tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14441790553459341812024-03-13T00:02:11.339-04:00faith trek...to boldly go wherever God calls... sends... leads...trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-10856255679362171102012-08-14T19:15:00.000-04:002012-08-14T19:15:45.750-04:00Same Blog... New Blog Address...I have moved this blog to a different address... same blog, just on a different site. Basically I exported this blog to a wordpress site... so all previous posts from this site will also be at the new site.<br />
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To get there, simply click on the following link:<br />
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<a href="http://faithtrekblog.wordpress.com/">faithtrekblog.wordpress.com</a><br />
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All future posts will be at the new site. Hope to see you there!<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-14470802610628307052012-07-20T16:31:00.001-04:002012-07-20T16:31:24.328-04:00Aurora... All We Can Do Now...We don't always understand why the bad and senseless things happen in our world... and we aren't always in a position to do anything about them when they do happen... but we can always pray. <br />
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Today, we learned of a shooting rampage that occurred in Aurora, Colorado last night, as fans who were watching the new Batman movie, were attacked by a man armed with tear gas and several weapons. At least 12 people died in the attack and many more were injured. The various news stations on radio and tv can fill you in on other details.<br />
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At this point, the only thing most of us can do to help this situation is to pray... for the people shot and injured, for those who were killed and for their families and friends. I would suggest that we also pray for the gunman (who authorities believe they have in custody) and his family and friends who may be trying to make just as much sense out of this as the family and friends of those who were shot.<br />
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At times when our hearts ache, it is hard to know what to pray. I saw this on Facebook and am using it in this post... if you are not sure what words to use as you pray, borrow these... but also know that God's Holy Spirit is also praying to God for you with deep "groanings that cannot be expressed in words" (Romans 8:26 NLT).<br />
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This incident reminds us that life is fleeting... don't wait to tell those you love, your friends and family, how you feel about them... and spend some extra time with them... and remember those whose lives have been changed forever because of this event, and countless others like it that never make it into the news.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15Lx0qKMAeU/UAm8fBcpJoI/AAAAAAAAAOM/OaAcDYpdqJw/s1600/Aurora+Prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15Lx0qKMAeU/UAm8fBcpJoI/AAAAAAAAAOM/OaAcDYpdqJw/s640/Aurora+Prayer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-90153598824646153432012-06-18T09:03:00.000-04:002012-06-18T09:03:58.824-04:00Beginnings of True Discipleship...<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Read and pray daily.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It is for your life;</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There is no other way:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Else you will be a trifler</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">All your days."</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">~<i>John Wesley</i></span></blockquote>
<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-38368999039081530172012-06-11T13:19:00.000-04:002012-06-11T13:19:26.295-04:00True Love...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A friend of mine, Jeannie Harper, posted this on Facebook today... It is such a good reminder of what true love is about, that I am re-posting it here. Thank you Jeannie!! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">"Is it possible for the rose to say, 'I will give my fragrance to the good people who smell me, but I will withhold it from the bad?'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Or is it possible for the lamp to say, 'I will give my light to the good people in this room, but I will withhold it from the evil people?'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Or can a tree say, 'I'll give my shade to the good people who rest under me, but I will withhold it from the bad?'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />These are images of what love is about."<br /><br />~Anthony de Mello, Jesuit Priest (1931 - 1987)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span>trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-91978931203203162022012-06-10T08:59:00.000-04:002012-06-10T08:59:09.976-04:00On this Day of Worship...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A simple prayer for each of you:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> Shabbat Shalom</b></span><br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-28677374578174698762012-06-04T13:28:00.000-04:002012-06-04T13:33:33.512-04:00Witnessing to God's Greatness...For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. ~2 Samuel 22:50<br />
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The 22nd chapter of 2nd Samuel is one of David's songs, a psalm if you will of praise to the LORD. In the first 49 verses, David lists a multitude of things that the LORD has done for him, and then concludes by saying "for this", for all the things that you have done for me LORD, "I will praise you..."<br />
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As we read this song of David (2 Samuel 22:1-51) it is clear that he is praising God for specific things God has done for him... Some of them include David's praising the LORD for saving him from real enemies who would have actually killed him in battle... for giving him victory over enemies and making him king over Israel... for giving him, as king, strength and power so that people of foreign nations submit to his rule... <br />
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As we read this song of David, we see how David is giving a testimony, a witness to the greatness of the LORD. <br />
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Like David, we can be a witness and give a testimony to the greatness of God. We can remember things that God has done for us, and like David, say, "for this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name." <br />
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If you are willing to do this, you will find that God will provide opportunities for you to tell others what God has done for you... not to tell them what they have to think or to believe, but just to share how God has worked in wondrous ways in your life, and how you praise God for it.<br />
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Are you willing to be a witness of what God has done? <br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-91753706874209610392012-05-26T15:02:00.000-04:002012-05-26T15:06:35.212-04:00Renewal, Transformation and God's Will...Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will. ~<i>Romans 12:2</i><br />
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In what way do you go about "renewing" your mind? How you renew your mind, and who or what you allow to be a part of that renewal, will most likely determine how you are "transformed"... If you wish to know God's "good, pleasing and perfect will" for your life, then God's Holy Spirit must be the One in whom and through whom your renewal is accomplished.<br />
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Just something for you to reflect on as you go about your Saturday activities...<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-3112232236360954182012-05-19T13:17:00.001-04:002012-05-19T13:31:11.597-04:00Prayer, Praise and Daily Devotions...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As you woke this morning and began your day, did it include a little time to say, "Praise you" and "Thank you" to the Lord? Praising God simply for who he is and thanking him that you woke to see his newly created day? The Psalmist reminds us:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"From the rising of the sun to it's setting the name of the LORD is to be praised."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ~<i>PS 113:3 NASB</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~<i>Ps 19:1 NASB</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ~<i>Ps 118:1 NASB</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you give all of this day to the Lord? Did you invite the Lord into your life, to guard your heart and guide your steps, as you live out the day? Or did you, as so many of us do, simply get started with the busy-ness or even the fun-ness of the day, thinking that there was so much to do, that you had no time now for a "devotional time" and you'd do it later? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In his book, <i>A Pocket Guide to Prayer, </i>Dr. Steve Harper reminds us "God does not call us to have a devotional <i>time</i> but to live a devotional <i>life</i>."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is much that can be said of what it means to live a devotional life, but in the context of this post, I believe it means prayer is to be ever present in every aspect and at all times of our daily lives. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Apostle Paul reminds us:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Pray without ceasing;" ~<i>1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Prayer is not meant to be just another thing we do added onto the rest of the things we do in our daily lives... it is not meant to be another item to check off of our daily to-do list... Rather, prayer is to be that which undergirds, infuses and invades all of the other aspects of our daily lives, in both obvious and subtle ways. Prayer, as communication with God, is that which keeps us in contact with our source of strength and joy and wisdom and life, so that we might get through all of each days challenges - challenges that usually exceed our to-do list. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Again Paul reminds us:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~<i>Philippians 4:6-7 NASB</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The day is not yet over... we can still give thanks and praise to the Lord for this day... we can yet connect to our source of strength and joy and wisdom and life for the living of this day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once again, borrowing from Dr. Harper's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>A Pocket Guide to Prayer, </i>I offer this simple prayer for you to use as you begin to live your "devotional <i>life</i>":</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Dear God, I rise from my bed of sleep, to adore your holy name, to live for you this day, to work with you in the building of your kingdom, and to find in you eternal life. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't wait until tomorrow morning when you are getting out of bed to pray this beginning prayer. Wake up from your "sleep" and do it now!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-69429614423025492032012-05-17T11:41:00.000-04:002012-05-19T15:52:05.981-04:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TncpO2D7Is4/T7UaBP5dGsI/AAAAAAAAAKE/7Z-ZecaPw6A/s640/blogger-image--1946187239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TncpO2D7Is4/T7UaBP5dGsI/AAAAAAAAAKE/7Z-ZecaPw6A/s640/blogger-image--1946187239.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A new commandment I give you, that you love one another... John 13:34</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-82970849103783350902012-05-09T12:01:00.000-04:002012-05-09T12:04:37.160-04:00A Prayer...I came across this today as I was taking some time for prayer and thought I would share it with you. <br />
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<i>Set us afire, Lord,</i><br />
<i>Stir us, we pray!</i><br />
<i>While the world perishes</i><br />
<i>We go our way,</i><br />
<i>Purposeless, passionless,</i><br />
<i>Day after day.</i><br />
<i>Set us afire, Lord,</i><br />
<i>Stir us, we pray!</i><br />
<i> ~Ralph S. Cushman</i><br />
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I pray the Lord will bless you, "stir you" and "set you afire" to do his will on this day and every day to come!<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-59170864362220882272012-04-29T08:50:00.001-04:002012-04-29T08:50:40.907-04:00Glory to God...Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be! Amen!<br />
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Give thanks and praise to God as you worship on this day! <br />
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trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-46130528965040435852012-04-28T12:43:00.000-04:002012-04-28T16:22:09.899-04:00Christology...<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
By the very definition of the word, Christology
is the study of Christ. We seek to
understand Christ and the work that he did by asking the questions: Who is
Jesus? What is the significance of his
work? And even as we begin to look for
our answers, we find that these are questions that were being asked even while
Jesus still walked on this earth, as all who marveled at his teachings and at
his miracles and at his mighty deeds asked themselves and each other, “What kind
of man is this?” (Matthew 8:27 NIV1984) The inevitable question that would have
followed, even if it was an unspoken one was, “What does this mean?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">It was the same question John
the Baptist wondered, as he sent his followers to ask Jesus if Jesus was the
Messiah. In answer, Jesus told them to
report to John what they had seen and heard of Jesus, so that John could answer
Jesus’ implied question: What does my work tell you about who I am? In asking those questions posed by the study
of Christology, I find myself, like John the Baptist, being asked by Christ, “What
does my work tell you about who I am?” And
then the next question is asked, “What does who I AM mean for your life?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
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<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span> </div>
</div>trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-16167417392988240112012-04-08T11:53:00.001-04:002012-04-08T11:53:00.567-04:00HALLELUJAH!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!<br />
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CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!! <br />
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HALLELUJAH!!trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-35852613128606982122012-04-06T09:56:00.000-04:002012-04-06T10:04:37.120-04:00... amazing love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-VCNZxKNa4/T371ism4eYI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/18qal0-W8oc/s1600/nailed+to+the+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x-VCNZxKNa4/T371ism4eYI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/18qal0-W8oc/s640/nailed+to+the+cross.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-78833850512613307682012-04-05T16:06:00.000-04:002012-04-05T16:11:35.513-04:00The Lenten Journey... Nearing the EndWe are nearing the end of our Lenten journey... the journey we began weeks ago... the journey with our Lord as we opened our hearts... searched our souls... asked forgiveness for our wrongs... and humbly walked with our Lord as he neared the time when he would pay the price that brings us forgiveness and life...<br />
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During this time we have known tragedy and triumph, joy and sorrow... we have grown closer to our Lord and stronger in our faith...<br />
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Perhaps we have thought that our journey was ours, alone... but we must remember that countless others, sisters and brothers in the faith, have also made this journey with us... so this has been a time of both intimacy and community...<br />
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Today is Maundy Thursday - Holy Thursday, as some call it. It is the day during which we commemorate the Passover feast that our Lord celebrated with his disciples... and it was at this feast that our Lord "...took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" (<i>Luke 22:19-20</i>) <br />
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At the time, the disciples did not truly understand what he meant...<br />
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And I wonder if today, we disciples truly understand... that Jesus' body had to be broken and Jesus' blood had to be poured out for us because there was no other way to reconcile sinners with a Holy and Just God.<br />
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We have journeyed with our Lord during this time of Lent... and perhaps we have drawn so much closer in our relationship with the Lord... but, like every other human being in our world, we are still sinners... and always will be... as such, we are all equal in the eyes of God... no one better or worse than any other person...<br />
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Today, as we gather to worship and celebrate Holy Communion on this Maundy Thursday, let us be reminded that it is ONLY through the breaking of GOD's body and the pouring out of GOD's blood, done because our Holy and Just God loved us so much, it is only because of this act of GRACE that we have forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God...<br />
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The season of Lent is drawing to a close, and we will soon see our Lord and Savior pay the price for our sins... <br />
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Lent will soon be over... but our journey continues on...<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-78737304273054864952012-04-02T13:01:00.000-04:002012-04-02T14:30:21.950-04:00Trayvon Martin... Tragedy in Sanford, FLA tragedy has occurred in Sanford, FL. It happened a month or so ago... a young man lost his life when shot by another person. By this point in time, probably most of you who are reading this post have heard some if not all of the news coverage surrounding this event. <br />
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As I have thought about this, I have come to the conclusion that this tragedy shows that we humans still have a ways to go in how we relate to other people and in how, at the core of things, we think of and view other people. <br />
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Jesus viewed all with whom he came into contact through the eyes of love. He went out of his way to relate to the people in his day who were thought of as being on the margins of society - women and children, "tax collectors and other sinners", the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, those who were not Jews... Jesus brought healing and reconciliation wherever he went... and his act of dying on a cross for us and for the sins of the whole world was the ultimate act of healing and reconciliation... </div>
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In thinking of this, I wrote the following blog post and posted it on my Tumblr blog:<br />
<a href="http://trek-on.tumblr.com/">dear world... postcards from life...</a> I offer it for your consideration.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Trayvon Martin and Hermeneutics for
Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I'm guessing that you may be wondering
what the word "hermeneutics" means... in theology, it is a
fancy word for how people approach the reading, study and understanding of the
Bible... are we unbelieving or suspicious of Biblical scripture even
before we read it ... or do we approach scripture with a mind-set of acceptance
and belief before reading it? You can think of these as ends of the
"hermeneutics spectrum" with a whole lot of ways to approach scripture
in-between...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Now you are wondering, "So
what?"... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I suspect we all have a hermeneutic
for how we approach other people - our family, our friends, our acquaintances,
the people we don't know... that this hermeneutic is different and shifting for
the various people we encounter and the times we encounter them... that there
are other complicating factors we are not even aware of that influence how we
approach others... factors that have been ingrained in us through family and/or
societal expectations from the time we were infants...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We rarely even think of any of this,
as we see another person and evaluate, judge and approach them...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Again, "So what?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I think we need to be honest with
ourselves... to recognize and pay attention to the underlying factors that
guide how we approach others... our "hermeneutics for life", as
it were... and I believe that we need to push back against the ones that would
have us immediately be suspicious and perhaps fearful of the people we don't know,
the people who are dressed differently, or who talk differently, or who (
) differently (you can fill in the blank)... the people
who we think of as "those other people"... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Maybe Trayvon Martin might still be
alive if George Zimmerman had done just that... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe
all the Trayvon's of the world might still be alive...</span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-24646054110244045062012-03-24T08:56:00.001-04:002012-03-24T09:11:34.492-04:00Continuing the Lenten Journey...How has your Lenten journey been going? Hit any snags or having any unexpected life experiences? <br />
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A good friend, Jeannie Waller Harper, posted something on her Facebook page that I would like to share...<br />
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Be still, and know that I am God<br />
Be still, and know that I am<br />
Be still, and know<br />
Be still<br />
Be<br />
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~Psalm 46:10<br />
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Today, no matter what comes your way... good or bad... may you know God's peace in your heart.trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-21335012420445072052012-03-12T20:52:00.001-04:002012-03-12T20:52:51.468-04:00Day 17... The Lenten Journey Continues...One of them, an expert in the Law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."<br />
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~Matthew 22:35-40<br />
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Do all the good you can,<br />
By all the ways you can,<br />
In all the places you can,<br />
At all the times you can,<br />
To all the people you can,<br />
As long as ever you can.<br />
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~John Wesley<br />
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As you reflect back on how today has gone, how have you done in the categories of loving God and loving others?<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-81037992863680647522012-03-07T10:56:00.001-05:002012-03-09T00:32:42.694-05:00Day 13... The Lenten Journey Continues... A Prayer of Self Denial..."Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."<br />
~Psalm 51:10 (KJV)<br />
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A prayer for this day in Lent:<br />
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Dear God, my number one problem is me. I have embraced a false self that tries in every way to tell me that <i>I </i>am in control - and even more dangerously, tells me not to trust you but rather to trust my own alleged righteousness. I am ashamed at how many times I have listened to the voice of the false self instead of your voice.<br />
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Today, I deny that false self and ask that you would renew a right spirit within me, a self that attends to you and lives accordingly. Especially today, I ask that I might deny the false self in relation to ( ). I am tired of going where it leads me. Instead, lead me in paths of righteousness for your name's sake. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen<br />
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(Prayer taken from: "A Pocket Guide to Prayer" by Steve Harper)<br />
<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-48329531075182623842012-03-06T08:27:00.001-05:002012-03-06T08:27:44.253-05:00Day 12... The Lenten Journey... What is God Doing in Your Life?"Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!"<br />
~Psalm 66:5 (NIV1984)<br />
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In this verse, the psalmist invites the hearers and readers of his message to notice what God has done for humanity... and in the next verse he gives just one example, out of many that he could have chosen, of what God had done for God's people. <br />
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As you go through the day today, look around you... notice what is happening... where are God's love, mercy and grace intersecting with your life? See if you can notice something that God is doing in your life today... and give God thanks!<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-48385478085725668932012-03-03T01:00:00.000-05:002012-03-03T11:15:57.342-05:00Through the Late Watches of the Night... Our Lenten Journey Continues...Trust in him at all times, O people;<br />
pour out your heart before him;<br />
God is a refuge for us. <br />
~<i>Psalm 62:8 (NRSV)</i><br />
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As I was driving home from work this evening, I saw a message on a church sign. It is a very simple message, but one that perhaps should be remembered at night and also during this time of the year, as we make our Lenten journey with the Lord. <br />
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The message is simply this: "God forgives you - yes, even for that"<br />
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Maybe now you are wondering why I said this is a good message to remember at night and during this Lenten journey...<br />
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It is usually at night, as the sun sets and the shadows deepen around us that fears and doubts and worries begin to creep up on us and steal into our hearts. Sometimes our fears and doubts and worries can even wear down our strength of spirit that might have seemed so strong to us just a few hours before, when the sun might have been shining brightly. <br />
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The strong assurance we felt during the day, the assurance of having God's grace and mercy and forgiveness for our sins, may have slowly weakened, even as the shadows of night lengthened, bringing with them the worry and doubt and fear that maybe, just maybe, there was sin in our lives for which we would not, could not be forgiven...<br />
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And now perhaps in the late watches of the night, because of our fears, we begin to lose hope... we begin to wonder how God could possibly love us enough to give us grace and mercy and forgiveness...<br />
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No... not us... not for that...<br />
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Anybody been there? Anybody still there?<br />
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The message on the sign is there for you... and me... It is there to remind all of us that we will be forgiven... and our scripture reminds us that we can pour out our hearts to God, who is our refuge, our protection...<br />
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As we travel this Lenten journey, remember this is a time to open our hearts and examine its deep recesses, and in humble trust, repent and ask forgiveness...<br />
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And yes... you will be forgiven... even for that... <br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-32182690140552025592012-02-29T15:28:00.001-05:002012-03-03T11:11:25.084-05:00Day Seven... The Lenten Journey Continues..."Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." <br />
~Psalm 37:3-6 (NIV1984)<br />
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We have traveled a week, seven days along our Lenten Journey. How is your journey going? Did you promise to give something up for Lent... or add something to your daily routine? Have you kept up with your Lenten promise (whatever it was), or have you been side tracked? Are you beginning to wonder about your promise... whether it really makes any difference whether or not you keep it?<br />
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If you are beginning to wonder about your promise, about whether it really makes a difference if you keep it, let me encourage you to examine your heart and your motives. Ask yourself why you made the promise to begin with. Did you make your promise so that you might look good in the eyes of other people, so that they might think you to be especially holy or religious or righteous? Did you make a Lenten promise out of pure habit, because you felt you were "supposed to" or that you "had to"? Or did you make your promise to bring glory to the LORD and to deepen your faith and relationship with the LORD?<br />
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The last reason is by far the best one for your having made a Lenten promise... But no matter which of the them was your reason, keeping your Lenten promise makes a difference to the LORD. <br />
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As our scripture encourages you to do, and as you think of your promise, "trust in the LORD"... "Delight yourself in the LORD" (in other words, do what pleases the LORD, not you)... and finally, "commit your way to the LORD"... <br />
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Your Lenten promise is not about you showing off to others how holy or religious you are, but about you showing your heart to the LORD... and about preparing your heart for the LORD... and about allowing the LORD of LORD's to change your heart so that it reflects his love to all others...<br />
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Your promise is important... look into your heart and reflect on what you find... begin again if you need to... ask the LORD to help you with this... that is of course what Lent is all about... journeying with the LORD...<br />
<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-85326366346604902942012-02-23T23:24:00.000-05:002012-03-03T11:10:46.513-05:00Day 2... The Lenten Journey Continues...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.</span><br />
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Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”</div>
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Jesus turned and said to Peter, <span class="woj">“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”</span></div>
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Then Jesus said to his disciples, <span class="woj">“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.</span></div>
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<span class="woj"> ~Matthew 16:21-24 (NIV1984)</span><br />
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<span class="woj">No, Lord, never!! You, the Son of the Living God, the Messiah, suffer?? Be killed?? No... that is not the way it should be... We should die for you... in glorious battle!!</span><br />
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<span class="woj">And we disciples, who like Peter, might so willingly follow you into battle against an enemy, find instead that we must follow you on a much harder journey... for instead of calling us to arms, you call us to suffering... to self-denial... you call us to the cross... and to death... </span><br />
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<span class="woj">But you also mention something about being raised to life?</span><br />
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<span class="woj">Is it just possibly true that following your path... journeying with you through self-denial and suffering, following you to the cross and death... that all of this leads to... new life?</span><br />
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<span class="woj">Yesterday's ashes are gone... but the journey continues...</span><br />
<br /></div>trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-9981710438393931692012-02-22T08:31:00.000-05:002012-03-03T11:10:19.755-05:00Ash Wednesday...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Even now,” declares the LORD,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> “return to me with all your heart,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> with fasting and weeping and mourning.”</span><br />
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Rend your heart<br />
and not your garments.<br />
Return to the LORD your God,<br />
for he is gracious and compassionate,<br />
slow to anger and abounding in love,<br />
and he relents from sending calamity.</div>
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~Joel 2:12-13 (NIV1984)</div>
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Today is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of Lent, a 40 day period of time set aside for introspection and reflection as we journey with the Lord to the cross. It is a time to remember why the Lord had to die for us... to remember our sins and to repent. Ashes are a symbol of our mortality as well as a symbol of repentance. As the prophet Joel encourages, rend or tear open your hearts... pray and deeply mourn and grieve over the things that you have done that have grieved the heart of God... and repent. For our God is indeed "gracious and compassionate... abounding in love..." God will have mercy and forgive.</div>
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<br /></div>trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444179055345934181.post-43897596459371108262012-02-14T08:15:00.000-05:002012-02-14T08:15:48.864-05:00Happy Valentine's Day...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> ~John 3:16 (NIV1984)</span><br />
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Today is Valentine's Day... a day in which people celebrate their love for each other. It's origins are shrouded in mystery, but are most likely a combination of being a feast day to St. Valentine and as well as a celebration to "Christianize" the festival of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of fertility. In any event, it has become a day to celebrate romance and love. <br />
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Our scripture reminds us that true love is sacrificial and unconditional, and that it is the greatest gift that God has given to us! Let us follow our LORD's example as we celebrate the love we have for those special people in our lives.<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!!<br />
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<br />trekkerjayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03680646725351266903noreply@blogger.com0