tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60911680528526519702024-02-19T10:25:46.091-08:00He is slow to anger and abounding in love~He is patient not wanting any to be lostKimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-80570510720345735762024-02-19T09:55:00.000-08:002024-02-19T10:25:15.521-08:00The Feast<div style="text-align: left;"> In my study,<br />fasting informed<br />a feast.<br />Not merely indulging hunger;<br />Rather a savoring<br />of God's glory<br />kindness and goodness,<br />brought me to <br />understand,<br />I have never<br />feasted.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />A glimpse of Communion past,<br />a flash of <br />Julie McCorman's<br />dessert table<br />(maybe)<br />But never have<br />I ever<br />feasted.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Then God gave me an image.<br />I sat at the table<br />and the warmth from my bowl <br />lifted to my face.<br />The aroma filled my senses<br />and I lifted a taste to my lips.<br />At first touch to <br />my tongue<br />tears welled in my eyes.<br />I turned and along the table<br />I saw my Great Grandma,<br />my Grandma and Grandpa,<br />and my Dad.<br />I saw my nephew<br />and my friend.<br />I saw all who had gone before me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />And then I felt him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The glory of the Lord <br />was at my side.<br />And as I turned to face Him,<br />He poured wine into my glass,<br />as tears streamed down my face.<br />He wiped them away,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and knelt down to meet my gaze.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Face to Face<br />all my life,<br />every prayer I had prayed<br />all my sorrow and pain,<br />were just moments we had shared together.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The brightness of His glory,<br />the melody of<br />His Voice,<br />the rhythm of His breath </div><div style="text-align: left;">and heartbeat<br />and mercy<br />all filled the air<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and joy I have never known,<br />we all enjoyed<br />at just the first <br />bite.</div><p><br /></p><p>c. Kim Damon</p>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-89086253831589865832023-12-28T03:05:00.000-08:002023-12-28T03:10:06.717-08:00Rest <p>Mom would say it when I was sick</p><p>maybe with a hand on my forehead.</p><p>Something you long for when pushing through </p><p>a full day, or week, or year.</p><p><br /></p><p>But there's a deeper meaning than just physical.</p><p>Rest can be mental and spiritual.</p><p>A mind that is racing with worry and fear,</p><p>regret, and self-loathing.</p><p>A spirit that feels forgotten by God,</p><p>or worse, unloved by Him.</p><p><i>"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened."</i></p><p>Unloved by Him?</p><p>These are His words.</p><p>Jesus is the friend who comes along side the weary soul</p><p>and offers help; </p><p>offers a solution.</p><p><i>"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."</i></p><p>He offers a solution.</p><p>When I'm tired, it's generally </p><p>because I haven't taken Him up on this sweet offer.</p><p>Our humble, gentle hearted friend,</p><p>who longs to labor with us</p><p>who longs for us to learn from Him,</p><p>still makes the invitation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Shalom dear friends!</p><p>"Today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts"</p><p><br /></p>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-73548983604213958882023-01-02T07:21:00.006-08:002023-01-02T07:21:50.348-08:00The Alter<div style="text-align: left;">Father,<br />I lay my addictions </div><div style="text-align: left;">before you today.<br />Help me with fleshly </div><div style="text-align: left;">distractions and hungers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Phone<br />shopping<br />news<br />social media<br />alcohol<br />fried foods<br />sweet treats<br />caffeine</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Father, </div><div style="text-align: left;">help me to bring my attraction,<br />and magnetism of soul<br />to your alter, </div><div style="text-align: left;">and release them to you.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Surely I was set free to walk in freedom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I want to be sparked into <br />the flame of action<br />by your Spirit alone.<br />I want o rest in the peace of gratitude<br />and rejoice in the </div><div style="text-align: left;">God of my salvation </div><div style="text-align: left;">alone.<br />I want to love you </div><div style="text-align: left;">with all of my heart<br />all of my soul<br />all of my strength<br />all of my time<br />all of my money<br />all of my attention.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">God, I want to love you with all </div><div style="text-align: left;">that is within me,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and all at my disposal<br />for your glory <br />and for my joy.</div>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-59623987185435220192022-12-27T05:47:00.003-08:002022-12-27T05:47:37.676-08:00 2022 was hard.<p> 2022 was hard.</p><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">As I look back,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">this was not my hardest year,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">but so many hard things happened,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I owe it to myself to say</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">this was hard</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I don't mean to complain.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I actually am not fond of complaining,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">not from others,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">not from self.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">Still,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">how do you know</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">how miraculous the sustaining,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">how do you know how costly the rescue,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">if you do not know how difficult </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">the preceding events?</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">When I had my presbytery,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">it was so glorious,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">so so encouraging and uplifting,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I thought it was imperative that I explain</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">the context,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">the need for these words.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">The prophets gave me medicine </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">by their visions and scriptures,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and I had been struggling in silence.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">So I shared about the spinal cord tumor,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and the clumsy, painful weakness </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">that preceded their words.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I found myself surrounded by my loving church family;</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">prayed for by so many.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I was humbled by gifts and cards </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and words of encouragement</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">as well as the Lord</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">(daily)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">giving me strength for each moment.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and words,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">for each frustrating new limitation.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and then meds </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">which clouded my mind a bit </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">but managed the pain.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And then my dad died.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And then my dog died.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And it was hard.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">So I said to God:</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">"You gave me those comforts to sooth my soul,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I need you to comfort me by your own hand now"</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And of coarse God,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">being God,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">did.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">So in answer to hard,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">God increased his personal help to me.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And then I had a month of breathing trouble.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">If I say it was easier not to inhale,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and that I rested in the peace of surrender </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">with each breath,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">that would describe the (yet undiagnosed)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">sarcoidosis that had swelled the lymph nodes in my lungs.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And God helped me more.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">He helped me to be at peace (again) with dyeing.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I am as ok about being here </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">as I am about being with the Lord in Heaven.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">which only sounds dark,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">if you have not wrestled with mortality,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and been healed from fear.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">OK, 2022 was hard.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">But it was also full of love.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I said to the Lord </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">(I'm sorry to admit)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">"If I had no self love,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I'd have no love at all!"</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">Then the Lord showed me in a thousand ways</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">(after immediately saying sorry)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">Just how much love he has showered over me</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">through humans.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I think that's my problem with complaining,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">when you state the negative thought in your head,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">you rob yourself (and others)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">of seeing all the miraculous things </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">that buffet us and buoy us up </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">in the sea of our trial.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">When teaching a class once</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">the Lord spoke words out of my mouth that I love.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">"I am not a victim,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I am an object of Christ's affection".</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And that is what I choose to focus on.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and by this, my mind and heart are guarded</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">by Christ.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">As I look to 2023,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I just want to do better.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I have no grand goals.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">Just (please Lord)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">help me do better.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">My weaknesses are more clear to me now than ever.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I think when we are physically weak,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">we are less emotionally patient.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And I don't like the words I ear myself speak,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">or the judgments I mentally make,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">or the conversations of mean things </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">my mind says:</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">"I should have said."</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">Oh God,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">clean the inside of this vessel.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">And fill me with more of You.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">It was after you had been beaten</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and after you had been spit upon and mauked</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">it was after you had been betrayed and slandered</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">that You said:</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">"Father forgive them,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">they know not what they do."<br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I want to be like Christ</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">(unoffendable)</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I want to be better at remaining silent</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">until I have the words of the Father.</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">I want to be better at laying my life down for my friends,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">better at washing feet,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">better at being humble</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and submissive and kind </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">in word </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and deed </div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">and thought,</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr">in 2023</div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /></div>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-63684995470182129882022-12-08T05:43:00.003-08:002023-03-10T03:14:51.102-08:00Forgive me, I was asleep at the wheel. [and other terrifying excuses]<p> <span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forgive me, I was asleep at the wheel.</span></p><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">[and other terrifying excuses]</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm sorry, I have cancer brain.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">honestly, I don't play the cancer card very often </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">and being asleep at the wheel would mean I crashed my car.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have actually fallen asleep at the wheel before </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">but thank goodness, </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">woke right up!</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've heard "I had a senior moment",</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">and that's more accurate,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">but I'm only 54 </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">so I don't really think of myself as a senior.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are more young folks in my friend group than ever before, </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">but I just thought that meant I was hip</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">(I am immediately aware this word dates me).</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did <i>so</i> love the 90's,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">but I wouldn't go back if you paid me!</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's not that there weren't a few moments </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wish I had done better, </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">but God's grace helps me forgive myself, </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">and I try to apologize to the humans involved </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">if it seems important for their (or my) healing.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sorry I digress,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the bottom of the To-do list, </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">grows faster than the top is accomplished,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">it would be easy for a few things </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">to drop through the cracks of the day.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think that's what actually happened </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">the day I didn't do the thing, I said I'd do.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">This does happen more now </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">than in past years,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">or maybe I have forgotten </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">about all the times it happened before.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">At any rate,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have found the best way to make up for my failings,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">is to repent, and try to make amends.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's actually important (to me) </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">to keep my word,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">so
</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">"better late than never" if I'm honest that is plan B,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">sounds contrite and </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd rather be on time, but if not,</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will humbly show up late </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">and bring flowers.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">And this, </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">is my preverbial bouquet.</div>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-73778105449904388062022-06-11T07:14:00.000-07:002022-06-11T07:14:51.246-07:00Did you ever wish?<div style="text-align: left;"> Did you ever sit there</div><div style="text-align: left;">and just wish.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wish there was a plain</div><div style="text-align: left;">simple text</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Something that could give</div><div style="text-align: left;">guidance when perplexed,</div><div style="text-align: left;">encouragement,</div><div style="text-align: left;">when down cast,</div><div style="text-align: left;">inspiration,</div><div style="text-align: left;">when stagnating</div><div style="text-align: left;">strength,</div><div style="text-align: left;">when worn out,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the key,</div><div style="text-align: left;">to open untold mysteries,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and the goal,</div><div style="text-align: left;">for every best life lived</div><div style="text-align: left;">A guide </div><div style="text-align: left;">for our wandering lives.</div><div style="text-align: left;">A caution</div><div style="text-align: left;">for imminent danger.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you ever wish </div><div style="text-align: left;">for the perfect prayer?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I found it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Psalm 19</div><div style="text-align: left;">The heavens proclaim the glory of God.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The skies display his craftmanship.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Day after day they continue to speak;</div><div style="text-align: left;">night after night they make him known.</div><div style="text-align: left;">They speak without a sound or word;</div><div style="text-align: left;">their voice is never heard.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and their words to all the world.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It rejoices like a great athlete</div><div style="text-align: left;">eager to run the race.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The sun rises at one end of the heavens</div><div style="text-align: left;">and follows it's course to the other end.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nothing can hide from it's heat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The instructions of the LORD are perfect, </div><div style="text-align: left;">reviving the soul.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy,</div><div style="text-align: left;">making wise the simple.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The commandments of the LORD are right,</div><div style="text-align: left;">bringing joy to the heart.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The commands of the LORD are clear,</div><div style="text-align: left;">giving insight for living.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Reverence for the LORD is pure,</div><div style="text-align: left;">lasting forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The laws of the LORD are true;</div><div style="text-align: left;">each one is fair.</div><div style="text-align: left;">They are more desirable than gold,</div><div style="text-align: left;">even the finest god.</div><div style="text-align: left;">They are sweeter than honey,</div><div style="text-align: left;">even honey dripping from the comb.</div><div style="text-align: left;">They are a warning to your servant,</div><div style="text-align: left;">a great reward for those who obey them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cleanse me from these hidden faults.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Keep your servant from deliberate sins!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't let them control me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then I will be free of guilt </div><div style="text-align: left;">and innocent of great sin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May the words of my mouth </div><div style="text-align: left;">and the meditations of my heart</div><div style="text-align: left;">be pleasing to you,</div><div style="text-align: left;">O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.</div>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-31088211833407923552022-05-05T07:21:00.001-07:002022-05-05T07:21:28.756-07:00A dark thought<div style="text-align: left;">Could I share a dark thought</div><p>that really helped me?</p><p>Like usually,</p><p>I can't say dark things </p><p>without making those I love sad,</p><p>but I feel like you guys will get it.</p><p>OK, here goes:</p><p>I was reading survival rates and side effects of the surgery(s)</p><p>that lie in front of me,</p><p>and I thought</p><p>(as I wrestle to get up off my recliner</p><p>because my back hurts)</p><p>what if this is the best I will feel this year?</p><p>Even though this season is making me weak,</p><p>what if this is the most strong I will be</p><p>for the foreseeable future?</p><p>Well,</p><p>it helped me want to get up.</p><p>And put my house in order,</p><p>and write letters</p><p>and say what should be said...</p><p>and I thought you guys would get it,</p><p>and maybe that would help someone else</p><p>as well.</p><p>Also, taking baby steps,</p><p>and being kind to myself</p><p>when I need to rest.</p><p>Seize the day,</p><p>and God grant you peace,</p><p>my dear friends! </p><p>xoxo</p><p><br /></p>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-1700276360063097752022-02-24T05:17:00.002-08:002022-02-25T05:39:00.136-08:00If Left To Myself<div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>If
left to myself<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I'd
sit in the quiet for a bit.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
love quiet.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I'd
check my messages,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
be captivated by some video's charm,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Then,
(suddenly)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I'd look up<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
find far too many minutes had passed.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>If
left to myself,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
would allow cravings<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>to
guide me<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Food,
shopping, alcohol, entertainment, art...</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>As
I made the list<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>there
was both conviction<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
also freedom,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>with the knowledge that none of these items are sin<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(in
and of themselves).</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>But
if left to myself,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
have very little restraint<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>when
it comes to feeding my cravings.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>In
fact, </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>my only restraint comes from a surprising place.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>It's
not out of a fear<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>of
reprisal or punishment.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>My
greatest self control<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>comes
from the freedom given me<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>to
choose.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>And
I already choose... </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">God's love.</span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>The
love of God </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(so) compels me,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>by
His generous gifts<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>of
grace,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
mercy,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
forgiveness,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>that
the thought of grieving<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>the
heart of this<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>All
loving, and sacrificing,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>All
patient, all cleansing,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>All
compassionate, all powerful,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Almighty, God,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>melts
me.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Left
to myself,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
know I would ruin it all!</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>But
I have surrendered<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>my
everything<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>to
<i>tha</i><i>t </i>All loving God,<br /> </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
in turn,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>his
benefits wrap around me,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
give me greater pleasures<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>than
my flesh can dream of.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>My
sight is filled<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>with
wonder and awe,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>as
I sit (eyes closed)<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>tears
welling up behind my lids,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>in
the presence of God.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>He
actually doesn't leave me<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>to
myself.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>He
promised me,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>he
would <b><i>never</i></b> leave me<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>or
forsake me.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><i>Yes</i>,</span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>he
makes that promise to <i>everyone</i>,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>but
He made that promise to <i>me</i>.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>To
<i><b>me</b></i>!</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
have been set free from fear,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>because
he said he'd help me.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>he'd
never leave me.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Jesus
said he wouldn't lose any<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>who
had been given to him.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>He
won't lose me.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
will be made perfect.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>God
said he would finish what he started in me.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>When
I don't know<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>if
I have what it will take </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">to get to the end,</span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
remember:<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I'm
His.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>If
I lose everything,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>this
earth dangles in front of me </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(as a treasure),<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I
have lost nothing,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>because
God said,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I have stored up my treasure </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">in Heaven.</span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>If
left to myself,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>my
only hope is a brief guilty pleasure,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
the consequences of sin (death).</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>But
thanks and praise be to God,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>who
delivers me </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(through Jesus Christ our Lord).<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>So
then, I myself in my mind<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>am
a slave to God's law,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>but
in my sinful nature<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>a
slave to the law of sin.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Maybe
that's why Christ<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>by
his sacrifice condemns sin.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(I
don't get how he can isolate sin),<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>that
is in me,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
pass judgment </span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(condemnation),<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>on
the sin,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>but
not on me, somehow,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>he
condemns the sin,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
sanctifies me.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Like
a surgeon who goes inside,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
finds death,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
cuts it out,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
goes down deeper,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
find wounds,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
corruption,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
generational weakness,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
harbored bitterness<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
unhealed deep injuries,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
does his unknowable searching,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
then brings healing and forgiveness,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
regenerates new life,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
gives new abilities and strengths,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
wisdom and power.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>All,
by this Almighty God.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>So
when fear whispers:<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>"I
could ruin it all!"</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>God's
promise (to me) reminds me,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>"I
will never leave you or forsake you"<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>"I
will help you"<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>"I
will finish what I started in you."</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>And
I find peace,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
more,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>I'm
carried to a place,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>where
I am sitting at the side of God,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>sometimes
I'm on the floor at his feet<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>sometimes
I'm sitting on the fathers lap<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(with
my head on his chest)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>And
somehow I'm still here,<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
I feel the tears streaming down<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
feel his loving presence<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>(filling
and showering over me)</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>in light<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>and
wrapped all around me.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>If
left to myself,</span></span></span></div><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">God
is with me.</span></span></div><p style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;">
</p><div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span>Shalom.</span></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div><p style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">c.
Kim Damon 2/24/22</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />
</p><p>
</p><p><br /><br /><br />
</p><p><br /></p>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-42415115919872412082022-01-14T03:44:00.001-08:002022-01-14T03:57:39.559-08:00 I like to shop on my phone<p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> <span face=""Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif" style="font-size: 15px;">I like to shop on my phone</span></span></p><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I like to have a glass of bourbon </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">at night to relax.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to drink diet energy drinks.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And I’d like to spend all day</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Everyday</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Making art.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">These are things I crave,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Things that take my time,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And things that are mostly </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Not healthy for me</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And have nothing to do with heaven.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Ok, well the art thing is almost exclusively </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">For charity right now,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">To help the homeless, indigenous,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And those in Ghana</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But I don’t have good balance.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">So even my best, can be broken.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">If I had my way,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">These things would (selfishly)</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">be all that I am.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">[that’s messed up]</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Those things are not sin,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">They are not my enemies,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">They are not the devil.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But if I let them,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">They would consume me.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I also love (and long for)</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">quiet</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to listen to God</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And write what I hear.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to sit with friends </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And give them comfort and guidance.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to teach,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to worship in song,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to cry prayers for those who are hurting.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I also love to have tears overtake me in the presence of the Lord. </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It’s cleansing.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It’s humbling.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And if you see it,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Know, God is near me</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and I feel him.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love to talk about God.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And how he helps me.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">He helps me so much.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I would not be alive if he did not.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Also, </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">God is my favorite.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This invisible </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">(all sustaining)</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">(All powerful)</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">(All knowing)</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">One,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">is my air </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and my heartbeat </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and my joy </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and my tears </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and my peace </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and the best parts of me.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And for him,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I wish to do better.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I don’t deserve this life,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">my family and friends.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And I could (as easily)</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Been born on the streets,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Or in a war torn place,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Or to a drug addict.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But he put me here,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And lavished his goodness on me,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And I don’t want to take for granted </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">the gifts he’s given </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">or be ruled by my passions.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I want to serve him.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And live worthy of my calling.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am a child of the living God.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I do not need 50 watches, </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">or 30 pairs of (really cool) shoes.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br aria-hidden="true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">God, forgive me.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Help me give more.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Serve more.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love more.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Obey faster,</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">All the days you lend me breath.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Amen</span></div>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-69955419578747085112019-11-27T05:19:00.000-08:002019-11-27T05:23:29.082-08:00<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">My ten years ago photo would be so beautiful, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">so thin, no glasses, no grey hair, or scars. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I thought about all the improvements </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I can see in my friends contrasting photos, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and tbh, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was sad that my improvements would not be visible. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Don’t get me wrong, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I’m glad for my friends who look better today. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">But I went on a mental quest to “see” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the improvements in myself. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was surprised at how much had changed </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">over the last decade. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If I could, I would have words of wisdom </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">(to help my past self).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Dear (ten years ago)me,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Soak up every moment you get to spend with your children. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In ten years you will have an empty nest. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Also, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">one day, you will have time to paint. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You will have less laundry to do, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and you will travel. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Your kids will be great humans! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">They will all take different directions for their future, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but they will remain kind, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and loving </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and will each make you proud.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Brace yourself...</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">you will get cancer, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but God will help you, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and you will not die.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You will run into a deer with your motorcycle, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but God will help you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and you will not die. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">One of your kids will go to rehab </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">(and do the things that lead him there) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but God will help you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">(and him), </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and he will be better for having gone. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Two of your kids will move to Colorado, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but God will help you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">(and them) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and they will be better for having gone. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You will change churches. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">At one point, you thought that was wrong, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but God will lead you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and help you, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and you will be so glad!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Be kind to yourself. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You will gain some weight, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">need glasses, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and get some grey hair, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">but God will heal you from self loathing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and teach you grace, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">for self and others. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You will make new friends. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tim will still love you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and you will still love life. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You will count yourself rich, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">because of your friendships and family. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And every hard thing, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">will be a learning experience </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and the doorway to incredible blessings.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Stay close to ABBA, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">he will always keep you in his care </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">and deliver you from every fear.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Much love,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Future you</span>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-85416655101329425922019-09-05T03:30:00.002-07:002019-09-05T03:30:44.990-07:00LongingI want to sit still<br />
and listen;<br />
teach me what is true.<br />
Remove from me<br />
all that stands against<br />
the wisdom of God.<br />
Take away every hindrance<br />
every disabling foe<br />
every corrupting passion.<br />
Father, purify my heart<br />
strengthen my spirit<br />
within me.<br />
<br />
Many things tempt and distract<br />
keep me Lord,<br />
Keep me.<br />
Father hold me fast,<br />
and teach me.<br />
<br />
She asked: "What does it look like?"<br />
(this thing you long for).<br />
It's the knife being taken out of the sheath,<br />
the instrument from it's case<br />
the book from off the shelf.<br />
I long to be used,<br />
for the purpose I was made.<br />
<br />
I (like Paul) want to lay hold of that,<br />
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.<br />
I crave this.<br />
The stifled longing makes my heart ache.<br />
"I teeter between ambivalence and trusting God's timing."<br />
The former seems less painful (to be honest)<br />
but the later, is called faith.<br />
Does faith hurt?<br />
When hope flickers<br />
at the winds of time,<br />
yes.<br />
But when I lean in,<br />
and hear the voice of my beloved,<br />
I can wait.<br />
I'm refreshed.<br />
So I lean.<br />
Come Lord.<br />
Refresh my soul<br />
speak to me.<br />
<br />
Fear not for I am with you<br />
where ever you go.<br />
I will guide you<br />
and help you with my righteous right hand.<br />
<br />
Put your fears to rest in the sea of my provision.<br />
<br />
I longed to sit in your presence.<br />
Thank you for steeling me away<br />
to a quiet place<br />
to be alone with you.<br />
<br />
Don't be frightened in any way by those who oppose you.<br />
This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed,<br />
but that you will be saved<br />
and that by God.<br />
For it has been granted to you on be half of Christ<br />
not only to believe on him,<br />
but also to suffer for him.<br />
<br />
Art, teaching, writing, praying, helping, crying, and worshiping<br />
are the salve to heal<br />
both you, and others.Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-62682696030991133642018-11-15T02:49:00.001-08:002018-11-15T02:49:07.273-08:00How could He be so kindOh Lord,<br />
You have assigned me<br />
my portion.<br />
tears...<br />
if I could have picked the life<br />
you have given me,<br />
hope and faith<br />
would have made me dream<br />
smaller.<br />
<br />
It is too lavish, too precious,<br />
too wonderful for me,<br />
to have dreamed this life;<br />
and yet,<br />
as a matter of course,<br />
You declared my life,<br />
would be mine.<br />
<br />
All the love<br />
in my marriage,<br />
my children,<br />
my friendships,<br />
all the miracles<br />
of your grace<br />
and the abundance<br />
of your mercy,<br />
all your patience<br />
with which you have displayed your divine guidance<br />
all your steadfast love<br />
and rescuing power<br />
exerted on my behalf.<br />
<br />
Father, how could you be so kind?<br />
I never have had a need,<br />
that your provision has ignored.<br />
I never have had a longing,<br />
that your love has not quenched<br />
and when I fail you,<br />
still, your love is there.<br />
<br />
There,<br />
to help me fix what I've broken.<br />
There,<br />
to forgive,<br />
rescue,<br />
guide,<br />
council<br />
and cleanse,<br />
there,<br />
to forgive.<br />
<br />
Waiting to forgive.<br />
<br />
God, You have assigned me my portion,<br />
"thank you" is too small,<br />
words fail.<br />
Humbled by your kindness to me.<br />
<br />
And my cup.<br />
Like some exotic elixir<br />
who's recipe is unsearchable<br />
the delights and sorrows<br />
the abilities and trials<br />
the impossibilities and miracles,<br />
you have mixed into my cup,<br />
and all for my good.<br />
<br />
I am made strong by your wisdom,<br />
with my every weakness met<br />
and covered by your power.<br />
My every enemy,<br />
given boundaries<br />
and slain<br />
by the blood of the Lamb.<br />
<br />
All this because I am yours.<br />
All, without my earning or striving<br />
somehow to attain,<br />
You have made my lot secure.<br />
<br />
Though battles rage for my peace<br />
though a thief (at times) robs my joy<br />
though my strength may fail,<br />
You have made my lot secure<br />
and lay your hand upon me<br />
and call me your own.<br />
<br />
The boundary lines have fall for me<br />
in pleasant places.<br />
In truth (at times) I wander<br />
allured by the delusion of greener grass,<br />
but unsatisfying counterfeits await<br />
and compel my return to you.<br />
As a loving Father,<br />
you call my name<br />
you bind my wounds<br />
you heal my heart<br />
and give me wisdom for folly<br />
beauty for ashes<br />
steadfast love for betrayal.<br />
<br />
Father,<br />
were I to quit my wandering eye,<br />
the depth of pleasure<br />
the height of contentment<br />
attended by daily promises<br />
of joy unquenchable<br />
and unending bliss<br />
are all contained<br />
inside the boundary lines<br />
you have drawn for me.<br />
<br />
and surely,<br />
I have a delightful inheritance.<br />
The promise of eternity,<br />
with the Creator and Lover of my soul<br />
is my soul's rest,<br />
reward,<br />
and victory.<br />
<br />
Oh God,<br />
thank you.<br />
<br />
<br />Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-38236192614531303572018-04-10T03:22:00.004-07:002018-04-10T03:22:50.350-07:00As the deer pants for waterYou are the source of my best craving,<br />
my purest hope,<br />
my greatest longing.<br />
You define peace and joy<br />
in your embrace.<br />
<br />
By your favor,<br />
I have known freedom.<br />
By your love,<br />
I have known security.<br />
<br />
Things that distract me<br />
have come and robbed me of clarity and vision,<br />
Then you come and call me back.<br />
You always rescue<br />
and call me back.<br />
<br />
Your love is steadfast<br />
strong and true.<br />
Always lifting, forgiving,<br />
purifying and strengthening me.<br />
<br />
I'm so unworthy and so gratful<br />
for your love.<br />
<br />
<i>As the deer pants for streams of water,</i><br />
<i>So my soul pants for you, O God.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
You are the source of my best craving,<br />
my purest hope<br />
my greatest longing.<br />
<br />
When you come to me<br />
I am whole.<br />
In your will, I am free.<br />
In your presence,<br />
is joy unspeakable.<br />
<br />
light of your glory,<br />
sounds of your love,<br />
lifting of your pleasure,<br />
tastes of your joy<br />
<br />
All earthly pleasures<br />
only a pale imitation of divine enjoyment.<br />
The goodness of God,<br />
to be savored for all eternity,<br />
only sampled now,<br />
more awaits us than our earthly frame could survive.<br />
<br />
<i>Deep calls to deep </i><br />
<i>in the roar of your waterfalls;</i><br />
<i>All your waves and breakers have swept over me.</i><br />
<i>By day the Lord directs his love,</i><br />
<i>at night his song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
You O God<br />
are the source of my hearts longing<br />
the strength of my soul,<br />
the best good I have ever hoped for<br />
or imagined<br />
And my heart's compass<br />
directs me (always) to you.Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-20256401127777456912018-03-30T09:20:00.000-07:002018-03-30T09:20:28.360-07:00A Good Friday Reflection From Isaiah 53<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">nothing in his appearance that we should desire him...</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I pictured walking by, not being attracted to him,</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />but his eyes captured me.<br />I was filled with love,<br />inescapable, arresting, love.<br />I couldn’t take my eyes off Him.<br />I longed to live in those loving eyes.<br />Is this why they blindfolded you when they beat you?<br />Could they not bare to look into those eyes?<br />Like one from whom men hide their faces...<br />They just couldn’t bare to behold your deep,<br />deep love.<br />I paused and couldn’t walk by.<br />All time stopped, all else in life disappeared,<br />It was just you<br />and the eternity of creative,<br />redeeming,<br />rescuing,<br />protective,<br />compelling,<br />love.<br />I longed for it.<br />It called to me.<br />I found it all in the gaze of your loving eyes.<br />All life was wrapped up in this moment,<br />Please, may I stay, I thought.<br />Then I realized it was you who stopped my motion,<br />you stood still capturing me,<br />longing to stay with me,<br />and share the moment.<br />You were not on your way somewhere else,<br />you had been waiting,<br />watching,<br />calling me,<br />all with this look,<br />all in your eyes,<br />the window to your loving soul.<br />Surely you took up my infirmities,<br />And carried my sorrows.<br />You were pierced for my transgressions,<br />and crushed for my iniquities,<br />I want to pour salve on your wounds<br />And weep at your feet.<br />Thank you my champion,<br />My Hero,<br />My King,<br />I was unable,<br />you accomplished, what I could not.<br />I was a failure,<br />But you qualified me.<br />Thank you my hero,<br />My King.<br />I was an orphan,<br />You adopted me and put me in a family.<br />You were punished to bring me peace,<br />You were wounded that I might be healed.<br />I was lost like a sheep,<br />and had gone astray.<br />Yet, you like a lamb were silent<br />and led to slaughter.<br />by this oppression and judgment,<br />I was set free.<br />My light of life,<br />You have made me righteous<br />And justified many<br />You poured out your life<br />unto death,<br />To give me life.<br />The reality of this love,<br />is clearly seen,<br />as I look into your eyes.<br />I worship you my Champion and King</span></span>Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-59146072491735422182018-03-14T05:16:00.003-07:002018-03-14T05:16:42.014-07:00His Ways vs My WaysI know,<br />
I'm prone to doing things<br />
my way,<br />
and on my own.<br />
I'm also prone to thinking I'm right,<br />
But,<br />
I also know,<br />
I'm happier and things are better,<br />
if I do things as God directs.<br />
<br />
And I know His ways are higher than my ways,<br />
and His thoughts are wiser than my thoughts.<br />
<br />
So I surrender,<br />
actively,<br />
attentively,<br />
obediently,<br />
(full of trust)<br />
I surrender.<br />
<br />
I don't abandon, will;<br />
I allow the attraction of Your will, Abba<br />
to compel my direction.<br />
<br />
Just as a right angle will always (naturally)<br />
go right,<br />
my frame <i>may</i> dictate my natural ways,<br />
but as I surrender<br />
(to the One who intentionally<br />
and carefully crafted me<br />
for His purposes)<br />
my orientation is changed<br />
and I have no limitations.<br />
<br />
When I rest in His hands,<br />
I'm at peace,<br />
full of joy,<br />
and feel God's favor.<br />
I rejoice in my Maker's joy and purpose,<br />
and I rest.<br />
Moving by the rythm of His heart,<br />
captivated by the beauty of His glorious love,<br />
I am free.Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-2203593975022644512018-02-16T03:51:00.002-08:002018-02-16T03:51:31.595-08:00LoveThese days it looks like love is long suffering.<br />
Feeling more badly about keeping someone else up,<br />
than being kept up.<br />
<br />
Thankful for the hand on my shoulder,<br />
just to reassure me, it'll be OK,<br />
or I'm not alone,<br />
or just to see (even in the night)<br />
if help is needed.<br />
<br />
Love makes dinner,<br />
again.<br />
love get's meds.<br />
love forgives,<br />
again.<br />
love spends it's strength,<br />
to attend another's weakness.<br />
<br />
Love feels sad,<br />
but encourages,<br />
love feels down,<br />
but builds up.<br />
Love hopes for better times,<br />
and works to get there.<br />
<br />
Love never fails,<br />
but when it messes up,<br />
it reconciles,<br />
over and over.<br />
<br />
Love refuses to be offended,<br />
loves makes way for another's failings.<br />
Love looks for the good.<br />
Love praises the victories,<br />
and consoles the losses.<br />
<br />
Love is patient, love is kind.<br />
It does not envy, it does not boast,<br />
it is not proud.<br />
It does not dishonor others,<br />
it's not self-seeking,<br />
it's not easily angered,<br />
it keeps no record of wrongs.<br />
Love does not delight in evil<br />
but rejoices with the truth.<br />
it always protects,<br />
always trusts, always hopes,<br />
always preserves.<br />
Love never fails.<br />
But where there are prophecies,<br />
they will cease;<br />
where there are tongues,<br />
they will be stilled;<br />
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.<br />
<br />
<br />Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-61291349601113345082018-01-15T05:20:00.000-08:002018-01-15T05:20:41.645-08:00I'm not judging you, but maybe I used to.I'm not judging you,<br />
but maybe I used to.<br />
<br />
Do not judge, or you will be judged.<br />
For with the same judgment you pronounce,<br />
you will be judged;<br />
and with the same measure you use,<br />
it will be measured to you.<br />
<br />
If those words do not cause you pause,<br />
you either NEVER judge others,<br />
or you read it too fast.<br />
<br />
The truth is we are constantly<br />
making assessments in life.<br />
It's part of how we interact with others,<br />
how we take information in,<br />
and how we process things.<br />
<br />
The trouble is,<br />
Jesus gave this warning for a reason,<br />
and we should take his words seriously.<br />
He is the judge!<br />
If he said this is how he's going to do <i>it</i>,<br />
then he means <i>it</i>.<br />
<br />
OK, all that is pretty heavy.<br />
Truth is,<br />
that was just the foundation<br />
for what's <i>really</i> on my heart.<br />
<br />
The Lord healed me from judging myself!<br />
In a time of weakness and brokenness,<br />
he showed me how much he loved me.<br />
and in doing so,<br />
he taught me not to judge myself anymore.<br />
<br />
He helped me look at myself<br />
with the same measure of grace,<br />
I give others.<br />
I realize this is the inside out of the scripture I started with,<br />
but it's truth deep truth.<br />
It's the heart of God that we not be judgmentle,<br />
Jesus said to love others the way we love ourselves,<br />
but if we struggle with self-loathing,<br />
he was not saying to hate others the way we hate ourselves.<br />
I had a core disease that needs to be healed.<br />
<br />
For many of us, this bondage to self destructive thoughts<br />
contaminates our relationships.<br />
Well, back to the healing.<br />
When God gave me a revelation of his great love for me<br />
(even in my brokenness)<br />
taking hold of me "by <i>his</i> righteous right hand"<br />
and "<i>helping</i>" me, [Is41:13]<br />
it transformed my mind and spirit.<br />
I gave others even <i>more</i> grace,<br />
I saw them differently!<br />
<br />
Suddenly, they were on my team,<br />
as I was on Jesus team,<br />
all of us undeserving of this glorious grace,<br />
all of us dearly loved.<br />
I had given myself freedom to not be perfect,<br />
when I saw God's love for me<br />
was not based on my perfection,<br />
but on his perfection.<br />
<br />
His perfect love,<br />
took hold of [broken] me,<br />
and loved me.<br />
<i>All</i> of me.<br />
<br />
"Wait! Wait." You might say.<br />
"All but your sin!"<br />
What sin?<br />
The stuff I so foolishly choose in moments of weakness?<br />
That <i>is not me</i>.<br />
He knows that,<br />
and I'm learning that.<br />
<br />
There will be a day that God will separate me from sin,<br />
but until that day,<br />
he washes my feet.<br />
And as unworthy as Peter felt,<br />
<br />
I feel.<br />
<br />
Yet,<br />
I surrender all my daily grime,<br />
and He shows his great great love for me<br />
by kneeling down and washing my feet.<br />
"No Lord, no!"<br />
[my heart cries],<br />
yet, I know I'm his,<br />
so he must.<br />
<br />
and the tears<br />
and his sweetness<br />
make me want to sin less,<br />
and make me want to follow his example.<br />
and wash other's.<br />
<br />
I pray this precious love of our Lord,<br />
will penetrate and transform,<br />
any linger self loathing,<br />
that's sets it'self up against the truth<br />
of God's affection.<br />
<br />Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-3495293047985311232017-08-25T03:09:00.000-07:002017-08-25T03:09:46.470-07:00He bends down to listen<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I love the Lord
because he hears my voice<br /> and my prayer for mercy.<br />Because
he bends down to listen,<br /> I will pray as long as I have breath!
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I enjoy some great
relationships with children.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Often, if they are
having a tantrum,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If I can make eye
contact with them,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and ask what's
wrong,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
they usually calm
down and explain the trouble.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's not that
others don't elicit the same response,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
or others didn't
ask “What's wrong?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's just that I
bend down and listen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I fix things for
them,
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
or help them,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
as if they are the
only one in the room.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They know this
about me
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and my presence,
calms them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I read this
scripture,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I get it.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I love the Lord
because he hears my voice</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and my prayer for
mercy.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like, he's not
distracted keeping the earth spinning,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
or helping
someone's football team win;</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
he hears <i>my</i>
voice.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And he
understands,
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
things are hard,
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and I need him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I usually have a good
rapport with kids in public</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
(that I've never met)</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
mainly because I
get down on their level and speak to them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rarely will I talk
with them from the height of an adult to a child.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I bend down,
I am instantly nonthreatening.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am a friend.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Usually I am
greeted with twinkling eyes, and a wide grin.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God does that for
me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And “Because he
bends down to listen,<br /> I will pray as long as I have breath!”</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
How cool is
that.?.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I see many adults
on their phones or otherwise distracted
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
by important
things
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
while their child
is feeling frustrated,
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
scared, insecure
or overwhelmed,
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
so the child gets
louder,
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and more scared
and helpless feeling.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God bends down and
listens.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He hears my voice
and my cry for mercy.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So peace comes
over me.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
His strength,
wrapped up by the will of his love,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
are present and
focused on me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not even sure
how that's possible,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
but I know beyond
a doubt that it's true,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
so like David,</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I will pray as
long as I breath.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-11234688187717894452017-08-10T03:07:00.000-07:002017-08-10T03:08:53.469-07:00Fear is a lieFear is a lie<br />
It's always about the next moment<br />
(not the current one).<br />
You ignore the current one<br />
and all past moments,<br />
where the Lord has been with you<br />
and is with you.<br />
<br />
And you imagine<br />
He will not be in the next moment.<br />
And perhaps,<br />
you won't be able to handle it,<br />
or <i>He</i> won't be able to handle it.<br />
<br />
In my MRI, I was afraid.<br />
The magnetic field was so strong<br />
so disorienting I was terrified.<br />
<br />
But I began to lean into God.<br />
He walked with me through visions and dreams I'd had in the past.<br />
At one point I thought "What is there to fear?<br />
Death?"<br />
God is there (just like here).<br />
God will be with me on the way<br />
(just like now).<br />
It would be as unfounded as a baby fearing birth.<br />
Mother is there the entire time.<br />
And her arms await us after the trial ends.<br />
<br />
Fear has no power,<br />
it's a lie that God wont go with us.<br />
Nothing shall separate us<br />
from the love of God.<br />
Nothing.<br />
<br />
I never meditated on those words<br />
or had revelation about them (until now).<br />
God loves me<br />
so He protects me.<br />
God loves me<br />
so He sustains me.<br />
God loves me<br />
so He comforts me.<br />
God loves me<br />
so He fights for me.<br />
God loves me<br />
so He guides me.<br />
God loves me<br />
so He redeems me.<br />
<br />
He qualifies me<br />
He strengthens me<br />
He carries me<br />
He consoles me<br />
He attends to me<br />
and He guards me<br />
and He cherishes me<br />
and He rejoices over me<br />
and He will never leave me<br />
and nothing can separate me from his love.<br />
He <i>is</i> love,<br />
His power is love,<br />
all his ways toward me are love<br />
all my trials are given boundaries<br />
by His love<br />
all my sorrows are met<br />
by His love<br />
all my fears are quieted<br />
by His love<br />
and nothing can separate me from his love.<br />
Not pain<br />
not radiation,<br />
not weight gain,<br />
not MRIs<br />
not tamoxifen,<br />
not injections,<br />
not wrong diagnosis,<br />
<i>nothing</i> can separate me from His love,<br />
not slander,<br />
not floods,<br />
not bombs,<br />
not job loss,<br />
not insults<br />
not tragedy,<br />
noting in all creations,<br />
in fact no power or principality,<br />
can <i>ever</i>(!) separate me from His love.<br />
<br />
And so I rest.Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-26123158135395800702017-06-13T03:08:00.001-07:002017-06-17T04:58:42.378-07:00The Next Thing I WriteI wrote "Beauty For Ashes"<br />
and it all seemed so sad.<br />
I couldn't wait for<br />
the next thing I write.<br />
<br />
I usually love to go back to what the Lord has spoken to me<br />
in my last blog.<br />
I'm almost always encouraged<br />
struck by a new thing,<br />
again!<br />
<br />
But every time I read the last one,<br />
I just think "man, that's really sad"<br />
it makes me wonder if anyone could be helped by it,<br />
it makes me excited for<br />
the next thing I write.<br />
<br />
Excited for the next step in this journey.<br />
The "joy that comes in the morning"<br />
after the "sorrow that may last for the night".<br />
<br />
Well, wishing for the morning doesn't make it come.<br />
Only waiting does.<br />
I don't think I'm good at waiting.<br />
It's not an active stance.<br />
<br />
Today someone said she was taking a day of rest,<br />
and asked if anyone had any ideas of what she could do.<br />
<br />
That seemed wrong,<br />
but I totally understood.<br />
"rest"<br />
is what she was meant to do.<br />
"doing" is not resting.<br />
You can't rest,<br />
and do.<br />
<br />
Maybe that's part of this time.<br />
and why it's so hard,<br />
I'm not doing.<br />
It's not by choice,<br />
and I don't love it.<br />
But I think it's good.<br />
<br />
God created things for 6 days and then said<br />
they were good.<br />
Then he rested.<br />
Did he say rest was good?<br />
I looked it up.<br />
He rested and said the day was holy<br />
and sanctified it.<br />
<br />
God rested.<br />
<br />
This is not the next thing<br />
(that I'll write)<br />
(that will be encouraging)<br />
(at least to me)<br />
this is the intermission<br />
where everyone takes a break<br />
and runs to the bathroom,<br />
or in my case,<br />
just sits there<br />
and wishes the real adventure<br />
would start again.<br />
<br />
Except in this story<br />
(my story)<br />
the Lord sits down beside me<br />
and says:<br />
"Now that it's quiet,<br />
now that you're still,<br />
let's chat."<br />
<br />
OK, I'm thankful for that picture.<br />
I'll hang on to that one for a bit.<br />
God bless your day!<br />
I need to go,<br />
Rest. And listen.Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-80878063409031349372017-05-26T03:38:00.005-07:002017-05-26T03:38:47.229-07:00Beauty Out Of AshesHow can I bring you glory, Lord<br />
in weakness?<br />
How can I bring you glory<br />
gripped by fear?<br />
My body becomes entranced<br />
by fear and sadness<br />
while my mind<br />
searches for your hand to lift me up.<br />
<br />
Your Word to quench my tongue,<br />
is what I long for.<br />
Your Word to still these fears is what I need.<br />
How can I benefit from this breaking, Lord?<br />
How can this rubble<br />
bring you praise?<br />
<br />
God, to my last breath I will confirm your goodness.<br />
In my last effort<br />
I will seek your face.<br />
<br />
But while I live, Lord<br />
help me see you.<br />
While I live, Lord<br />
attend my frame.<br />
<br />
Once protected from this weight of uncertainty,<br />
let me now dance by the power of your grace.<br />
<br />
How can a gift you've given<br />
be taken from me?<br />
How can my joy<br />
be stolen away?<br />
<br />
Remind my flesh<br />
of your keeping.<br />
Remind my countenance<br />
of your care.<br />
<br />
I'm so sorry Father<br />
for my fear.<br />
I'm so sorry<br />
for shrinking back<br />
I'm sorry<br />
to be frozen by this sadness,<br />
I'm sorry<br />
to be slow to praise.<br />
<br />
How can I bring you glory<br />
when I'm broken, Lord?<br />
How can I praise you<br />
from here?<br />
<br />
This pile of rubble<br />
belongs to you, Lord.<br />
I surrender what's left of me,<br />
to your care.<br />
<br />
You say you make beauty,<br />
out of ashes<br />
and I've felt you carry me<br />
thus far.<br />
So although I'm longing<br />
to see the finish,<br />
I will wait,<br />
my Lord<br />
and hope in you.<br />
<br />
How great is the goodness you have stored up<br />
for those who fear you.<br />
You lavish it on those who come to you<br />
for protection,<br />
blessing them before the watching world.<br />
Psalm 31:19Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-26728832345097514612017-05-02T17:41:00.000-07:002017-05-02T17:41:16.692-07:00How Can I Help?What a thoughtful question.<br />
I confess:<br />
I have no idea.<br />
I hope when a need arises,<br />
I'll be brave enough to ask,<br />
but right now,<br />
please pray.<br />
<br />
Pray.<br />
It's what folks do<br />
when they don't know what else to do.<br />
"All I can do is pray".<br />
But really it's the best gift.<br />
It says:<br />
I don't know what's best,<br />
will you (God) give what's best?!<br />
<br />
The heart of one,<br />
desiring to assist another.<br />
<br />
God likes that.<br />
<br />
Sometimes in the asking,<br />
the gift is given,<br />
it's an expression of love,<br />
of nearness,<br />
of willingness,<br />
a precious gift.<br />
<br />
Once at the gas station a man asked:<br />
Is there anything else I can do for you?<br />
I said: Laundry, maybe?!<br />
and we laughed.<br />
"Can I help you?"<br />
was my favorite question,<br />
I would tell my kids.<br />
<br />
To see me washing dishes<br />
or folding laundry,<br />
and have someone sit with me,<br />
and work with me.<br />
<br />
Truthfully, I didn't really need the help,<br />
but I loved to spend time with them.<br />
Some of my fondest memories<br />
are of loading dishwashers,<br />
folding laundry, and doing other<br />
menial tasks along side one of my kids.<br />
<br />
It was the togetherness<br />
I loved.<br />
So how do I answer the question:<br />
How can I help?<br />
When it comes from a friend<br />
who wants to assist during a trial?<br />
Pray my cancer is not aggressive, please.<br />
I would rather avoid Kemo.<br />
<br />
Pray I would stay close to the Lord.<br />
Pray I would make the most of every opportunity.<br />
Pray I could do this well.<br />
(be broken and scared)<br />
(be not healthy)<br />
(be able to receive well)<br />
(I realized it's easier to give)<br />
Pray I hear the Lord well,<br />
and not be rendered ineffective.<br />
Pray I give him glory.<br />
Pray I could rest,<br />
(that one's hard too).<br />
<br />
And thanks for asking.<br />
God bless you<br />
richly and deeply<br />
I mean it,<br />
God bless you.<br />
<br />Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-81106626985345467572017-04-21T06:07:00.000-07:002017-06-13T03:12:42.598-07:00The fog is liftingThe fog is lifting.<br />
I'm finding myself looking for the on-ramp,<br />
to get back into life.<br />
<br />
I wanted to write a funny story called:<br />
"The Year The Easter Bunny Got Cancer"<br />
to talk about how my family helped me do,<br />
what I wasn't feeling up to doing.<br />
How I confessed "Everything is half done!"<br />
on Easter Eve,<br />
(the job abandoned<br />
when the biopsy results came back,<br />
positive for breast cancer)<br />
and how my daughter could now say:<br />
"I told you that drink causes cancer!"<br />
which seems funny<br />
[maybe only to me].<br />
I told a few of my kids about the story,<br />
and it's title.<br />
and that I should send it to Tiffany,<br />
so she would understand why her Easter basket sat on our table,<br />
for 6 days past Easter,<br />
and as the fog cleared,<br />
I realized I should send it out, but also,<br />
it was sweet to have her basket on the table with the others.<br />
And my kids said:<br />
"It's OK that the Easter bunny got cancer,<br />
as long as Santa doesn't!"<br />
And we all laughed,<br />
and I felt blessed to have the family I have.<br />
<br />
It's been a bit of a challange<br />
to say (to all those whom I'd like to tell)<br />
all that I want to say,<br />
and that I wont probably die from this,<br />
but this is why I'm having surgeries,<br />
and this is why all the doctor appointments,<br />
and this is why the sad, far away, or concerned looks<br />
have invaded my normally jovial countenance.<br />
And I would say, I've been in a cloud,<br />
and I'm facing mortality,<br />
face-to-face,<br />
and God is helping me,<br />
and humor helps me,<br />
and death has no sting,<br />
and life is beautiful<br />
and we will all get there<br />
(to the end of our story)<br />
and some are just lucky enough<br />
to think about the end,<br />
as they walk in the middle.<br />
I woke with the words:<br />
"Teach us to number our days,<br />
that we might gain wisdom"<br />
And I said "Thank you".<br />
Thank you, Lord.<br />
Thank you, cancer,<br />
thank you for helping push pause.<br />
I live in fast-forward,<br />
I think we all do.<br />
We race to the stop light,<br />
when we could have let someone in.<br />
We long for tomorrow<br />
and damn the day we're in.<br />
Wisdom says life is short,<br />
do it today.<br />
Slow down and savor the moments.<br />
I think that was the point of the words I heard.<br />
<br />
So where's that on-ramp<br />
(to re-join life)?<br />
<br />
I'm tempted to just remember what I used to do,<br />
and just do that.<br />
<br />
But I want to take the blessings of this season with me.<br />
So I'm going a little slower.<br />
Noticing more,<br />
praying more,<br />
and trying to be present with my thoughts<br />
and with others.<br />
<br />
Because God is beautiful,<br />
and the things He whispers to me are so sweet.<br />
And people are so dearly loved by Him.<br />
And I'd like to help others see that.<br />
<br />
If you read this,<br />
I hope it blesses you.<br />
I hope you enjoy your day<br />
(like it was your last day)<br />
I hope you look to the Lord,<br />
and just receive His love,<br />
because it will change you,<br />
heal you,<br />
help you.<br />
God's love does that.<br />
<br />
God bless you my friend.<br />
<br />
Teach us Lord to number our days,<br />
to realize the brevity of life,<br />
that we might gain wisdom.<br />
<br />
<br />Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-62816181012680880332017-03-31T03:22:00.002-07:002017-03-31T03:32:59.157-07:00Agonizing LoveEvery mom who prays for her children,<br />
Every dad who grieves the loss of his son,<br />
Every child who's parent is taken,<br />
has a taste of agonizing love.<br />
<br />
Love constrains us,<br />
love thrills us,<br />
it steadies us,<br />
and it confounds us.<br />
<br />
But it never fails<br />
it's always patient<br />
forgiving and kind.<br />
<br />
"Not the love I've experienced!"<br />
you might exclaim.<br />
But then,<br />
you've never experienced<br />
the agonizing love<br />
of Christ.<br />
<br />
I mean,<br />
once you realize how dearly loved you are,<br />
and how much agony Christ endured<br />
for you,<br />
something happens.<br />
You love differently.<br />
<br />
The change <i>is</i> incremental.<br />
Not all at once.<br />
I mean there's a massive change<br />
<i>at first</i>,<br />
but then like yeast<br />
it grows,<br />
or it doesn't.<br />
<br />
Love can choose not to grow.<br />
We can receive great love<br />
and let the lies of the world,<br />
the enemy<br />
or self-loathing<br />
rob us joy<br />
or stunt our growth.<br />
<br />
But when we face Christ,<br />
and the Father of all things,<br />
when we are filled with the Spirit,<br />
we will love like he loves.<br />
We will endure and feel the sorrows and joys of others,<br />
we will be transformed<br />
into one with agonizing love.<br />
<br />
Perhaps this seems unpleasant.?<br />
But if you were stuck in a fire,<br />
would you want someone to rescue you?<br />
Would you do the same for another,<br />
living a life of gratitude?<br />
<br />
This is our gift.<br />
The love given to us is not<br />
a <i>sunny day</i> kind of love.<br />
It's not for when your hair turned out nice<br />
and you're wearing you favorite jeans.<br />
It's not the kind of love<br />
that catches you doing something nice,<br />
and loves you more.<br />
<br />
It's the kind of love<br />
that suffers with us in our sorrow.<br />
Rejoices with us in our victories,<br />
loves us<br />
at our most unlovable moments (and seasons).<br />
<br />
This is the love we receive.<br />
This is the love that kept Christ on the cross,<br />
until it was finished.<br />
This love brought him back from the grave,<br />
and <i>this</i> love<br />
intercedes for my victory.<br />
This is agonizing love,<br />
and it's powerful<br />
and precious<br />
and it's our gift.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
thank you,<br />
thank you,<br />
oh God our Father,<br />
Lord of heaven and earth,<br />
Spirit of God.<br />
May we love with this passion,<br />
and may we cherish this love<br />
until you return or call us home.Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091168052852651970.post-62017763628922266882017-02-28T03:07:00.002-08:002017-02-28T03:07:34.474-08:00Impossible ThingsI want to do big impossible,<br />
miraculous<br />
things today(!)...<br />
while praying about this,<br />
I realized,<br />
overcoming my gift for procrastination<br />
and ignoring piles of things<br />
I don't want to deal with,<br />
would be a miracle.<br />
<br />
A friend who cleans our home bi-weekly<br />
came in last week<br />
(while I was cutting my son's hair)<br />
she asked:<br />
"Is there anything you can't do?!"<br />
My funny (but true) answer was telling:<br />
"Yes. Keep a perfectly clean and organized home!"<br />
<br />
So today.<br />
<br />
My goal is not to reach perfection.<br />
I'm much too honest ((even in my optimism))<br />
to reach for that goal.<br />
My goal for today,<br />
is God's to-do list (for me).<br />
To see the tasks<br />
that fall out of my reach<br />
(without the help of God).<br />
And then to tackle them,<br />
with His help.<br />
<br />
Pray for me.<br />
<br />Kimberly Damonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17156166307037944243noreply@blogger.com1