BORN AGAIN: HASTY SPEECH TO WORDS OF WISDOM

DAY ONE: The Lying Tongue

DAY TWO: The Flattering Tongue

DAY THREE: The Manipulating Tongue

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DAY FOUR: The Hasty Tongue

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Over the years, I would not be able to count all the times that Steve has given me "the look". He'll be talking... making a point... and I will cut in and finish his sentence (usually incorrectly) or I'll just completely "cut him off at the pass". My hasty speech most often comes in ways of interrupting another person while we are in conversation.

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When our now 24 year old son was in middle school, he said something several times that really got my attention. "My mom is like a stoplight: GO! YIELD! STOP! Then, GO again!" What did he mean? Well here is my interpretation: I would be hasty in saying or doing something - plowing ahead. Then, I would slow down. Then, I would stop, pray, and regroup. Then, I would GO again the right way... God's way...

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Powerful insight from such a young mind!

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God gave us two ears and one mouth! Ever wonder why? LISTENING WILL BLESS... SO SPEAK LESS... Scripture puts it this way in James 1:19...

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My dear brothers,

take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak...

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Other scripture (with the female rendering inserted) tells us....

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Proverbs 29:20

Do you see a woman who is hasty in her words?

There is more hope for a fool than for her...

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Ecclesiastes 5:22

Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in speech

to bring up a matter in the presence of God.

For God is in heaven and you are on the earth;

therefore let your words be few.

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The author of our study guide says, "Time and words are two things that, once gone, can never be recovered. We must take time to weigh our words before we release them.

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Yesterday, Steve and I spent some much needed "down time". We headed for the "Jersey shore" to Ocean City. There we met up with two couples from church: Jim and Claire and Tom and Melva. You might recognize Melva's name as the one who is leading our "Taming Your Tongue" class on Tuesdays at the Pitman church.

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The six of us had a wonderful time on a cold and overcast Friday as we ate lunch together, took in the sights and sounds of the Atlantic Ocean, walked the Ocean City boardwalk, bought some gifts, and then had an early twilight meal ("senior citizen experience") at the Crab Trap (South Jersey's number one seafood restaurant).

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What did I notice the most in our day?

• Of course, God's amazing creation.
  
• Six people who wanted to discuss spiritual things and share life experiences.
  
• The topic of TAMING THE TONGUE was discussed throughout the day, as we are being challenged daily by this study and directives of scripture of how to use our tongues.

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It was a chilly and overcast September 11th. As we first crossed the bridge into Ocean City, an American flag, hanging high from a crane, reminded us. We weren't too far down the shore from where those tragic scenes, embedded in our minds, took place eight years ago. Here are some pics of our yesterday:

James 3:17-1817

But the wisdom from above is first pure,

then peaceable,

gentle,

reasonable,

full of mercy and good fruits,

unwavering,

without hypocrisy.

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness

is sown in peace

by those who make peace.

BORN AGAIN: MANIPULATING TO "LET GO AND LET GOD"

DAY THREE:

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Have you ever manipulated something to get your way? Usually, when we do that, we work at twisting our words in just the right way for our advantage.

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In the Bible story of Samson and Delilah, Delilah used pouting to get her way. She was a manipulator who did not give up until she got what she wanted.

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Judges 16:15-16

Then Delilah pouted,

"How can you say you love me

when you don't confide in me?

You've made fun of me three times now,

and you still haven't told me

what makes you so strong!"

So day after day she nagged him

until he couldn't stand it any longer.

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Mrs. Pegues says, "While manipulators are subtle and make every attempt to cloak their self-serving motives, they often forget that many people are very discerning and have a keen sensitivity to such insincerity." I'm sure Samson wished that he had been more discerning about her sincerity vs. her insincerity!

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You know, we're only on the third day of 30 DAYS TO TAMING THE TONGUE. Yet, the word SINCERITY has already come up several times. It looks like there is a heart issue with the manipulator.

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Here are some questions to ponder today:

• What's the difference between being persistent in a matter and manipulating?


• If I am persistent in prayer and then go out and manipulate things to get my answer, does that mean I trust God or not?


• BORN AGAIN? How about stopping the manipulation and LET GO AND LET GOD?!!?!?!?

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Proverbs 27:15-16
A nagging wife

is as annoying

as the constant dripping on a rainy day.

Trying to stop her complaints

is like trying to stop the wind

or hold something with greased hands.

BORN AGAIN: FLATTERY TO SINCERITY

DAY TWO:
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According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word flattery is defined as "insincere or excessive praise".
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According to Thesaurus.com the synonyms for flattery include:
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• adulation
• honeyed words
• ingratiation
• mush
• pretty speech
• puffery
• smoke
• snow job
• sweet talk

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According to Deborah Smith Pegues there are four types of lying:

• deceitfulness
• half-truths
• exaggeration
• flattery

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In Mrs. Pegues book, 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, she says that "flattery is a lie covered in a bed of flowery words." She puts forth that flattery is a faith issue and clear evidence that a person doesn't trust God enough to give herself favor with other people.

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It is easier to understand flattery as a type of lying and a sin after reading a few things that GOD'S WORD says about it:

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Psalms 12:3

The LORD shall

cut off all flattering lips...

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Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates those it hurts,

and a flattering mouth works ruin.

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Proverbs 28:23

He who rebukes a man

will in the end gain more favor

than he who has a flattering tongue.

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Ezekiel 12:24-25

For there will be no more

false visions or flattering divinations

among the people of Israel.

But I the LORD will speak what I will.

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Romans 16:17-18

I urge you, brothers,

to watch out for those who cause divisions

and put obstacles in your way

that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.

Keep away from them.

For such people

are not serving our Lord Christ,

but their own appetites.

By smooth talk and flattery

they deceive the minds of naive people.

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TWO SCRIPTURES THAT I PLAN ON

MEDITATING ON TODAY:

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1 Thessalonians 2:4-6

We are not trying to please men but God,

who tests our hearts.

You know we never used flattery...

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Job 32:21-22

I will show partiality to no one,

nor will I flatter any man;

for if I were skilled in flattery,

my Maker would soon take me away.

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It's time to be sincere in our speech!

BORN AGAIN: Flattery to Sincerity!

BORN AGAIN: FROM LIES TO TRUTH!

DAY ONE - Consider this:

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The LORD detests lying lips,

but He delights in women who are truthful.

Proverbs 12:22

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Deborah says that lying comes in 4 forms. Three of those are the focus of Day One and the fourth one is the focus of Day Two. God detests lying! I am sure that is why Deborah has listed lying as our target for Days One and Two. "Detests" is a strong word! Years ago one of my friends made up a little jingle to scripture. Although, I cannot sing you the tune here, the words remain embedded in my brain:

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Revelation, Revelation,

21:8! 21:8!

If you lie, you fry!

If you lie, you fry!

You're a sinner!

You're a sinner!

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Whew! Don't be too harsh on my friend until you read Revelation 21:8 which says,

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"But the cowardly,

the unbelieving,

the vile,

the murderers,

the sexually immoral,

those who practice magic arts,

the idolaters

and

all liars-

their place will be in the fiery lake

of burning sulfur.

This is the second death."

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Deborah includes deception, half-truths, and exaggerating all in the catagory of lying. What's a woman to do? Deborah's book and workbook help us to see the need to change our habits:

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• from deception to truth


• from half-truths to truth


• from exaggerating to truth

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David put it this way:

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Psalms 25:4-5 Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me your paths;

guide me in your TRUTH

and teach me,

for you are God my Savior.

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Psalms 26:2-4 Test me, O LORD, and try me,

examine my heart and my mind;

for Your love is ever before me,

and I walk continually in Your TRUTH.

I do not sit with deceitful men...

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Psalms 40:11 Do not withhold Your mercy from me,

O LORD;

may Your love

and Your TRUTH

always protect me.

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Psalms 51:6 Surely You desire TRUTH

in the inner parts;

You teach me wisdom

in the inmost place.

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Psalms 86:11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,

and I will walk in Your TRUTH;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear Your name.

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Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of TRUTH;

I have set my heart on Your laws.

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Want to be like Jesus?

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John 1:14

The Word became flesh

and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His glory,

the glory of the One and Only,

who came from the Father,

FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.

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BORN AGAIN! SHARE IT! PASS IT ON!

As a mother, my greatest joy and thanksgiving is to know that each of my children have been BORN AGAIN!!!! Peter articulated it in a wonderful way in scripture,


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1 Peter 1:3-5
"Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His great mercy

has caused us to be BORN AGAIN

to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

to obtain an inheritance which is

imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away,

reserved in heaven for you..."

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Jesus articulated in a very simple way to Nicodemus in John 3:3,

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"Truly, truly, I say to you,

unless one is BORN AGAIN,

he cannot see the kingdom of God."

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I am part of a church family who believes both Jesus and Peter's words. It's very important that we share the message and pass it on to our children, our family, our neighbors, our friends, and anyone who will listen. We are bursting at the seams in our current building, so on Sunday, August 30, we had a ground breaking ceremony for our new building. We had a picnic at a local park. Then, we caravaned over to our land, surrounded by orchards, for the ceremony. We sang! We read scripture! We prayed! We shared our dreams and vision for many future generations of BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS to learn and grow in Christ there.

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Here are a few pictures that I took with my trusty cell phone. Then, I'll share again the BORN AGAIN VIDEO that I shared a few days ago. Thank You, Jesus, for new birth, forgiveness, possibilities, transformation...

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FIRST THERE WAS FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE PARK...

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THEN THERE WAS THE CARAVAN OF CARS ARRIVING ON THE BUILDING SITE AND PARKING WHERE THE PARKING LOT WILL SOON BE...

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WE PONDERED THE SURROUNDING ORCHARDS AND THE WORK INVOLVED IN GETTING TO THIS HARVEST:

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WE WALKED TOGETHER TOWARD WHERE THE FIRST SHOVELS OF DIRT WOULD BE TURNED OVER AND WE SANG SONGS LIKE... THESE ARE THE DAYS OF ELIJAH... AND ANCIENT OF DAYS....

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MANY GATHERED AROUND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES...

. TOGETHER, WE GAVE GOD THE GLORY
FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE...
AND ALL THAT HE IS GOING TO DO!!!





Acts 2:37-38 "And Peter said to them,
"Repent,
and let each of you be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
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BORN AGAIN!

SHARE IT!

PASS IT ON!

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BORN AGAIN: A LABOR OF LOVE

MEDITATION MONDAY

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As I go through this LABOR day, I plan to meditate on scripture and the messages from the songs of yesterday's videoes and recommit to a life of love... I believe that being born again includes everyday being a day that is a LABOR OF LOVE.

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1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 says,

"We give thanks to God always for all of you,

making mention of you in our prayers;

constantly bearing in mind your work of faith

and LABOR OF LOVE

and steadfastness of hope

in our Lord Jesus Christ..."

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Meditation is a labor of love... transformation is a labor of love...

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So, today,

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1. I will be grateful for those who have labored before me as I sing THANK YOU, FOR GIVING TO THE LORD... I AM A LIFE WHO WAS CHANGED...

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John 4:37-38

'One sows, and another reaps.'

"I sent you to reap that

for which you have not labored;

others have labored,

and you have entered into their labor."

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Thank You

(song from yesterday's video by Ray Boltz)

VERSE ONE:

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard these angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now
And then he said, but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

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CHORUS
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

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VERSE TWO:
Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn’t have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today

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CHORUS (repeat)

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VERSE THREE:
One by one they came
Far as your eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices you made
They were unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed
And I know that up in heaven
You’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward

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CHORUS (repeat)

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I am so glad you gave.

2. I chose and I daily choose to be born again into the family of love... it's a labor... for my family.... for God's family... for my enemies... it's transforming...

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For my family...

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Galatians 4:19

My children,

with whom I am again in labor

until Christ is formed in you"

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For God's family...

Colossians 1:28-29

"And we proclaim Him,

admonishing every man and

teaching every man with all wisdom,

that we may present every man complete in Christ.

And for this purpose also I labor,

striving according to His power,

which mightily works within me."

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For even my enemies...

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Matthew 5:44-45

"But I say to you,

love your enemies,

and pray for those who persecute you

in order that you may be

sons of your Father who is in heaven..."

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So, I continue to put names in the these blanks

and learn how to love God's way.

Yes, it is a LABOR OF LOVE...

at least 15 things to think about per person

from 1 Corinthians 13:

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My love for __________ is patient.

My love for ___________ is kind.

My love for ___________ does not envy.l

My love for __________ does not boast.

My love for ________ is not proud.

My love for ______________ is not rude.

My love for _____________ is not self seeking.

My love for ____________ is not easily angered.

My love for ____________ keeps no record of wrongs.

My love for ___________ does not delight in evil...

but rejoices with the truth.

My love for __________ always protects.

My love for __________ always trusts.

My love for ____________ always hopes.

My love for ____________ always perseveres.

My love for ___________ never fails.

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BORN AGAIN

(song from yesterday's video and

our theme song this week by Third Day)

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Today I found myself

After searching all these years

And the man that I saw,

he wasn't at all who I thought he'd be

I was lost when you found me here

And I was broken beyond repair

Then you came along

and you sang your song over me

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

For the very first time in my life

Make a promise to me now

Reassure my heart somehow

That the love that I feel

is so much more real than anything

I've a feeling in my soul

And I pray that I'm not wrong

That the life I have now,

it is only the beginning

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

For the very first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

For the very first time

I wasn't looking for something

that was more Than what I had yesterday

Then you came to me

and you gave to me life and a love

that I've never known that I've never felt before

It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

I'm living for the first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

I'm living for the first time

In my life...

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BORN AGAIN!!!!

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BORN AGAIN...THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD! I AM A LIFE THAT WAS CHANGED!

SUNDAY IN THE SON

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I am not the same woman who I was the last time that I posted! Oh, I have belonged to Jesus since I was born again over forty years ago. I have walked the road of faith with Him. He is my Shepherd, the Sustainer of my soul. This summer I even led you in a study of the Virtuous Woman of scripture. I have known several truly virtuous women in my life! Yesterday, God gave me a visual that I will never forget!

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Dottie, is our secretary at the Pitman church. She has a large extended family, many of whom love the LORD. Her brother Bill, has become a close spiritual brother to my husband Steve since we have lived in South Jersey. Bill and his wife Nancy have been true seekers of God's will. Nancy, a few years older than me, died in her sleep last Sunday night.

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Nancy's funeral/memorial service lasted over two hours yesterday. A large crowd listened to Bill and her 4 young adult children give tributes in songs, scriptures, and memories. I will forever have the video recording in my mind of her husband and children giving honor to this virtuous woman. She was described with Proverbs 31 and 1 Corinthians 13. They said that the Sermon on the Mount in her Bible was worn because she loved it so much. Sure sounded a lot like our discussions this summer: a woman who fears the LORD... a woman of worth... a woman of purpose... a woman of wisdom... a woman who surpasses them all...

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Her favorite scripture was: Romans 14:7-9 : "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."

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Many stood to say that it was because of Nancy that they were able to see Jesus more clearly. This song sung by Dottie and Bill's younger sister sent a powerful message to the believers and non-believers who had gathered to honor Nancy. Please pause the play list and be sure and watch both videos... there is a huge connection... I truly am a life that was changed....

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