tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72598732647573196372024-03-12T21:03:30.421-07:00One WordDeitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-48136062982276630222014-12-31T06:02:00.003-08:002014-12-31T06:02:50.677-08:00One last thing......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhFgIEDDvzFxcYjyUYCg8Z815jhq6f4uwhGJmC1d-c5Xc0F1OmuH-dKEymm0z0b6UQZmWFEoVi_7cmaC-fDD3MvpQ8mngAMYaiRUewigtbN3T-k_ElE3moUyHS4SqNCxBzf-faxJaVxQW/s1600/screen-shot-2010-09-30-at-121906-pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhFgIEDDvzFxcYjyUYCg8Z815jhq6f4uwhGJmC1d-c5Xc0F1OmuH-dKEymm0z0b6UQZmWFEoVi_7cmaC-fDD3MvpQ8mngAMYaiRUewigtbN3T-k_ElE3moUyHS4SqNCxBzf-faxJaVxQW/s1600/screen-shot-2010-09-30-at-121906-pm.png" height="640" width="516" /></a></div>
<br />Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-52849239114169856722014-12-31T05:53:00.000-08:002014-12-31T05:53:25.988-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IRX5XGQCJy4fPSgBEzykQXpv2_sxaRy5vsjtEp2oH1JEBY0uMqm0h0iUvlTWTdznuDtWoyNIao9hV1MfzGMG3NNnTwXjzQV2L7cxszJsN1-N3oXtApgA1RHYN9Kvdkt1DS9Bn9DnMYfy/s1600/120119e4f0e05d0d875284e8f9103b8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IRX5XGQCJy4fPSgBEzykQXpv2_sxaRy5vsjtEp2oH1JEBY0uMqm0h0iUvlTWTdznuDtWoyNIao9hV1MfzGMG3NNnTwXjzQV2L7cxszJsN1-N3oXtApgA1RHYN9Kvdkt1DS9Bn9DnMYfy/s1600/120119e4f0e05d0d875284e8f9103b8b.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Today is the last day of the year...and the last day that I will be specifically focusing on my word, humility as I move on to a new word for the new year, This isn't the first time I have chosen this word to focus on for a whole year, I chose it in 2010. I've read a lot about humility and learned a lot about it but i still feel like I did when I started: an inchworm on the one yard line inching down the football field with 99 yards to go. Humility is a trait that I'll always be trying to live into...it is not that easy to accomplish and say "Ok, I've got that one under my belt, time to move on." Once you <i>think </i>you've become humble is the exact moment you are not.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpwdsTy80l62U75ijUfe2WY3LMIOu5ZrkjEof1G1IzWlhjwe-ci9t1tuloNPA-v3ZKwhbvov5WIRWEUCOlFF6RvFQkYy4P5GjrermuIxaAp1QU-mmSmfGLzVABqSLY5-3aELGtfocAx8z/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpwdsTy80l62U75ijUfe2WY3LMIOu5ZrkjEof1G1IzWlhjwe-ci9t1tuloNPA-v3ZKwhbvov5WIRWEUCOlFF6RvFQkYy4P5GjrermuIxaAp1QU-mmSmfGLzVABqSLY5-3aELGtfocAx8z/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Because I'm a 2 on the Enneagram and a 2's signature sin is pride, I will always need to keep the desire for humility in front of me. But hopefully, I have a better understanding of how to do that now that it has been my focus for 12 months. Thankfully I have Jesus to look towards to show me what it looks like and as I fix my attention on Him, I can keep that fruit of the Spirit in the forefront of my mind and heart. And what we gaze on is what we become.<br />
<br />
I have a confession to make. I had every good intention of reading Andrew Murray's classic book, Humility, this year but never did. I would like to read it in 2015, kind of as a "refresher" and maybe that is how God intended it to be, so that I continue to live into my way home.<br />
<br />
<i>The deepest humility is the secret of the truest happiness, of a joy that nothing can destroy. </i><br />
<i>Andrew Murray</i>Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-71520781896150339402014-10-24T06:25:00.001-07:002014-10-24T06:25:06.632-07:00Soul Rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVpg6B_B9SJnEi_9Ot5C_M-Eek_9dVqRInraHrI1kSsht5XlF60BH5i81C5WLFODBf4glBwIbslu9AHerU_oBjmZ59IjHu-0Tc7UU_5Lbz6rpOCrunlf0vTKWHZOnUGo_d2sgidnzApok/s1600/1384213_10151922442347430_682725600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVpg6B_B9SJnEi_9Ot5C_M-Eek_9dVqRInraHrI1kSsht5XlF60BH5i81C5WLFODBf4glBwIbslu9AHerU_oBjmZ59IjHu-0Tc7UU_5Lbz6rpOCrunlf0vTKWHZOnUGo_d2sgidnzApok/s1600/1384213_10151922442347430_682725600_n.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
Humility, which involves losing our self-sufficiency, is a secret of soul rest because it does not presume to secure outcomes. On the other hand, pride is the root of disobedience. We think we are "big enough" to take our lives into our own hands and so we disobey what we know to be right. This distances us from God and forces us to live on our own. Soul rest becomes impossible. When living in the cradle of humility, we understand that God has a plan for our lives that goes far beyond anything we can work out. We simply rest in His life as He gives it to us. While resting in God, we can be free from all anxiety, which means deep soul rest.<br />
Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart Daily Devotional pg 145Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-55311506600168826692014-09-16T04:34:00.000-07:002014-09-16T04:34:17.106-07:00Humility frees us to live lightly and freely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbsXWHjcw8Zq8YXsMNClDPZkTXmyqzW8uQe1XxuPmy5rbsF1jJu9y-sJJFJA1OGrKQr3pDa8ujb4SyCZa7EHOwlthq9NDosCOybCkRr8UGDPp3_Aj2o1fuqWtdLfkmoSEiZUCtgFETUc8/s1600/walking+in+the+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbsXWHjcw8Zq8YXsMNClDPZkTXmyqzW8uQe1XxuPmy5rbsF1jJu9y-sJJFJA1OGrKQr3pDa8ujb4SyCZa7EHOwlthq9NDosCOybCkRr8UGDPp3_Aj2o1fuqWtdLfkmoSEiZUCtgFETUc8/s1600/walking+in+the+light.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>To walk in My Light requires you pay more attention to your failure to love than to the pain you feel when others fail to love you. If you understand relational sin, confession will become a daily exercise. (because we are always sinning and it's easy to sin in this area, put my wants and needs first, not God's or others). When you confess your sins, I will not only forgive the relational failures you see, but I will also clean up everything you have yet to see that keeps you feeling at a distance from Me. Discouragement, when it drives you to Me in broken confession rather than away from Me in wounded pride, brings the realism of humility. You are never without sin. Whether you recognize it or not, there is never a moment when you relate as perfectly as My Son. One day you will! Until then, humility will free you to live in awe of my endless supply of grace. And then the worship that awe inspires, will release more of My Son''s life to flow out of you into others, even into those who have hurt you though never as badly as you have hurt Me. </i><br />
excerpt from 66 Love Letters by Larry Crabb I John 1:10, 2:1-12Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-49720799673821011372014-09-14T05:24:00.001-07:002014-09-14T05:32:29.252-07:00St Benedict's Ladder of Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3enSiPviiaw-gXxKnMNn50RnDPA5FiKT8DzLuu_dSdHwBUMsreQyLP7g42_sG1pMERYnRVbZlpv52975108hlNHJhQ7ipAGUl47miKSbdGqWiY-nSDg7aqmsUiAD8y5DQqA8q65XUTvT/s1600/ladder_of_humility.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3enSiPviiaw-gXxKnMNn50RnDPA5FiKT8DzLuu_dSdHwBUMsreQyLP7g42_sG1pMERYnRVbZlpv52975108hlNHJhQ7ipAGUl47miKSbdGqWiY-nSDg7aqmsUiAD8y5DQqA8q65XUTvT/s1600/ladder_of_humility.png" height="320" width="174" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">"Humility" - the
willingness to be known for who we are.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #8
- Transformation into the Love of God Deut 6:5</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #7
- Speaking Less Psalms 46:10</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #6
- Deeply Aware of Being "Chief of All Sinners" Isaiah 64:6</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #5
- Radical Honesty to Others About Your Weaknesses/Faults James 5:16</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #4
- Patience to Accept the Difficulty of Others 1 Thess 5:14</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #3
- Willing to Subject Ourselves to the Direction of Others Heb 13:17</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #2
- Doing God's Will (Not Your Own or Other People's) 2 Cor 5:9</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Step #1
- Fear of God and Mindfulness of Him Eccl 12:13</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><complete id="goog_1906514968" style="background-color: black;">+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++</complete></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Prov
22:4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Matt
11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">burden
is light.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Phil
2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">better
than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests,
but </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">also to
the interests of others. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">1 Peter
5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All
of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">you,
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes
the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">proud
but gives grace to the humble.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-17165725024872160032014-07-31T05:08:00.000-07:002014-07-31T05:08:24.584-07:00True Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hwEX4vJQS1tYrSFaFaevTdDISkVJ2xgUh9yhUGOYZxLCqRohxZZNQA2jxmluosz4nsaExdIroi8OSPJHHBNXs5CbzHTg0cfMxv_j6UbM_Sfmsoo02xrPm9VdrcAcO0TWGJlTAZ5PW0Xi/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hwEX4vJQS1tYrSFaFaevTdDISkVJ2xgUh9yhUGOYZxLCqRohxZZNQA2jxmluosz4nsaExdIroi8OSPJHHBNXs5CbzHTg0cfMxv_j6UbM_Sfmsoo02xrPm9VdrcAcO0TWGJlTAZ5PW0Xi/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div>
True Humility doesn't consist of thinking ill of yourself but of not thinking of yourself much differently from the way you'd be apt to think of anybody else. It is the capacity for being no more and no less pleased when you play your own hand well than when your opponents do. <br />
<br />
from last year's journal: author unknownDeitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-28274538893440436312014-07-24T06:24:00.001-07:002014-07-24T06:24:18.929-07:00Humility is Shy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrz5hBgxh-VO9n-xP01np-UFEQtdzYkTwHHUijNtfd8JJ7VGUs7tx6YQJPpj2FVFFWnhFX_oRiraYCcibQzl5GJR9mTNySX-oLE0saxEa52vQSwgp0L7x5bhz8hAOQdTqGSCUh9QAc2Zs/s1600/tarrants_kneel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrz5hBgxh-VO9n-xP01np-UFEQtdzYkTwHHUijNtfd8JJ7VGUs7tx6YQJPpj2FVFFWnhFX_oRiraYCcibQzl5GJR9mTNySX-oLE0saxEa52vQSwgp0L7x5bhz8hAOQdTqGSCUh9QAc2Zs/s1600/tarrants_kneel.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
"I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other, and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we should reach them. I find now that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other, and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower, and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts." G. B. F. Hallock<br />
<br />
"Humility isn't burden or humiliation of oppressive wight, but the only posture that can receive the wondrous grace-gifts of God - God who humbled Himself and came to the feed trough . . The moment I try to grasp for humility, she's gone, Speak of humility, shine a light shaft on her, and she's shadow-gone in the dark. 'Humility is so shy,' writes Tim Keller. If I focus on humility, I look inward to assess if I'm sufficiently humble and in the very act, humility darts and I'm proud, self-focused. It doesn't work...The quiet song of gratitude, eucharisteo, lures humility out of the shadows because to receive a gift, the knees must bend humble and the hand must lie vulnerably open and the will must bow to accept whatever the Giver chooses to give. "<br />
<br />
excerpt from one thousand gifts devotional by Ann VoskampDeitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-46445542987632742182014-07-16T04:53:00.002-07:002014-07-16T04:53:49.122-07:00A Simpler Way to Live by Jan Johnson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvOxf5Q7Ti2uj4-hxJl4ZJzlyA_AzcLm3OLtWIAUJakkQoQ3rbtaOp_6juf5mmIWWe77NkKb-PTSB0wccw087OSueeIzZd_ZCIJGEPlVdSQxVfAcZ8aVf_s7BWKVoZ3_8gA1ga6MSRU0Y/s1600/BlogFeatureImageHumilityRock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvOxf5Q7Ti2uj4-hxJl4ZJzlyA_AzcLm3OLtWIAUJakkQoQ3rbtaOp_6juf5mmIWWe77NkKb-PTSB0wccw087OSueeIzZd_ZCIJGEPlVdSQxVfAcZ8aVf_s7BWKVoZ3_8gA1ga6MSRU0Y/s1600/BlogFeatureImageHumilityRock.jpg" height="119" width="320" /></a></div>
One of my practices that I have found very life-giving is to read through my last year's journal and see what was going on in my life a year ago and how God was speaking to me, what He was saying. Often I find it to be as fresh a year later as it was that first day. Today was no exception, in fact, God used it to answer the cry of my heart on how to be more one with Jesus. I want to share the article in its entirety because it is so profound in its truth.....<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">A Simpler Way to Live</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">For a class I teach, my students get
to read Jeremy Taylor’s 19 rules for humility. You may think:<i>Rules? Ugh.
Humility? Any shred of humility is near-miraculous, who wants rules?</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I thought that at first, but then I looked
at them in light of Andrew Murray’s idea that humility is being</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">occupied with God</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">instead of being</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">occupied with self.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">That takes a lot of the confusion
and burden out of humility. It now sounds logical and likeable. Maybe it’s even
in my best interest. So to help my students (and myself), I rewrote them for
today’s reader and added a prayer to each in italics. I’m soaking in them,
which usually results in an organic, natural sort of obedience. Here are a few
of my faves below:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I don’t think better of myself
because of some outward circumstance that happens to me.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I’m grateful to you, but I
understand that I didn’t earn this.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Humility is not about criticizing
myself, but about being realistic about myself.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I have blind spots, and You and I
are working on them.<br />
And there are many You
have not yet revealed to me.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s OK that others are realistic
about my faults.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Others can see my blind spots--more
easily than I do!</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Doing good things in secret where no
one else can see what I do is an adventure in being with God.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">As I do those things, I will be
grateful to partner with You. This can be fun!</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">When praise is given to me, I will
rejoice that God is blessed.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I am grateful to You that You use me
well. I want You to be glorified most of all.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">When I am slighted or undervalued, I
will accept it instead of harboring resentment.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I look only to You for love and
value. I am learning to be content with whatever I have.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Listening to little whispers of pride
about how well I’m doing will trip me up.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I will stay preoccupied with You, O
God.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I will enjoy actively praising
others.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s fun to see how well You work
through people!</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I can be content when others do well
(even if I don’t).<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">The goal is that You are praised,
that the Kingdom is manifested and advanced.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I will stop comparing myself with
others.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Comparisons and judgments are silly
and irrelevant.<br />
Only You know all the
facts. I’m not omniscient so I don’t judge.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Confessing sin straightforwardly
keeps me from harboring blind spots and playing games with deceit.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Help me always to speak forth my
mistaken words, actions and motives.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I can be thankful for weaknesses,
faults and imperfections because they help me see that we are all human.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">My mistakes make me so much more
merciful to others!</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Exposing others’ weaknesses is not
caring. And I don’t need to congratulate myself when I do things better than
others.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s not my role, O God, to point
out others’ shortcomings.<br />
Besides the fact that I
could be wrong, I’m judging and condemning,<br />
which is something only
You do well.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Surrender to God involves enduring
whatever comes, being content in any state and being ready for every change.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">The only way I can fully surrender
is to lean on You every moment.<br />
Then I can persevere,
return to a state of contentment,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
and be flexible as the
way ahead curves.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Living this way is easier and
simpler. I stop sweating what other people think. I live to an Audience of One.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Grace and
peace,<br />
Jan Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">If you like
what you read, you can subscribe to her monthly email at <a href="http://www.janjohnson.org/wisbits.html">http://www.janjohnson.org/wisbits.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-64883116380784169102014-05-18T10:19:00.003-07:002014-05-18T10:19:36.342-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFXwNhvgMY0k9XaCDR8lwYB0fCHY29-OKg155GIbKWOi-XCUws3YUN3AL5CO6jWv1qBlbDbVZl5ZJK0mPSKNr8Tnrztq-9A0XwN7uIBhfZt7ejuQIRXm3Z9UWSz-boTQt-CTN59lGeSLx/s1600/Quotes-by-Radhanath-Swami-on-Humility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFXwNhvgMY0k9XaCDR8lwYB0fCHY29-OKg155GIbKWOi-XCUws3YUN3AL5CO6jWv1qBlbDbVZl5ZJK0mPSKNr8Tnrztq-9A0XwN7uIBhfZt7ejuQIRXm3Z9UWSz-boTQt-CTN59lGeSLx/s1600/Quotes-by-Radhanath-Swami-on-Humility.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Humility is knowing and appreciating yourself as you really are<br />
and knowing and appreciating God as He really is.Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-37189458601171430332014-05-12T21:48:00.001-07:002014-12-31T06:13:52.017-08:00Less of Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAGfiW-ys4DnVCR7fIc8kVY4HYc8c1c9pSaBNEB8FWCH_QEOKccCEtRyjfcJzEjG7ByLJLA2G_pr87mzwAdSiHKqwz7ekEPiDQo2GYb3ohncnEZHOdrdzgtdPRRq1g22_dCTSIrH2guKh/s1600/letting+go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAGfiW-ys4DnVCR7fIc8kVY4HYc8c1c9pSaBNEB8FWCH_QEOKccCEtRyjfcJzEjG7ByLJLA2G_pr87mzwAdSiHKqwz7ekEPiDQo2GYb3ohncnEZHOdrdzgtdPRRq1g22_dCTSIrH2guKh/s1600/letting+go.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">what if I let go my grasp<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">of all the things that raise me higher<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">what if I gave my life<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">as a gift<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">blessed and broken<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">for the poor of every kind<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">poor as I am inside<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">would there be less of me<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">would I become a nobody<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">or would I finally be<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">the best of what you had in mind<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">for me?<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">what if I crucified all my pride<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">and upward striving<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">put an end to dreams of fame<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">bigger things<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">and social climbing<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">made myself more teachable<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">reachable<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">invisible<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">would there be less of me<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">would I become a nobody<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">or would I finally be<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">the best of what you had in mind<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">for me?<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">one finger at a time<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">loosen my hold on the pride that I cling to<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">then walk me by the hand<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">lower and lower<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">down to the places You go<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">cause I need to go with You<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">wherever You take me to<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">what if I had seen the way<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">You endured humiliation<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">seen You go so deathly low<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">to secure my own salvation<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">how could I then live a lie<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">pretending I’m up here so high?<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">give me the heart to see<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">how You became a nobody<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">and showed me the way to be<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">the best of what You had in mind<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">the rest of what You had in mind<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">the best of what You had in mind for me<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">what if I<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">crucified<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">all my pride?</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="background-color: black;">Song by Greg Ferguson</span></span></div>
</div>
Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-50735701725632216072014-04-10T05:09:00.000-07:002014-04-10T05:09:05.732-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzwYFFm1ICXok-ue-eX_KgOxmq8EGVswGYPRvia8U9gvPemJbNcxDjxUULW6NwtgnLpyJXakFuRFxWotS6d2Z-gx8T78cm8QnJm64dxr7lcTFXUkUgwYFAg9SvSrBGMBg6y0jnucE-pYd/s1600/1375847_10151979236262430_1363265875_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzwYFFm1ICXok-ue-eX_KgOxmq8EGVswGYPRvia8U9gvPemJbNcxDjxUULW6NwtgnLpyJXakFuRFxWotS6d2Z-gx8T78cm8QnJm64dxr7lcTFXUkUgwYFAg9SvSrBGMBg6y0jnucE-pYd/s1600/1375847_10151979236262430_1363265875_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is not sin that humbles most, but grace. Andrew Murray</span>Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-27013306339360665732014-04-05T08:48:00.000-07:002014-04-05T08:48:41.263-07:00Day of Solitude at Glen Eyrie April 10, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mPbWpZF_MMLpNfjCx2nMYyvpOpWE59dRr-QUzETyY0oOOhgbohBCWxzGS9ObEI79Vge5HS5HL3thOhbNjdkkFKAJY53VHSvzOtBrcItkV1IyNbRTeUgmIyluilIqm4_NJ8ske3gxfKQo/s1600/DSC05127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mPbWpZF_MMLpNfjCx2nMYyvpOpWE59dRr-QUzETyY0oOOhgbohBCWxzGS9ObEI79Vge5HS5HL3thOhbNjdkkFKAJY53VHSvzOtBrcItkV1IyNbRTeUgmIyluilIqm4_NJ8ske3gxfKQo/s1600/DSC05127.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I started at The Wall....<br />
Sitting outside in the 32 degree cold but sunny day, I took off my glove to turn off my timer on my i-pad to end my time of silence...and then couldn't find my glove anywhere...it seemed to disappear into thin air! I searched my clothes, my bag, under me, the ground in front of me...nothing, where could it be? Quickly feeling panicky inside, my mind told me I NEED that glove, to keep me warm, comfortable.... I stood up and walked around the bench and there it was on the ground behind the bench...how in the world did it wind up there, I wondered. Then I asked myself, "Notice how you felt and why?" I quickly feel panicky when my comfort is disturbed...I crave comfort!<br />
O Lord, what a great place to start my time of seeing where i try to manipulate my world, the false self of pleasure rears its ugly head and is just the beginning of revealing how i try to manage myself. Another awareness is this weekend I've been comparing, "I do that (pride)" or "I don't do THAT!" (self-righteousness and judging). "I've read that book" (Sower of the Seed, Wilderness Time). "I've already had a quiet time and read Jesus Calling." "I do that in my time at mini-retreats." What am I trying to prove and to whom? That I'm spiritual, more spiritual than others? To be perfectly honest with myself, I confess I do feel that way a lot. I do not like the feeling that comes with that, how do I let that go? Or I have a great idea, thought, insight like about where to have the retreat next year, i like to give my input...is it to gain others esteem? I look at the quote at the bottom of my journal page and it speaks to this in me:<i> The goal isn't <b>perfection</b>, it's simply to be in an intimate relationship with Jesus each day. By one sacrifice He has <b>made perfec</b>t forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Jesus, forgive me for being so self-focused, trying to prove my worth... I want to LET GO of that and just dwell in Your amazing Love for me so out of that place I can just BE, be who You intend and love others as You have loved me - HELP me!!!!<br />
<br />
I walked to the Rose Garden...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsnB6aBsD3lJrk-EbmglTtgxiKKzDpcRcVNCPYwvdMOkZ1UXi_FiPqoOTjvd0ja_Nn_E36dtBcmEJAmWeK031P5CCnFY1veBN_XupiZP5PZEc4ONrmiJw3AKgEsQK_w7OsEdRfrdvf1MA/s1600/DSC05138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsnB6aBsD3lJrk-EbmglTtgxiKKzDpcRcVNCPYwvdMOkZ1UXi_FiPqoOTjvd0ja_Nn_E36dtBcmEJAmWeK031P5CCnFY1veBN_XupiZP5PZEc4ONrmiJw3AKgEsQK_w7OsEdRfrdvf1MA/s1600/DSC05138.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mark 8:22-26 Jesus, why did You lead the blind man out of the village to heal him, was it to have a private moment with You?<br />
<br />
<i>Yes, just like this private moment with you, My Eden, in this rose garden. You want to experience My love and know Me as intimately as a bridegroom tenderly and romantically knows His bride. Where better to woo you and desire you than in a rose garden? Just sit with me for a moment in the warmth of the sun/Son, in the quiet of My Presence and partake of Me, receive Me....</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I see Jesus riding up to me on a white stallion as I am walking by myself toward the Rose Garden. He sweeps me off my feet and places me, oh so gently in front of Him on His horse as He wraps His warm strong arms around me and pulls me into Him. I see His strong, muscular arms holding me, arms that made the universe, arms that crated tables, chairs, homes. I feel incredibly safe. This is where I want to stay, always, so close I can feel His heart beating, beating for me! We get to the gate at the entrance to the garden and He dismounts and lifts me off and once again gently places me on solid ground. He opens the iron gate and invites me inside. I remember He IS the gate, inside to this holy place, the Holy of Holies where he wants to commune with me, only me. His eyes gaze deeply into mine...I feel tingly all over and it is as if He is seeing deeply into my soul. Tears spring to my eyes, I don't want Him to see that deeply into me, there is too much of my striving, false self that lives within. I turn away but He touches my shoulder and turns me back toward Himself. I cannot look into His eyes and yet I can sense His loving gaze inviting mine to join His...and so I do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2OI4jSmfY894QrsUKCxdRJX6MCD7OMt9xm5-kZ-OAKH0VaAcSpXhbhyphenhyphenQLJ1Ob04JTcPXWWkfwwPvySHxJoFXpUi3puyRfvwgaJ0QR_5PVZnbDEFrWrABK1J5CbXjoSqv6NgHWSERZVlX/s1600/DSC05140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2OI4jSmfY894QrsUKCxdRJX6MCD7OMt9xm5-kZ-OAKH0VaAcSpXhbhyphenhyphenQLJ1Ob04JTcPXWWkfwwPvySHxJoFXpUi3puyRfvwgaJ0QR_5PVZnbDEFrWrABK1J5CbXjoSqv6NgHWSERZVlX/s1600/DSC05140.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
He speaks into my heart...<br />
<i>How I adore you My love....</i><br />
<br />
A deep gut-wrenching grief overwhelms me and my tears begin to flow....<br />
I don't deserve You, Jesus. I so don't deserve You, You love, Your Presence...<br />
He just listens, lovingly, knowingly, knowing how important it is for me to confess my sin, so He can forgive me, free me, cleanse me...<br />
I try to find my worth in others affirmations of me, in what I do or know, even in boasting of my relationship with You (even if I only boast to myself in my mind).<br />
I compare myself to others either priding myself how far along I am (conceit) or how less than another i am (deceit).<br />
I strive to find my worth somewhere other than in You, my Lord, my Liege, why? Why do I seek anything outside of You?<br />
<br />
He listens. He is silent and still, as am I. I drop to my knees before Him and bow my head in shame.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftYjQpm5eaS-zjb1f3211zZ-ZJJ4f1zEDUim1a27QEcjl-i7peJpgz4NQhlI3T0GOHeHeG5F6Kv_3RyiiwRuzvUdaZFuDQSLuSpDXpUm9H8sj5UuvBq5ul1zDdCWIqpCL2rKR-fPqYkK8/s1600/KneelingAtTheCross1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftYjQpm5eaS-zjb1f3211zZ-ZJJ4f1zEDUim1a27QEcjl-i7peJpgz4NQhlI3T0GOHeHeG5F6Kv_3RyiiwRuzvUdaZFuDQSLuSpDXpUm9H8sj5UuvBq5ul1zDdCWIqpCL2rKR-fPqYkK8/s1600/KneelingAtTheCross1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I see I am now at His Cross. He is before me, crucified, naked, ashamed, condemned, just as I am. Then, His blood drips on my head, flows down all over me, covering me completely...and He speaks to His Father <i>.... Forgive her, she doesn't know what she has done...and even if she did, forgive her still....</i><br />
And then He speaks to me....<br />
<i>Deitra, Eden, Hephzibah, I forgive you with all My heart. I gave My life for yours, THAT is how valuable you are...my lifeblood poured out on your behalf. The bread blessed and broken, the wine poured out...all for you. </i><br />
<br />
I look once again and now I see Jesus all in white and glowing, glorified. He's alive! He is resurrected from the dead. He invites me to resurrection as well...no words...just an inviting gaze into my eyes and straight to my soul. It is as if His laser focus is burning away the dross and going directly to my soul...and I know a deep knowing that I am healed, I am forgiven, washed whiter than snow, I am pure, cleansed, made new and I share a Oneness with the great I AM that cannot be described. It is as if in that moment of receiving His ultimate sacrifice for me that He enters in and we become ONE, bride and groom, an intimacy of body, soul, spirit and I am known to the core of my being...we become one essence. He lives in me, closer than my breath and I can rest forever in this truth, this intimacy, this oneness that completely fills me full and fulfills me. Right there, in the center of the Rose Garden.<br />
I ask Him, "Was there a rose garden in Eden, my Love?"<br />
<i>Yes, My Delight, there was! And there is an even more beautiful one in Heaven and when you get there, That is where I will meet you.</i><br />
And can there be some hydrangeas as well? You know how much I love blue!<br />
<i>Of course, He answers, more than you can even imagine!</i><br />
I don't ever want to leave You, my Love, my Liege. I don't ever want to look anywhere else or to anyone else to know how loved I am but to You. To do so would be adultery.<br />
<i>Stay with me awhile then.... I am always with you. I never leave you. You just need to turn your eyes to Me and live in the present moment in My Presence to be with Me. Keep this picture in your heart so you can return to it/Me whenever you desire. Even though there are no roses blooming in this garden, when you sit with Me, I want you to think of My adoring, all consuming love for you whenever you smell any roses...literally and figuratively, meaning when you lively fully in the Present moment with Me. My sweet fragrance will alert you to My Presence with you.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NrENPDNEIyqmLiK_bcGPPWfKlemdevanijhYK8IBVLkBcknMHuMWPjgU5fFAhwKdlyrqlQMjOMGpjOUw6ifvzFQGW1IhsIm4ldbsSa1DutyIyJbXurtIzezbyY5V9IJ2f0uJekbZhQk8/s1600/roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NrENPDNEIyqmLiK_bcGPPWfKlemdevanijhYK8IBVLkBcknMHuMWPjgU5fFAhwKdlyrqlQMjOMGpjOUw6ifvzFQGW1IhsIm4ldbsSa1DutyIyJbXurtIzezbyY5V9IJ2f0uJekbZhQk8/s1600/roses.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
And now Papa speaks to me:<br />
<i>You are My princess, the daughter of the Most High King. I created you for intimacy, oneness with My Son, the Prince. Therefore you are a double princess. born of royalty, born to be one with royalty to serve in My Kingdom, to serve My people. You do that so well My daughter. Do not let your self-focus get in the way of doing what I've called you to do. Go and sin no more....Keep your motives pure by keeping your eyes on Me, not on yourself or even on others. As you companion with My Son and His Spirit within you, you will walk resting, in a relaxed manner with Me, no longer needing the approval of others because You have Mine and that alone is enough. I am always enough for you. Others may speak into your life but I have the final say. Stay, dwell, abide in Me and My love for you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Mark 8:26 Don't go back into the village on your way home.<br />
<i>Deitra, do not go back to your old thought patterns of comparison and looking for approval as you companion with Me on your "way home" - walk more deeply the way of humility; I will show you how...when you have something exciting to share, a new insight or aha, share it first with Me! Delight in it with Me and let Me delight in it with you, affirm you in it. Only then will you know if and when to share it with another. It is not about never sharing. It is about your motive in sharing. If you find delight in Me with it first, you will quell the need to share from wrong motives, to find love and approval outside of Me. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
My Songline: Jesus, You First<br />
My Lord, My Liege, My Love<br />
You alone are my desire<br />
Your love for me is as the roses scent<br />
Wafting through my heart, my soul<br />
You overcome me with Your grace<br />
Your eyes penetrate with burning love for me<br />
to the deepest part of my being<br />
burning away the dross<br />
making me pure<br />
so I can experience the Oneness<br />
You died to secure for me.<br />
What other man....<br />
would give everything He has<br />
Speak with love in what He says?<br />
Lay down His life to set me free<br />
What other man would give His life for me?<br />
<i><br /></i>Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-58770064410639980032014-04-05T07:36:00.000-07:002014-04-05T07:36:11.221-07:00Hidden Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZQ3nfPTAO-q5szjpNdg-VxZzsnb8HzJu9fcQI-y6Y2sAAKUi2D8xmGPp75cXXUAR-AZH0sGZYSLPDyVeWryZxNpGsD_K7X_Qg0uTuSTYGJwSJvcbH9nM_GZ3-8SVbIusYUJnzSKgIklJ/s1600/DSC05050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZQ3nfPTAO-q5szjpNdg-VxZzsnb8HzJu9fcQI-y6Y2sAAKUi2D8xmGPp75cXXUAR-AZH0sGZYSLPDyVeWryZxNpGsD_K7X_Qg0uTuSTYGJwSJvcbH9nM_GZ3-8SVbIusYUJnzSKgIklJ/s1600/DSC05050.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I see my pride coming forth in wanting others to notice my spirituality or in comparing my level of spirituality to others (God, I hate to even admit that!). Forgive my pride in wanting to be accepted because i am so spiritual or have the correct perspective on things. I don't want to live out of this part of my false self. I want to be authentic with You about my doubts and disappointments. Pride show up in me as self-righteousness and hiding my real struggles from myself, God and others. Help me to be totally real with myself first and foremost and with You so I can be real with others.<br />
<br />
<i>Clouds can be a protection, from the intense burning rays of the sun that can make me hot or burn and blister my skin. Sometimes My mystery, your lack of understanding is how I protect your heart from further hurt. Faith is not certainty, but uncertainty and yet belief, not because you know the answers but because you know the One who does and thus you don't have to. It is walking into the unknown with Me and trusting that you don't have to know because I do.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Practice Being Known</i><br />
<i>It's all about THE VIEW, isn't it? Yours....or Mine? Which will you choose? Will you give up yours so you can find Mine? Sometimes its as big as those huge red sandstone monoliths you see here in Colorado...other times it is My "hidden garden" like the one you see before you here at Glen Eyrie that you must search out to be with Me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You are as a hidden garden, Eden, My Beauty....but I am asking you , inviting you to hide your beauty so that you may be all and do all only for the eyes of your Beloved, the One who longs for your entire desire and heart. Humility is your way home, so hiding your truthful insights from others behind My cloud of unknowing is one way to do that. I know you more than you know yourself...how often in a new group, you make yourself known and think it is about authenticity when really it is your false self yearning for acceptance and esteem when really you are just hiding your shame, your fear of unacceptability. But I love you just the same...love you so that your true self can shine forth to Me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Lord, what does that look like? What are You inviting me into?<br />
<br />
<i>Like the short, spindly, dense, barren batch of trees in front of you, the deadness in you (false self, no life here) is twisted and vined, no life just barrenness, blocks your view of truth, you, Me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I want to let that go...show me how...<br />
<br />
<i>By resting in me, being open to My gaze, letting go of the last vestiges of having to help, achieve, give the wise insight...silence, secrecy, valuing others above your self and finding your true worth in Me alone.</i><br />
<i>By being real with yourself about the negative and not just the positive. Don't rationalize or try to figure Me out - live My mystery in peace and in My Presence. Just BE. You are loved. You matter. You have so much to give the world and the hearts in it.</i><br />
<br />
My response is by the grace of God, I am what I am.... I Cor. 15:10 I want to live fully into this. I am powerless to do so without You. I surrender my mental process, my desire for love, acceptance, value, affirmation and esteem outside of You. Purge out of me any dross that keeps me from wholeheartedly reflecting a pure image of You, God. Strip away my false self, help me die to my false self, create in me a clean heart O God. Renew my spirit with Your own!<br />
<br />
"We must accept ourselves just as we are, if the Holy Spirit is to change us for the better." Interior Freedom<br />
<br />
written at LTML Facilitators Gathering April 8, 2013<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-36871169396963099752014-03-29T06:43:00.000-07:002014-03-29T06:43:01.859-07:00let them go firstHumility is about trying not to act so much like a jerk, trying not to feel and act so entitled. We let other go first. How can something so simple be so profound, letting others go first...even if no one cares or notices? But you'll know. And it can change your whole day, which could be a way to change your whole life. There really is only today, although luckily that is also the eternal now.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(paraphrase from Anne Lamott's <i>Help, Thanks, Wow</i> from last year's journal)</span>Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-26182459507529791922014-03-07T11:52:00.000-08:002014-03-07T11:52:30.316-08:00Give it away....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVowWEulMhYKhd1t92AEGkyogbWPD1lfjYYMvtvSLdu8AOKz04pNi1CzHIdi3rU2BYX_Vzq1LswlTkPC9tZulHN_vSb5LOq5yWR2O1skdMZLJhzcHm5GsoXZKNeMs1rdDC4nLtjqdUqd0S/s1600/jesus-christ-giving-authority-to-his-apostles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVowWEulMhYKhd1t92AEGkyogbWPD1lfjYYMvtvSLdu8AOKz04pNi1CzHIdi3rU2BYX_Vzq1LswlTkPC9tZulHN_vSb5LOq5yWR2O1skdMZLJhzcHm5GsoXZKNeMs1rdDC4nLtjqdUqd0S/s1600/jesus-christ-giving-authority-to-his-apostles.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
Look at how Jesus handles power...He gives it away...empowering others! When the Pharisees see Jesus baptizing more than John, Jesus stops. When He heals people, He commissions his disciples to go and do likewise. "Now this is extraordinary, Jesus has absolutely no need to be the center of attention. He sends his friends out to do the very thing He does; he gives them a major role in His campaign, in His Story (in history). You go do it. Do everything you see Me doing. This is humility and this is extraordinarily generous. Jesus is absolutely openhanded with His Kingdom. There is no need for the whole thing to be always about Him. He is absolutely delighted to share His Kingdom with us."<br />
<br />
The light dawned as I read this scripture and even before John Eldredge spelled it out, I saw this is my way home...this is what God is inviting me into, this is how He wants me to be just like Jesus...empowering others to share what i do others so more can experience God. This is the way of humility.<br />
<br />
quote from The Utter Relief of Holiness by John Eldredge, pp32Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-49318392800573726422014-03-03T05:47:00.002-08:002014-03-03T05:47:30.992-08:00Where is your treasure?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdKlXorAoMpefBdfeHyFYb37TVOIRAVdq_-v8vuK0SQp1nsKhjPnSsq23Br6NT0-SenfpPIrPW-vKxU2X6X93idIcAMKyWT8ktc5utwuVlV4WwF6Y-R6IP_9UmgzWD_XmG0WxFa9rJv5x/s1600/treasure+chest+dance+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdKlXorAoMpefBdfeHyFYb37TVOIRAVdq_-v8vuK0SQp1nsKhjPnSsq23Br6NT0-SenfpPIrPW-vKxU2X6X93idIcAMKyWT8ktc5utwuVlV4WwF6Y-R6IP_9UmgzWD_XmG0WxFa9rJv5x/s1600/treasure+chest+dance+ball.jpg" height="303" width="320" /></a></div>
Have you ever woken up from an unusual dream that stuck with you and you thought it might have some meaning hidden in it somewhere for you? That happens to me on occasion and on THIS occasion, I decided to ask God what it meant.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's the dream:</div>
<div>
A handsome boy is sitting on a treasure chest at the bottom of a swimming pool filled with water, pondering. Someone from outside the pool, lights a fuse running from the treasure chest but it starts burning from the chest up and out of the water, instead of from the outside down. When the boy sees the fire running up the fuse, he realizes it's going to explode and kill him so he swims as hard as he can up to the surface and the second before it explodes, he rolls out of the pool. The dream ended here. I titled it: Sin kills from the Inside Out</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's what I sensed God was saying to me through this dream:</div>
<div>
<i>Sin comes to tempt you from outside of yourself sometimes, but also it lives within and once it is triggered from outside, it ignites inside. It can kill not only you but all around you. Once you are aware of it, the best thing you can do is to extricate yourself from it as quickly as possible to avoid destruction.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think because the book i'm reading on Lent is focusing on my sin, that is why i had this dream...to see the bigger, overall impact of sin on my life and others. I wonder what the boy was pondering while at the bottom of the pool? What should he do next? Maybe the dangers of sitting too close to sin and pondering, harboring it in your heart? And how dangerous that is, or something about making a decision to sin? He might have been pondering the treasures of his ministry (treasure chest= treasure, water=ministry in the dream world) and how easily he could have become prideful about <i>his</i> ministry which would have triggered the fuse to ignite, which could very quickly explode his ministry and even himself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also thought about the verse that says, "Where your treasure is, there will you heart be also." Is what i do my treasure? Or Whom I serve? If it is what i do, that can so easily lead to pride and pride goes before a fall...pride puffs me up and then I could "explode." What makes all the difference in this scenario is my focus. Is my focus on MY ministry and what I have accomplished or on what God has accomplished in me, through me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I asked God what He wanted me to know for me personally from my dream, He's what i sensed in my spirit:</div>
<div>
<i>First of all, you need to recognize that even though I've given you a new heart, you still do sin. Confession is the key I've given you to unlock the treasure chest of your heart and let the sin out before it kills. The sarcasm you used the other day hurt your relationship with that person...and hurt your heart even more than theirs when you realized how it might have come across. You thought you were being funny, but it didn't translate that way. You didn't think you were a sarcastic person but just when you think "I'm not capable of THAT, or I would never say THAT," THAT is when the enemy sees a crack in your armor (hello pride!) and shoots his fiery dart. Your words can kill or heal so be intentional with them, using words of honor, respect and value always.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Be aware...when you sin, confess quickly to the person because that allows you to walk in humility instead of pride. And know you will sin because you have not yet entered Glory and been perfectly perfected. Do not let the enemy deceive you by looking at how you don't sin (like the Pharisee and the tax collector) thinking that because you don't do THAT sin, you DON'T sin. Remember when you judge others, that judgment lands right back on you. My principle of sowing and reaping works in the negative as well as the positive. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-76406522731661122542014-02-26T04:07:00.000-08:002014-02-26T04:07:02.091-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqLpQ_gluwFOxD3_02wnGlyVuGZaaHPyWL0AghLFTQ49L6gIJKuLxtPvwYAsbhuUBJ9Xlb3pVE6C6-un0HKhsEn0KG8DjeAg1You6OJ8XNSjI0mvtzul5K2g6sN8dgiV7eLRgvZ3TioOl/s1600/behold-the-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqLpQ_gluwFOxD3_02wnGlyVuGZaaHPyWL0AghLFTQ49L6gIJKuLxtPvwYAsbhuUBJ9Xlb3pVE6C6-un0HKhsEn0KG8DjeAg1You6OJ8XNSjI0mvtzul5K2g6sN8dgiV7eLRgvZ3TioOl/s1600/behold-the-man.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
The authorities found Jesus totally innocent and proclaimed His innocence to the people...and yet they still demanded His death. Mainly because the religious authorities thought they were correct in their judgment against Him. How often do i make the huge mistake of judging someone's motives incorrectly? Too often - forgive me Father. Often I even judge You; whenever i don't believe what You've told me, promised me... I am just like the religious elite,thinking I'm better than You, or that i KNOW better than You, being self-righteous. Expose that in me, God, every time, so i can step away from my pride and kneel humbly at Your feet.Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-39928147744401781222014-02-24T05:14:00.001-08:002014-02-24T05:14:53.328-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXHF18fU0RCGh_0JhF4eMVojOvFl8zBYxHanb2smm8P9dv9Ul5TKUWyKzH1VzP0O2xTu1DmXzVtjjdMitEypENUDqovV5GnU3TU8u31aHYyp8zrJyM3JwrvlvKTiB1-Jv4uCct8LlUCIR/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXHF18fU0RCGh_0JhF4eMVojOvFl8zBYxHanb2smm8P9dv9Ul5TKUWyKzH1VzP0O2xTu1DmXzVtjjdMitEypENUDqovV5GnU3TU8u31aHYyp8zrJyM3JwrvlvKTiB1-Jv4uCct8LlUCIR/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
Humility is ...<br />
...being content when change is impossible.<br />
...knowing what you don't know.<br />
...knowing that you don't know everything.<br />
...living with what you don't like.<br />
...enjoying what you can't explain...the hidden manna moments God gives to us every day.<br />
...discovering what you can't discover...acknowledging the gap between you and God...He is infinite and we are finite...we will never fully understand His ways because His ways are not our ways...they are higher.<br />
...accepting our limitations.<br />
...knowing God is God and I am not Him.<br />
<br />
excerpt from Living Waters article by David Jeremiah.<br />
<br />Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-67058136412330335682014-02-22T08:14:00.000-08:002014-02-22T08:14:24.808-08:00Falling Upward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22C1-8Iw2Il__jLmePme7iba_Zzpdm7f8RtbFSdJAuUilAXIwLs4BOsyfiiKcvFYcEMc8vbcpHUfSnIlO2F9UvWedKH4AvnoUuikbbQqMRITrkgXaVhGyqFS7my_FU84YEplwAREC7x4j/s1600/Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22C1-8Iw2Il__jLmePme7iba_Zzpdm7f8RtbFSdJAuUilAXIwLs4BOsyfiiKcvFYcEMc8vbcpHUfSnIlO2F9UvWedKH4AvnoUuikbbQqMRITrkgXaVhGyqFS7my_FU84YEplwAREC7x4j/s1600/Cross.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Humility is the path of the Cross...first Jesus experience suffering and death, then resurrection and glorification. This is the way of life and peace...for us to first embrace death of our false self so that our true self can resurrection and we can live in the glory God originally meant for us, reflecting Him to our world. The way up is down..falling upwards so to speak... He must increase and I must decrease. John 3:30Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-58477363911833562822014-02-17T07:04:00.003-08:002014-02-17T07:09:04.723-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFuN2Ykqk1lO22vjgxoci0OopOl5Thor7_mdzDzbhzeqoAkdf1q_zGx96Zc5CMjrpeh3_QTI_718VKwrhTBtL6zOV_FEfY0hm-ZMYtwXmL9Nf4rQBhEVnIv2tjDELIof1QlCNa956ByRY/s1600/common_sense_humility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFuN2Ykqk1lO22vjgxoci0OopOl5Thor7_mdzDzbhzeqoAkdf1q_zGx96Zc5CMjrpeh3_QTI_718VKwrhTBtL6zOV_FEfY0hm-ZMYtwXmL9Nf4rQBhEVnIv2tjDELIof1QlCNa956ByRY/s1600/common_sense_humility.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Pride is independence...humility is dependence on God.<br />
Pride is an unwillingness to wait for God to act in His own time and in His own way.<br />
Pride rushes in to take matters into its own hands when it appears that God is not working fast enough.<br />
Pride is impatience.<br />
Pride is wanting to be in control of our situations.<br />
<br />
The Cross represents the death of all my own plans, all my own ideas, my own desires, my own hopes and dreams. It is most of all the absolute death of my own will. This is true humility. Humility is associated only with the Cross.<br />
<br />
Philippians 2:8 He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross...doing the will of God who sent Him. John 4:34<br />
<br />
One of the biggest traps for Christians is a good idea that is not God's mind...a good strategy that is not His... a well-conceived plan that is not His will for us. First we must die to our self-will in order to clearly hear God's will.<br />
<br />
Humility is trusting God to do the right thing at the right time in the right way. It is trusting Him to use you in the right way at the right time.<br />
<br />
Humility is patiently waiting on the Lord in a spirit of expectant faith. God says, "You won't be sorry if you do it My way. Patience is doing a work in you. You are becoming strong by waiting in faith. Let patience do its perfect work in you. "<br />
<br />
Colossians 1:10-11 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. <br />
<br />
Humility is believing that God's intentions for you are deeply good, all the time.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Excerpt from The Awful Sin of Pride, David Wilkerson, Living Water Magazine Vol 19 #2 </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">with a few thoughts of my own interspersed.</span><br />
<span class="text Col-1-11" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-33575652886226543292014-02-17T06:49:00.001-08:002014-02-17T06:49:26.505-08:00I need You God....Humility is the capacity first to submit yourself to God, then to submit yourself to the difficult circumstances of life. A step to humility is: I can't handle this. This is too much for me. God I need You. Father I need your grace. I need your forgiveness. I need to learn through this. It's not easy for me... Humility is our realization of our insignificance apart from God.<br />
from an article by James MacDonaldDeitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-68673405707021096452014-02-04T13:17:00.001-08:002014-02-04T13:17:39.194-08:00Pride is.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC5v5-SBiAKOEmMkQE9mrNKFQ4d_NtRdljirjVi14wI7gkl3rf3mqzD2Xoh1jxtSdXd_GSBBXNyu2cX07_xXHTDv03AabgU9nbJvYpVRwZHEZH2hr_VqsO3TmAgW-71BUeRBXipnKB1tR/s1600/aaron-bacall--it-hurts-when-i-swallow-my-pride--cartoon_i-G-65-6598-74S2100Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC5v5-SBiAKOEmMkQE9mrNKFQ4d_NtRdljirjVi14wI7gkl3rf3mqzD2Xoh1jxtSdXd_GSBBXNyu2cX07_xXHTDv03AabgU9nbJvYpVRwZHEZH2hr_VqsO3TmAgW-71BUeRBXipnKB1tR/s1600/aaron-bacall--it-hurts-when-i-swallow-my-pride--cartoon_i-G-65-6598-74S2100Z.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Pride is when I try to do what only God can do...to think i am so capable that i can fix anything or anyone, so wise i can understand anything and everything. Pride is expressed when i try to go beyond the limitations God has given me.Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-81200469388804071882014-01-30T07:19:00.002-08:002014-01-30T07:19:38.361-08:00See the best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmIPAkE4Y8Y0VbVJXpPJNBSPps11AkrGYTfLskon40DZaTclQw7vxRwIkeVqLtK3RdZeNUTxJ-86lvOw-AVrqBW85XaGnSZGGTQUAwaLBZH0Rh_DVZ15Opl0VbuZPVMcGqh8sT3M92Vpp/s1600/img_1194357049_14942_1196982327_mod_188_158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmIPAkE4Y8Y0VbVJXpPJNBSPps11AkrGYTfLskon40DZaTclQw7vxRwIkeVqLtK3RdZeNUTxJ-86lvOw-AVrqBW85XaGnSZGGTQUAwaLBZH0Rh_DVZ15Opl0VbuZPVMcGqh8sT3M92Vpp/s1600/img_1194357049_14942_1196982327_mod_188_158.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Usually everyday i read my last year's journal to remind myself where i was spiritually last year and often get blessed all over again with what God was saying to me. Today was one of those days when i discovered another entry about humility....<br />
<br />
(I was listing people i admire and what about their lives spoke to me. God's response was this....)<br />
<i>Yes, you do need to see people from My perspective and notice their true self & how uniquely I've made each. You tend to judge what you don't like...I'm asking you to LET GO of that because it only elevates your pride - see My best in each one and you will come home to Me on My path of humility, grateful for your friends and they will feel My love for them through you.</i><br />
<br />
Help me Papa! I want this to be a part of who I am, my truest self...open my eyes to see Your good in all Ii encounter....Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-79328298392984668682014-01-17T09:37:00.001-08:002014-01-17T09:37:19.805-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO0JUQcKSeWfNKrCkdus-hKQ6QkIANeRpFQcdGeTjjrbZVkIELdNfGmk8g1CPnd86OUzRi7IhKougzRmZWlBurhgQebFz6P9dAMe9puNDWN43yvaa0W3QYt5iDDkvzx7D8MFPRDV9n2BB/s1600/confession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO0JUQcKSeWfNKrCkdus-hKQ6QkIANeRpFQcdGeTjjrbZVkIELdNfGmk8g1CPnd86OUzRi7IhKougzRmZWlBurhgQebFz6P9dAMe9puNDWN43yvaa0W3QYt5iDDkvzx7D8MFPRDV9n2BB/s1600/confession.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Confession leads to humility because it says i have sins, weaknesses, limits. Humility is willing to say i am wrong and <i>might</i> be wrong. Confession leads to a teachable heart (as does humility) which leads to intimacy in relationships... nothing standing between you and me.... me and God. Humility is being willing to forgive and be forgiven.Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7259873264757319637.post-31927300538935530882014-01-17T09:35:00.000-08:002014-01-17T09:35:00.332-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCZQShH6jRcr16fpFagKxA3XzRhxWMdeNMBv6HC3zPjCc5Re4R0XGRHA_T-YYyBdOD9zb31sviiOTh6gpQNso-f8Vdz3fJJpt-qKC8gc9gk_gkgVU-vVSD9EPechoeQJuY8VmZtmzP9Y/s1600/intentionality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCZQShH6jRcr16fpFagKxA3XzRhxWMdeNMBv6HC3zPjCc5Re4R0XGRHA_T-YYyBdOD9zb31sviiOTh6gpQNso-f8Vdz3fJJpt-qKC8gc9gk_gkgVU-vVSD9EPechoeQJuY8VmZtmzP9Y/s1600/intentionality.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Having "intentional wings" means this is what i intend, desire, hope to do even though I know I can't do this perfectly, or without failure or without the enabling of God BUT it IS my intention, my desire...to continue to walk toward humility, to continue to try and "put it on"... knowing there is a "desperate surrender, trusting the Lord to undertake for me, the goal is still the high place, but the gear feels lighter... inherent in my intended wing is my acknowledged inadequacy and my high desire...but what i learn and what i say will become more and more a reality in my mind and heart and action." excerpt and thoughts taken from Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming.Deitra Shoemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394553029854041504noreply@blogger.com0