IF I STAND... IT'S TWO WORDS...TWO PRONGS...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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There are three pairs of words, in the Bible, that I have pondered or meditated on a lot in my adult life. Each pair consists of two words that have characteristics that are opposite. Although two distinctly different words, it takes both words to get a clear picture of what God is telling us. It reminds me of plugging in two prongs into an electrical socket. It can be kind of tricky. One prong is usually different from the other. It requires inserting the prongs in one specific direction for them to work.
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When I think of these word pairs, I am convinced that it takes both words in each pair, working together in a specific direction, to get plugged into the Transformer of our lives.

Pondering these three word pairs today may help you to STAND a little stronger in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

LAMB & LION

IF I STAND... LET ME STAND IN GRACE AND TRUTH...

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You say you recognize the scripture below? Yes, it was the last verse of a series of verses, in the book of John, that we memorized about THE WORD.

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We'll start with this verse this month as the first verse of our scripture memory. We'll focus on the word GRACE. Yet, in this verse, the word GRACE is coupled with TRUTH. Today, let's read it several times through and then try to fill in some blanks to make sure we still have it memorized.

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John 1:14

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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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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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John 1:14

The WORD became flesh

and made ____ _________ _________ ___.

We have seen His _______,

the glory of the ____ ____ ______,

who ______ _______ the Father,

full of

GRACE

and

TRUTH.

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IF I STAND... IT'S BECAUSE I'VE SET MY MIND...

We're all three first born children, but today is a day that the two of them share and I don't. It's a special day for my mom (an oldest child) and Jordan (our oldest child). Today, my mom turns 82 years old. Today Jordan turns 29 and 1/2 (it's his half birthday!). Jordan's wife Jacqueline is due to give birth this week to their second child. How fun it would be if she could share this day with her great-grandma and her dad!

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Two years ago today, I shared a long and detailed post about my mom entitled, "IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO". Today, I would like to share tidbits with you about Mom and Jordan - two amazing people who mean the world to me!

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Here is a picture of Jordan and Jacqueline at their wedding in 2003 with their living grandparents. Both of Jacqueline's grandmothers and her paternal grandfather are standing by Jacqueline. Papa and Mama Sikes are standing next to Jordan and my mom, Kathleen Klein, is standing to the far right.

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Here is a picture of Mom on her 75th birthday

with her 3 children.

Oldest to youngest, left to right:

me-Patti, Steve, Pam

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A lot has changed over the last seven years... even the last two years... Mom's alzheimers has not been friendly. She must have round the clock care via nurses and family. She lives in a "mother-in-law apartment" on the back of my brother Steve's home. Steve and Sandi and their daughter Katie are nurturing and vigilant in their care of Mom. Mom hasn't known me in my last phone calls. It is hard to call!

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Until I began to write this, I didn't realize how well our theme song connected with my mom's theme. One of her favorite sayings to me over the years was, "I have set my mind!" It wasn't an arrogant statement, but a statement of purpose, dedication, and trust in her Heavenly Father.

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Jordan and Mom have similarities that are also known as traits of first born children. I have noticed over the years that they have used these traits to glorify their Heavenly Father:

• R.E.S.P.O.N.S.I.B.L.E.
• organized
• reliable
• serious
• scholarly
• conservative
• loyal
• goal-oriented
• list maker
• high achiever
• self reliant
• people pleaser
• self-sacrificing.
  

They both have aspired to be instruments of the Master, by letting their lights shine. I'm excited to hold Jordan & Jacqueline's little one soon. She won't be their first born, but I have a feeling their first born is already developing some of those first born characteristics listed above.

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Back two years ago, I gave Mom a lighthouse lamp from New Jersey and wrote a poem to encapsulate Mom's determination to SET HER MIND. May you be blessed by reading it today:

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I Set My Mind to Let My Light Shine!

On October 5, 1928, I, Kathleen Joyce Carron was born.
I grew up at 311 Virginia Avenue, Crystal City, Missouri.
Valle and Viola Carron were my father and mother.
Shirley and Bob were my sister and brother.

One day, I set my mind to become a child of GOD.
I was baptized into Jesus Christ, GOD’s Son.
Later, I grew up and moved away from home
To become a nurse at a University called Washington.

I set my mind to do what was right
For Jesus, I wanted to be a light.
I met a man who wanted the same.
Clayton Ray Klein was his name.
We married on April 8, 1950,
Making almost 48 years of marital history.

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Clayton and I had three children,
Named Patti Ann, Steven Ray, and Pamela Kay.
We set our minds to teach them about Jesus.
Living a life for Him would be the only Way!
He is my Savior, He is the king of Kings,
He is the Truth! He is my Light! He is my everything!
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So, as I look back on my life,
I can smile a great big smile.
Because on this journey,
I set my mind to go the extra mile.
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As a wife to Clayton Klein,
I set my mind to let my light shine!
As a mother to Pam, Steve, and Patti,
I set my mind to let my light shine!
As a mother-in-law to Dalen, Sandi, and Steve,
I set my mind to let my light shine!
As a grandmother to Eric, Summer, Katie, Jordan, Jessica, Caleb, and Crystal,
I set my mind to let my light shine!
So, today, as I turn on my lighthouse lamp,
I will smile and remember that

I HAVE SET MY MIND TO LET MY LIGHT SHINE!
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As of this morning, Kathleen has 3 great-grandchildren; maybe it will be four by evening!

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IF I STAND... I STAND FIRM IN HIS GRACE...

MEDITATION MONDAY

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Last month as we looked at the armor of God, our scripture encouraged us to STAND FIRM in His armor. It was only by His GRACE that He extended His armor to me. It is only by His GRACE that He allows me to continue to wear His armor.

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The amazing thing about JESUS CHRIST is what Hebrews 13:7-9 says,

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"Jesus Christ is the same

yesterday

and today

and forever.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by GRACE..."
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AH! To know the love of God and have full confidence in His power and willingness to forgive and be faithful!

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Yesterday, Dan challenged our congregation to KNOW GOD... KNOW JESUS... KNOW SCRIPTURE... It is not something that is very common place in our country today. In a recent poll, more people did not know what The Golden Rule was than knew what it was.

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What about Biblical prophecy? We can know who we believe and what we believe just by studying how Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Biblical prophecies about Him hundreds of years after He was prophecied. A few examples:

• As the Son of God - Old Testament prophecy: Psalm 2:7; New Testament fulfillment: Luke 1:32,35
• As the seed of the woman - Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 3:15; New Testament fulfillment: Galatians 4:4
• As the seed of Abraham - Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 17:7 - 22:18; New Testament fulfillment: Galatians 3:16
• As the seed of Isaac - Old Testament prophecy: Genesis 21:12; New Testament fulfillment: Hebrews 11:17-19
• As the seed of David: Old Testament prophecy: Psalm 132:11 and Jeremiah 23:5; New Testament fulfillment - Acts 13:23 and Romans 1:3
• His being born of a virgin - Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 7:14; New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:22,23 and Luke 2:7
• His being called Immanuel- Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 7:14; New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 1:22,23
• His being born in Bethlehem of Judea - Old Testament prophecy: Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-6
• Great persons coming to adore Him - Psalm 72:10 and Matthew 2:1-11

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Whether it's through coming to know Him through His love, the prophecies being fulfilled, or scientific proofs, I am convinced that we can STAND FIRM with confidence because His amazing GRACE gives us encouragment and hope!

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2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

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"So then, brothers, STAND FIRM

and hold to the teachings we passed on to you,

whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself

and God our Father,

who loved us and

by His GRACE gave us

eternal encouragement and good hope,

17 encourage your hearts

and strengthen you

in every good deed and word. "

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IF I STAND

SUNDAY IN THE SON

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IF I STAND

as sung by Rich Mullins

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There's more that rises in the morning

Than the sun

And more that shines in the night

Than just the moon

It's more than just this fire here

That keeps me warm

In a shelter that is larger

Than this room

And there's a loyalty that's deeper

Than mere sentiments

And a music higher

Than the songs that I can sing

The stuff of earth competes

For the allegiance

I owe only to the GIVER of all good things

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CHORUS:

So if I stand let me stand on the promise

That YOU will pull me through

And if I can't, let me fall on the GRACE

That first brought me to YOU

And if I sing let me sing for the joy

That has born in me these songs

And if I weep let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home

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There's more that dances on the prairies

Than the wind

More that pulses in the ocean

Than the tide

There's a love that is fiercer

Than the love between friends

More gentle than a mother's

When her baby's at her side

And there's a loyalty that's deeper

Than mere sentiments

And a music higher

Than the songs that I can sing

The stuff of earth competes

For the allegence

I owe only to the GIVER of all good things
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CHORUS(2x)

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And if I weep let it be as a man

Who is longing for his home

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MY DELIVERER... WILL YOU TAKE OVER ME????

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do!

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It's agreed, My Deliverer needs to take over!

Pause the Playlist and then watch this video!

MY DELIVERER... EXTENDS GRACE...

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You might find her praying with a group of christian sisters...

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You might find her listening and learning more about her God and His will for her life...

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You'll often find her somewhere among a group of her christian sisters... just like you see above at our ladies retreat or below at our recent trip to Women of Faith....

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During the week, you'll usually find her in our church offices, serving as our church secretary. She's beginning her 26th year in this position!

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This quarter of a century mark has brought big changes to her "job world". She is a woman on the move... a woman in transition. When our church building sold before our new building was finished being built, the church offices and everything in the building had to be moved and either stored or put in our new temporary church offices in downtown Pitman. Just like the cabinet in the picture below, many things moved or changed in her world.

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As I have often noticed, in the three years that I have known this wonderful christian sister - I see grace! Dottie cares deeply about her LORD and others. She truly loves! That compassion drives her to expect the best in others while reaching out with mercy and grace to the rainbow of people who come to her each day. Dottie knows who her Deliverer is and she makes every effort to be His heart and hands as she extends His grace.

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Yesterday was Dottie's birthday and the celebration of her 25 years with the Pitman church of Christ. She was showered with cards... FB messages... and surprise on top of surprise as she and her husband John make plans to get away soon for a week in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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I found a picture that I took two years ago on her birthday. We bought her a crown and a wand... Dan and Steve enjoyed the moment and gave her honor!

You know what? It's not hard to give honor to this transparent child of God. She has many roles in life and she fills them well - as only Dottie can. She's a very dedicated wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend. She's a transforming, transformed lady who knows where her strength has to come from to survive this life. She's part of THE FAMILY.. who have claimed:
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G od's
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R iches
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E xpense
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