tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35102545104162825742024-02-21T07:09:12.955-05:00Bringing Life Into FocusViewing life through the filter of God's Word
Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-52409868638022229492018-07-02T15:42:00.000-04:002018-07-02T15:42:47.598-04:00Announcing . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;">I've created a brand-spankin’ new author website.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please drop by at <a href="http://www.starrayers.org/" target="_blank">www.starrayers.org </a>and take time to look around. As my site grows, you’ll find inspirational posts, photographs, sharable memes, iPhone photography tips, and historical facts and updates on my latest endeavor, <i>Beyond the Rainbow. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I never set out to write a novel but after I found letters in my mother’s trunk penned in the late thirties by her first love, I knew the makings of a fascinating book was buried within them. I’ve loosely based this poignant story of lost love on those letters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks’ <em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;">The Notebook</em> and Robert James Waller’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;">The Bridges of Madison County</em>, this wholesome account of Emma and Noah’s whirlwind romance and heart-rending separation prior to World War II is refreshing and uplifting in view of a culture that paints love and intimacy with a broad brush and in fifty shades of grey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This moving love story, set in the throes of the Great Depression, portrays the young couple’s struggle to keep their love alive regardless of events that threaten to tear them apart. From its engaging first chapter to its unforeseen conclusion, <em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;">Beyond the Rainbow</em> will resonate in the heart of every woman who has ever remembered a lost love and asked “what if,” or who has suffered through the heartache of “if only.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writing a novel isn’t the first rainbow I’ve chased. I’m an incurable rainbow-chaser and am profoundly grateful for my husband, Michael, who’s always supported me in my starry-eyed pursuits. He’s veered off the highway on more than one occasion to chase rainbows so that I could capture their essence in photographs. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather do life with. Outside of my heavenly Father, he continues to be my biggest cheerleader in whatever I undertake to do. Now my agent, Cyle Young with Hartline Literary Agency, is searching for that rainbow’s end as he seeks a home for my story. I’m confident he’ll find one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” I love that. It’s the way I feel about chasing rainbows. I’d rather err on the side of hope than spend my time in a colorless day seeing nothing beyond a palette smudged with shades of gray. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Born to chase rainbows? Absolutely. God has given us his divine permission to do just that. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Won’t you join me in my pursuit? Even if rainbows aren’t within our grasp, perhaps we’ll land beyond them in a mountain of rainbow dust. Wouldn’t that be fun?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by my site. I hope this will only the first of your many visits here. Please subscribe by leaving your email address in the subscription link so you’ll never miss an update. In the meantime …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep chasing rainbows! It’s embedded in your DNA—so why not?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Starr</span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-75759617802658216862018-04-01T17:59:00.000-04:002018-04-01T18:03:25.700-04:00He is Risen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"He is not hear; he has risen, just as he said."</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">—</span><b>Matthew 28:6</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have a blessed Easter,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Starr</span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-15074782288258089992018-03-26T14:32:00.002-04:002018-03-26T19:12:42.912-04:00Hallmark of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana";"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">North Carolina is adopting the look and fragrance of spring. I love the hope and new life this season ushers in after the long winter. The flowering dogwood tree is a hallmark of our state</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">—</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">its blossom, our state flower. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's doubtful the dogwood tree was used for the cross of Christ as suggested in the well-known legend of the dogwood, but this beautiful flowering tree blooms during the Easter season and its distinctive blossoms remind Christians of Christ's death and resurrection.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tree’s pink or white blossoms have two long and two short petals that form the shape of a cross. Each petal contains a red-stained indentation representative of the nail prints and the blood of Christ. The cluster of stamens in the center of the bloom symbolizes his crown of thorns. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As you breathe in the beauty and fragrance of the dogwoods this spring, know that the story of Christ's death and resurrection is far from legendary. From his suffering came forgiveness and new life for all who believe and receive him as Lord and Savior.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>"For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18, NASB).</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Now it's your turn: </b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Share an early Easter memory or tradition.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have a blessed Easter, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Starr</span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />Legend of the Dogwood Tree:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </i></span></span><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://goo.gl/1vjH3t" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">https://goo.gl/1vjH3t</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-85162140496114027872018-03-22T15:32:00.000-04:002018-03-22T15:54:48.906-04:00Reasons to Smile Book Winners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdr1udV8J97W4BNHtXv8MFXfsTl07B5R4xwwZfBqt9IAdlkDnTJjBJdvOkBaQO5IkMp7oOxxtbSZgg63OduLKfUF3YoGJdJxOuClInp5ItcvCD6VzT4dXdRTQ9DZjRs_jYoVj-xDWjcQ/s1600/29496107_10155519135504952_764836704988698813_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdr1udV8J97W4BNHtXv8MFXfsTl07B5R4xwwZfBqt9IAdlkDnTJjBJdvOkBaQO5IkMp7oOxxtbSZgg63OduLKfUF3YoGJdJxOuClInp5ItcvCD6VzT4dXdRTQ9DZjRs_jYoVj-xDWjcQ/s320/29496107_10155519135504952_764836704988698813_n.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> " I thank my God every time I remember you."</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A huge thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday's Reasons to Smile book giveaway. Whether you subscribed to my blog, dropped in to browse, left a comment, or blessed someone with a random act of kindness to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, I can assure you, you gave this gal a reason to smile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As promised a Reasons to Smile gift book will be on the way to two new blog subscribers. Congratulations to Pam Flippin and Becky Cortino whose names were selected at random from my jar of dreams. Please private message me your addresses so I can get your books to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks again to everyone who visited my Bringing Life into Focus blog. I hope you'll return.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings, Starr</span></div>
<br />Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-56658000622762833642018-03-21T09:00:00.000-04:002018-03-21T09:00:08.539-04:00World Down Syndrome Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hi Everyone...Today is World Down Syndrome Day. To celebrate give someone a reason to smile with a random act of kindness. And don't forget to sign up for the random drawing for the Reasons to Smile books. I'll announce two winners tomorrow. You'll find the details on my previous post. Thank you! Hugs, Starr</span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-71928606712944412962018-03-19T18:32:00.001-04:002018-03-19T23:05:49.145-04:00Down Syndrome Awareness Giveaway <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cgAYXicuiKZ4jP1CWlo0lBDhx0Va5tXdfA8JQC4m7ErH34RU9K7npvd7ww3kSw3oce9MnWi18M4TzXbg1ObHIcsSqgd60AJxHn02MSsRfdkqXKhJk1trcEijLZLD-dqmrYAA_DdLy4s/s1600/91WP7j6nL9L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cgAYXicuiKZ4jP1CWlo0lBDhx0Va5tXdfA8JQC4m7ErH34RU9K7npvd7ww3kSw3oce9MnWi18M4TzXbg1ObHIcsSqgd60AJxHn02MSsRfdkqXKhJk1trcEijLZLD-dqmrYAA_DdLy4s/s400/91WP7j6nL9L.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My husband and I are privileged to be the parents of a beautiful daughter with Down Syndrome. God placed Ashley in our care 42 years ago to love, protect, guide, and teach. Today, I look back through the years and question who is teaching whom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ashley exhibits more unconditional love and grace for life's journey than most of us will begin to comprehend. Although she chooses not to converse a lot, I stand amazed at the impact she continues to have on the lives of those who know her and witness her sweet spirit and winning smile. Regardless of how our day has gone, Ashley continues to give us reasons to smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In 2016, two of my stories and photos of Ashley as a child were published in a book called Reasons to Smile: Celebrating People Living with Down Syndrome https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Smile-Celebrating-People-Syndrome/dp/0764350404. I’m honored that my stories were accepted and published along with 50+ others from around the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Wednesday, March 21st in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day, I will give away two of these beautiful photo gift books by random drawing. To earn a chance to win one of these beautiful books (1) subscribe to my blog by typing your email address in the sidebar above and (2) type Celebrate Down Syndrome Day in the comment section of this post. I’ll announce the winners on Thursday, March 22nd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">DON’T FORGET TO VERIFY YOUR SUBSCRIPTION THROUGH YOUR EMAIL NOTIFICATION. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Good luck and thank you for visiting my blog today through Wednesday in honor of families living with Down syndrome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Starr Ayers</span></div>
Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-9260547656070294512018-03-14T15:08:00.000-04:002018-03-14T15:08:20.196-04:00Something to Crow About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up. Not me!” —Peter Pan</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chiming in on this mantra as a child, seemed like a noble quest—like something I should crow about—but in reality, as an adult, I know this way of thinking is only fun in fairy tales. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all for fun and games, but refusing to own up to grown-up attitudes and responsibilities ushers in mountains of hardship and pain, not only for me but for others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God’s word tells us, “When I was a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">What childish ways do you hold onto? In what areas do you refuse to grow up? Have you spoken like a child, thought like a child, or acted like a child lately?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I think not, you say?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Think again.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">When was the last time you insisted on your own way? Took something that <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">wasn’t yours? Didn’t care what others thought? Wasted time? Talked about someone behind their back or spoke unkind words to their face?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Stings, doesn't it?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Believe me. I feel your pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Perhaps we should change our mantra. How does this sound? "I wanna grow up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanna grow up. I wanna grow up. That's me!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Yep! Letting go of our childish ways is definitely something to grow as well as crow about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana;">Ready? All together now...</span><br />
<br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<br />Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-22581528870948129282018-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:002018-02-11T08:00:16.113-05:00Cement Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdp2vkw_RuTw9plsIkFeXQgJtTzyjBai5NjuZaFhCK81MlaWzEh9EclW3soDwbqyTMJE5ztau6GVuM4jRFTlVBwdLUecxHsOUhSMeNa38VDlRxSnRk5jYswYdv-JuOMXb37sVA7ylG4Q/s1600/File+Feb+03%252C+12+00+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdp2vkw_RuTw9plsIkFeXQgJtTzyjBai5NjuZaFhCK81MlaWzEh9EclW3soDwbqyTMJE5ztau6GVuM4jRFTlVBwdLUecxHsOUhSMeNa38VDlRxSnRk5jYswYdv-JuOMXb37sVA7ylG4Q/s320/File+Feb+03%252C+12+00+06+PM.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've traveled under this overpass off and on for more than twelve years. T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he journey is always the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Nothing new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Nothing interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It's merely a path that gets me from point A to point B.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But yesterday my journey through came to a dead stop when I saw someone had chosen to make the mundane, utilitarian walls their canvas.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This cement garden brightened my day. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love to find beauty in unexpected places. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who doesn't? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>But</i> to be the catalyst for beauty in the life of another...</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>now that's a cut above.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn. </b>Please share a time when unexpected beauty interrupted your day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><b></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><b></b><b></b><b></b><br />Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-25143698065004072472018-02-07T08:00:00.001-05:002018-02-07T08:00:07.639-05:00Storm Warning<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk5Ba297Q1sokm5hB1cDyzZpFoOzy1Tb1XJXHSvNpY3IZCUjCHbUMHTWgCyrlY8yT13AdH5vJ9ZsqkVmg-FAHpucZ9H4jPg_57eB73OjFJy1YVbudNjAA91Cp0Ze2UyRwf4fEiIz5vmE/s1600/rough-sea-2624054_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk5Ba297Q1sokm5hB1cDyzZpFoOzy1Tb1XJXHSvNpY3IZCUjCHbUMHTWgCyrlY8yT13AdH5vJ9ZsqkVmg-FAHpucZ9H4jPg_57eB73OjFJy1YVbudNjAA91Cp0Ze2UyRwf4fEiIz5vmE/s640/rough-sea-2624054_1920.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Immediately, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on
ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span style="margin: 0px;">After leaving them, he
went up on a mountainside to pray. </span><span style="margin: 0px;">Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake,
and he was alone on land.</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">He saw the disciples
straining at the <span style="margin: 0px;">oars,</span> because the wind
was against them.”</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>―Mark 6:45-48a NIV</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our ship left Prince Edward Island and sailed up the
Gulf of St. Lawrence toward Quebec City. The waters were relatively calm,
considering we’d left Boston on the heels of Hurricane Earl. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The night’s
forecast</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">—</span><b>a strong gale and rain. </b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We hadn’t interpreted strong gale to mean 70 mph winds and 50 foot waves that would rock us sleepless. Perhaps
that night, I experienced some of the same emotions the disciples did in their
storm.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a full day of ministry, the disciples waited in the boat for Jesus.
Would the throngs of people ever leave? Moments must have felt like hours
as the storm clouds gathered overhead. Imagine their readiness as Jesus gave
them the green light to go ahead of him to the other side of the lake. <span style="margin: 0px;">Serving their Master was invigorating.</span> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few
storm clouds would never dampen their spirits.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>Then</b>...</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">the storm rolled in. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">The disciples were vulnerable
and </span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">afraid.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> As the waters threatened to overtake their small boat, they struggled to
stay on course. Surely Jesus knew the storm was coming. Why would he send them
out to face it alone? </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>Where was Jesus when they needed him? </b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Mark 6</b> addresses the common misconception that following God assures
smooth sailing. Jesus wasn’t oblivious to the storm. He sent the disciples out knowing they would encounter it. Uprooting them from their comfort zones
and placing them in a situation which required extreme faith, would reveal
their weaknesses, strengthen their spiritual muscles, and ultimately summon
them to new depths of dependency on him. The experience would allow <span style="margin: 0px;">them to</span> see the futility of braving life’s difficulties
in their <span style="margin: 0px;">own</span> strength.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Jesus ordained the storm, but his compassion for his disciples
transcended it. </b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although the disciples lost sight of Jesus, <span style="margin: 0px;">he </span>never lost sight of them. From the <span style="margin: 0px;">mountain,</span> he watched and prayed to his Heavenly
Father for their safety and at just the right moment, he intervened. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Storms come to us all—even <span style="margin: 0px;">believers. </span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">We’re
not sheltered</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">from</i> them, but
we <span style="margin: 0px;">are sheltered</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in</i> them. Perhaps, you’re experiencing opposition as you strive to
do God’s will? Are you straining at the oars? Can you <span style="margin: 0px;">relate </span>to the futility of self-effort? Don’t allow storm clouds to
dampen your spirits. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Rest in the following truths.</b> </span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus’s eye is always on
you. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">His prayers continually cover you. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: justify;">
H<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e will meet you in the waters of
your adversity. </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Rejoice! </b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Help is on the way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now its your turn. </b>What is one of your go-to scriptures when storms threaten to capsize your ship.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></b></div>
Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-14896669801293400972018-02-04T08:00:00.000-05:002018-02-04T08:00:01.576-05:00El Roi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBfWidGKw2IuZCFKPp2Cm_Ae7jaG1fF5sRWYuMxQdHbU-CZfOIzzsCc2bqwQ_5TIT7pzW1zdieUXMwTqmEkHLH2axmHczry6T81IZ8v-uktq7LsHAUocwnoXgISHfhZB6dB5sq6tcI7g/s1600/File+Feb+03%252C+12+51+23+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBfWidGKw2IuZCFKPp2Cm_Ae7jaG1fF5sRWYuMxQdHbU-CZfOIzzsCc2bqwQ_5TIT7pzW1zdieUXMwTqmEkHLH2axmHczry6T81IZ8v-uktq7LsHAUocwnoXgISHfhZB6dB5sq6tcI7g/s320/File+Feb+03%252C+12+51+23+PM.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">he room was large. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We sat row after row, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">elbow to elbow. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Among the sea of faces, I felt small. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><b>THEN ...</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">God invited me to view the room from his perspective. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>THIS</b> </i>is what I saw. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"You are the God who sees me." </span></i></span></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">—</span></span><span style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Gene</span>sis 16:13</span></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn. </b>Please share a time that God assured you of his presence when you felt invisible.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I always welcome your comments.</span></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."</span></i><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">—</span>2 Chronicles 16:9</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></i></span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-21356433381436977212018-01-03T08:30:00.000-05:002018-01-03T13:35:24.171-05:00My One Word 2018<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mzVGhVeo6m3wcKx67WZmrA1wHtlVMwsIJgl1TS5GN6ISS9ublxllKbIJQvoyUpnNk5w-IOB4WvQFPt06VYYnnlDNvmVE2erAvDFx5XHi72DYPlP6EtLFtxO_tyCRaFpFfq2xYBh-WgM/s640/26113897_10155323484599952_5314024908763225308_n.jpg" width="560" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love a brand-spankin' new New Year that moseys out of the gate and gives me the opportunity to reflect on the past and look toward the future. For me, setting New Year’s resolutions fell by the wayside years ago. In 2000, I selected a focal verse for the year and have continued to choose one annually. In 2013, I jumped on the my-one-word bandwagon and now consolidate my chosen verse into one word for a more precise focus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My One Word 2018--PERSEVERE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Focal Verses: "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My prayer for 2018 is that I’ll step into the purpose God calls me to and never quit. That I'll cut the fat (in more ways than one) and release everything that threatens or hinders my progress. That when I become weary I'll continue to put one foot in front of the other and not lose sight of my goal. That when my faith flags I'll pull myself up by my bootstraps and fix my eyes on Jesus--the one who blazed the trail before me and will continue to make a way where there seems to be none. I pray not only to finish strong this year but also in life as well, and that I’ll leave a godly legacy with my family, the people I meet, and the places I go. And finally, I pray when I cross the finish line accompanied by a great cloud of witnesses that I’ll reap the reward of my labor and above the applause I'll hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." And for that...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’ll persevere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn. </b> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please join me in my tradition and select a verse and a word for your life as well. If you already have, please encourage us all and share it here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I always welcome your comments. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Starr</span>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-30127253927466709762017-11-24T13:27:00.000-05:002017-11-24T13:27:23.546-05:00Simply Believe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYPSWrtwOY8ix3zrWaBitwwvZGS15Zhuvlt_j1sIE_Rt0HN5_sJ1MvUBUNPfktVVy4nquMgjoTluibL99QzAgrFu9SREW39wpMb-FkRhyphenhyphenfylqGS2JoCeGl5Kxr0thjQSCPZkvDHBO2bU/s1600/23843102_10155228350854952_5739566434007930961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYPSWrtwOY8ix3zrWaBitwwvZGS15Zhuvlt_j1sIE_Rt0HN5_sJ1MvUBUNPfktVVy4nquMgjoTluibL99QzAgrFu9SREW39wpMb-FkRhyphenhyphenfylqGS2JoCeGl5Kxr0thjQSCPZkvDHBO2bU/s640/23843102_10155228350854952_5739566434007930961_n.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4sjd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ea29i-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Oh, that my words were now written! </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4sjd-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ea29i-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Oh, that they were printed in a book!"</i> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ea29i-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--Job 19:23, KJV</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ea29i-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="flman-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The impassioned plea of Job to be heard, to be understood, and for his words to benefit generations to come is the heart of every writer. </span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="idmp-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Job had no sense that this would happen as the art of "printing" was unknown, but he placed his hope in his Redeemer, and God was faithful. </span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3l7tc-0-0"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="v7j9-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Job's words, now published in the best-selling and most widely distributed book of all time, stand as an everlasting testimony of his hope and faith, and the faithfulness of our God. </span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="229th-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be encouraged.</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="229th-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Now it's your turn.</b> What are you working on that you want to see in print one day?</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="229th-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="229th-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span></span></span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-91650367842917862102017-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:002017-11-30T12:54:50.386-05:00Paper Chains <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67C6LZvaiAVUcC5CF-zzBnbSrDfHja6BvTOQPACCVGn3fmWxtSEYEDz_mwERZhm0TvO3Ie3_F9ltSeL02B9msRIi01NvQ1F0_WMd8hv3rQt5IAdIMapjQzuJ3ubgkxU-EJMsL1cI-mUY/s1600/Thanksgiving+Paper+Chain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67C6LZvaiAVUcC5CF-zzBnbSrDfHja6BvTOQPACCVGn3fmWxtSEYEDz_mwERZhm0TvO3Ie3_F9ltSeL02B9msRIi01NvQ1F0_WMd8hv3rQt5IAdIMapjQzuJ3ubgkxU-EJMsL1cI-mUY/s400/Thanksgiving+Paper+Chain.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“<span style="margin: 0px;">O give thanks unto the LORD; </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">for <span style="margin: 0px;">he is</span></span> good: </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">because his mercy <span style="margin: 0px;">endureth</span> forever."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>—Psalm 118:1 KJV</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Thanksgiving approaches, our homes and activities begin to reflect past family traditions. <span style="margin: 0px;">We spread</span> tables with old family recipes, decorate trees with heirloom ornaments, send long-distant relatives and friends sentimental greeting cards, and gather loved ones to <span style="margin: 0px;">watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'s a Wonderful Life</i> and the immortal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Christmas Carol </i>for the trillionth time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who can forget that chilling visit to Scrooge from his dead business partner, Jacob Marley—his ghostly spirit bound with chains? Condemned to wander Earth weighted down due to his greedy and self-serving life, he’d returned with the hope he could spare Scrooge the same fate. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“You are fettered," said Scrooge, trembling. "Tell me why?”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“I <span style="margin: 0px;">wear the chain I forged in life," replied</span> the ghost. "I made it link by <span style="margin: 0px;">link</span> and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own <span style="margin: 0px;">free will, and of my own free will</span> I wore it.” </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life gets <span style="margin: 0px;">heavy</span>. Sometimes the heaviness is a direct result of carrying chains we’ve forged for ourselves, while at other times we’re weighted down by circumstances beyond our control. Some people bear physical chains, while others struggle underneath mental and emotional ones. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Apostle Paul was unjustly imprisoned and held in iron chains, yet his spirit roamed free. He professed he was “in chains for Christ.” He chose to lighten life’s load by thanking God in his trials and focusing on his blessings. We <span style="margin: 0px;">can do the</span> same. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Perhaps a part of your family’s tradition has been to make paper chains in anticipation of a special event—summer vacation, a holiday, or someone’s birthday. As family members took turns tearing off links, you counted down the days till the celebration. If you’ve never participated in this meaningful activity, November would be an excellent time to start. <span style="margin: 0px;">But, instead of counting down</span>—let’s count up. Let’s use the links of our chains to count our blessings daily as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To create a Thanksgiving chain, cut fall-colored strips of paper or use the web address provided to print out decorative <span style="margin: 0px;">strips </span>for links. Cut the <span style="margin: 0px;">strips </span>apart and ask family members to write each day something they’re thankful <span style="margin: 0px;">for</span>. Then tape the links together. By Thanksgiving Day, you’ll have a festive decoration to hang near your table or to use as a table runner. Before your meal, pass around the chain and have each person read one of the blessing links. Continue to <span style="margin: 0px;">pass</span> it around until all <span style="margin: 0px;">are read</span>. Then with grateful hearts, thank God for the blessings he provides—blessings that connect his heart to ours and ours to the hearts of others. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn.</b> Share a holiday tradition your family enjoys? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving! Starr</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">(To access the chain printable, click the following link: </span><a href="http://ow.ly/MkXj30fbVaQ"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://ow.ly/MkXj30fbVaQ</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. For a more colorful <span style="margin: 0px;">chain</span>, print images on both sides of the paper.)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-61390442891834439052017-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:002017-10-24T11:58:18.011-04:00Keep On Keeping On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWA-UkIc6wUak4qj9JvcBFHmwqvyDjlg5QbuEDqWZ25ujMyNc44DYJG37pZSfZy709w2ToYDbjvgOGrVXsat1srzBEqFNl01629GvdHw7eBS52MP61Rd2ZIDjGfiR4CS2R9iT3XiqKvA/s1600/apples+mime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="639" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWA-UkIc6wUak4qj9JvcBFHmwqvyDjlg5QbuEDqWZ25ujMyNc44DYJG37pZSfZy709w2ToYDbjvgOGrVXsat1srzBEqFNl01629GvdHw7eBS52MP61Rd2ZIDjGfiR4CS2R9iT3XiqKvA/s640/apples+mime.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Let us not become weary in doing good, f</i></span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">or at the proper time </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">—</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Galatians 6:9-10, NIV</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is God's promise of reward enough for us to keep on keeping on? </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">In light of our human frailty, the answer is </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>no</b></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We must look beyond the promise. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The hope of God's promise serves as our motivation, but the Promiser is the only way to persevere. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christ gives strength to the weary and enables us to reap the harvest of well-doing. </span></div>
<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The promise is never enough, </span></i></b></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">but the Promiser is always more than enough. </span></i></b></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the lives of Joseph's family members hung in the balance (Genesis 45), he was able to provide for them. Since he'd kept his eyes on the Promiser, his storehouse </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was full. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't come up empty.<b> </b>Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith, and claim the abundant harvest he has in store. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In seedtime and </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">harvest,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> God</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is faithful. Keep on keeping on as if your life and the lives of those around you depend on it...because they do!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn. </b>What are some ways you fix your eyes on Jesus when the going gets tough?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Starr</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-50540430245713505462017-03-13T09:00:00.000-04:002017-03-17T21:22:13.903-04:00This Way or That Way?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCAZoRhE-YbUX5Oly0ZmQZzdrviK8shiXx2q9iOnmykgT5t2Ib-yEajIp8YP_UR0bLas3-V78OKYNeSb16KqE1Mgv5DaZhz36Bvv8fM9ZREFsqW4pNXz1YOGcxVNuzXcgeIink7gOP1g/s640/File+Nov+21%252C+9+40+21+AM.png" width="550" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Then you will know which way to </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">go,</span></span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">since you have never been this way before.”</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; margin: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">—Joshua
3:4, NI</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">V</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Are you constantly on the move yet at the end of the
day wonder what you’ve accomplished? Do you spin your wheels only to
find, you're stuck? Like me, You may have days when you question if you're
even moving in the right direction?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Alice</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">’s pursuit of the White Rabbit in Lewis
Carroll’s, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alice in Wonderland</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, Alice
said to the Cheshire Cat:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">
</span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from
here?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
"That </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">depends</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> a good deal on where
you want to get to," said the Cat.<br />
"I don't much care where—" said Alice.<br />
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.</span></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At
times, </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">directionally challenged</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">,
but unlike Alice―I do care where I’m going. It’s frustrating when
my GPS takes me miles out of my way, or the directions someone
has given me are wrong. Sometimes, we need a good old-fashioned road map</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, or</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> better yet</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">someone to
follow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Years
ago, </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
was driving my car down a narrow two-lane road. Fog and rain made it difficult
for me to see, but I spotted a tractor-trailer pulling out from the
intersection ahead. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Typically</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, I don’t
want a truck in front of me, blocking my vision and slowing me down, but that
night, I was thankful the truck was there. It was easier for me follow its
taillights along the dark and winding road than to navigate the route alone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Joshua 3, the Israelites </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">camped</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> along the east bank of the Jordan River
at the edge of the Promised Land. They were waiting for God to instruct Joshua
on when to move out and claim the territory for themselves. As they faced the
raging Jordan River and </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">an area</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> occupied
by the enemy, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous. He reminded him that
he would go with </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">them and</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> would never
leave or forsake them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The same applies to</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
us. As believers, God calls us to do his will. Although the way is not always easy to
discern, he doesn’t intend for us to chart our </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">own</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
course. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He’s given</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">us</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> his Word as a roadmap</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and has sent the</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Holy Spirit as our guide. We have
everything we need to navigate the perilous roads ahead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">G</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">od
cares where you’re going. Wait for him. Place his Word before you and
thank him for his guidance. He’ll lead you safely to your destination.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Whether you turn to the right </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or to</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the left, your ears will hear a voice
behind you, saying, </span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'This is the way; walk in it'"
(</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isaiah 30:21, NIV).</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Now it's your turn. </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I always welcome your comments.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Blessings, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Starr</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">**This article was first published in Thrive magazine, March 2017</i></span></span></span></div>
</span><br />
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-59598002923197760102017-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:002017-01-18T11:33:39.083-05:00WATCHWORD WEDNESDAY: Sing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y6HHUPpcHrn5dKWxYNDaA8MRWFd2BXPNwj76m6xUT8THxEZSvHiC_tMWiXdRxlrSbvUfaK-nrHRy-198XCfqLyiMX871RWaDhzUMMmBEJe4AETCuJ3VV8kwv_iODFUrTNIPsAElfblY/s1600/File+Dec+14%252C+11+38+06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Y6HHUPpcHrn5dKWxYNDaA8MRWFd2BXPNwj76m6xUT8THxEZSvHiC_tMWiXdRxlrSbvUfaK-nrHRy-198XCfqLyiMX871RWaDhzUMMmBEJe4AETCuJ3VV8kwv_iODFUrTNIPsAElfblY/s400/File+Dec+14%252C+11+38+06+AM.png" width="550" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> —Psalm 13:5-6, NIV</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The gray days of winter can dampen our spirits, especially when we fail to maintain a healthy focus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Our North Carolina winters are mild. There are seldom days when people are housebound
due to inclement weather. Personally, I’m a homebody and can stay secluded in
my home for a week and never develop cabin fever. Thankfully for me staying in is still a choice. I might respond differently if
circumstances such as illness, tragedy, or personal loss dictated my actions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">People who
suffer from depression in the winter months, a condition known as SAD (seasonal
affective disorder), can experience anxiety, fatigue, and weight gain. Though
the causes, symptoms, and severity of SAD may vary, researchers agree that those who
suffer have one thing in common—an acute sensitivity to the lack of light.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Although there are other ways to lessen the effects of SAD, I’ve listed a few below to aid in
your return to happiness.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">
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</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Go outside
as much as possible.</b> Sunlight generates the production of Vitamin D, the
body’s natural antidepressant. If physical circumstances limit your ability to
go outdoors, sit by a window as much as possible or invest in a sun lamp
equipped with special fluorescent tubes that mimic the sun’s beneficial rays. </div>
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</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exercise.</b>
Yes, it's that dreaded eight letter word, but regular exercise is a natural and healthy way to counter feelings of
depression. Vigorous exercise releases a hormone called endorphins which
elevate your mood and make you feel happy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Avoid
coffee. </b>Caffeine can cause you to feel stressed and anxious. Green tea, a
natural antidepressant, is a healthy alternative. Loaded with antioxidants and
nutrients, it improves brain function, fat loss, and potentially lowers the
risk of cancer, Type II Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Drinking
a cup of green tea an hour or so before bedtime will serve as a
wholesome sleep aide and relax you. </div>
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</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat
plenty of fruit and fiber.</b> Fruit is also a natural antidepressant. Whole
grains, brown rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat pasta are all good
choices as they aid in the release of serotonin, a brain chemical that
plays a significant role in mood, anxiety, and happiness. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And lastly...</div>
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<br /></div>
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</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sing.</b>
Yes, I said—<i>sing</i>. A 2013 article in Time magazine stated that singing has been
scientifically proven to lower stress and reduce anxiety. When we sing our
brain releases endorphins and oxytocin, both hormones found to relieve
depression. The additional good news is...you don’t have to be a good
singer to reap the healthy benefits of singing.</div>
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Scripture
substantiates the fact that singing is an excellent antidote for depression. In
Psalm 42:5, David is in a mental and emotional battle to rise above his negative
emotions.</div>
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<i>“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the
blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my
face. He’s my God” (MSG).</i> </div>
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David spoke to his soul, reminded himself of his hope
in God and returned to praising him.</div>
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I have a dear friend
who has a unique way of measuring her level of despondency. Though times in her
life may be tough, I often hear her say, “But the little bird in my heart
is still singing.”</div>
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Is the little
bird in your heart singing today? If not, help it out. Make a joyful noise
unto the Lord and watch your spirits soar.</div>
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<b>Now it's your turn.</b> What is one way you counter the winter blues?</div>
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<b>I always welcome your comments.</b></div>
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Praising Him,</div>
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Starr</div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-45888346163548227822017-01-16T11:10:00.000-05:002017-02-20T09:42:20.013-05:00Transformed<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7d5WDi-OWM4_fKv_4MF3VeT4FZBgl9XSit71kxAh8y2Pfu73dQqO4n4bbG5KeAwqAMx9B8qGEFPUMrnb6JoaW_qbVPTWmuSIY6m76LhI8Rru0GNDJ8St8KEROwLHFa0XFSuLDwpp4g0/s1600/16105912_10154368428049952_8505855151119211367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7d5WDi-OWM4_fKv_4MF3VeT4FZBgl9XSit71kxAh8y2Pfu73dQqO4n4bbG5KeAwqAMx9B8qGEFPUMrnb6JoaW_qbVPTWmuSIY6m76LhI8Rru0GNDJ8St8KEROwLHFa0XFSuLDwpp4g0/s640/16105912_10154368428049952_8505855151119211367_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prayerfully selecting a verse for the year and narrowing it down to one word has been my New Year's tradition since the year 2000. It's not only amazing to see the verse or word pop up throughout the year and the ways God speaks to me through it, it's remarkable to see the timing of its appearance. I'm always blown away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn. </b>If this isn't a tradition for you,<b> </b>I challenge you to make it one. It's never too late in the year to select a verse and/or word that is meaningful to you to see what God will do with it. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once you've made your selection</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, please share it here.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Happy New Year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Starr</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.32px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-91862507958058288102017-01-01T07:30:00.000-05:002017-02-20T10:17:30.099-05:00In The Beginning<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YF7AFlks9J8wwvc7ASYcE_B1gDRokiMmhZCMurprtE3lGB1-O_dMeZ79Y1oQRBQKKaLuz_Jjil4ChDGW4kVZqPrbwxfdDQFOJalNLLFjELF3evEPjyaipTV-AgNfjKmKFkZkTCPcwlQ/s1600/Creation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YF7AFlks9J8wwvc7ASYcE_B1gDRokiMmhZCMurprtE3lGB1-O_dMeZ79Y1oQRBQKKaLuz_Jjil4ChDGW4kVZqPrbwxfdDQFOJalNLLFjELF3evEPjyaipTV-AgNfjKmKFkZkTCPcwlQ/s400/Creation.jpg" width="550" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“In the </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">beginning,</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> God created the heavens and the
earth.”</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Genesis 1:1, ESV</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My
husband and I recently visited the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky as well
as the Ark Encounter, its sister attraction. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we strolled through biblical history, we
observed man’s </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">amazing</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> interpretation of
God’s original </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">creation—a </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">picturesque
universe—vast, unspoiled, and serene.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Genesis
1 conveys how God spoke</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the world into existence
in six days. At </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the end of each day he looked over all he’d fashioned
and “saw that it was good.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sadly, it’s impossible for God to observe today’s
world and say it’s good. Thanks to the first man, Adam, and his lady, Eve, life
in a perfect world is no longer an option. In fact, our world’s </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">corrupt </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">condition bears little resemblance to
its idyllic beginning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As
an artist, I can't imagine placing my finished work, my masterpiece, into
the hands of a small child. A child who has no appreciation for the
time, heart, and emotion I’ve invested into the creation process. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, God</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> did exactly that. The Master
Artist crowned </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">humanity</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> with his glory
and entrusted the work of his fingers into our hands—hands of mere children.</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Am I a faithful steward of his creation and the days he's entrusted to me? Are you? As we stand on the threshold of a new year can we look back over 2016 and say it was good?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">America
just weathered the nastiest election season in our nation’s history. I dare say
all of us, irrespective of our party affiliation, would eagerly shout with one
resounding voice, “good riddance” to 2016. But let’s look at the year from a
personal perspective. </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Perhaps you’ve experienced blessings that far outweigh
your sorrow. For you, releasing the year to an unknown future is difficult. For
others who’ve experienced great </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sadness</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">,
personal tragedy, and loss, you’re more than happy to bid a hardy farewell to the
last 365 days. </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">None
of us know what 2017 has in store, but its days spread out before us like a primed
canvas. Unspoiled by human touch, it offers us the hope of a brand new start. How
can we be faithful with the time God’s allotted to us and use it for his glory?
</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
1 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul communicates that a builder must be careful
how he builds. “No man can lay a foundation other than the one which </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">is laid</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, which is Jesus Christ” (v.11). </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If we
establish 2017 on the sure foundation of Christ, we’ll be able to look back at
the end of the year and say, “It was good because in the beginning, God. . . </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Oh, that I would trust him as much as he trusts me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Now it's your turn. </b>What is one aspiration you hope to initiate for "good" in the new year?<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span> <span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span></span></span><br />
<b></b><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year! </span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Starr</span></span></div>
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<i><br />
** This article was first published in Thrive magazine, January 2017</i></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-2058351531988711862016-12-08T18:03:00.000-05:002016-12-08T22:14:22.624-05:00I Matter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAR9BRBTluYZpjP0RJBaAvtL0X9leKEequXS2Em1WGC0xxuG_oCoLX-ennOLLEH4yGcK61dfvjuRFu9QB70yzNqhkNiDbWZXKg4_tk8j4csbmYvPa9sgOPigcXk52GUVJGGLJiiDRd5o/s1600/File+Dec+08%252C+2+55+27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAR9BRBTluYZpjP0RJBaAvtL0X9leKEequXS2Em1WGC0xxuG_oCoLX-ennOLLEH4yGcK61dfvjuRFu9QB70yzNqhkNiDbWZXKg4_tk8j4csbmYvPa9sgOPigcXk52GUVJGGLJiiDRd5o/s640/File+Dec+08%252C+2+55+27+PM.png" width="550" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well."</i> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">—Voltaire</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;">Today, December 8</span><sup style="line-height: 15.3333px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;">is my birthday. In my quiet time with the Lord this morning two scriptures came to my mind—2 Samuel 7:18 written in the photo above and Psalm 8. The Psalm, I selected for my </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">birth </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">day</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><sup><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">3</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When
I consider your heavens,</span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the work of your fingers,</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">moon</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and the stars,</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">which you have set in place,</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><sup><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">4</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">what
is </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mankind</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that you are mindful of them,</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">human
beings that you care for them?</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">5 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You have made them a little
lower than the angels</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and
crowned them with glory and honor.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">6 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You made them rulers over the
works of your hands;</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you
put everything under their</span><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">feet:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we look at ourselves in light of God and the
vastness of his creation, we feel small. However, we need to see ourselves as
God does. God looked over all of his creation and saw that it was good. Humanity
was the pinnacle of his handiwork.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From the dust of the earth, God created us in his
three-fold image—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, giving us a three-fold nature—a body, </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a soul</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">,
and a spirit. Then, he breathed life into us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our spirit </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">man</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
most reflects his image. He’s given us the capacity to know him and to reflect
his character so others will see him and realize their value in his sight. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next time you question your worth as a person,
remember God ascribed a high value to you. So much so, he sent his Son to die for you so that you can spend eternity with
him. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don’t let anything mar the image of his glory in
your life. I</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">matters. I matter. And so do</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
you.</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Now it's your turn.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blessings, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Starr</span></span></span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-87582145161469086102016-11-14T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-08T22:15:02.874-05:00Call to Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn8wyVfnpSQYgK-GIMzxhF6rGA6vhlclXNombNpvbEc6BYltQwUFbMKJEOolMJ-rNV5UD_k-VX5igujClEivcam8aWSydWpecKxZF93xSH6bZAUaEXecUPce_bSh5L3DiHKWnKYosnTk/s1600/File+Nov+08%252C+2+06+53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn8wyVfnpSQYgK-GIMzxhF6rGA6vhlclXNombNpvbEc6BYltQwUFbMKJEOolMJ-rNV5UD_k-VX5igujClEivcam8aWSydWpecKxZF93xSH6bZAUaEXecUPce_bSh5L3DiHKWnKYosnTk/s400/File+Nov+08%252C+2+06+53+PM.png" width="550" /></a></div>
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<br />Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-68233957304175397752016-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:002016-12-10T08:03:44.141-05:00Take Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJrVUdgazI7rFddyyAX4VPF2MxZNqiwFJoYnj9MO1IYjIXBhcgbCesx1zkFxhciHNPCgnfOt5m3xhZxFc3tX8UzY2x1kXwqjbjmGnV91MsL3_NvTyYgbBtJfn464M5VQDsFcCZ6oz9t0/s1600/File+Nov+06%252C+3+24+02+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJrVUdgazI7rFddyyAX4VPF2MxZNqiwFJoYnj9MO1IYjIXBhcgbCesx1zkFxhciHNPCgnfOt5m3xhZxFc3tX8UzY2x1kXwqjbjmGnV91MsL3_NvTyYgbBtJfn464M5VQDsFcCZ6oz9t0/s640/File+Nov+06%252C+3+24+02+PM.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Philippians 4:13, NKJV</span><br />
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-43726573769812268152016-11-04T11:13:00.000-04:002016-12-10T08:04:21.408-05:00Write the Vision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL17Wy86tl5CdOn5Gw838ntdWAdCK3FzG50ndnLLfgOuKFFJUnUjhdhcCgXrlMafb_GOJv-_DHLXqDR9bfUIpdRCGAp8betP_J6TfUsZTKBgaOswo_nArlutiqP7Pg05_OOzd4DClymV4/s400/Friday%2527s+Meme+11.03.16.jpg" width="550" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">— Habakkuk 2:2, ESV</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Now it's your turn: </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">What are you working on? I'd love to hear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>I always welcome your comments.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Happy Writing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Starr</span></div>
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-8645702870759100802016-10-31T12:04:00.000-04:002016-12-10T08:05:06.690-05:00Psst! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY_shjsqS2lVfIq3UsF8-ZN8C6XuE80qzFFdFp9WVyzRAWvwWskPDF2CGXKArA4dv6vstknuxbP-etEY0ssa2iENR3mUS3Q6NTEeo58y3-aUccN9YZuwnJwPHgycz9GFfx9oJbT2mc80/s1600/Monday%2527s+Meme+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY_shjsqS2lVfIq3UsF8-ZN8C6XuE80qzFFdFp9WVyzRAWvwWskPDF2CGXKArA4dv6vstknuxbP-etEY0ssa2iENR3mUS3Q6NTEeo58y3-aUccN9YZuwnJwPHgycz9GFfx9oJbT2mc80/s400/Monday%2527s+Meme+2.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"All too quickly the Message is crowded out </span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by the worries of this life, </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the lure of wealth, </span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">—</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mark 4:19, NLT</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;">Remembering God's sovereignty is key to the surrender of our days. </span></div>
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</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-2207413002165467992016-10-21T15:35:00.000-04:002016-12-10T08:11:08.498-05:00Pause<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsrtmJ4jnfwz1wBkYde8qMuiCxs9lM7l7waoo4yv1-Cl2ase5MzS1x0sVAfR2HkHGn591gXNzNJOoo5zjS_8OeczDAL1RFVSCFHZvruyIF9sh_L9J9x51SDT4ahMsN_uEzrdlFtbmHHo/s1600/File+Oct+21%252C+3+08+44+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsrtmJ4jnfwz1wBkYde8qMuiCxs9lM7l7waoo4yv1-Cl2ase5MzS1x0sVAfR2HkHGn591gXNzNJOoo5zjS_8OeczDAL1RFVSCFHZvruyIF9sh_L9J9x51SDT4ahMsN_uEzrdlFtbmHHo/s640/File+Oct+21%252C+3+08+44+PM.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"So teach us to number our days, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>that we may present to you a heart of wisdom."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 90:12, NAS</span><br />
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Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510254510416282574.post-6534823313664874672016-06-01T14:26:00.000-04:002016-12-10T08:09:23.047-05:00Forward . . . March!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj1TMqsI5iVkr5uLRMAW4aTiI6Pv8yYMMahfZjGy0WkJIGY7V1qI_8EXC19ds5WBu4cezHvC-7WWurCkYwCVizZPtr87X3KzqMBDwL8OgpBMNnLoF3ax65LvkZ98Xd0oosSlUxF_LDMk/s1600/File+Jun+01%252C+1+58+20+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj1TMqsI5iVkr5uLRMAW4aTiI6Pv8yYMMahfZjGy0WkJIGY7V1qI_8EXC19ds5WBu4cezHvC-7WWurCkYwCVizZPtr87X3KzqMBDwL8OgpBMNnLoF3ax65LvkZ98Xd0oosSlUxF_LDMk/s640/File+Jun+01%252C+1+58+20+PM.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Feelings are real, </i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>but they aren't always based on reality </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">so don't let them lead you."</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">—</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jennifer Rothschild</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God freed the Israelites from captivity, but the enemy was relentless. Pharoah was in hot pursuit and threatened to return them to a place of bondage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Moses prophesied over God's people. He told them not to be afraid, to stand firm, and to see the deliverance of the Lord. He assured them that the Lord would fight this battle for them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? tell the Israelites to move on." Exodus 14:15</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Israelites were not to lift a hand to defeat the enemy. God had set them free, and he was calling them to move on...to walk in the freedom he'd provided. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't let the enemy strike fear in your heart. Let the sound of your praises and the pounding of your feet on the pavement before you drown out the rattling of sabers and the clamoring of the enemy behind you. God's got your back. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What has God called you to do? Get busy with his plan for your life. Trust him and move forward. He's got your future too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Now it's your turn: </b>What are some ways you choose to move forward when the enemy is in hot pursuit?</span></span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15pt;">I always welcome your comments.</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Blessings,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15pt;">Starr</span></div>
<br />Starr Ayershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161126091989547656noreply@blogger.com2