tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182760132024-03-12T22:40:07.959-04:00IN EVERY PLACEAs varied as my life...so is this blog. I love to make you think.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-29066248413498547372020-01-05T20:52:00.002-05:002023-05-25T17:47:21.950-04:00Passing Down the Art of Grandmothering<div class="page" title="Page 1">
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">On the day after my grandmother died in September 2000, I walked in her house and the memories nearly knocked me breathless. After a few minutes, I was able to sort through the powerful life-sized recollections that churned to overwhelm me. After all, I told myself, how very very blessed I am to have so many good memories of her! She was simply the best of the BEST. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">I walked in the dining and living room which, except for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, was kept closed </span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">from the rest of the house. These rooms were always cold in the winter and warm in the summer until the holidays came and they took on lives of their own. I could smell the collard greens, turkey, ham, and her delectable coconut pie. I could hear Johnny Mathis and a very young Wayne Newton singing Christmas carols on the old phonograph. Grandma always kept the music going, and as I got older and more responsible, she allowed me to become the holiday DJ. Meticulously stacking four or five chosen 33’s on top of each other and watching the bottom record drop to the pad and the wobbly phonograph needle find its mark, I would begin dancing and singing. Often she would come and join me for a few minutes in between the holiday food preparation. It is one of my most vivid memories at Grandma Horrell’s house. Grandma echoed the excitement (or more likely I was echoing hers); and she once told me that she would get so excited the day before a holiday that she could barely sleep. She loved knowing that her house would soon be filled with her family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">We never felt like we were being too loud (except when our parents told us were....because grandma NEVER told us that) or that we were staying too long. Even when we brought friends with us unannounced, it was <i>all right</i> by grandma! After eating a huge meal and being stu</span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">ff</span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">ed to our mortal gills, grandma would exhort us to eat just one more piece of turkey, have one more slice of bread, and take one more helping of collards. Telling her that you were too full was a waste of</span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue";">breath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">The last few years of her life, she was not able to cook for the holidays, but even when mama and Aunt Barbara suggested having the holiday meal somewhere else, grandma refused. So those three ladies came to a compromise. Grandma promised not to lift a hand to the foot prep if the daughters would keep bringing the party and the family to her house for the holidays. None of us argued about that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">When granddaddy was still living, he would buy fireworks at Christmas time. One very warm Christmas Eve, the front door was opened and we five grandkids were outside doing our thing with the firecrackers and rockets. Well, I’m sure it was one of the boys who sent a rocket sailing through the screen door and onto grandma’s carpet. The adults were hollering and carrying on inside the house so much that we all ran away from the mayhem! When we heard grandma giving her famous, “It’s all right” speech, we sheepishly came out of our hiding place. Our parents were extremely upset with us, but grandma? Not at all. We were just children, she said, and it was Christmas, and it was <i><b>all right</b></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">Grandma was one of those ladies that loved her grandchildren so much, in fact, she was brave enough (or half crazy) to carry us all to her beach cottage for a week. No parents. Just us! She would let us swim in the water by the house, but we had to wear life jackets even when we were in our teens and could swim perfectly fine. I do understand that now. She was an adventurous lady with very practical concerns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">Grandma loved the Lawrence Welk show and sometimes when I would stay with her on the weekends, she would teach me how to do the Tango and the Charleston. She had some amazing “happy feet” and was agile and spunky also! What fun we would have whirling around in the den to the music of the past. I didn’t care what kind of music it was. I was with my grandma and she was dancing with me. Those memories are some that I have determined to carry on with my own grandchildren. Dance parties are just a normal thing with Noni Kim and hopefully will for a long time to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">Grandaddy and Grandma took all the grandkids to Kitty Hawk and Hatteras one summer. What a wonderful time we had! We saw the Wright Brothers’ Memorial and even saw the play </span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;">The Lost Colony</span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">. But the thing we enjoyed the most was the motel pool. Granddaddy once had to go out and pick up dinner to bring back to us because we didn’t want to stop swimming. Grandma was our faithful lifeguard even though she couldn’t swim a lick. But she sat out there with us as long as we wanted to stay! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">If I had to sum up Grandma in just a few words, I would have to say that she loved me unconditionally and I never doubted it. It didn’t matter what we did, it was always <i>all right</i>. No matter how many times we made bad choices, even in our adult lives, she kept proclaiming how proud she was of us. I know she helped to mold me into the person I am today. There is absolutely no doubt about that. The self-confidence and awareness of who I could be, my sense of humor, and just the realization that being together is one of the most important thing we can do as grandparents. Spending time - quality - unhurried - unfettered - unconditional time with our grand kids. Singing with them, dancing with them, feeding them, encouraging them, and instilling in them a love for God, for life, and for others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">At the end of her life, she taught me to sing. My mom and I were with her just a few days before she went to heaven, watching as she gave us a glimpse into the celestial realm. She prayed, sang, and testified of Jesus’ love and how much she looked forward to seeing Him. The song that was going around in her heart was </span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;">Jesus Jesus Jesus, Sweetest Name I Know. </span><span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">When I started singing it with her, she told me that I was not singing it right. Well, I suppose not if she was hearing the singing of the heavenly host of angels. While she swayed between this world and her eternal home, we saw the depth of her love for us, but even more for her Savior and for those that she had loved so dearly that were waiting for her in Heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">I love her more than life and want so much to be the same kind of grandmother to my six grandchildren! For her simple appreciation of love and life and family, for her love of cooking for her family, her laughter and dancing and singing, and her words of wisdom about love and matters of the heart. She lived out her faith in a quiet, simple way. But above all that, she loved me. She saw great potential in me and she loved being with me. And for that, I could never thank her enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">You live on through me, Grandma. In the way I love my grandchildren, in the way I love to spend time with them, in the way I love to explore with them, in the way I love to impart words of wisdom, and in the simple way of just being a grandmother that makes my grandchildren’s lives richer and fuller. And I love telling them that everything will be <i><b>all right</b>. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 11pt;">Because when I was with her, it truly was.<br /><i></i></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-76131336986896157542014-07-25T18:17:00.000-04:002014-07-25T18:17:34.256-04:00First Boy in the History of Our Marriage: A Grandson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Meet Noah. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-88793653326900074362013-08-28T13:49:00.005-04:002013-08-28T13:56:58.004-04:00The Birth of Stefanie, My Liberian-Born Baby<br />
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<span style="color: #596544;"><span style="line-height: 22.796875px;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">So thankful that God allowed us the pleasure and YES, even the challenge of raising this incredible young woman...full of hope, dreams, gifts, and purpose!!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Merriweather;"><br /><b><span style="color: red;">(The following abridged excerpt is from my first missionary memoir, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/In-This-Place-Kim-Abernethy/dp/0578075164/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377712569&sr=8-1&keywords=In+This+Place">IN THIS PLACE</a>)</i></span></b><br /><span style="color: #596544; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 22.80000114440918px;">Liberian midwives in Tappi, a town nearly two hundred miles away from the capital city, Monrovia. Though always up for adventure, I was not willing to play carelessly with the birth of one of my children! God just gave absolute peace: there is no other explanation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"><span style="line-height: 22.80000114440918px;">in the unfamiliar African jungle for ten months. I went to sleep on the eve of October 6 with tinges of hope, awaking around 1:00 a.m., filled with more than just hope, but also with a strong assurance that it was time. From that point, I never thought about being afraid nor did it stress me to realize that I would be able to have absolutely nothing for pain, no matter how hard the labor might become.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"> The jungle was pitch black and quiet except for the soft breathing of Jeff as he slept. Whispering my longings and petitions to my Heavenly Father who I knew was there with me, I tiptoed around, getting things ready, laying out clothes for the baby, making some hot tea for myself, making sure for the twelfth time that the bedroom where I would deliver was clean and orderly. I reveled in the exclusiveness of the early morning quietness, but was starkly aware that all would change very soon. When I could no longer delay the pointed breathing through the contractions, I woke Jeff. When he realized that it was still very dark outside but heard the urgency in my voice, his face became a mural of excitement in the flickering amber light of the kerosene lantern.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"> By 3:30 a.m. Jeff had gone for one of the missionary ladies who wanted to be there for the birth, mainly, in case our 3 year old Michelle were to wake up during the process. He also rode to the clinic and informed the two midwives that I had chosen to help with my delivery. One of them, Emma, arrived a few minutes later seeming very nervous and concerned. She told us that she had just delivered a baby about three hours earlier and that the baby had been macerated, black, and rotting as it came out of the mother’s womb. Emma felt that she should not be in the room with me because she might “jinx” our baby.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"> Even in the evidence of my labor cranking up, it was a wonderful time for us to talk to her, using Scripture and prayer to help release her from those fears. Nothing like getting your mind off your own situation (like labor pains) than by investing in the lives of others! Though the labor pains increased rapidly, I was still able to be involved in the teaching process with Emma, and thankfully she soon agreed to help deliver our baby. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"> Stefanie was born at 6:30 a.m., with the humming of the generator and about 100 curious bystanders waiting on our piazza for the news. That, unfortunately, was as close as they were getting to the delivery room, though it might have been different. When I first decided to have Stefanie in Tappita, I considered delivering at the OB clinic just as the African women did. Incredulously, I soon got wind that a couple of the midwives were going to sell a few tickets for entry into the delivery room to watch the white woman have her baby. That was enough to persuade me to deliver in the most controlled environment I knew: my house.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;" /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"> However, there was no way to stop the throng of people waiting on our piazza and what made it more interesting, was that none of our windows had glass in them. Only a thin metal screen was between those waiting for the baby to be born and the sounds a woman makes while in labor. I have no idea what they heard and at the time, I am sure that I did not care. </span><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;">When Emma cut Stefanie’s umbilical cord, that was the last I saw of my new baby girl for almost an hour. Jeff and my Liberian midwife friend Mary swept her away to be weighed, cleaned up, and shown off. I heard clapping, singing, and shouting on the piazza, and knew that Jeff must have gone out there with our little baby. I heard later that he went out the door holding her up above his head and was praising God for a second beautiful little girl. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vecwru3SiOY/Uh41LqaE07I/AAAAAAAAJPE/9VovqKVAcwQ/s1600/Jason+%2526+Stef-178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vecwru3SiOY/Uh41LqaE07I/AAAAAAAAJPE/9VovqKVAcwQ/s400/Jason+%2526+Stef-178.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #596544; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 22.80000114440918px;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-49432250928924696862013-08-26T14:06:00.002-04:002013-08-26T14:06:24.388-04:00My "Chapter Twelve" Baby Becomes a MRS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7i5Vcmwb-ew/UhuS3K2Pi3I/AAAAAAAAJOE/jZg7PserqOs/s1600/chocolate+jeff+and+stef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7i5Vcmwb-ew/UhuS3K2Pi3I/AAAAAAAAJOE/jZg7PserqOs/s320/chocolate+jeff+and+stef.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stef and her daddy eating chocolate which is their favorite food of all time!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Stefanie Leigh, our middle daughter and the one who looks most like her daddy, changed her name a few days ago. <br />In a whirlwind of dress shopping, finding the right venue, fun wedding projects and just daydreaming about Stef's vision for HER day, it was pure delight to spend that time with her!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of all three of my daughters, Stef has always been the one who enjoyed "dress up" and playing princess. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On August 17, she was a real princess. From head to toe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stunning in her wedding gown and one-of-a-kind vintage-inspired headpiece, she was beauty, grace, and contentment...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">even in the midst of the rain that fell all day long and changed many of our plans for the ceremony and such. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow I will share her birth story from my missionary memoirs called <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/In-This-Place-Kim-Abernethy/dp/0578075164/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377539786&sr=8-1&keywords=In+This+Place">In This Place</a>. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, just enjoy the pics and allow this momma a moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stef and her new husband Jason met more than four years ago. I remember well the first time Stef brought Jason to meet us. Somehow <i>I just knew</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's a lot of history in those ensuing years; so much that God showed both Stef and Jason about themselves and each other. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl1aNK6S-D4/UhuTSgFObNI/AAAAAAAAJOU/d4Cr0ymD83Q/s1600/Jason+%2526+Stef-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl1aNK6S-D4/UhuTSgFObNI/AAAAAAAAJOU/d4Cr0ymD83Q/s400/Jason+%2526+Stef-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When they said their wedding vows under a white tent amidst twinkling lights, shabby chic decor, and more than 250 guests, they were aware perhaps more than some other couples what those vows meant and will mean in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Congrats, Stefanie and Jason LaPoint!!</span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-81941695910558263422013-06-27T13:47:00.003-04:002013-06-27T13:47:46.266-04:00Spinning Out of Control<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love social media. But even good things have crusty corners. Ten years ago, we were "in the dark" about many social issues that now flow around the internet. Dangerous as well as exciting that we have so much information at our fingertips. Sometimes the information overload can simply spin out of control. Where does it end?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jessica Rey recently spoke out loud about her belief on modesty - citing the bikini as one of its most damaging culprits. Watch the video <a href="http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=00JF2MNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06/22/2013">HERE</a>. Many <i>perhaps offended </i>women accused Rey of using her platform of modesty as a way to sell her Hepburn-inspired one-piece swimsuits which she began designing back in 2008. See the <a href="http://www.reyswimwear.com/">Rey swimwear here</a>. Sharp marketing skills or a jab toward bikinis? Who knows? Do you? Do I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the past three days, I have read numerous Facebook statuses and three particular blogs that responded to Jessica Rey's allies and adversaries. Some were insightful and I gleaned insight by reading them. Others were simply rants about a woman who dared to speak her faith out loud. There were accusations and defiant quips like "<i>wear whatever you want to wear</i>" and "<i>we are not responsible for the sinful thoughts of men</i>." When I read statements like that, it is not hard to see which side of the "weaker brother" - "stronger brother" they lie. And because of that, I choose to say nothing in response to them directly (or to enter the social media pool of arguments), but the "Kim" in me certainly wants to!!</span><br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Modesty </b><span style="font-size: large;">is a weighty subject and not one that I will explore today. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a more important matter that I feel has been overlooked in this modesty discussion and many other discussions that take place in our social media world today. As a Christian, I gauge my belief system and even my reactions to things by what the Bible says. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>God is the Creator of wisdom; so Who knows better how to guide me in my daily living?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>ROMANS 14. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A powerful and timeless standard on how I should treat others and how to live out my faith without an IN YOUR FACE attitude toward others.</span></span><br />
<span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ROM.14.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ROM.14.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ROM.14.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ROM.14.3" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and </span><span class="note x" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ROM.14.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master</span><span class="note f" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; -webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:2-4)</span></span></i></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 34px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simply put, Jessica Rey had the Christian liberty to design her line of clothes and also to talk about her belief about modesty. We, on the other hand, have no right to judge her because she doesn't think like we do. </span></span></span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 34px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is her standing before God. Not before you or me.</span></b><br />
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<i><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ROM.14.13" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide </span><span class="note x" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><u>never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother</u>. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ROM.14.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus </span><span class="note x" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">that nothing is unclean in itself, </span><span class="note x" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ROM.14.15" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, </span><span class="note x" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">you are no longer walking in love. </span><span class="note x" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. (Romans 14:13-15)</span></span></i></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In light of just these few verses (though I advise you read the </span><a href="https://www.youversion.com/bible/59/rom.14.esv" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">entire chapter</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">), we do have a responsibility to our brothers and sisters to not </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">grieve </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">them - even if we feel we have the liberty to wear whatever we desire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sometimes our faith must be lived out just between us and God. (verse 22) Only God can help us to know when that is a good thing to do.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-65757727209217448042013-02-18T10:34:00.000-05:002013-02-18T10:34:38.778-05:00Reflection in the Shadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9UC3t5MpIg/TmBg5NkZ2_I/AAAAAAAAGxs/mgsg5CubQ1I/s1600/bedasleep" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9UC3t5MpIg/TmBg5NkZ2_I/AAAAAAAAGxs/mgsg5CubQ1I/s320/bedasleep" width="320" /></a></div>
Since my bi-lateral knee replacement six days ago, nightime has been the hardest time to find comfort & rest right now. The Coumadin is causing my legs to turn black & blue and also gives me sharp needly pains in the back of my leg. Never having been a back sleeper has accentuated the long shadows of the night right now. At the mercy of my nighttime caretaker to prop pillows and fill my cup with water, I must rest in the reality that I am not a burden to them and then accept the blessing of their presence.<br />
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In these shadows of brokenness and pain, I have found God's grace and promises have not moved nor have they been diminished. He reminds me to breath deeply of Him, to allow time and His mastery design of my body to do its work. In the night when the physical therapy and visitations from friends and family are over, He tells me to rest. Completely rest in Him. And this time there is nothing to distract me. I am giving in to some of the best solace I've ever had.<br />
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Asking for blessed sleep, He gives it. Asking for decreaesed swelling in the legs & knee area, He does that. Asking Him to remind me to breath in His fragrance of mercy & healing, the shadows somehow shorten.<br />
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In a place I have never been, a physically painful place; I ask Him to show me His treasures in the shadows.<br />
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Tonite I am seeing the beautiful hues of hope & peace in these shadows.<br />
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Where else would I want to be?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-41579978683348683192013-02-07T17:26:00.001-05:002013-02-07T17:26:49.275-05:00Feeble Knees, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOdUIGbq9x8/URQnKfAukWI/AAAAAAAAI7E/MDUZadBhj7U/s1600/weak+knees+abstract.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOdUIGbq9x8/URQnKfAukWI/AAAAAAAAI7E/MDUZadBhj7U/s320/weak+knees+abstract.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am almost at the three day mark before my surgery. I vacillate between being very excited (especially on a day when I grow weary of the <i>bone on bone </i>pain that shoots through one of my knees) and anxious about the whole thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I told you in <a href="http://ineveryplace.blogspot.com/2013/01/feeble-knees-part-1.html">Part 1</a> that I would be candid with my feelings, but remember that I am human and you cannot expect that I'll have godly, positive emotions every second of the day. Maybe you do, but I just don't have the incorruptible mind to help me do it 24/7. (smile)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are my biggest fears as of today:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. <b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The epidural</span></u>.</b> Since the first day when I met with the surgeon and he mentioned that he does all his surgery with epidural anesthesia, I can't get it out of my mind. Unfortunately my mind is extremely active so I even try to <i>feel </i>what it will be like as the needle is going in my spine. That makes me literally sick to my stomach. I had all three of my girls natural mainly because I could not stand the thought of having a needle put in my spine even if if would help to numb the pains that can often come with contractions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">My prayer</i>: Father, I ask that you calm my heart even now. I do not want to go into the procedure with anxiety and fear. Help me with that. Please be with the doctor administering the epidural in my spine. May his hands be steady and may the needle go exactly where it needs to go to numb my knees. Really really numb them for the entirety of the procedure. I ask this because you tell us to ask. And I ask in faith through Your son's name, Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. <b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taking Coumadin</span></u>. </b>I have never ever taken a prescription medicine except for pain pills occasionally. To most of you, this may be extremely silly, but remember. These are my struggles and they are real. My brother had terminal nephritis (kidney disease) for twenty seven years. I saw him go through so many surgeries and so many procedures. He had to take some of the harshest meds known to man at times. Though he is in heaven today, HE is my inspiration and motivation to swallow those pills without falter. I realize that blood clots are a major concern with this kind of surgery and I love my family enough to do all that is <i>humanly </i>possible to prevent them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Getting up for the first time after surgery</u></span>. </b>I have had knee surgeries before so I remember. I remember that initial uncertainty that you'll be able to stand up. But with both knees done at one time, there is no good knee to rely on. The feeling of standing up straight with no arthritic bend to my knee literally takes my breath away when I think about it! I am both excited and apprehensive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once I'm past these three things, there is the physical therapy. My surgeon told me last week that he will give me the best knee replacements that is in his power to give. But then he said, <b>the rest is up to you. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I take the challenge, Dr. Homesley. One of the prayers that God taught me to pray when my dad had knee replacement surgery while we were missionaries in West Africa was this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Father, please guide the hands of the surgeon and allow it to be the very best procedure he has ever done! </i>(A few days later, the doctor told my dad those exact words.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I am asking God for the same thing for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And, oh, the picture below are two of my biggest inspirations along with the <i>yet to be born</i> grandchildren!!</span></h3>
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NONI WILL DANCE AGAIN!!!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-81026332728324529152013-01-28T15:15:00.001-05:002013-01-28T15:15:18.356-05:00Feeble Knees: Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the <span style="color: #f9cb9c;">knees that are feeble</span>, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed." </b></span></div>
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Heb. 12:12-13</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Playing happily on the playground as a 12 year old one day, my physical world redefined itself when suddenly my right knee cap slipped violently from its socket. Forty years later, I squinch my eyes as I write those words. I remember the shock, fear, and pain as I fell to the ground. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three years later at the age of 15, ignoring the numerous times both knee caps had slipped out of place, I joined my high school basketball team. I loved basketball. Was good at it and wanted to play. During one intense game with our fiercest rivals, the ball was passed to me (I had set myself up in the back right quadrant where I shot the best) when I was rushed by a player from the opposing team. She slammed into me drawing an obvious foul, but alas, I was not able to shoot the foul shots. When she hit me, my body pivoted violently, sending my right knee cap to the back of my knee. And there it stayed until I physically pushed it back in place. I was taken straight to the ER for evaluation. Damage had been done. Cartilage and ligaments pulled and torn. Surgery was the only option I had.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the time I was 19 years old, I had surgery on both of my knees. They had to rebuild cartilage (I was born with a defunct amount of cartilage) and tighten ligaments. That has been more than 35 years ago and not once has my knee cap been wayward since the surgery. When I turned 40, I began having pain in my knee joints and started taking Glucosamine religiously. It really did help, but over time, I became more and more limited with my activity as the pains increased and the deteriorated knees filled with damaging arthritis</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5gcGQKW66U/UQbYVS_4NxI/AAAAAAAAI6c/g88GmucUBYk/s1600/knees.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5gcGQKW66U/UQbYVS_4NxI/AAAAAAAAI6c/g88GmucUBYk/s320/knees.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Three weeks ago, I was walking out of a meeting and suddenly pivoted to my right as I remembered my car was in a different direction. A quick, but violent shifting of the ligaments from the tibia stunned me and caused immediate nausea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've had two archaic knee surgeries in the 1970's, I've delivered three babies <i>au naturel</i>, but none of those brought as much pain as that shifting did. It rocked my world so much that the next day I immediately called my orthopedic surgeon making an appointment and stayed in my bedroom for about a day and a half. When I saw the doctor three days later, X-rays found that there was absolutely no cartilage left in either knee. Arthritis was definitely compromising the stability of my knees. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Ligaments need cartilage and cartilage needs ligament. Without both, the knee is a tottering mess.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Considering my age (still relatively young, so said my doctor) and in good health, he recommended me go for both at one time! So, here I am two weeks away from double knee replacement surgery. I always knew that <i>one day</i> I would have to do it. Still, it is difficult to process that <i>one day</i> is finally here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will document some of my journey here. My fears, my concerns, my thoughts. If you are familiar with my missionary memoirs <a href="http://www.kimlabernethy.com/"><i>In This Place </i>and <i>In Every Place</i></a>, you will know that I do not have a problem being candid. Speaking what I'm feeling. It's good therapy for me and it may help others that are struggling with their own physical issues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above all, I appreciate your prayers as I travel this newest adventure in my life. I so desire that this surgery give me a better physical quality of life. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I want to dance with my grandchildren, bike ride with my husband, take long walks on the beach with my family.</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Be able to do some fun things with the college kids we work with. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />And that's what I'm asking God. He said to ask, didn't He? </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-91139002166889624072012-12-27T14:54:00.000-05:002012-12-27T14:54:27.143-05:00Total Randomness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.fanpop.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>On the heels of an American holiday whirlwind and some grueling situations that had to be faced, I am feeling too depleted to be creative. Thankfully I keep a "garden" of interesting articles in my blog cache. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Perhaps you feel like me today and just need to remain <i>random</i>. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>You've come to the right place.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Enjoy these articles of inspiration, cultural shifts,and such...</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-py3zFt0-r3I/UNyjsXS1skI/AAAAAAAAI30/O3PTVjJa460/s1600/Wilmington+Christmas+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-py3zFt0-r3I/UNyjsXS1skI/AAAAAAAAI30/O3PTVjJa460/s320/Wilmington+Christmas+Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some of the most infamous Christmas trees in the world.<br />
See them <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/oldnavy/10-of-the-worlds-best-christmas-trees">HERE</a>.<br />
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Number 2 is a childhood favorite of mine - as I do hail from the Wilmington, NC, area.<br />
Loved, loved driving up and seeing the thousands of lights on that very old tree.<br />
Sad to hear that it is really struggling (but you would too if you were 400+ years!!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have so many mixed emotions about this next article; mainly sadness and fear. While I can see that it <i>might </i>help prevent the raging STD problem in Philly, a larger and more emotionally damaging problem will be created. For those students who have chosen abstinence or really desire to stay away from teenage sex, the pressures will be tremendous! God has been removed from schools and replaced by a condom dispenser!! Read the article <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/24/philadelphia-installing-condom-dispensers-in-high-schools-to-combat-teen-stds/">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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One of the most heart-warming stories I have read in a long time! How many of the younger generations would dare choose to live like this good doctor? INSPIRING! Read <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/14/87-year-old-doctor-charges-5-per-visit/">HERE</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2L9FaXT1sw4/UNykX7pO8fI/AAAAAAAAI4E/MPaMR4UcxCM/s1600/veggies+and+guys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2L9FaXT1sw4/UNykX7pO8fI/AAAAAAAAI4E/MPaMR4UcxCM/s200/veggies+and+guys.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">How many men do you know that really love vegetables? (And NOT just potatoes!!)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">This article is interesting and eye-opening. Read <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/24/psychology-explains-why-guys-dont-eat-vegetables/">HERE</a>.</span></b><br />
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And finally, one of the saddest commentaries of where our culture has gone. I kept looking to see Jerry Springer behind the DNA van! It's unfortunate, but negative choices of our culture has brought it to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/24/who-your-daddy-paternity-testing-van-offers-quick-dna-results/">THIS</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Here's to randomness! </i></b></span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-46898438792636029922012-12-20T12:17:00.003-05:002012-12-20T12:17:50.720-05:00Bubba's First Ocean Crossing (1998)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5BOAdhpSec/UNNFadA94mI/AAAAAAAAI2I/x2YRSQcMvJE/s1600/bubba1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5BOAdhpSec/UNNFadA94mI/AAAAAAAAI2I/x2YRSQcMvJE/s320/bubba1.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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Our nine year old Stefanie wanted a kitten so badly that when I had to fly back to the states for some medical treatment, she maneuvered her way with her daddy and brought a kitten in the house. She paid 500 francs (in 1996 that was equivalent of $1) for this beautiful kitten.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Somewhere in a file is a note that Stefanie wrote me while I was in the states. A note where she was trying to vindicate herself for doing what I had told her not to do until I returned. Being a cat lover since I was young, I had already had my own bouts with mites and such from bringing in stray cats. That was what I was trying to avoid. I had told Stefanie that we would pick out a kitten </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">together </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">when I returned from America. But nine year olds are not known for their patience, are they?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bubba weaved his way into our home and thankfully did not bring mites or any other disease with him. Two years later, we started packing up for a year's furlough in the states. The conversation turned to what we would do with our Bubba cat. The results of that conversation was the beginning of 15 incredible and blessed years with Bubba. His adventures supersede those of many humans. Below is his first one taken from my book <i><a href="http://www.kimlabernethy.com/">In Every Place</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bubba our cat was with us on the flight, which was both miraculous and humorous. Jeff </span><span style="font-size: large;">had tried to hold up under the torrential pleading to bring Bubba to the States, but he could not. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He was sorely outnumbered. The four females whom he loved dearly, dragooned the resolve </span><span style="font-size: large;">right out of him. With the decision made that we would lug a simple one-dollar African house cat</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">to the states, we then had to get the proper immunizations and paperwork for<i> said cat</i>. That chore </span><span style="font-size: large;">was placed soundly on me by my dear husband and for good reason. I could not imagine leaving</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that beautiful cat whom we had all learned to love. I admit it, I had been in the middle of the campaign to take Bubba to the states with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hailing a taxi a couple of days before our departure back to the United States, I thrust a howling Bubba in the back seat with me and whisked off to a vet. The decision to travel with this cat to the states took on a cruel form as the poor creature endured injections and extensive prodding before we were given the official declaration of good health papers required by American customs. The vet also gave me a couple of tranquilizers to give Bubba during the trip if needed. Both the cat and I were exhausted by the time we returned to the guest house. I was tempted to take one of those tranquilizers myself by the end of that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Departure day arrived and we headed to the airport, five humans and one very grumpy cat in a cage. We checked in early enough so we would hopefully be able to take the cat into the cabin with us. Most airlines only allow a limited number of small animals to travel in the cabin during a flight. The rest must travel in an oxygenated area in the belly of the plane. I popped half a tranquilizer into the agitated cat’s mouth to save all of our sanity. He was clearly disturbed about being kidnapped from his motherland, </span><span style="font-size: large;">chortling loudly, letting everyone know that none of this was his idea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After we were in the air </span><span style="font-size: large;">for a couple of hours, and when everyone was sleeping, I bent down to check on the cat in his </span><span style="font-size: large;">cage. Lying on his side in a rather odd position, I noticed his tongue was hanging out, his eyes </span><span style="font-size: large;">rolled back, and his chest barely moving. I quickly punched Jeff, waking him out of his sleep, </span><span style="font-size: large;">and said with a loud whisper, “</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">The cat! Look at the cat! I think he’s dying</i><span style="font-size: large;">! </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">What are we going to </i><i style="font-size: x-large;">do? Look at him</i><span style="font-size: large;">!” Jeff reluctantly - yes, very slowly and reluctantly, not telling me what he was </span><span style="font-size: large;">thinking - bent down and looked into the cat’s cage. His eyes were huge as he sat up in his seat </span><span style="font-size: large;">and said, “</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">What are we going to do with a dead cat on an airplane?? How will we dispose of his </i><i style="font-size: x-large;">body</i><span style="font-size: large;">?” This reaction told me exactly what he was thinking and hoping. I knew he would be NO </span><span style="font-size: large;">help with this brewing crises, so I spent the next couple of hours shaking the cat, talking to him, </span><span style="font-size: large;">and forcing him to open his eyes much like you would do with someone who had suffered a concussion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, he did survive the trip, and we were able to get him into the country without having to put him through the costly quarantine process. Jeff had put his foot down on that issue before we left Ivory Coast, saying that we would not be spending money on paying quarantine fees for a cat from Africa. So, we all prayed for God to get Bubba through customs, and He did. It was again an amazing time of </span><span style="font-size: large;">growing our faith in seeing what God could do even for missionary children who wanted to bring their cat with them back to their homeland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, Bubba became nationalized into the American way of life and learned to eat Fancy Feast instead of a homemade fish and rice concoction. When I took him to the American vet a few weeks later, I asked the vet to test the strength of the tranquilizers I was given in Ivory Coast. He called a couple of weeks </span><span style="font-size: large;">later to tell me the drug was strong enough for a 50 - 60 pound dog. No wonder he had that reaction </span><span style="font-size: large;">on the plane. And to think, the vet in Ivory Coast had recommended given him the entire </span><span style="font-size: large;">pill. </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">If Jeff had only known that, I'm not sure what he would have done.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDOtVnS5Pgc/UNNGqyGdgsI/AAAAAAAAI3I/o2VOc0X0jxM/s1600/Bubba+and+Stef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDOtVnS5Pgc/UNNGqyGdgsI/AAAAAAAAI3I/o2VOc0X0jxM/s320/Bubba+and+Stef.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stefanie with Bubba (who always thought Christmas<br /> trees were his own personal forest) in 2008</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>One out of Bubba's 9 lives cashed in on that trip!! But there was to be more....</i></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-8173946150646807632012-12-12T22:39:00.003-05:002012-12-12T22:39:42.791-05:00R.I.P. Bubba Cat (1996 - 2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you have read my second missionary memoir, <i>In Every Place, </i>you have had the privilege of meeting Bubba. Born in Blolequin, West Africa, and bought for $1 by our then 9 year old middle daughter Stefanie, he was the most resilient, amazing feline in the world. And a world traveler too!</div>
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But even adventurous, fun-loving cats get old and sick. We made the difficult, but best decision to have him put to sleep on Sunday night. 17 years of furry fun and purrs of delight. My heart aches but the memories are sweet.</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-36799162900056432162012-11-26T21:02:00.001-05:002012-11-26T21:07:00.062-05:00Get Rid of the Static<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read a great article today about hearing God through the static. You know, that buzzy, hissing sound that gets down into our souls and into our lives - distracting us from the important things God is saying to us? Sin can be a static. Fatigue can be a static. Overachievers can have static. The non-motivated can have static. The lovers of money and the poor can have static. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>STATIC is no respecter of persons. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">November and December can be a happy, hopeful, lively time for us OR it can be hectic, loud, harsh....drowning out what's real with the obnoxious sounds of what is not real. How will you quiet the static in your life this Christmas season?</span><br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Read <i><a href="http://lighthousenetwork.org/2012/11/do-you-want-to-hear-gods-voice-get-rid-of-the-static/">Do You Want To Hear God's Voice? </a></i></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://lighthousenetwork.org/2012/11/do-you-want-to-hear-gods-voice-get-rid-of-the-static/">GET RID OF THE STATIC</a></i></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-58593215990098398672012-11-16T16:47:00.002-05:002012-11-16T16:47:12.796-05:00A Gem of a Life<span style="font-size: large;">Ever had hot water spilled on you? Had salt enter a wound? Rubbed your skin with sand paper? Broken a bone? If you answered YES to any of these, then you have something in common with an EMERALD. <i>Sort of</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I LOVE emeralds! They are perhaps my favorite of earth's exquisite gems. But until recently, I will have to admit that I have taken for granted the detailed process that must happen in order for an emerald to become...an <span style="color: #274e13;"><b>emerald</b></span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Without beryllium combining with aluminum, silicone and oxygen and merging with the fluorescence of chromium and vanadium in a sequence of unusual geologic conditions and hot water (yep, that's right), emeralds would remain insignificant. Just a metamorphic blob of granite.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know that's a mouthful, but the complex process of forming an emerald is nothing to sneeze at! The rock source before it is really an emerald is found at some of the deepest points of the earth where the magma joins forces with other types of rocks and minerals. Read more in this incredible article by <i>Answers in Genesis </i></span><a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v6/n4/emeralds" style="font-family: verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">HERE</a><span style="font-family: verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">In other words, it has experienced </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">a fiery journey. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">(You know what that's like?)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's heated and mixed with salt and then is cruelly crushed into a shale-like substance. More excruciating pressure combines this with a different shape rock. Incredible is this process and not unlike those we experience as humans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If we allow Him, God will waste nothing we have gone through. If we give him our scars, our hurts, our disappointments, our confusion, our pain, He will make ALL things beautiful.</span></div>
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<b><i>"You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God." (Is. 62:3)</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">What are you struggling with today? Do you feel like </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">your very </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">soul is eroding? Is the pain (physical, mental or </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">emotional) just too </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">much? Do you carry around the wound of sin? </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">Of hurt? Of </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">memories you would rather </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">forget? Is your reality right now </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">a crushing pressure without an </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">end in sight?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;"><u><b>God is a resourceful God</b></u>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">What has </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">happened or is </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">happening in </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">your life is being </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">used to form you </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">into an exquisite gem - one that </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">fits beautifully into the </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">workings of </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">His eternal kingdom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Most of the breathtakingly beautiful things we see with our eyes </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">have been through a process of eroding, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">molding, fracturing, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">scouring, scalding, pressuring, dissolving only </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">to </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">be remade. In the </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">making of an emerald, "fractured rocks are </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">dissolved in heated water and mixed with other ingredients." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">The same thing applies to us: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i>It is in the essence of who we are becoming as we (our flesh, our </i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><i>will, our wants and desires) are </i></b></span></span><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 16px;"><i>dissolved </i></b><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 16px;"><i>into </i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">God's image and </span></span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">purpose where</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;"> beauty and life collide in </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">resounding </span></i></b><b style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 16px;"><i>marvel!!</i></b><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-63781349190133788922012-11-01T13:31:00.000-04:002012-11-01T13:39:31.428-04:00Rewriting the Classics in 50 Shades<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the shadowy coattail of <i>Fifty Shades of Grey </i>rides a dangerous bombardment of erotica. Right into our faces. No more crouching behind other books or placed in another room for private viewing. It has stepped forward to grab its own piece of sordid glory. <i>Shades </i>is a dark piece of literature, appealing to the depravity of any soul who allows itself to be drawn in. It's not just sexual acts that attribute to the compelling danger of this trilogy. It's more than that. Bondage, sadism, hedonism are intriguing celebratory essence of the book. But yet it was at the top of the <i>bestseller </i>lists for weeks and weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In case you were fooling yourself into thinking that this movement will slink back into the shadows, the fury and fame has been too compelling for that. Because of that, it is not surprising to find others who want to pounce on top of the success of this book and ride their own course. After all, money is to be made and there are those who care not AT ALL how it is made. They are <i style="font-weight: bold;">feeders of the frenzy </i>- if you will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, instead of creating their own lewd stories such as published by </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Harlequin</i><span style="font-size: large;"> and other off-line publishers, they choose to snatch from the ethereal, fragile beauty of classic literature. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's right. Those cultivated and refined, whispery stories from another century. Another time. As we speak, t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he books we call </span><i style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">The Classics</i><span style="font-size: large;"> are in danger of being rewritten for the sake of the almighty dollar and the incessant master called </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Lust</i><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has recently been reported the "Adult" trade books have increased almost 20% since the release of James' <i>Shades of Gray </i>trilogy. </span><span style="font-size: large;">E-books have made it easier to read whatever we desire since no one has to see us buy it. Oh, the Deceiver is rubbing his hands in glee, no doubt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below are a couple of articles that expound the point. </span><br />
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<i><a href="http://rt.com/art-and-culture/news/classic-erotic-publisher-jane-572/"><span style="font-size: large;">Spice It Up</span></a></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/article/1231238---mommy-porn-opens-door-for-erotic-retelling-of-jane-eyre-pride-and-prejudice">Jane Austen's Books Are Demeaned</a></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/54571-adult-trade-up-in-july.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+PW+Daily&utm_campaign=361d2d2dae-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email">Adult Trade Book Sells are Up</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't even imagine what Jane Austen would say about this crude take on her books. All the mystery is removed. They have been cheapened. The beautifully described relationships in those classics wove amazing tales of intrigue and romance. They are now being downgraded to mere acts of lust. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, our world continues to descend into the wickedness it creates for itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>But that doesn't mean we have to follow it there.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">BUT GOD....who is rich </span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-19615991024267457622012-10-15T13:43:00.000-04:002012-10-15T13:44:53.044-04:00A Higher Perspective: Felix BaumgartnerDon't know how I missed this big news, other than we did quite a bit of traveling this weekend, so I wasn't in tune with news stories. This morning my husband showed me the video of Felix Baumgartner from Australia who jumped out of a type of space capsule and broke all kind of records. As a result of this jump, he became the first man who actually hit Mach One speed with just his body plummeting through the air (from 128,000 feet). That in itself is astounding.<br />
Read article <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9608084/Felix-Baumgartner-breaks-speed-of-sound.html">HERE</a> (with videos embedded).<br />
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His statement just minutes before his historic jump really grabbed me:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Sometimes you have to go up really high to understand how small you really are."</i></b></span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Felix Baumgartner)</span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-83960073933887902912012-10-10T12:44:00.000-04:002012-10-10T12:44:36.314-04:00Revealing Persecution to Our Children: How Much Is Enough?<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZIo81V-jCE/UHWiCARpXiI/AAAAAAAAIv8/0yk2l9-FQ1A/s1600/balancing+rocks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ZIo81V-jCE/UHWiCARpXiI/AAAAAAAAIv8/0yk2l9-FQ1A/s320/balancing+rocks.jpeg" width="264" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Finding balance in anything is important. It is the essence of life that makes it bearable, enjoyable, and doable. Unfortunately, Americans are some of the most unbalanced humans I've ever met. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In all compartments of life.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Stress is consuming us because of unrealistic expectations. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Our desires now drive us more than our needs.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Electronic overload is deafening us from the inside out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Balance is at stake, my friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know it is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But today, in light of balance, let's discuss how much is too much when it comes to revealing to small children the persecutions unfortunately allotted to children in other countries or even here in our own country through abuses of sordid kinds. The article that sparked my thoughts on this subject is found in </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Christianity Today. </i><span style="font-size: large;">Read it </span><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/march/persecution-in-VBS.html" style="font-size: x-large;">HERE</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GddqiR2FMYY/UHWiENF6LOI/AAAAAAAAIwE/1t9SUw5GTHk/s1600/tears+of+a+child.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GddqiR2FMYY/UHWiENF6LOI/AAAAAAAAIwE/1t9SUw5GTHk/s1600/tears+of+a+child.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">As a mother of three grown daughters whom were reared mainly in third world countries, I did not have much of a choice in what they heard or saw. <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Life was what it was</b></span>. They saw the poverty - true, bottom-of-the-barrel searing poorness. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Did it affect my girls? Of course, but it also has given them an appreciation of what they have; albeit, a keener appreciation of life ITSELF. And a stronger responsibility to meet needs. Help others.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>When children are conditioned to believe they are the center of the universe, they will live only for themselves.</i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am disturbed by how I see young American parents raising their children today THOUGH in this fragile, quickly-changing culture, I can certainly understand why it would seem the right thing to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, will the <i>covering of the eyes </i>of our children today prepare them for the potential difficulties they will encounter when they become adults? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just pondering on these things today. YOUR THOUGHTS?</span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-70511216705920830162012-10-02T12:27:00.001-04:002012-10-02T12:27:56.572-04:00Looking Back Ten Years Ago<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ten years ago this week, we stepped onto American soil after having been forcefully expelled from thriving ministries in Ivory Coast, West Africa. I honestly did not know what end was up or if I was supposed to be relieved to be back in the states or mourning yet another change. Just coming off the death of my brother, our oldest starting college, and at the beginning edge of a new ministry, it seemed surreal that we would already be experiencing displacement. Again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is an excerpt from chapter eighteen of my book </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.kimlabernethy.com/index.php/in-every-place/synopsis">In Every Place</a> </i><span style="font-size: large;">where I write about our second and final evacuation from ministry in West Africa (the first is told in </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.kimlabernethy.com/index.php/in-this-place/synopsis">In This Place</a>). </i><br />
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You can find the chapter almost in its entirety on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/kim-l-abernethy/excerpt-from-chapter-18-in-every-place-ten-year-anniversary/368673836543957">author Facebook</a> page.<br />
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<strong>In the Dead of the Night</strong></div>
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Five weeks passed quickly. After visiting with my parents and seeing that they were doing rather well, and having helped Michelle to settle in at Liberty, I boarded yet another plane and flew back to Ivory Coast to reunite with the rest of my precious family. The three of them had come down to Abidjan to meet me, even though Stefanie had to miss a day of school to make the trip. I showed them pictures and talked of the experience about putting Michelle in college, describing her room, her roommates, and her reactions to being on her own. Content to be with my three loves, jet lag soon got the best of me. I went to bed early as the three of them started a new movie I had brought back in my luggage. The plans were to head back to Bouake the next day after doing some grocery shopping. That was our plan. </div>
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Slightly irritated by a sound making its way into my slumber, somewhat disturbed by the feeling of someone staring at me, I inched open my eyes to see Jeff’s beautiful brown eyes peering into mine - willing me to wake up. Before I could comprehend even where I was and what time it was, he barreled out the latest news. The girls had awakened him while it was still dark outside, telling him that something strange was happening in the city. Heavy gun and artillery fire relentlessly sparked the black sky like fireworks. Jeff remembers thinking: <b>I hope this is just army maneuvers</b>, but deep inside he knew better. When light edged its way into the early morning, he went to the top floor patio of the guesthouse where a man was holding a radio close to his ear and looked worriedly towards downtown. Jeff asked him what was going on. It was as Jeff suspected, but much worse. Rebels had attempted to take over three cities in the country, but had not been entirely successful in Abidjan. However, Bouake and another city had been completely taken under rebel control. Bouake? </div>
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In the twinkling of an eye, everything changed...again. The four of us sat together in the living room of our apartment and talked about the situation. Trying to process the fact that we would not be traveling back to Bouake that day, Lauren and Stefanie started crying. They asked us hard questions. Unanswerable questions. We were extremely concerned about the Holmes family and others in the city of Bouake. To echo our fears, rockets and artillery fire continued to vibrate the building. Having hardly any food in the apartment, we ate from the snack items I had brought back from America for the first day. Stefanie, Lauren and Jeff had no extra clothes - packing only for a brief overnight stay. Thankfully, I had brought a few items for each of them from clearance racks while shopping in the States. We tried to take our mind off what was going on by going through all the Action Packers packed full of stuff from the states.</div>
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By the fifth day after the attempted coup, more people seemed to be moving around the city. The government troops were slowly getting a handle on the rebel activity - at least in Abidjan. In Bouake, our coworkers, John and Merri Holmes, were in a completely different situation. Mortar, rockets, and gunfire were constant. The Holmes family camped out most of the time on their hallway floor away from windows for fear of stray bullets and rockets being launched just northeast of our homes. After talking with them on the cell phone one day, we were extremely concerned for their safety. The International Christian Academy community was also put right in the middle of the fighting several times that first week. It was a horrid time for the staff, their families, and many of the students who were experiencing the attacks without the support of their parents. We were thankful, so thankful, that Stefanie did come with Jeff to pick me up from the airport. Otherwise, she would have been staying out at the school when all the fighting started.</div>
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As the long, turbulent week passed and the political condition of the country deteriorated, we looked toward the inevitable possibility of evacuating to the States. If the situation continued, most likely the Abidjan airport would temporarily shut down. Our window of escape could be a narrow one. Prudence was the name of the game, so we sought God in prayer and kept our ears open to what other missionary groups were deciding to do. It took almost a week before the Americans and French were allowed to evacuate the city of Bouake. John Holmes had done his best to retrieve a few things that we would need from our house across the street. Beyond that, we realized we would not be able to go back and recover anything else in our house.</div>
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My journal of September 25, 2002, reads: <em>You can only imagine all the thoughts going through our heads right now. We love our ministries here so much, but it seems they have all been taken away from us for some reason. At least for the time being. Please pray for us to have God’s wisdom, God’s peace, and God’s strength during this time. We want to do what is exactly right for us</em>. Within a week, the entire country was feeling the squeeze of impending war. Gas was scarce, grocery stores were not restocking, and banks were running out of available funds. The country was collapsing before our eyes, and surprisingly, momentum was building in favor of the rebels.</div>
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<strong>So, What Next?</strong></div>
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The day came for us to travel to the airport with the exact four action packers which I had brought back with me from the States just ten days earlier. Because the airport was located on the opposite side of town from our guesthouse, and we would need to travel through some dubious areas, we put the children in the middle part of the car, telling them to keep their heads down. The thirty minute taxi ride, in my memory, induced a vulnerability like I had only experienced while traveling into Liberia during the middle of civil war. Perhaps it was because our daughters were with us and a taxi driver had control of the steering wheel instead of Jeff. Praying earnestly for God’s protection, we felt the palpable difference in tension as we crossed over to the other side of the city. There were checkpoints everywhere, but because they were manned by govern- ment soldiers, we were not given too hard of a time. The gleaming steel of AK-47s held tightly and the rigidity of the soldiers on guard underscored the degenerate conditions the city was under.</div>
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Riding through the city, I felt a strange detachment, which I assumed was acting as a protective coating over my raw nerves. There was a calmness even in the projection of calamity. It was like I knew this was an ending. A shift of some kind. I felt no longer connected to that place. Keeping those thoughts to myself, we hauled luggage, kids, and a cat into the airport. </div>
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Walking out on the tarmac, I looked up at the gray skies and felt the thickness of the humidity hugging us. I also felt the reality of what it all meant.</div>
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My journal of September 26, 2002, reads:</div>
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<em>We know that you will all be relieved when we are out of Ivory Coast, but you must understand that ONCE AGAIN - for the second time in twelve years - we are faced with walking away from our ministry, our precious African Christians, and a whole house full of memories. The “things” are insignificant. But walking away from our ministry and people whom we love so dearly and have poured our lives into is nearly breaking our hearts. Pray for us as we seek to hear from God. For what He has for us next.</em></div>
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Having stowed away our carry ons, we sat down heavily in our seats and were silent for a few minutes. Jeff was deep in thought. So was I. There was a sadness which went beyond what was immediately happening. That shift again nudged at me. Something was different, but I could not tell what it was until Jeff slowly looked at me with those beautiful, but soulful brown eyes. As I heard the clicking of his seatbelt, I heard him say, <em>We’re not coming back. Not here. I am sure of that, but I don’t know what that means</em>. Looking up, he prayed, <em>God help us know what you are doing.</em></div>
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Nodding, I took his hand for a moment and we both smiled...sadly. Bravely. Neither of us knew what else to say. But this I did know:</div>
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<em><strong>Wherever it was, God was already there. As He had always been. In Every Place. </strong></em></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-12322590722936733622012-09-20T13:48:00.000-04:002012-09-20T13:48:36.123-04:00Inconvenienced on Purpose<i><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."</span></b></i> 2 Cor. 12:10<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are all about momentum and what <i>seems</i> best for us, our projects, our lives and so on. When momentum is broken, we begin to feel insecure or uncertain. How can we regain it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we dwell on that too long, we might miss something more important!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Christians, inconveniences or hindrances come for a variety of reasons. One particular reason is that:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">God has a different plan and doesn't need <i>man-made </i>momentum to perform it</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My husband and I are involved in a campus ministry. As a matter of fact, this is our tenth year doing this kind of ministry. We started with a mere 8 students back in 2003. Last night, we maxed out our room with 77 students! But, honestly, that's not how I </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">thought</b><span style="font-size: large;"> it would go this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because of the phenomenal growth last year, we had to move to a larger room at the beginning of this fall semester. Even though our present room is larger and in a very nice location on campus, it is a popular room for all sorts of events. So, we were able to meet there the first Wednesday night, but for the second and third Wednesdays, the room was not available for us. Scrambling to fix this, we were desperately inconvenienced to have to find an alternate meeting area for 2 weeks. After a whopping 85 students showing up the very first Bible study of the semester, I thought sure we would lose that momentum when we had to meet in different locations for the following two weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was inconvenient. It was hard to plan and work out logistics of how to promote three different meeting areas in three different nights, especially at the beginning of the school year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>BUT GOD knew what HE was doing. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It had absolutely nothing to do with me. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It was all for a student named J.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The third Wednesday Bible study was held in a public area in the Student Union. We were able to get a band from our local church, some desserts and beverages, and there we went! Because of the location and surrounding noise factor, Jeff did not plan an in-depth Bible study; instead he shared a story from our years as missionaries in Liberia. The gist of the story was: JESUS SAVES. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A freshman student happened to walk by right as Jeff was telling his story. It captured his attention and he stopped to listen. Deeply convicted of his need for Christ (his parents were Christians and had been praying for him for a long time), he waited to talk to Jeff. Jeff and the student J. made an appointment to meet on campus the following night. During that meeting, J. accepted Christ!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are finally back in our regular meeting room on Wednesday nights. Last week I was leading a group in prayer time and J. was in my group. His prayer went like this: "</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Thank you, God, for kicking CBF out of this room last week so that I could be brought to you and be saved from my sin.</i></b>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and the momentum that I was so worried that we would lose because of having to move to different locations? Well, it has not been touched. It's rolling faster than I can imagine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shows how much I know about what God is up to, doesn't it?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way." </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ps. 37:23</span></b></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-65706842205769341592012-09-06T13:03:00.001-04:002012-09-06T13:07:47.549-04:00Fish Sticks Anyone?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDcQWiack3s/UEjUCCRqaoI/AAAAAAAAInw/MCM3sKEBJLo/s1600/life+abstract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDcQWiack3s/UEjUCCRqaoI/AAAAAAAAInw/MCM3sKEBJLo/s320/life+abstract.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This week has been a life-size marathon. During a Labor Day weekend visit to the mountains with my parents and other family, my dad become violently ill. After an ER run, it was found that he had contracted a viral strain of MRSA on one of his legs. I am writing this during the fifth day of his hospital stay while sitting in a recliner in his room. Thankful that the powerful antibiotics are seeming to deter the infection, we are looking at getting him closer to home (Wilmington) for further rehab.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I don't have the exact presence of mind to work on some of the posts I have in the hopper, I give you a post in <i>retro. </i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>The following blog was originally written in <u>January 2006</u>: </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>(We were missionaries for many years in West Africa and other countries. Most everything I cooked was from scratch, so when we returned to America, I never reacquired the "processed" food habit)</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I am always asking my family for suggestions for dinner. However, most of the time, they are just no help at all! None. Today, though, was different. My husband had a suggestion: fish sticks! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> Fish sticks</b></i>, like in school cafeteria fishsticks? With garden peas and french fries, a roll and a slice of cake? He looked a little sheepish; probably because of the bewildered look on my face. And then it hit me, I had not cooked nor eaten fishsticks in probably seven or eight years! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Did I even remember what kind to buy? How should I best cook them? Did I even really want to cook them?</i> I could not imagine eating them, but fervent love for my hubby and a reminder of those vows I willingly and mushily chirped out almost 25 years ago took me straight to the frozen food aisle of the grocery store!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I'm sure that I remember there being a clause in our vows that went like this: "<i>For better or for worse, for aged ribeye or crumbly fishstick, I take thee</i>." Yeah, I'm almost certain that's the way it went!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I bought the Gorton's popcorn fish and one small box of breaded white fillets. (Disclaimer: At no time am I blaming Gorton's for the way those little "pop-in-your-mouth" morsels of fish turned out. It would be nice to do so, but I do have a conscience.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Looking for some gourmet twist to the french fry side dish, I decided upon frozen julienne sweet potato strips seasoned with sea salt. That sounded fish-accomodating enough, but yet had also a cosmepolitan feel enough to satisfy my gourmet side. I chose Leseur extra small garden peas to top off the cafeteria-like menu my hubby had asked for, deciding on making a mixed green salad instead of cake and rolls (even though my husband was disappointed about the cake part!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Because of a time constraint, I needed to get everything done by 6:00 p.m., but didn't remember that until 5:40. <i>Never fear, it's just fish sticks and fries, </i>I erringly mused. Wait a minute, I'm not really <em>creating</em> anything! Just heating up something. The gourmet, holistic-foods person that I had become almost jumped out of my skin with that knowledge! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> However, after looking at the packaging on both the fries and the fish sticks, I realized that they both needed to be cooked at a different temperature. So, I used my faithful brown stones (instead of heeding the instructions and using metal pans for baking - <i>strike one</i>), met the temperature in the middle of the two foods (<i>strike two</i>), and popped it all in the oven. Everything was fine for the first 12 minutes, then I had to take the sweet potato strips out to stir them. The last 12 minutes did not go so fine because I had to run upstairs and hurriedly get dressed (<i>strike three</i>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> When I came back in the kitchen, following a trail of not-so-aromatic smoke coming from the oven, I knew that supper had taken a turn for the worse. When I opened the oven door, which, hours later, I am still regretting because the house smells like it was burned down and built back up again before the smoke settled...the fries and the popcorn fish were almost charred.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Because my husband had asked for the fish sticks, he gingerly came into the kitchen, trying hard not to sniff obviously or rub his burning eyes from the smoke, and proceeded to eat my burnt offering. I had bought a good tartar sauce and a malt vinegar for him to enjoy with his nice browned fish sticks. What a trooper he was with the "blackened fish sticks" and dual-colored sweet potato sticks (one side black, the other orange)! Twenty-four years ago I would have run to my room in tears because of the burnt meal. Now a seasoned cook and wife, I just laughed, apologized, and went about cleaning up the ruins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I'm almost sure that I will not get another request for fish sticks for at least six more years! By then, maybe the smell will have left the house!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Update as of September 6, 2012: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>No further requests for fish sticks have been made. </b></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-33982199650524096522012-08-30T09:57:00.001-04:002012-08-30T16:49:20.840-04:00160 Million Reasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was pregnant with my third child, we evacuated from Liberia because of civil war. We had been missionaries there for five years up until that time. The traumatizing events that followed the sudden evacuation reverberated through our family for quite some time. Nearly seven months pregnant when we were forced to leave our ministries, I developed some complications. After returning to the states, I quickly made an appointment with my OB-GYN doctor to make sure the baby was okay. During that visit, they were able to obviously see the gender and asked if I wanted to know. Already the mother of two daughters, there was a part of me that was hoping for a boy, but when I was told that there was another little baby girl in my womb, my heart lept for joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I sat in my car after the appointment, my eyes filled with tears as I was told my third daughter was healthy and growing despite our traumatic events, I rubbed my belly and introduced myself: "<i>Well, hello, Lauren Denae. I am your mommy and I love you so much. What a beautiful girl you are, I just know it! And you have two sisters and a daddy waiting to meet you, too. Just a few more weeks." </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Never. Ever. Not for an instance did I consider taking the life of my third daughter simply because I would have liked to have a son! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>NEVER. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I think of my third daughter now, in her twenties, married, and such a blessing to many, I can't imagine her not existing. It makes me literally shudder to think of such.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BUT YET</span><span style="font-size: large;">....the statistics I am finding are startling and heartbreaking. Since the early 1970's, worldwide, more than </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: font-size: x-large;">163 million baby girls</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">have been aborted. Naturally your mind may have thought China and perhaps India. But what about America? Are we playing our part in that biological mayhem? Unfortunately, yes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know that in the U.S. today, only four states have made it illegal to selectively abort a specific gender? <i>I didn't know it either. Nor did I want to believe it. </i>The more I search and read, the more preposterous it becomes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On one hand, you have the collective United States consistently condemning countries like China who do not even try to cover up their sex selective (in almost every case discriminating against female babies) abortion system. But, we are hypocrites here in America. The same thing is being done in clinics probably near you. But who wants to talk about it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the next couple of posts, I will give you more statistics and more facts. Meanwhile, I urge you to take time to read the two articles linked below:</span><br />
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<i><u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/9e900626-952d-11e0-a648-00144feab49a.html">Unnatural Selection: The War Against Girls</a></span></u></i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2012/06/07/sex-selection-abortions-good-following-state-law-bad/"><span style="font-size: large;">Life News.com on Clinics Doing Illegal Sex Selective Abortions</span></a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ironically sad is the fact that woman who say they have the <i style="font-weight: bold;">right </i>to make decisions concerning their bodies are snuffing out the rights of unborn women. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Does this make sense at all?</span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-21938732665477726392012-08-23T12:18:00.000-04:002012-08-23T12:18:15.850-04:00When Private Pain Goes Public<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Social media is opening doors almost quicker than the doors can be built. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of these doors are amazingly helpful and productive and fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But there are other doors that - in a perfect world - should never be opened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These social dilemmas will only continue. Becoming more and more complicated as social media invades more of our personal space. We need to have a philosophy in our minds that will help us deal with a situation if it "hits close to home."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am still processing the article below and pondering how I feel about the reaction of the mother (please excuse some of her quoted expressions, but it is part of her raw emotion expressed). Her grief is evident and the anger gripping, but....was she accurate in her assumption that the person who posted the page in memory of her son on Facebook was being hateful?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read article <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/rachel-mccollum-dylan-cecil_n_1819239.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003">HERE</a> to understand more about the Facebook dilemma that this family faced after their 4-year old son slipped off a jetty and disappeared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>What do you think? </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Was the person who put up the mysterious Facebook page trying to reach out, be encouraging, be thoughtful or was it a vindictive poke into the heart of this family?</i></b></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-58891312003506488132012-08-15T18:59:00.000-04:002012-08-15T18:59:02.478-04:00Don't Stumble Backwards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Just a reminder to <i>self</i> and anyone else who needs it: </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're in the process of moving on, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">moving ahead, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">going forward, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">beware of the junk that tripped you up in the past.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />If you pause on your uncertain but necessary journey,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">have a moment of trepidation, and </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">try to retreat into the safe but unproductive past, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">you just might stumble over those same things <i style="font-weight: bold;">again</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am on the precipice of a whole new adventure. Entering a family business with my father in order to help supplement our college ministry and help my parents be able to have residual income during their senior years, I am heading into unchartered waters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is both a blessing....and a pebble in my shoe. A reminder that things are changing, that they <b>must </b>change because such are the things found in LIFE. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Change. Transitions. Adventures.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Holding on to the affirmation of my Heavenly Father, I put one foot in front of the other - stepping out of my comfort zone. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I don't die or pass out or stop breathing. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, I take another step and experience some surprising results. Soon, I pick up the pace and head towards a wide open field where I feel excited to explore my options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But then today, I have had my moments where I found myself wanting to retreat. Wanting to undo what has been started. Wanting to quit. For no other reason but<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <i>FEAR</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A few minutes ago while browsing on <i>Pinterest, </i>I read the quip above. Smiling, I took it to heart and decided not to get entangled with yesterday or <i>used to be</i>'s.<br /><br />FORWARD! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No stumbling backwards for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. </i></span><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-58036277391884020672012-08-06T20:13:00.000-04:002012-08-06T20:17:07.398-04:00From East to WestForgive my quietness lately. First, I was involved in a very busy conference in Iowa and now am taking a week of vacation with my husband of 31 years (as of Thursday, August 8).
We decided to visit coastal Oregon. The only thing I will tell you is that it won't be the last time. The beauty and diversity of landscape is mesmerizing.
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The first day after flying into Portland and arriving at our little fishing cabin, we stayed close and rested except for a short trek to see a waterfall.<br />
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Three miles beyond us on a gravel road was the Silver Falls. Hiking to the falls was so enjoyable. Breathing the fresh air and watching my hubby lift a large tree with one hand was impressive.<br />
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Though we could not see them, we could hear many seals on the rocks below. During the summer months, we were told that fog is a common occurrence on the coast of Oregon. </div>
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I particularly enjoyed seeing the different types of trees and foliage. So different from Southeastern coastal areas where I grew up.</div>
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Lighthouses are one of my favorite manmade things. It has been an enjoyable thing for my husband and I - over the last few years - to hunt down as many as we can find.<br />
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This is the lighthouse at Cape Arago.<br />
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Sunset Bay was a popular place the day we visited. There was even a wedding going on that afternoon in the north corner of the bay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Charleston, Oregon's marina is a delightful plethora of shrimp and fishing boats & sailboats.</span></td></tr>
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Tomorrow we head South to visit the awe-inspiring Redwood National Park.<br />
Today we chose to stay at the cabin, rest, read, nap, and relax.<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysxZDkUwnuY">HERE</a> to watch what I saw and heard today while relaxing.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>God bless. Good night from Oregon.</b></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-87838777834147469652012-07-26T18:22:00.000-04:002012-07-26T18:39:48.385-04:008 Minutes For Spiritual Recharge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dealing with stress in my life has been a recurring theme in my reading and studying lately. The one main thing I have grasped so far is this: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>We must find a way to disconnect from the stressors in our life - even if it's for but five minutes.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>The mind needs to recharge as well as the body. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>This is optimal for spiritual renewal as well.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, thank you, <b>Vance Perry</b>, for using your incredible gifts as a way to encourage and refresh others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through the venue of technology and using only his own voice, Vance produces an amazing blend of four voices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The result is inspirational and powerful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Take a deep breath.</span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white;">How Great Thou Art</i><span style="background">, Vance Perry</span></div>
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<i>The Lord's Prayer</i>, Vance Perry</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18276013.post-17471054347464225952012-07-18T17:43:00.001-04:002012-07-18T17:43:11.501-04:00Life: Best Left to God<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"The science-fiction scenario of the film </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gattaca</span> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">in which babies are graded at birth according to predictions of future health is becoming fact." -- Anthony Ozimic</span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was recently cited that a team of medical scientists has developed a testing system that could analyze more than 3000 genetic malformations simply by taking blood from the mother and a saliva sample from the father. While this may sound promising, the responsibility that comes with releasing such a powerhouse of testing is mind boggling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Progressive medical technology is exciting and sometimes helpful in releasing scientific ammo to improve life as we know it. However, there is another side, a darker side. Bring into the picture those who care nothing about the sanctity of life. They care nothing about learning how to harness the knowledge we are given into positive, moral and ethical dimensions. They care only for their own wants. They may see these tests as an exciting avenue in perhaps having the perfect baby - free of physical anomalies that would cramp a desired "carefree" lifestyle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That may sound crass, but it is true. There are those who are living solely for themselves. In the hands of those who are seeking an earthly nirvana, these tests could be the scientific path used to discard unborn babies who do not physically measure up to the coveted life of bliss sought by many. A child born with disease would be a harbinger of misery to those who are seeking only their own happiness.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2012/06/07/genetic-test-on-3500-anomalies-could-lead-to-more-abortions/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read this article from Life News.</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">WHAT IF</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the tests proved wrong? Recently, British medical specialists weighed in on the possibility of these tests being inaccurate, setting the stage for perfectly healthy babies to be aborted because of a mere<i> </i>test. Read the article <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9317638/Genetic-screening-of-unborn-babies-may-be-inaccurate.html">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the article from <i>The Telegraph</i>, one expert noted that tests of that magnitude (which revealed so much about an unborn baby) would put undue stress and fear into many parents. I agree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When my daughter was pregnant with her second child and went in for the 20-week ultrasound, it was amazing how detailed the images were. The technician gave the condition and length of the baby's limbs, bone structure and targeted growth, even viewing the cardiovascular system looking for anomalies. As she was showing certain parts of the baby's heart, she found a single white dot (I am simplifying this in <i>non</i>-medical terms) on the baby's heart (which can be one of several <i>possible </i>indicators of Down Syndrome). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During this same ultrasound, it was noted that the placenta did not seem to be in proper place for a healthy birth. Another ultrasound was scheduled for later into the pregnancy to check the positioning of the placenta. This <i>consuming </i>amount of information obviously put stress on my daughter. Another friend recently had nearly the same diagnoses given her when she went in for her ultrasound. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So when is too much information TOO MUCH? And when is it helpful and productive when pertaining to the conditions of unborn babies in their mothers' wombs? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Should we as Christians continue to trust God with the gift of life? Or should we get caught up with the "need to know" sweeping our society?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Those </i>are million dollar questions, my friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"You who have been borne by Me from birth, and have been carried from the womb; even to your old age I will be the same. And even in your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you. I will bear you and I will deliver you. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>(Is. 46:3-4)</b></span></div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for visiting my blog, In Every Place. I encourage your comments and questions. More information about me and my first book, In This Place, can be found on my website, www.kimlabernethy.com.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04280444621383428425noreply@blogger.com