKQ04ldUhsEyEHBfQ84rd2DLJtYeHpZT-ljthwPWR4B1pkn8BBMZWwBY2MZmQYJSjudQiPEDO-51UjBZ6CzHKBtUfRBtvpJN9oLlb38Uf/s640/15.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span id="E168" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E168" style="display: inline; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Within this Holy Shelter we are all sequestered to, wonder what a step toward “treasures stored in dark places” would look like as you make your way from the center of this map to it’s outer edges...and beyond.</span></span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoh4e33TFIJB4remI0B9X2nUPd6gpDd0H0IjZd98csP09ZFujbcLKSCJxISvi4AP4eTfY9U-WCIkgeBM4YhEvpwewesR5Eco58ABsefNl2Fk9Ir0texzRMSbUDLR64Xw7z4vPcMCfa9hH/s1600/a8c90170806d53edb4405a33b890a066--self-acceptance-quotes-word-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoh4e33TFIJB4remI0B9X2nUPd6gpDd0H0IjZd98csP09ZFujbcLKSCJxISvi4AP4eTfY9U-WCIkgeBM4YhEvpwewesR5Eco58ABsefNl2Fk9Ir0texzRMSbUDLR64Xw7z4vPcMCfa9hH/s200/a8c90170806d53edb4405a33b890a066--self-acceptance-quotes-word-up.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-26344113442573913122020-03-22T11:56:00.000-07:002020-03-24T08:07:39.825-07:00Let Me Introduce you to Bluebeard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJl-8V2DqfacKvQOE3E27c3-9Alt7uiaACnekHBsI2coVRhpdjNSuUVBXPZg2yVfLK64gqF2FHsQCsyCYBr_8nwiBWiQ6UI6kjsWyh27siZbXRlYVp5e8SVvu6QBUmtoHTc6k4-QfYpgl/s1600/bb3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="348" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJl-8V2DqfacKvQOE3E27c3-9Alt7uiaACnekHBsI2coVRhpdjNSuUVBXPZg2yVfLK64gqF2FHsQCsyCYBr_8nwiBWiQ6UI6kjsWyh27siZbXRlYVp5e8SVvu6QBUmtoHTc6k4-QfYpgl/s400/bb3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AXLiZ0lF9CgQRr7QnljQLDsoXXq13_Zc_gexLyhIPtWUFONN09M1WREh30UOzdHScX0xK4Tg42ZJl9ycLMhtI5jqUFnujtCFAPvUeA8aoIxA3degPSjjeK6_ZIIEJQjI3bNFWxSncjPZ/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AXLiZ0lF9CgQRr7QnljQLDsoXXq13_Zc_gexLyhIPtWUFONN09M1WREh30UOzdHScX0xK4Tg42ZJl9ycLMhtI5jqUFnujtCFAPvUeA8aoIxA3degPSjjeK6_ZIIEJQjI3bNFWxSncjPZ/s320/1.png" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">To tell you what has unfolded in my silence, I have to introduce you to someone. His name is </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bluebeard. He is a character in a french fairy tale from the 1600’s. As most fairy tales do, the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">tale of Bluebeard is infused with meaning and symbols. Literary mythologists tell us that each </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">person stars in a production of their own life story, pulling from the cast of the characters our </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">complex inner world holds...I call this “parts work”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>[Parts Work] </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beloveds, you have heard me think from this framework before. It is so practical.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It makes so much sense: the conversation that is happening in your depths anyway, you might </span></span><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">as well organize it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That thing you do when you have an inner conversation: “part of me wants to watch </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Netflix”...”part of me wants to make a special meal for my children”...”part of me wants to take </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">an adventurous trip”...which tug do you respond to when the clamor of inner needs and wants </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">call for a decision to be made? A lack of intentional navigation all of our needs stemming from </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">our complex parts and identity is always a recipe for dissatisfaction. When we do not slow and </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">pay attention and nourish what needs to be nourished, things decline in your inner world. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bluebeard, usually not known by this name, lurks in all of us as one of these many “parts”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><b><i>[Meet Bluebeard] </i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Who is Bluebeard? His component in the fable sheds light on that question </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">we ask ourselves… How did things end up like this? At what </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ElxeXaNhJwdNY_u3ZdJWkJHO8umNO9Qy_-K_P3YZW2nBwYh6GSp2ihtTXKR0cDQrsckp8gnIYHaYBr-JvcgQToTzrBvtjO88ThNQdRcH2WSSHR5v6eooIwfSPR19UWYcceLbzfNm99zo/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ElxeXaNhJwdNY_u3ZdJWkJHO8umNO9Qy_-K_P3YZW2nBwYh6GSp2ihtTXKR0cDQrsckp8gnIYHaYBr-JvcgQToTzrBvtjO88ThNQdRcH2WSSHR5v6eooIwfSPR19UWYcceLbzfNm99zo/s320/4.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">point did my life become small? </span><span style="font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">At what point did I start allowing what sh</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">ouldn’t have been allowed? At what point did passion </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">and wonder get so quiet that I stopped filling my life with things that cultivate them? Bluebeard </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">represents our “inner predator”. He can most certainly slithers when he is in the Garden and </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">unquestionably is the liar and the part of </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eve’s psyche that was made confused regarding the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">goodness of God.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/68/fairy-tales-and-other-traditional-stories/4858/blue-beard/" target="_blank">Click Here for the full fairy tale and you may choose to read it, or there is also an option to play</a> </span></span><a href="https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/68/fairy-tales-and-other-traditional-stories/4858/blue-beard/" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">an audio reading of this meaning-laden tale.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>[Your True Self] </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To appreciate the loss, what Bluebeard steals from us, we need to develop an </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">awareness of what was lost. Diane Langburg states we need to consider the “ nature of persons a</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">s they were created to be. The shattering of something is better understood when a picture of </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">its original wholeness is seen" ( Langberg, 2003)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a part of you that you see in the eyes of the baby picture of yourself as you </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">marvel…” those are the same eyes I see when I look in the mirror today, there is an original </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">center that existed then and exists now”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That is the part of you that was made in the image of </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72PO-GyjuEotVPnwyuemAHNo_dK62DtEJwywDRoNerpYkheOnsQv-j0N6pbXmsBKmcQ9mQ-_kSah89xbRMrlgBA8oyG-Pz9eEyJdrKKs0ra8cWibxg70qxroszuUGCVQyoU9BriD4zkFi/s1600/6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72PO-GyjuEotVPnwyuemAHNo_dK62DtEJwywDRoNerpYkheOnsQv-j0N6pbXmsBKmcQ9mQ-_kSah89xbRMrlgBA8oyG-Pz9eEyJdrKKs0ra8cWibxg70qxroszuUGCVQyoU9BriD4zkFi/s400/6.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">the Lord with all the passion and wonder </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the One who knits grasshopper wings. The part of you that couldn't sleep the night before a </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">special day because she was so excited about what it might hold. We are talking about the part </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">of you that God loves and adores so deeply that he allowed his own Son to die so that that part </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">of you could live. When I talk about a “true self” or a “core self” or “essential self”, this is the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">best way I can explain what that means.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a True Self (see blog on the Beloved and the Impostor) that was designed for a life of </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">wonder, a life of connection, a life of passion. If you have lived long enough, you will feel a tug </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">and a tearing: wonder, connection, and passion are torn away by the blows of storms in the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">experience of your life and the erosion of mundane obligations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I found a list of beacons in life that indicate that we have been unplugged </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">from our Source (Jesus). This is a list of very soul cracking, heart diminishing qualities we </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">tolerate being stolen from us without even noticing in some cases. Pause and muse over this</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">snapshot of symptoms pointing toward the awareness that compromise has happened in your </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">inner-territory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Clarissa Estes labels this cluster of experiences “ennui”; defined as a feeling of listlessness and </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">dissatisfaction, weariness or boredom arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. She says, </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“To chronically feel, think, or act in any of these ways is to have partially severed or lost entirely </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">the relationship with the deep…” true self (2003).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>[Bluebeard Implicated] </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is where if we have learned his name, we notice Bluebeard standing i</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">n the middle of the stage. Our tender authenticity is shadowed by real interior and exterior </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">enemies . Before those enemies grew large enough for us to suffer the pain they deliver, we had </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">instincts to nurture ourselves and anchor into the Lord of an Unseen Kingdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bluebeard is a symbol of that part of ourselves that works against us. Who doesn’t “do the </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">thing” that you know you need to do. Who doesn’t “say the thing” you know HAS to be said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Who collapses against the “NO” that needs to be said - to self or others. Who does that </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">behavior she knows diminishes her every time. Who doesn’t take that risk because she doesn’t </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">feel adequate. Who cannot see past the mundane because she is chained to an obligation that </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">you tell yourself is not optional.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">He is the part of you who whispers, “It’s okay” when someone mistreats you. Who tolerates </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">starvation when there is emotional neglect or abuse. Who hates the body-container she was </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">given, the most powerful weapon she has, because it is there that she encounters the Living Lord </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">and it is there in the present moment she finds peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“So the fateful marriage occurs, the mingling of the sweetly naive and the dastardly unlit</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">...Many women have literally lived the Bluebeard tale . They marry while they are yet naive </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">about predators, and they choose someone who is destructive to their lives. They are </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">determined to “cure” that person with love. They are in some way “playing house”. One could </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">say they have spent much time saying, “His beard isn’t really so blue”. ( Pinkola, 2003 P. 50) </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">But many, maybe most, our Bluebeards do not have an external correlation like a toxic mate or </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">romantic partner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even more concerning is that toxic unseen Bluebeard that is hosted in your </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">mind. She is not for you. She opposes you from the inside. She allows what shouldn’t be </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">allowed. She holds no boundaries when they are needed and harshly demands them when they </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">are not life giving. We can address an internal Bluebeard just as aggressively as we can an </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">external Bluebeard (a specific person)...and we should, we have to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>[Jesus VS Bluebeard] </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Jesus left the earth, in Matthew 28 He said to his beloveds, “All authority in heaven and </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">earth I give to you... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">age.” If Jesus has ALL the power, who has NO power? The Enemy! Bluebeard!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">So, why does this list of listless, life-drained seasons or lifestyles come upon us if we have the </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">power to dethrone the enemy and walk in thriving authority?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is simply because we do not walk in the present moment in awareness of an open </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">heaven...we believe the lie, empower the liar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We pray small prayers God has already </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">answered, (i.e. “God please be with me today”) instead of claiming what we already have and </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">reaching for the next thing we hunger for and God has waiting for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[Bluebeard Weapons]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thankfully, this is not just a nice thing to write and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">pontificate about (I hate it when I read </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">books that make me desire change or inspire me with no real </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">path to receive the revelation).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There are insights to engage with, practices to</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">employ, breath to be breathed. There are tools.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beloveds, I can say this with confidence because I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">have depended on them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">hey give me access </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the Living Hope that offer endurance and an ability to keep my eyes locked on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Unseen </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">when the seen is so horrific it is </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">impossible to tolerate alone. When you stare down</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">the worst, </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">you HAVE to abide. You just have to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">So...how do you “Abide”? This is a theme I address in my </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">blogs fairly consistently, but upcoming there is more good to be had in the service of abiding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is the current line up:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Reclaiming Instinct</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Key Questions</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ritual</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Guardrails</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You. Are. Loved. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Estés Clarissa Pinkola. (2003). Women who run with the wolves: myths and stories of the wild</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">woman archetype . New York: Ballantine Books.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Langberg, D. (2003). Counseling survivors of sexual abuse . Place of publication not identified:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Xulon Press.</span></span></div>
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Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-70999247338118712552019-02-15T07:29:00.002-08:002019-02-15T08:04:59.565-08:00WHY: It all comes down to what questions you ask<div id="E94" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E94" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever found yourself thinking, “How could God let the happen?” “WHY?”, “What did I do to deserve this?”, Or, in a raw vulnerable moment thought “If this is God’s will....I am not sure i want to be a part of it”. </span></div>
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<span id="E105" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone eventually has an encounter that pulls back the curtain and exposes evil. Our instinctual response is WHY? Unfortunately, that question </span><span id="E106" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E106" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">across time, generation, and all the deep thinkers of the world has never held a satisfying answer. </span><span id="E107" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E107" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span id="E111" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E111" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But, being in the career I am in...and having the conversations I have...that is not OK. I can’t sit with the autricities and traumas and unseen raging wars in the hearts of the beloveds of God and be OK with, “I don’t know?” </span></div>
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<span id="E115" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E115" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether this has hit close to home or not..as Boyd puts it: “To live thoughtfully with Christlike love we must allow ourselves to be disturbed by the grotesque realities surrounding us and sympathetically enter into the nightmarish suffering of others.” (Boyd, P. 57)</span></div>
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<span id="E123" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E123" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People looking for the answer to WHY come to this place from all different places of spiritual experience. You may have had a healthy environment in which to understand who He is. Or, like many, life has offered you so many impostors carrying a mask to confuse you about who God is that you can’t trust that He is good. No matter your origin and the resulting God template, you can find yourself in a dilemma with the Lord in the context of WHY. </span></div>
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<span id="E129" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E129" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">The DNA of WHY:</span></div>
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<span id="E131" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E131" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">So goes the age-old irreconcilable juxtaposition: Goodness, Might, and Atrocity. </span></div>
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<span id="E133" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E133" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do they co-exist? </span></div>
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<span id="E135" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E135" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">And why would we want to snuggle up to a God who tolerates all of that? </span></div>
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<span id="E141" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E141" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">My answer, my resting place: In carefully selecting the questions I ask, I find ways to string together strength, comfort, and clarity that creates a pathway back to the Lord from the disenfranchised wilderness of questioning his character. </span></div>
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<span id="E145" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E145" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am not a theologian and it’s not by any means perfect or flawless, so this is just my offering. Truly, no answer is perfect and a worthy, sufficient goal is to use what we DO KNOW for sure to ground enough tent stakes to keep your soul anchored down.</span></div>
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<span id="E149" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E149" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boyd offers in Is </span><span id="E150" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E150" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God to Blame</span><span id="E151" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E151" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the substitution of the question: </span></div>
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<span id="E153" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E153" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What you can you know and what can you NOT know”?</span></div>
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<span id="E157" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E157" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">What CAN we know? </span></div>
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<span id="E161" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E161" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We can know without doubt God’s Character. The whole love-story-drama that is the Life and Presence of Jesus reveals God’s Character. Over and over and in many different idioms we are told by Jesus, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father”. </span></div>
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<span id="E165" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E165" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Gospels that hold Jesus’ life, how many stories do you remember of storms that Jesus whipped up to cause calamity and dependence on God? None. I can only think of storms he stilled. </span></div>
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<span id="E169" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E169" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How many children did Jesus decide it would be better off if they didn’t make it past childbirth? None. I can only think of children he healed.</span></div>
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<span id="E173" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E173" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How many men or women did Jesus decide needed a thick dose of infirmity so that they and their loved ones would learn to be dependent on Him and bring Him Glory? NONE. I can only think of people he healed. As far as I can think of, when people came to him, he healed them. Every. Single. One. </span></div>
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<span id="E177" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E177" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consider the core “military” assignment that the Lord taught us to pray through: </span><span id="E178" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E178" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Meaning...things are not as they should be here on earth and God’s desire is for us to partner with Him to make it so. </span></div>
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<span id="E182" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E182" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jesus didn’t come to declare that everything already manifests the Father’s will. He came rather to establish the Father’s will, because the world as it is now doesn’t consistently manifest God's will..</span><span id="E183" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E183" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Because of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ, we can be confident that our knowledge about God’s character and general purposes in life</span><span id="E184" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E184" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” (Boyd , P 61). </span></div>
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<span id="E199" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E199" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">What CAN”T we know?</span></div>
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<span id="E203" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E203" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If God’s character is in conflict with suffering in the world, what sense is there to make out of it? </span></div>
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<span id="E207" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E207" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boyd (2003) proposes: “The arbitrariness of life is a mystery. </span><span id="E208" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E208" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet everything hangs on where we locate this </span><span id="E209" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E209" style="color: #2a2a2a; display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">arbitrariness </span><span id="E210" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E210" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">and mystery.</span><span id="E211" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E211" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Everything hangs on what we can and cannot know….Because of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ, we can be confident of our knowledge about God’s character and general purposes for our life. </span><span id="E212" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E212" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we can hardly begin to fathom, however, is the vast complexity of creation, a creation that includes an untold number of human and spiritual free agents whose decisions affect much that comes to pass” </span><span id="E213" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E213" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Boyd P 79) </span></div>
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<span id="E217" is="qowt-word-run" named-flow="FLOW-7" qowt-eid="E217" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To grasp the scope of the “unknown” is so hard to live reality in the context of that it is tempting to chalk it up to “everything happens for a reason”. If you have ever shared space with someone that has been ripped through with tragedy or if you find yourself there… you know that phrase is at best annoying if not truly wounding. However, as Boyd put it...we have to rest the unknown </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">somewhere, “locate” it somewhere. </span></div>
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<span id="E219" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E219" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Butterfly Effect </span></div>
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<span id="E223" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E223" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Science offers parallel vocabulary, in those terms we speak of the chaos theory or the “butterfly effect”. Through algorithms and patterns and other things beyond my paygrade, the dynamic is at work such that infinitesimal, often imperceptible variations in any imaginable context can and will cause dramatic, remarkable, profound effects at a later point in the process. </span></div>
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<span id="E227" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E227" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The flap of a butterfly wing in one part of the globe can be, under the right conditions, the decisive variable that brings about a hurricane in another part of the globe several months later….because love requires choice...every decision we make affects other agents in some measure...like ripples created by a rock in a pond...</span></div>
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<span id="E231" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E231" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...We might think of the overall state of the cosmos at any given moment as the total pattern of ripples made by a constant stream of rocks thrown into a pond...each event and decision of history creates such an interference pattern. This intersection of multitudes of decisions contributes to all subsequent interference patterns.” (Boyd, P. 96)</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBBlR77Fgiw" target="_blank"> Click HERE for Butterfly Effect Video #1</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2xFJUSLEv8" target="_blank"> Click HERE for Butterfly Effect Video #2</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, "arial unicode ms", arimo, "microsoft sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is it a matter of natural and choice-driven “ripples” interacting and bouncing that bring us from a civil war injury to Coca-cola? </span><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E231" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span id="E255" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E255" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or is it that God, not willing anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:8-10), Jesus demonstrating that God does not have intentions to use violence as a tool… does </span><span id="E256" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E256" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span id="E257" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E257" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> waste a chance to REDEEM hardship and pain but steps into what shouldn’t be ... and orchestrates a chain of events so that Plan B (His faithful intervening) ALWAYS outshines Plan A (should the hardship never have happened)?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know, and actually I don’t think that is a watershed question to sit with. </span><span id="E259" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E259" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The point circles back to where we locate mystery. If I understand everything that is going on in the occurrences of hardship and pain, I have reduced God to my size. I refuse to serve a God I fully understand. He is bigger than that, other than me. </span><span id="E263" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E263" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span id="E269" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E269" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial, "arial unicode ms", arimo, "microsoft sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“It is important to have pars of my life that are buried in mystery. Mystery is as important as revelation. We have to have enough measure of things we can’t explain in life so that we have reason to trust” (B. Johnson 2017 </span><span id="E270" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E270" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial, "arial unicode ms", arimo, "microsoft sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;">The Power of Trust)</span><span id="E271" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E271" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: arial, "arial unicode ms", arimo, "microsoft sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. </span></div>
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<span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E265" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="E275" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E275" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Behind the Curtain: Even Angels Encounter Opposition</span></span></div>
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<span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E275" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Db7QBHY8h4c8dU88UwGGJfGV1G6VsaZm-rb1VOydGxqy2AnR5MVU7cnR_BMuAFsPRvxvhq9ptdGDWgLoV5qFKQnz_2GadRKJS7SWyeo_rloo45dACGOIAawBks-4mjMBxkf5xcKtOvkG/s1600/13.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Db7QBHY8h4c8dU88UwGGJfGV1G6VsaZm-rb1VOydGxqy2AnR5MVU7cnR_BMuAFsPRvxvhq9ptdGDWgLoV5qFKQnz_2GadRKJS7SWyeo_rloo45dACGOIAawBks-4mjMBxkf5xcKtOvkG/s320/13.png" width="320" /></a><span id="E279" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E279" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This one is hard to wrap one’s mind around. We are not only are we affected or opposed by the humans, creatures, and nature around us contemporaneously. We are not only are we affected or opposed by humans and creatures and nature throughout the ripple of time’s history… We are also affected by and opposed by spiritual forces we cannot see with our eyes. There are spiritual agents (angels) who are morally responsible as well and are free to worship and follow God...or not. Check out Isaiah 14: 12-17. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, "arial unicode ms", arimo, "microsoft sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Another illustration of the inner workings of things we don’t understand is told in the story of Daniel chapter 10. Daniel and God’s people are in dire straights and Daniel prays a beautiful prayer (Daniel 10:2 ). And God doesn’t show up. And things get worse.</span></span><br />
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<span id="E287" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E287" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interestingly, an angel does show up. He clarifies that his name is Gabriel and I’ll just let you read the rest of this micro-story from the Message: Daniel 10:12-14</span></div>
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<span id="E291" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E291" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">This blows my mind open to the reality of the massive part of the story that we cannot see as it intersects with our prayers and needs and praises.</span></div>
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<span id="E295" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E295" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Bottom Line: Where we locate mystery and understanding is essential in the work that we must do in reconciling a loving, good, and mighty God... and living amidst tragic things that are not as they should be.</i></span></div>
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<span id="E299" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E299" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you roll this marble around in your mind...wonder at the clarity of perfect God-character theology laid open in the life and words of Jesus. And wonder at the other components of our existence that may be at work behind that which God doesn’t will...but intersects with for the purpose of redemption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is so much more to address...I imagine you have a million, “yes, but…”s ping ponging in your mind. I do too and have searched out a few more nuggets to offer as you engage with what questions you ask. </span></div>
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<span id="E307" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E307" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boyd, G. (2003). Is God to Blame?. Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove, IL </span></div>
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<span id="E309" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E309" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Johnson, B. (2017) </span><a contenteditable="false" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMaatk4dxaE" id="E310" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E310" target="_blank"><span id="E311" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E311" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Power of Trust</span></a><span id="E312" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E312" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span id="E320" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E320" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upcoming Blogs/Videos:</span></div>
<div class="qowt-li-1_0 qowt-list" id="E321" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E321" qowt-entry="1" qowt-list-type="b" qowt-lvl="0" qowt-template="1" style="background-color: white; counter-increment: lc-1-0 1; counter-reset: lc-1-1 0 lc-1-2 0 lc-1-3 0 lc-1-4 0 lc-1-5 0 lc-1-6 0 lc-1-7 0 lc-1-8 0; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin-left: 36pt; padding: 0px; position: relative; white-space: normal;">
<span id="E322" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E322" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good Shepherd vs. the Cattle Driver: How do you know God’s character?</span></div>
<div class="qowt-li-1_0 qowt-list" id="E323" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E323" qowt-entry="1" qowt-list-type="b" qowt-lvl="0" qowt-template="1" style="background-color: white; counter-increment: lc-1-0 1; counter-reset: lc-1-1 0 lc-1-2 0 lc-1-3 0 lc-1-4 0 lc-1-5 0 lc-1-6 0 lc-1-7 0 lc-1-8 0; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin-left: 36pt; padding: 0px; position: relative; white-space: normal;">
<span id="E324" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E324" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Job: Warfare Explained </span></div>
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<span id="E326" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E326" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two Trees - Why does God Allow Why?</span></div>
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<span id="E328" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E328" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Specific Jesus Examples of Warfare</span></div>
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<span id="E330" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E330" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unanswered Prayer</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "arial unicode ms" , "arimo" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"></span>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-67741015281799479722019-01-02T13:17:00.000-08:002019-02-15T06:57:33.410-08:00Invitation to the Beloved <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-h7OL1sBv0pzldcSaMXm3P2BKqipfyF8RdUfqoWsrcuCpPU55BMh34FXpzb2ZbhK7ozKcmitldA6DEtia7OsH3elFlOo_1XoGXnlXgntDAlJYlDnGaU_Q7cF7u9VAXwpVhxRdunJYP2A/s1600/beloved+cursive.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-h7OL1sBv0pzldcSaMXm3P2BKqipfyF8RdUfqoWsrcuCpPU55BMh34FXpzb2ZbhK7ozKcmitldA6DEtia7OsH3elFlOo_1XoGXnlXgntDAlJYlDnGaU_Q7cF7u9VAXwpVhxRdunJYP2A/s400/beloved+cursive.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{28}" paraid="444993451" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I want to introduce you to someone. They live very close to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" xml:lang="EN-US">you. Closer than your breath, really. Her name is Beloved. </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{28}" paraid="444993451" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" xml:lang="EN-US">Here is the message, the only message, that I have been called here to say, put here in words laced together by Brennan Manning: </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Being the beloved is your identity, the core of your existence. It is not merely a lofty thought, an inspiring idea, or a name among many. It is the name by which God knows us and the way he relates to us</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.” (Nouwen,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">1998)</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Imposter </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{60}" paraid="1499924871" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">It’s tricky, because she sometimes walks around as the Imposter. On some days you will </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiqdGNUcsnZXF8sqy3AU2ZxC2L9hJb4y-GLlN0qgjun2sxcVYquypVnUUPHsH0A_dEOmE4ymYn13zI7_hxfBFnnyRZ9TXA5HoDA2V3GeLhQEW-Xgx6YvESXydPq5jyL78fjU7J3hg1g8r/s1600/song_of_solomon_2_16---dupe--white-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiqdGNUcsnZXF8sqy3AU2ZxC2L9hJb4y-GLlN0qgjun2sxcVYquypVnUUPHsH0A_dEOmE4ymYn13zI7_hxfBFnnyRZ9TXA5HoDA2V3GeLhQEW-Xgx6YvESXydPq5jyL78fjU7J3hg1g8r/s200/song_of_solomon_2_16---dupe--white-800x800.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
notice her doing something ordinary-maybe walking to the mailbox-and wonder what out of town guest might be visiting, because she hardly looks familiar. <span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{60}" paraid="1499924871" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{60}" paraid="1499924871" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Brennan Manning familiarizes us in his book </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Abba’s Child</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> with the Imposter. Among other things, she can be recognized by: (p. 16)</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<li>She lives in fear: “The false self plays its deceptive role, ostensibly protecting us but doing so in a way that is programmed to keep us fearful--of being abandoned, losing support, not being able to cope on our own, not being able to be alone.”<span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<li>Imposters are preoccupied with acceptance and approval - “have-<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">tos</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">” take on meaning that attaches itself to the soul</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<li>Cannot say no with the same confidence they say yes <span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<ul style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<li>Overextend themselves in people, projects, and causes motivated by not living up to <span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">others</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> expectations - “I am not Ok unless ___________ is OK”</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<li><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Suppresses</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and camouflages feelings making emotional clarity and honesty impossible (often even from one’s own self) </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<ul style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<li>Compulsive desire to present a certain image to the public so that everybody will <span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">admire</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">and nobody will know us</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. (Because if they don’t have access to the real and raw us...we </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">can’t be</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> rejected, right?) </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<ul style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<li>Wear a mask<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">….The</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> thing about wearing a mask is that only the mask receives love. Your true self, the part of you that is really real like the V</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">elvatine</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Rabbit...she starves because all </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">relating</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and affection is absorbed by the mask before it reaches the part that is truly hungry for connection. (Lynch, 2011)</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<ul style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<li>Buys into outside experiences to furnish a personal source of meaning<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span> </li>
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<ul style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<li>Imposters have a highly tuned external antenna but lack an anchor to their internal sensor where <span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">unseen</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> but mission-critical perceptions are necessary for navigating relationships and challenges.</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span>Manning quotes James Masterton,<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> “It is the nature of the false self to save us from knowing the truth about our real selves, from penetrating the deeper causes of our unhappiness, from seeing ourselves as we really are--vulnerable, afraid, terrified, and unable to let our real selves emerge….The false self has a highly skilled defensive radar whose purpose is to avoid feelings of rejection although sacrificing the need for intimacy.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">” (Manning, 1998, P. 23)</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<ul>
<li>The imposter is what she does<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></li>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{150}" paraid="1205959312" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{152}" paraid="74557649" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Can You Hear the Inward Music of Your </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Belovedness</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">…?</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{161}" paraid="502062451" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">When I draw life and meaning from any source other than my </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">belovedness</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, I am spiritually dead...I have swapped the pearl of great price for fragments of glass” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">(Manning, 1998 P.14)</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gYPy7n3bm57IsTkHZJqrHlS6FlWfSInLTxHIVdcwidukEabiSF_4ULgitxgeT1BAAjeoPAfC3BjyDlJCXY-mT6XBr8AX4YVc5408DOHa5VvquZDzj8zm5DdUa12FheBgFYSXbbzkZXdX/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gYPy7n3bm57IsTkHZJqrHlS6FlWfSInLTxHIVdcwidukEabiSF_4ULgitxgeT1BAAjeoPAfC3BjyDlJCXY-mT6XBr8AX4YVc5408DOHa5VvquZDzj8zm5DdUa12FheBgFYSXbbzkZXdX/s320/4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;" /></div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{165}" paraid="995820452" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">It’s very likely one of the previous characterizations of your false, imposter </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">self ring</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a bell of connection. For me, when I sit and linger with this quote that sums up all of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">them, I</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> find it </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">echoes</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in familiar, ordinary days:</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{167}" paraid="1483270269" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{175}" paraid="1508386325" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Our controlled frenzy creates the illusion of a well-ordered existence. We move from crisis to crisis, responding to the urgent and neglecting the essential. We still walk around. We still perform all the gestures and actions identified as human, but we resemble people carried along the mechanical sidewalk of an airport. The fire in the belly dies. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">We no longer hear what Boris Pasternak called, “the inward music” of our </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">belovedness</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. (Manning, 1998 P. 15)</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 23.7417px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{183}" paraid="952233532" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{185}" paraid="1951163637" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Your Invisible Muscle...the Beloved</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{187}" paraid="1380668982" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">In the spiritual realm, we CANNOT afford to have a thought about us in our head that he </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh098S-K8sF6tv7mpndFjk9_ZZIdmmeEYO6e1lKQon8khJvaZ_mhQ3Z-7sXbCptKvELR0Kte7Yxnx3o8_-FBQlvW4KwiJ2ZHmCgKSpH91x88w5M6qZ2zyBNpW06VffjZ9QggrL9M5kVyWj/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh098S-K8sF6tv7mpndFjk9_ZZIdmmeEYO6e1lKQon8khJvaZ_mhQ3Z-7sXbCptKvELR0Kte7Yxnx3o8_-FBQlvW4KwiJ2ZHmCgKSpH91x88w5M6qZ2zyBNpW06VffjZ9QggrL9M5kVyWj/s320/2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
doesn't have about us in His head. This opens us up to a spirit of deception that is a highway back to the imposter self. <span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">As I have been taught and if you have been around me </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">long</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> I have likely taught you...the enemy of your soul has no power unless it borrows yours. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">You have heard me say that you have a “muscle” that exists </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">within</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> but you cannot see. </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I call mine my “Mandi </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Muscle” (</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">insert your name!) </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{189}" paraid="2044342377" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">It is the part of you that can accept and receive love in your most </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">disheleved </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, distracted, and desperate state. It is the part of you that knows the “next right thing to do” if you are still enough to listen. It is the original part of you...that part you see when you look into the eyes of a picture of yourself as a baby and is the mysterious original unbreakable </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">untarnishable</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> core of you. It is the part of that is unswervingly trustworthy because it is here that you are wrapped up and knit together with the Holy Spirit. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{199}" paraid="1114493307" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{201}" paraid="748548196" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Manning, Nouwen, May, Merton, Rhor, and many other contemplative writers and thinkers would call this part of you </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">the beloved</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{203}" paraid="277461718" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{205}" paraid="2023779041" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">As you notice the bits of narrative that you preach to your own soul from the economy of the imposter, you can reclaim that territory for the wellspring of ease that your beloved </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">self abides</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in when the power of your identity is not “borrowed” by your imposter self.</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{207}" paraid="668232173" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{209}" paraid="1104372511" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Cone Shaped Spirit Life</span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotuEDf7vomrgGq9sqHcmFZdofs8akDrCjnol4XWVDrL8Upc5Kv2UsF3HNuNZq6uG_jbkdo_WuwZagxeztpUq9z-LkV2U4u_ut3sM5o2xMXoWIcbF2QGz9bTQrfgJ5AFJLL-3iEA5HsNr2/s1600/upside+down+stone+cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="862" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotuEDf7vomrgGq9sqHcmFZdofs8akDrCjnol4XWVDrL8Upc5Kv2UsF3HNuNZq6uG_jbkdo_WuwZagxeztpUq9z-LkV2U4u_ut3sM5o2xMXoWIcbF2QGz9bTQrfgJ5AFJLL-3iEA5HsNr2/s200/upside+down+stone+cone.jpg" width="146" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Nouwen describes our Kingdom life shaped as an upside-down cone. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">He says, “<i>You can look at your life as a large cone that becomes narrower the deeper you go. <b>There are many doors in that cone that give you chances to leave the journey. </b></i></span><i><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b> </b></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b>But you have been closing these doors one after the other</b>, making yourself go deeper and deeper into the center. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">You know that Jesus is waiting for you at the end, just as you know that he is guiding you as you move in that direction. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></i></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{227}" paraid="672279361" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Every time you close another door--be it the door of immediate satisfaction, the door of distracting entertainment, the door of business, the door of guilt and worry, or the door of self-rejection--you commit yourself to go deeper into your heart and thus deeper into the heart of God.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">” (Nouwen, 1988) </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{231}" paraid="1463899398" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{233}" paraid="1442889913" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Deeper...into your identity as the beloved. </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW209354035" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akrIdj4cT1Q" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">What if you could just rest there</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">? What if this is the year we learn to still our frenzy into a hushed wrap of quiet awareness...that the most exclusive truth about who you are is</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.you</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> are the beloved of the Beloved. And it </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">touch</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> every aspect of our moments. It’s PRACTICAL: </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc72OdYAyn_9nXJR0OMpMMMXOiTMJBDugyEFfVjRQeuqFWAqLmEiPOyAO_7XUkUNbspjiz9e_E8XmhA1jmhYwqX38KPG-ahMTNJt0MVBdbXkB-oP_76lqA5tufqVrdN6DPjYetG_K8tt_/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc72OdYAyn_9nXJR0OMpMMMXOiTMJBDugyEFfVjRQeuqFWAqLmEiPOyAO_7XUkUNbspjiz9e_E8XmhA1jmhYwqX38KPG-ahMTNJt0MVBdbXkB-oP_76lqA5tufqVrdN6DPjYetG_K8tt_/s320/3.png" width="320" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Becoming the beloved is pulling the truth revealed to me from above down into the ordinariness of what I am, in fact thinking about, talking about, and doing hour by hour.” - Nouwen </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{22232281-29e2-44c0-aa6f-bbc2f9f11673}{253}" paraid="1834388118" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The further we move into this cone, the more “doors” we close, the greater the Holy </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Spirit gravity</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> takes us and makes each step lighter. Like if you were doing a race carrying a bag of stones and you got to drop one every so often...how much relief of ease would each stone bring. (</span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW209354035" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcIA4Cnj6j4" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Insert Jordan Stones Theme Song</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">) </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW209354035" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCXW209354035" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" xml:lang="EN-US">Defining yourself radically and experiencing life as the beloved is the invitation in 2019. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppS9xmfIRlRUdV7b4EGy3n3a8ZraFHQnmWBqm0RLUFn3XKC_dwDWHJGoI3HVYd8FQvSicVJLcg5YLaNOATYCWGT70FEbDUt9yX9lAehdWmIWsEklrnz93Bd6jfFn1x95-t15Cw6jFUwsV/s1600/a8c90170806d53edb4405a33b890a066--self-acceptance-quotes-word-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppS9xmfIRlRUdV7b4EGy3n3a8ZraFHQnmWBqm0RLUFn3XKC_dwDWHJGoI3HVYd8FQvSicVJLcg5YLaNOATYCWGT70FEbDUt9yX9lAehdWmIWsEklrnz93Bd6jfFn1x95-t15Cw6jFUwsV/s200/a8c90170806d53edb4405a33b890a066--self-acceptance-quotes-word-up.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Beloveds, as we step into 2019, no prayer burns brighter than to plant seeds of hunger for the shedding of the imposter and all the anxiety that goes with it like a hot coat in the summer, welcoming home without shame that prodigal wandering mask wearing self, persisting deeper into the “cone” eyes wide open, closing doors along the way, soul soft and open to mystery of the Beloved germinating as you cultivate it on a daily basis. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5eca8340-b6ca-4f11-9a77-d1e49279267c}{14}" paraid="550588251" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW209354035" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">You. Are. Loved. </span><span class="EOP SCXW209354035" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "arial" , "arial_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-29684759485458427212018-12-11T13:33:00.000-08:002018-12-11T13:33:27.745-08:00Advent Meets Lectio Divina <br />
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width="200" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Happy Advent! This is the intersection of two of my favorite things: Advent and Lectio Divina. If you have been around me for more than one season, you probably already know that I am a little obsessed with Advent. I </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">treasure this waiting space in December and the way we are summoned to rail against the expectation of busy and hustle and bustle...and instead hush and still and wait. Doesn’t that just make your soul say, “</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ahhh</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">….exhale….yes, please!” </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{76}" paraid="1841298906" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you have been around me long you know that Lectio Divina is one of my jams. I love this practice because it is an ordered invitation to encounter the Word in such a way you can’t help but feel it slide into the corners of your inner world where it really shifts things. </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{81}" paraid="711471382" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">In Eugene Peterson’s invitation, "Eat This Book" (Peterson, 2006) (Author of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Message</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">) he highlights the Hebrew word for meditate that captures the essence of Lectio Divina. The word is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">hagah</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">It is used in verses like Psalm 1: </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{86}" paraid="396132617" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 5.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 11.8708px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" data-fontsize="7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 5.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 11.8708px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" data-fontsize="7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">1 </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Blessed is the one</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> who does not walk in step with the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wicked</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">or stand in the way that sinners take</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> or sit in the company of mockers,</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">2 but whose delight is in the law of the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lord</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and who</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> meditates</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> (</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">hagah</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">), on his </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">law day</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and night.</span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{95}" paraid="1781754987" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">But,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> he points out, that Isaiah 31:4 uses it to refer to a lion growling over his prey: </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{97}" paraid="2142103025" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“As a lion </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">growls </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">(</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">hagah</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">), </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> a great lion over its prey—"</span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{97}" paraid="2142103025" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{99}" paraid="1832795042" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Peterson muses that his dog chewing his prized </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">bone, quiet</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> seriously, "makes those low throaty rubbles of pleasure as he gnawed, enjoyed, and savored his prize, as Isaiah's lion did his pray." (p. 2) Interestingly, the SAME word as meditate in the other scriptures we might be familiar with. What on earth? </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{99}" paraid="1832795042" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{101}" paraid="1675965721" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He says that this is a powerful metaphor for how we are invited to read and handle scripture, "like letting a very slowly dissolving lozenge melt imperceptibly in your mouth". </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{101}" paraid="1675965721" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{103}" paraid="1772246438" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">This is what meditation is.</span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{103}" paraid="1772246438" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{105}" paraid="1155513583" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Waiting until it REALLY sinks in...to your believing place.</span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{105}" paraid="1155513583" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{107}" paraid="479041158" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> this month my offering is an audio file I made, guiding you through John 1 in a Lectio Divina reading. John 1 is my favorite place to start during Advent. It doesn’t stop striking my heart</span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">….God</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> who breathed the universe of planets and burning starts and wormholes into existence folded himself up in the womb of Mary because, “He didn’t want heaven without us, so Jesus you brought heaven down…” </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{107}" paraid="479041158" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e220c33a-20fb-424c-8d16-5de71e11cb78}{109}" paraid="644091684" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Click Here to listen to the meditation: </span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> <a href="http://www.jordanstones.net/soundcloud">www.jordanstones.net/soundcloud</a></span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Or, I have it uploaded to </span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundcloud-music-audio/id336353151?mt=8" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a> </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">if you have that </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW101559818" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundcloud-music-audio/id336353151?mt=8" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">app</span></span></a><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW101559818" href="https://soundcloud.com/mandi-peek" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://soundcloud.com/mandi-peek</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Be intentional, slow down, be still, and enjoy every chance you </span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="AdvancedProofingIssue SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">have to</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> encounter Emmanuel this season.</span><span class="EOP SCXW101559818" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW101559818" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Peterson.Eugene</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW101559818" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. 2006. Eat This Book. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI. </span></div>
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Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-91341695797170634582018-11-18T08:28:00.000-08:002018-11-18T08:35:49.645-08:00Examine of Gratitude <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3c9e946b-7fff-3d8a-8a79-5c283e052fa8" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s time again. To “turn aside” like Moses did with the burning bush. God waited. </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A1-5&version=VOICE" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God waited for Moses to give Him his attention</span><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I imagine God gasping with delight: “Moses is looking! He is lending his attention!” This is my favorite part of the holidays...this beginning</span></span></div>
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with Thanksgiving followed by the preparation for Christmas that is the most meaty with meaning part of it all. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXPCWf0NSugJdLFrqC5E-59buVjUTvkqhP7XLcbQrXYejoG2dVtqgvz0td2ryShrEkbEe5oh0Un7Cjoo4sahsJRXyXD0BN2AdDr2kNR3lCIbUWFMbBfExk5kGV-5aZcqf5pR7azhxentj/s1600/exodus+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXPCWf0NSugJdLFrqC5E-59buVjUTvkqhP7XLcbQrXYejoG2dVtqgvz0td2ryShrEkbEe5oh0Un7Cjoo4sahsJRXyXD0BN2AdDr2kNR3lCIbUWFMbBfExk5kGV-5aZcqf5pR7azhxentj/s400/exodus+3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” [Exodus 3]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First of all...note that Moses led his flock to the “far side of the wilderness” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Ex 3:1). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever been there? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gratitude is punctuated the loudest in the middle of the wilderness </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- when we are drawn out of the lesser loves and occupancies of our heart and while it feels like surgery to remove some of those comfort lesser loves...it creates space for seeing.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> For Moses I think, it was because he was on the far side of the wilderness that he “turned to see”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isn’t it true that as we are zinging around the to-do’s of the day and putting one foot in front of the other that our ability to see gifts is vastly limited?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do I move from zinging and surfing to-dos to calling my attention to graces and gratitudes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is where I bumped into the “The Examine” and I found it to be a tool and an offering and a weapon to wield in the face of the zing and surfing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is the examine? It is a spiritual practice developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is to be used as short 10-15 minute reflection on your experience of God’s presence and freedom of spirit throughout the day. The tradition has a deep history of reprogramming us to notice the graces and gratitudes in the moment by the discipline of reflecting on the near past in regular measure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The more regularly notice where your attention was in the past the more regularly you will notice where your attention is in the present. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jLPRorxwNlVwnQh6zJ5aJkR19A9gHdelDdXRicdvTSESqvhicmAOlKCSLQcNrTdf4u6A7_0LtFvMy9XZpnURlMrSI6YSGX_uM_44Vux9foj2nZklecML5nIz9Bg6VsZ2iKDSFI3anyrJ/s1600/prennial+task.chesterson.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jLPRorxwNlVwnQh6zJ5aJkR19A9gHdelDdXRicdvTSESqvhicmAOlKCSLQcNrTdf4u6A7_0LtFvMy9XZpnURlMrSI6YSGX_uM_44Vux9foj2nZklecML5nIz9Bg6VsZ2iKDSFI3anyrJ/s320/prennial+task.chesterson.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to share this little book with you, as it offered me a really practical approach to honing my experience of God’s presence, prayer, reflection, and re-ordering what is amiss: </span></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0829442448/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0829442448&linkCode=as2&tag=jordanstonesc-20&linkId=7d786c4ca791cdf661874a4cd0e3196f" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0829442448&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=jordanstonesc-20" width="143" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jordanstonesc-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0829442448" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The beauty is that this is a SIMPLE and BRIEF discipline to sew into your practices of tuning yourself for the day, whenever and however you do that</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The variety and the language used are two components that make this book beneficial. The author’s addition of meaningful and connectable “twists” on the practice - allow it to be changed up slightly toward the challenge of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a general overview of the process he offers this sequence:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relish </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the moments that went well and all the gifts I have today</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Request </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Spirit to lead me through my review of the day</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Review </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the day </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Repent </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of any mistakes or failures</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Resolve</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, in concrete ways, to live tomorrow well. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In honor of gratitude, I am adapting one of his specific Examines in order for you to experience this for yourself. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember: TEN minutes max! Don’t belabor. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> And if you like what is here or are curious of a closer look, please do consider buying the book - it is a tiny little inexpensive book that has a big impact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.jordanstones.net/examine-download.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1342" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-eIC9RGFbJk_bs9Vn8JNc1VoTrkmkylegIJrEQSKKLBUkMaMwH2fRNt9Z-iNt4Rjd18oXGpQ-QHvedFH0sxFNji4G1_uLk4lgR9NuFlAv1-YdqF7uOGmlUWJIo9CdB-6wPlLtoCKuhTM/s320/Examine+of+gratitude+screen+shot.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.jordanstones.net/examine-download.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Click here for a download of the Gratitude Examine I adapted from the book.</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Gratitude Sleuthing and Claiming! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You are loved, tribe! </span></div>
Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-66516416818409139672018-10-06T15:08:00.000-07:002018-10-09T13:35:03.440-07:00Take out the enemy with your Tent Stake<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ltn-QKfmYh-vFNzbS5gSRepjKNgVwoPOS22W6GHL1Ym5-lxUH_aLHxA9-0l0tZrQileT8hAzaNmXvQHgy-N39MubvCJJeU3BILZg8xm1hy1FAPdauWWya85eIIv95Q9dipNRYNyvv3nT/s1600/Story+time+Judges+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ltn-QKfmYh-vFNzbS5gSRepjKNgVwoPOS22W6GHL1Ym5-lxUH_aLHxA9-0l0tZrQileT8hAzaNmXvQHgy-N39MubvCJJeU3BILZg8xm1hy1FAPdauWWya85eIIv95Q9dipNRYNyvv3nT/s320/Story+time+Judges+4.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is another place in Scripture where a tent stake comes in handy. It is in the form of a story. So, you can read it in Judges chapter 4 for the official impartation of this story...but I want to summarize it for you here. If you are already familiar with the story, or if you are like me and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">just want to skip to the poi</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>nt </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>because that’s all I got time for.</b>.. just jump down below for the tie in with tent stakes. This isn’t my usual writing style, but settle in, it’s story time:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a time in the relationship between God and his people in which His beloved behaved outside the bounds of his protection.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Thus, they existed in a tension of oppression from an opposing nation and putting aside true worship for idol worship. During this climate of disconnect, the Israelites were ruled by king Jabin of Canaan who ruled with a heavy tyrannizing hand. Sisera was the commander of Jabin’s army.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deborah is one of the many brave badass women that God chose to write his story with. There is another remarkable woman in this story too that I am completely impressed with and am modeling some of my spiritual warfare tactics after. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX57HamS9NX5lzsVaSfRYxtSYNPM0txRHwDTKD4tt7z_YPZ5SdWF2LmrcVkYGOxyXwyNwuXFauQCfB7UQJVyV85xoG55nLWzgCyOhuJroAYoaC_lTcbWJxxnDmkrTn0AS2QcyWrNabizjC/s1600/palm+of+deborah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX57HamS9NX5lzsVaSfRYxtSYNPM0txRHwDTKD4tt7z_YPZ5SdWF2LmrcVkYGOxyXwyNwuXFauQCfB7UQJVyV85xoG55nLWzgCyOhuJroAYoaC_lTcbWJxxnDmkrTn0AS2QcyWrNabizjC/s1600/palm+of+deborah.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deborah was a judge over Israel which meant she spent her days under “<b>Deborah’s Palm</b>” solving disputes and matters of justice for Israel. Scripture says she was also a prophetess. #<b>girlboss</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her heart hurt for her people and it seems she had spent time with the Lord and sensed it was time to make a military move toward freedom from oppression. She called in a trusted military leader and told him exactly what God had instructed them to do. His response was, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her reply, “Of course I will go with you. But understand this: with an attitude like that there’ll be no glory in it for you. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God will use a woman’s hand to take care of Sisera.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” And she wasn’t referring to herself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To shorten the story, there was divine intervention and Israel had the Canaan’s on the run out of there, but the leader of the army, Sisera, was still running for his life and he hid in a tent that he thought would be a haven. A women that he mistakenly believed to be under his influence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was the home of Jael. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She greeted him, “Come in sir. Stay here with me. Don’t be afraid.” … she covered him up with a rug to conceal him and brought him water. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He told her, “Stand at the tent flap. If anyone comes by and ask you, ‘Is anyone in here’ tell him ’No, not a soul.’”</span></span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So she waited until he fell asleep under that rug. And this is where it gets real: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She grabbed a TENT STAKE and a hammer and officially eliminated the leader of the enemy by driving that sucker through his temple. #badass #enoughsaid</span></span></span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">********************************************************************</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, a few things that <b>clang in my brain like I am in a belfry</b> of an old church and it is </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">clanging so loudly it vibrates my brain: </span></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5QdqpyjUF3VEHGfrLNydywowu7xqSKe8XeE1kZtaqP_m6NQtMIe5Kqw-3yKQ5JzsVGOhkZB7Gah4Jn4swonLzHlNLVImEK-KT8cf7h4ACBqWDN5OBmhpGbDIrAo7LBFRNAICcx5L" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5QdqpyjUF3VEHGfrLNydywowu7xqSKe8XeE1kZtaqP_m6NQtMIe5Kqw-3yKQ5JzsVGOhkZB7Gah4Jn4swonLzHlNLVImEK-KT8cf7h4ACBqWDN5OBmhpGbDIrAo7LBFRNAICcx5L" style="border: none; cursor: move; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="190" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She killed him with a TENT STAKE. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The head of the enemy entered her home</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She TOOK HIM OUT</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She used what she had in her hands</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She was patient</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She knew God would enable her to be MORE cunning than he was</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She was underestimated</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She was a stay-at-home-mom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She played along knowing who she was and Whose she was all along </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She wasn’t afraid to step into the battle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She waited until the fight was hers, her eyes were only on her lane</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the enemy came into her territory, it became HER battle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She knew it wasn’t a “stand still and see the victory of the Lord” moment….it was a “fight with what God gave you and let Him show you how strong you are in Him” moment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She didn’t call the pastor, she didn’t read a book, she didn’t journal about it….she TOOK HIM OUT</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a risk, it was scary, it was gorey, it was ugly, it was messy, it wasn’t something she was used to, it wasn’t normal, it wasn’t lady-like, it wasn’t easy. She probably had to do it with her eyes closed. She probably had to coach herself, “Just DO THE THING!”</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To tether this to the spiritual discipline I named as “Tent Stakes”, it makes sense to consider the beliefs you decide to anchor yourself to as weapons. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO56A6EXXl0PH9GqP70x5CL96ipt7BEwUqWcqWKjmj9SevDPHrrC3BEhbMWI3vsguNGiEr6hUbJB6gdOQLAcrRSAuyhvOgFw5BWO7JLMdluFwjx6jD98-Ja57AzwtLNa2Xk8VwV5U6UVF0/s1600/John+6.63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="720" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO56A6EXXl0PH9GqP70x5CL96ipt7BEwUqWcqWKjmj9SevDPHrrC3BEhbMWI3vsguNGiEr6hUbJB6gdOQLAcrRSAuyhvOgFw5BWO7JLMdluFwjx6jD98-Ja57AzwtLNa2Xk8VwV5U6UVF0/s320/John+6.63.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="docs-internal-guid-a835189b-7fff-1ee8-4680-54f7b7e8762f"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus said, “My Word to you is Spirit and Life” (John 6:63). Spirit in this verse is “Pneuma” in Greek and directly refers to the Spirit as PERSON, the Holy Being. When His Words become the words on our lips, they are inhabited with power. When we tap on the Lord’s heart we tap into these tent stake gifts. This “Word”, when we “St. Benedict” it and insist on its place in our personal economy, we truly HOST the Spirit in active ways. This creates freedom because as we know, “Where the Spirit is there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17). Freedom from fear, anxiety, resentment, irritability, hopelessness...you name it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, take the time you need to develop your tent stakes . Reach out to me if you need help with this, please. Envision them as WEAPONS. And use them. Cling to them. Let them hem you in and tuck strength you didn’t know you had into the moments of your day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-90405256918769245272018-10-06T10:56:00.001-07:002018-10-06T13:29:17.855-07:00Mandi on Mindfulness: Child's Pose<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a
host of things to be said of posture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many stories in scripture have little nuggets that are easy to breeze by
that have to do with people’s bodies and the position they are in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, when Jesus fed the 5,000 with the
couple of fish and bread loafs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“…and
Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass…” (Matt 14:19).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in a posture from which they could
receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Child’s pose
is a pose holding sacrament. Meaning. Mysticism even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a turning in. Withdrawing from the
things around you that your senses tend to run after like little rabbit
trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps quiet you, turn you
inward toward the dark quiet place you can be still and know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try placing your container (body) in different
places as you practice the Presence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Focus on your breath when your mind wanders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And practice posture that poises you for rest
and receiving. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 24.0pt; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Child’s Pose</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UnSjqrMlmflH8c2fA-i6A9eXyZcAAH_aE1JPAJNAJAEfAz2TtswwFFe_-iyZuihLESdgpCHwKoaOsgO-k19KzF3Ll89GE8gkvPHAuP2FAyGIYu36hfXBGchyphenhyphentKOMqwWJ5yWw7pmry0Wi/s1600/childs+pose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UnSjqrMlmflH8c2fA-i6A9eXyZcAAH_aE1JPAJNAJAEfAz2TtswwFFe_-iyZuihLESdgpCHwKoaOsgO-k19KzF3Ll89GE8gkvPHAuP2FAyGIYu36hfXBGchyphenhyphentKOMqwWJ5yWw7pmry0Wi/s320/childs+pose.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Kneel down on the floor and touch your big
toes to each other as you sit on your heels. Once you are comfortable, spread
your knees hip-width apart. Inhale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Bend forward and lay your torso between your
thighs as you exhale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Now, broaden the sacrum all across the back of
the pelvis, and narrow the points of your hip such that they point towards the
navel. Settle down on the inner thighs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Stretch the tailbone away from the back of the
pelvis as you lift the base of your head slightly away from the back of the
neck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Stretch your arms forward and place them in
front of you, such that they are in line with your knees. Release the fronts of
your shoulder to the floor. You must feel the weight of the front shoulders
pulling the blades widely across your back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Since this asana is a resting pose, you can
stay in the pose from anywhere between 30 seconds to a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 22.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">To release the asana, first stretch the front
torso. Then, breathe in and lift from the tailbone while it pushes down into
the pelvis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Precautions and Contraindications<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are some points
of caution to take into consideration before you do this asana.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">If you find it difficult or uncomfortable to
place your head on the floor, you can use a pillow or a block for comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">If you are uncomfortable in your knees, try
tucking a blanket or block behind your knees<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is best to avoid doing this asana if you are <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">suffering from diarrhea</span> or knee injuries.<span style="color: #424242;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 12pt;">Patients with high blood pressure <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">must</b> avoid practicing this asana.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Mandi Peekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04630561563186123584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-50987708941150146812018-09-11T12:47:00.000-07:002018-09-11T12:47:04.934-07:00Mandi on Mindfulness: Leaf Breathing <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6KnFnG2_HO4xr6wBSE5G6jrd33MJNL3vwGvsOfbdh9RPYSe15qmeBtzvvfw-nqDvSgUPLvKJbGlfKK0g3TSOEkm0EbqGOZP3D046hRKgKasPYwxdosCsSVrCX2YpCO2khfX5JZoAOQQZ/s1600/leaf+breathing+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="269" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6KnFnG2_HO4xr6wBSE5G6jrd33MJNL3vwGvsOfbdh9RPYSe15qmeBtzvvfw-nqDvSgUPLvKJbGlfKK0g3TSOEkm0EbqGOZP3D046hRKgKasPYwxdosCsSVrCX2YpCO2khfX5JZoAOQQZ/s320/leaf+breathing+graphic.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="245" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #36495f; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mindfulness offerings continue: For some of us, we fit into the stream of spiritual personality that
feels most aligned, most in communion with the Lord when we are connected to
nature. This personality type falls into Franciscan spirituality. I teach
a lot on this in my spiritual personality course, but this is a simple
suggestion to try sometime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean:
SIMPLE. Use this graphic, or find a leaf in your yard or on your walk...in the
spirit of practicing governing your breath to serve you when you feel undone,
work on connecting pacing your breath as you trace a leaf up one side and down
the other as the graphic offers. I would set a timer and stick with it
for 2 minutes. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #36495f; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This slowing breath on purpose and with
intention not only is a beautiful prayer, it also creates that chemical shift
in your brain that moves you from “fight or flight and panic” to “rest and
digest and be at ease”. It is so important that we pick up and use these
little “built in the system” secrets that the Lord planted in our minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can partner with the way he created us,
and this intentional breathing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stirs up
a different cocktail of chemicals in your brain for that poise you for
listening to His Voice. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-11825170295625976742018-09-10T16:09:00.003-07:002018-09-10T17:00:20.815-07:00Tent Stakes <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For
me, this is cornerstone.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is glue.
This is mission-critical.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMy6hnHqfPN7PVy3-nJOn8mrr8gTR-XayROe5cesqDwY0aojq0KA3Yr7cXtRcT8ihrRy5fh2JhPEwAnVqUXRetkF0IxIjPZmMsfuwhU7DFbmVM6v2scXQ_rhM4Vq3DoQUhvTTSccu7HqU/s1600/Is+54.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMy6hnHqfPN7PVy3-nJOn8mrr8gTR-XayROe5cesqDwY0aojq0KA3Yr7cXtRcT8ihrRy5fh2JhPEwAnVqUXRetkF0IxIjPZmMsfuwhU7DFbmVM6v2scXQ_rhM4Vq3DoQUhvTTSccu7HqU/s320/Is+54.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
came out of a time in life where I was not in contentment or harmony with who I
thought the Lord was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had spent sweet
developmental years creating ground on which God and I operated in a love
drenched, insight fueled, experiential relationship. I knew who God was because
I had experienced him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then,
we got bad news. I could not reconcile the character of God with the
devastation I was looking at in the natural world, personal and specific to the
ruin that now described my hopes and expectations. Not only that. How in the
WORLD, once that door of the autricitys of the world is cracked open and you
peek inside...do you continue to operate with the kindness of God as your
mantle? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
post is not going to satisfy the above incompatibility of God’s kindness and
world atrocity. Through experiential shaping and divine listening I have come
to understand<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> it all comes down to what questions I am asking.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I plan to write some essential thoughts
about that next month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here I would
like to pass on my personal tool that is based in Isaiah 54, my life passage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
the midst of the devastation, God showed up with out-loud, neon Favor for all
the world to see. Like, inexpiable undeniable miracles that resulted in
provision for our family I could have never imagined or dreamed up. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
realized I wasted grief assuming God was a party to the ruin that scared me to
doubt the goodness of the future.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had prayed Habakkuk 3:2, and he answered:</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSSmiT8ZZamNTUYoCwktzWfVyx19aRUFNLwTT3SVLSnEX1Zjdi8jGM70I9Gsx3GPXXSWpk-PEvUDY2BDqyyjx1osmF5hqdnpmYAy6Vno0VvkK6uJmAJcQefKnf89yhYhJEyhF8OZEhSZa/s1600/tent+stake+keeper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="477" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSSmiT8ZZamNTUYoCwktzWfVyx19aRUFNLwTT3SVLSnEX1Zjdi8jGM70I9Gsx3GPXXSWpk-PEvUDY2BDqyyjx1osmF5hqdnpmYAy6Vno0VvkK6uJmAJcQefKnf89yhYhJEyhF8OZEhSZa/s320/tent+stake+keeper2.jpg" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2 </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">Lord, I have
heard of your fame;</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 5.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">Repeat
them in our day,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 5.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">in our time make them known;</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
then said to the Lord: “I am convinced and I commit to you, Lord, that I will
NOT forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time things look on the
outside that you are not for me, I will declare and root and choose to believe
that you are at work in ways I do not see with my natural eyes. Because I saw
you do it before. I know life is hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know this is not the only gut wrenching hard thing that will come upon me. I
know people get sick. I know life here in earth’s context is not as it should
be: people die, people betray, precious things are lost. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep your promises on my lips,
Lord, even when these things hit me over and over like waves of doubt Let me
surf on the truth that Jesus is perfect theology and His character is clear to
me and unchanging</i>.” {Psalm 119:172}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Out
of that prayer came tent stakes. These are core messages that I commit to hold
tight to in the midst of those waves and outside evidence that God might not be
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are my roots and I insist
on claiming their reality no matter what the circumstance. This is the
invitation from the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Enlarge
the site of your tent, and let your tent curtains be stretched out; do not hold
back; lengthen your ropes, and drive your pegs deep.” Isaiah 54:2 CSB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
need to develop your own core messages (AKA tent stakes) that speak to your
uniqueness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in the spirit of
explanation, a few of mine are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4De6CBHLn7QAkFH3DTKao9b3KWda1niWISLDSCQ7CMxPoHQQpsVMG80389tkDP-T07XEvRdHOQbbAP-WHQvXnGmQbvjWebh5P130nSZcYCFybO_Pzy28RQL18T-5xfocJRKoBdaLXIJcE/s1600/tent+stake+hammerd+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="173" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4De6CBHLn7QAkFH3DTKao9b3KWda1niWISLDSCQ7CMxPoHQQpsVMG80389tkDP-T07XEvRdHOQbbAP-WHQvXnGmQbvjWebh5P130nSZcYCFybO_Pzy28RQL18T-5xfocJRKoBdaLXIJcE/s200/tent+stake+hammerd+in.jpg" width="153" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I will thank God for his
provision of what I need before I have it in hand {Isaiah 54:1}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s presence is the only
thing that makes me well and it is what I pursue above all else. {<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psalm 103; Isaiah 53}</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God is invested and knit into
MY cause and MY fulfillment even as he unfolds HIS cause and HIS fulfillment
wrapped around the whole earth. I. Am. Not. A Pawn. {<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psalm 9:4; Psalm 18}</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus is perfect theology {<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John 14:9}</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Small, mundane things are the
stuff of holiness<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> {Zech 4:10} <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
more application to this offering is in addition to over-arching life tent
stakes, sometimes in life I have needed to create a couple of handlebars of
faith for a specific situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
you are starting a new business or new pursuit, maybe you are going through a
time of illness…What stakes do you need to claim?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisI283WvTz6mtRza0gzLmaGsgYot1ifuRuZ6gIZ6S17XQ-XsHvBq_KtaPtCbLtbcmFxzWqmu5Ur1ZPd6UK7sTIFB9aLmDUScSuO8ti4SSIru1qyM36RmZEe_1DRy8GReV1pGcmLoJYE6Ga/s1600/Zech+10.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisI283WvTz6mtRza0gzLmaGsgYot1ifuRuZ6gIZ6S17XQ-XsHvBq_KtaPtCbLtbcmFxzWqmu5Ur1ZPd6UK7sTIFB9aLmDUScSuO8ti4SSIru1qyM36RmZEe_1DRy8GReV1pGcmLoJYE6Ga/s320/Zech+10.4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Should
you get into God’s Word, and should you ask him for an anchor….I would wage
that you will get one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And make that
sucker a tent stake! And when doubt creeps in…”St. Benedict” it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made “St. Benedict” a new verb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His famous quote is, “Begin again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, when my mind wanders in prayer or yoga or
should an anxiety nag while I am driving or trying to go to sleep, I “St.
Benedict” it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which means I bring myself
back again, and again, and again, and again to that which I am determined to
cling to: my tent stakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-77809128925235967752018-05-30T12:03:00.001-07:002020-04-19T10:32:52.403-07:00Mandi on MIndfulness: Belly Breaths <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOjT_6To8wdd5RmXA4OH8gXx9aIbLQaBEtSkcYwQB7ZtKv-L6fJDnoDAOk6ofz9SS9oMHaz_e2DD3HDGYDCBv7s56t5etseMJTBIaNp1bAg1eCwXNN4RyMudSz84YXYApfyEX8WU9VcL6/s1600/Belly+Breaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="365" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOjT_6To8wdd5RmXA4OH8gXx9aIbLQaBEtSkcYwQB7ZtKv-L6fJDnoDAOk6ofz9SS9oMHaz_e2DD3HDGYDCBv7s56t5etseMJTBIaNp1bAg1eCwXNN4RyMudSz84YXYApfyEX8WU9VcL6/s200/Belly+Breaths.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Place one hand in the middle of your abdomen. Place the
other at your heart. Take an easy seat that allows you to be comfortable and
supported without striving. You can sit
up with a lengthened spine or lie back on the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fill your belly with air and feel your hands gently rise
and as you exhale feel them soften down. You should feel all sides of your
container expand with air, especially focusing on filling the belly and flaring
the rib cage open with air under your palms <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can use any breathing technique that you like or just
let your natural breath be observed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">If distracting thoughts come into play, simply use one of
the metaphors offered to non-judgmentally set that thought aside and bring your
focus back to your breath. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">If a concern
comes to mind, gently set it aside for later, and come back to your breath. Do
this for 1-2 minutes. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-22897596399943805602018-05-30T11:57:00.003-07:002020-04-19T10:33:27.008-07:00Mandi on Mindfulness: Essential Mindfulness Practices <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-19982280514670157342018-05-28T18:19:00.004-07:002020-04-19T10:33:45.406-07:00Mandi on Mindfulness: How to Deal with Distracting Thoughts<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A.K.A.
“Begin Again” Metaphors</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Consider
which metaphor below you are drawn to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine, for example, that as you are trying to pray, your grocery list
comes to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply place that thought
on the cloud, wave, train, leaf passing by and bring your attention back to your
breath or your word phrase you use to collect your attention back on the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where resolutely rely on the wisdom
of St. Benedict’s encouragement: “Begin again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Clouds
floating, or birds flying, across the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Waves
arising from the sea, then falling back in. You can watch the waves from the
shore, without being swept away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leaves
and sticks floating down a stream. You don’t have to dive in. You can watch
from a bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
passing parade. You can watch the floats pass by. You don’t have to climb on
board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Trains
coming and going while you stand watching from the platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
waterfall. You’re standing behind it, not under it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Guests
entering a hotel. You can be like the doorman: you greet the guests but you
don’t follow them to their rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cars
passing by while you wait at an intersection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Suitcases
dropping onto a conveyor belt at the airport. You can watch them pass by,
without having to pick them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">People
passing by you in the street. You can nod your head at them, but you don’t have
to stop and have a conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wild
horses running across the plains. You can admire them but no need to chase
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bubbles
rising in a champagne bottle. They rise to the surface and then disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fish
swimming in a tank. Watch them come and go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Children
running across a playground. You can stay still and watch, while they run
wherever they want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Actors
on a stage. You can watch the play; you don’t need to get on stage and
perform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Pop-ups’
on the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Junk
e-mail. You can’t stop it from coming in – but you don’t have to read it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Text
messages on your mobile phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luggage
passing by on a conveyor belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884094520931143094.post-6702510828983510202018-05-28T16:07:00.000-07:002020-04-19T10:19:27.914-07:00Mandi on Mindfulness: Mindfulness and Coping: What's the difference?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjddE1SF9TgNpXftdd4eJYocDTlskPHAmVNos51z-UwFpUVbvOKSC5rqeXE0tFAKXfuQ5SzjWZj1e48rZjnQ6KGubrid53Cu4NQJq2XkmOsFU5tEcR3qyrAjWvFseI4GsK1AsCWTIzytzb/s1600/tent+in+desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjddE1SF9TgNpXftdd4eJYocDTlskPHAmVNos51z-UwFpUVbvOKSC5rqeXE0tFAKXfuQ5SzjWZj1e48rZjnQ6KGubrid53Cu4NQJq2XkmOsFU5tEcR3qyrAjWvFseI4GsK1AsCWTIzytzb/s320/tent+in+desert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s do this from the bottom up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bottom line: Mindfulness should take you into
the present moment, not away from it. Mindfulness can be used to ground
yourself in the middle of a wave of anxiety or a douse of depression <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or a slice of your personal chaos– it can dig
your <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+54%3A2%2C3"><span style="color: blue;">tent
stakes</span></a> deep into the middle of the dry, uncomfortable desert floor. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through
mindfulness practices, you slow your breath, then your body, then your
thoughts, then your feelings, then your behaviors.<b> Following this chain, you
will find yourself engaging with life in the way you would CHOSE to, in the way
that serves you best and brings you more in line with your authentic self,
<i>connected to your “Fount of Living Water” right in the middle of the deser</i>t.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise we are victims of autopilot self-preservation
instincts…that path you have been down enough times to know it doesn’t lead
where you want to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV0Jy7fTIXxNneiVYJ-sEEd2jHPg_tcyAeoHFoSzL9SbhPvaRb4zSB0al8xhuIGhQoqQZqQPyyUBkP3kQKFTRUqYqCtyikIGQE54iA5cV0kFrCkqUIqRrwTQTraXZnSB8gZ7ShHiI06Ek/s1600/sprout+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV0Jy7fTIXxNneiVYJ-sEEd2jHPg_tcyAeoHFoSzL9SbhPvaRb4zSB0al8xhuIGhQoqQZqQPyyUBkP3kQKFTRUqYqCtyikIGQE54iA5cV0kFrCkqUIqRrwTQTraXZnSB8gZ7ShHiI06Ek/s320/sprout+in+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The problem is, we don’t like being in
the desert. We don’t like </span><a href="http://jordanstones.blogspot.com/2015/01/staying-power-through-threshold.html" style="font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">liminal space</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We don’t like the grey.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For a
long, long time I tried everything I knew to part with this desert space and
enter into the “promise land”.</span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That is where<b> coping mechanisms</b> come
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are for a different purpose entirely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They <b>distract</b> us from the present moment,
from the reality of our feelings. Listen to music, go for a walk, call a friend
and get your mind off of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
all totally legal, valid, and completely necessary. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><b>But they are not
mindfulness and if they are all you have in your pocket to cope with, you will
avoid the discomfort but never find that
“square shaped peg” that you need for your “square shaped hole” to transform,
change, or complete the process of the difficult emotion you are presented
with. <i><span style="font-size: medium;">They also tend to distract us from the Beloved.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpctrpMcpnMdMsg3hlONSvZEB8SCRCQ7fIT0r4HyGHsw8mBeww4Dl_C3FB074ANnPTH8PQ3y6zR5wOnquRiFLABzBTZrv2AIUD38Lxuvrr9p3P8LRISUsmuuhGNhP6g4aNDcx2nVFsHRx/s1600/suculant+in+the+desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="630" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpctrpMcpnMdMsg3hlONSvZEB8SCRCQ7fIT0r4HyGHsw8mBeww4Dl_C3FB074ANnPTH8PQ3y6zR5wOnquRiFLABzBTZrv2AIUD38Lxuvrr9p3P8LRISUsmuuhGNhP6g4aNDcx2nVFsHRx/s320/suculant+in+the+desert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It has taken me a while to learn this lesson: the desert...is a good place to be. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is actually satisfying to root deep into the packed desert floor and it allows us to store
up wells that can last for years without rain.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It is here that our sightline is
unobstructed and our only consolation is the One that we wouldn’t by nature reach
for…but the only One that can actually drench and quench our soul</b>,</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> no matter if
we are walking through rain forest or desert.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is an invitation from the Eternal
in the book of Hosea that delivers me from hopelessness</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>If we can wait in the desert, tolerate it with skill and intention,
stay there a long time, if we can find a way to be still and silent on the
inside while the temperature of our circumstances burns our skin, this is the
business that goes down in the desert: <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Hosea 2:14-16</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> <span class="passage-display-version"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Voice
(VOICE)</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFHlVdu_Py0G8QVXA-3ELa6636c4Wd-KQxDfFPTFVyaMtgdB-bPg5Kh5l5ON9Kpew4SFWALy6qQpvNwsXTSb_ool_uVry3sL2T9OFW74c_-qe3hjQnT3y0fu5O8HSUs1NdD62SGYUTiCq/s1600/place+setting+desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFHlVdu_Py0G8QVXA-3ELa6636c4Wd-KQxDfFPTFVyaMtgdB-bPg5Kh5l5ON9Kpew4SFWALy6qQpvNwsXTSb_ool_uVry3sL2T9OFW74c_-qe3hjQnT3y0fu5O8HSUs1NdD62SGYUTiCq/s320/place+setting+desert.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span id="en-VOICE-21429" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">14 <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></sup></b></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; 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;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But
once she has nothing, I’ll be able to get through to her</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black; 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: medium;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="indent-2-breaks" style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I’ll entice her and lead her
out into the wilderness <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">where we can be
alone,</i></b></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="indent-2-breaks" style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">and I’ll speak tenderly to her heart <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">and
try to win her back</i>.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span id="en-VOICE-21430" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">15 <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></sup></b></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span><span class="text">And
then I’ll give her back her vineyards;</span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-2-breaks" style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">I’ll turn the valley of Achor, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">that
“Valley of Trouble,”</i><sup data-fn="#fen-VOICE-21430a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-VOICE-21430a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%202:14-16&version=VOICE#fen-VOICE-21430a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer;" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #b34b2c; text-decoration: none;">a</span></a>]</sup></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-2-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">into a gateway of hope.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; 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 class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">In the wilderness of exile</i> she’ll <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">learn</i> to respond to Me</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-2-breaks"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text">the way she did when she was young, when I brought her out of Egypt.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="en-VOICE-21431" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">And
I swear when that day comes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she’ll call
Me “my husband” and never address Me again as “my master” <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">as she did those other gods.</span></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Mindfulness practices as well as contemplative
prayer practices and living with strong boundaries fortified by integrity are some
of the only ways I found to live the truth of this. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Learning to hold myself in
a place I don’t want to be long enough for the toxicity to drain out completely
until I realize I am unharmed, more expansive, and abiding in a deeper layer of
authenticity and connection to Jesus for having been stretched thin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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