HOLY... 3/16...

3:16

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Today is March 16 or 3/16.

It is also a day to be thankful for

"the word of LIFE" in John 3:16.

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"For God so loved the world

that He gave His only Son

that whosoever believes in Him

shall not perish

but have ETERNAL LIFE."

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How should you and I

share that LIFE with others?

Philippians has something to say about that,

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"Do everything without complaining or arguing,

so that you may become blameless and pure,

children of God without fault

in a crooked and depraved generation,

in which you SHINE LIKE STARS in the universe...

as you hold out the word of LIFE..."

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God is clear! Want to shine for Me?

Then, no complaining or arguing!

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Astronomers selected the top ten most amazing pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Here are 3 that might help us think about "stars in the universe". Once again, here it is another week, that I am so thankful for the visuals God gives us!
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VISUAL 1
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The Sombrero Galaxy

(28 million light years from Earth)

was voted best picture taken by the Hubble telescope.

The dimensions of the galaxy,

officially called M104,

are as spectacular as it's appearance.

It has 800 billion suns and is 50,000 light years across.

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VISUAL 2

Starry Night,

so named because it reminded astronomers

of the Van Gogh painting.

It is a halo of light around

a star in the Milky Way.

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VISUAL 3

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The Trifid Nebula.

A 'stellar nursery',

9,000 light years from here,

where new stars are being born.

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VISUAL 4

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Dwight and Mary Lea are a couple who live out Philippians 2:14-16. I've spoken of them on this blog before. The other day, I was in the town where they have lived for decades. I was at an elementary school supervising one of my clinical practice students for the first time. As I was introduced to multiple teachers and administrators, I shared who I knew from their town to make connections. Each time I mentioned Mary Lea's name (a former teacher) their eyes would light up. "What a wonderful person!" "What a remarkable lady!" I smiled because I know her secret! She is a holy sanctuary who shines! How? Look at the verse above for starters.

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Transformed Mom, Mary Lea, sets her cell phone to go off each day at 3:16 to remind her to pray for the lost and dying of this world. Mary Lea's desire to let God live and shine through her is evident in the next visual. Mary Lea was Kristy's teacher. Kristy's mother liked what she saw in Mary Lea.

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VISUAL 5
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This is Kathy and her daughter Kristy. I have shared about these two previously as well. They shine! In fact, on Sunday several people on different occasions made the comment about how the light of Christ shines "from their eyes." Kathy and Kristy became christians because of how Mary Lea let Jesus shine through her!

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In our Sunday morning women's class at church, different women are sharing their stories. This past Sunday, Kristy shared about her recent trip to Haiti. No complaining... just faithful service and thanksgiving! You can link here to learn more about Kristy's trip to Haiti... http://gigattaattgig.blogspot.com/