CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST...THE SONG SAYS "DAILY DYING" AND "PIERCING PURPOSE"

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do

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There's usually a different mix of women each week who go to lunch after our Tuesday morning Patriarchs Bible study. This week there were about 12 of us at Wendy's (plus kids). I'm bummed! My pictures will not download off of my camera! Brenda and Lexi were visiting and we had a b-day celebration for Lexi. The kids all wore matching hats. It was great fun! You're missing out not seeing the pics!
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Well, if you haven't heard by now... I'm a first time Grandmother! Baby Chloe was born on Thursday evening. Oh, Steve and I have lots of ideas about spending time with Chloe. Of course, part of getting to know her and her getting to know us will to understand what each of our preferences are. I wonder if she'll want KETCHUP or MUSTARD on her Sonic Burger?!!!? Hmmmm!!!

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If you haven't yet read about Chloe, I invite you to read yesterday's post: FRIDAY'S HERE! SUNDAY'S COMING!
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Have you listened to this week's song? Really listened? Many of the words send shivers up my spine. I read somewhere that this song was voted as the number one christian song of the '90's. It is very convicting! The words 'DAILY DYING' and 'PIERCING PURPOSE' have struck me each day as I've listened and relistened to it.
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As we finish out the "Be-attitudes" and head on to the next few verses in Matthew chapter 5. I'd like to tell you part of a true story that has been taking place over the past few months. It's a story that is inspirational.
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Jordan's wife, Jacqueline (Chloe's mommy) has a best friend from college who went over to Austria to do mission work. I'll call her "S". "S" met a young man there and they married. He had trouble getting a visa to come to the US. She became pregnant with their first child and as the due date approached (a little before Jacqueline's) she traveled back to the US to have the baby here. She found a job working at an agency that placed "unwanted babies" with adoptive parents. The plan was for her husband to follow as soon as it could be arranged. Instead, he was never cleared to come. Their baby died in utero in January.
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I have wept and prayed for "S", for her being able to reunite permanently with her husband, for her strength in her job, and for her relationship with Jacqueline to remain strong. Over the last few months, I have gone to "S's" Facebook page and seen that she has posted different status' about herself. This young lady understands about "DAILY DYING" and "PIERCING PURPOSE". Some of her comments from January until now have been:
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"My God, my God,

why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from the words of my groaning?"

(Psalm 22:1)

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"Too Beautiful For Earth"

My precious baby boy --

always in heart,

but I wish he was in my arms.

I miss him everyday!

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"S" thinks that the loss of a child

is different than any other loss

because you lose a part of your future.

You mourn the memories that can now never be..."

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"S" wishes band-aids worked for hearts...."

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"Sometimes the best remedy for grief is

finding some way to touch

somebody else's life."

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"When all that I can sing

is a broken Hallelujah,

when my offering is shattered praise

-- still I will worship You and

give You the praise.

Lord, hear my heart in this painful place"...

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"S" posted a Max Lucado quote:

"God in heaven has chosen

to bend near toward the Earth

to see our sorrow and

hear our prayers.

He is not so far above us

that He is not touched by our tears "

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“God didn't promise days without pain,

laughter without sorrow,

sun without rain,

but He did promise strength for the day,

comfort...'

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Then, this past week "S" writes to

Jordan and Jacqueline:

"I can't wait to hear her NAME! :-)

I am waiting by phone....

call or text and give her kisses for me. "

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"Yea! I'm a god-aunt.

I personally think god-aunts

are just as cool as regular aunts....

we'll have to let Chloe decide.

I can't WAIT to meet her."

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I believe that although "S" hurts deeply,

she is learning how to

REJOICE,

to DAILY DIE

and follow life's

PIERCING PURPOSE.

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FRIDAY WAS HERE!

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SUNDAY'S COMING!

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