Duck Tape Ain't Got Nothin' to do with It

Yup.  I'm pretty sure that's duck tape too.  But that's got nothing to do with the story.

My husband recommended this.  Enjoy.  It's kinda scary though.  You have been warned.  :)

2 Chronicles 7

THE LORD's Response to Solomon
11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the LORD, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace.12 Then one night the LORD appeared to Solomon and said,

"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
  17 "As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations,18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, 'One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.'
  19 "But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods,20 then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations.21 And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, 'Why did the LORD do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?'
  22 "And the answer will be, 'Because his people abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why he has brought all these disasters on them.'"

Resource: newlivingtranslation.com

Sweet dreams ;)  Tara K

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Take a Load Off

This cat knows how to take a load off...  But not quite what I mean...

We cannot carry the weight.  God is The One who is strong.  We are the vessels, but we are also weak.  He carries the message, we live it.  We walk the path, but He bends it in the right direction.  We rest in His Word while He breaks down the the walls.

We don't have to do all the work.  Don't feel that heavy weight.  You are not responsible.  You are not in control.  You are NOT THE CREATOR.  The only thing you are responsible for is you.  Do what He asks of you by living for Him.  Here is your responsibility:

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:  You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. -James 1:19

Guys.  We often fail here.   But this is the key.  When the world looks at you, do you want them to see someone who is like them or even more temperamental?  Someone who doesn't really wanna hear what they have to say because we're too busy giving our righteous thoughts or boasting in who we are?  No!  Why would they want to be like that?  Come on.  Let's get it together.

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.  So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don't just listen to God's word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  -James 1:20-22

You don't have to be a great actor to fool yourself into this.

If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.  -James 1:26-27

Guys, every single word in that last paragraph is so important.

Control your tongue.  If not, everything you are trying to do and be for God is worthless.

Care for those in need.  And not just by donating your old sneakers.

Refuse to let the world corrupt you.  It can.  Don't let it.  Be bold.  Be strong.  But let it be IN HIM, THROUGH THE SPIRIT, not through your own strength.

Rely on Him.  Take a deep breath.  Take a load off.

By Grace, Tara K

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Working for the Lord through the World

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

-Colossians 3:23-24

This is an instructional for "slaves."  Now I'm pretty sure we don't have that going on in America anymore... But God's Word is timeless.  It is forever true.  And this is not just to the type of "slaves" we knew of;  this is to those of us who work for other people.  Even the head honcho at your workplace has a boss... somewhere, they do.  So this is laid out pretty plainly for us.  We need to live with the supernatural in mind at all times.

Now read the beginning of that passage:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do.  Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you.  [God is always watching, isn't He?  And someone on earth is always watching you too... somewhere, they are.]  Serve them sincerely [honestly and truthfully intend to serve them] because of your reverent fear of the Lord.

Vs. 22-23

Now.   Reverence.  Do we have it?  In this day and age, it's not so common.  We haven't been taught it.  Or if we have, we have forgotten it, and are letting it slip through our communal fingers.  Not only do we not have it for others, but we often don't for our Father either.

As an encouragement in closing, read Colossians 4:1-6.

Have a great night, folks.  I know you guys who went to see Jeremy Camp had a great time!!!

Sleep well, sweet dreams, and all the fluffy good stuff, Tara K

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worship no one can hear

Do you worship God in private? Do you lift your voice up even when only He can hear? Do you read and sing aloud the Word of God FOR God when no one else is around?

Or does that happen more often when others are around, or when you're in church?

It's a good question for all of us.

Love ya much, Tara K

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desert is where u grow

Remember. It it is the desert where u grow. Not in times when all is good and fine and easy. The desert.

If u find yourself in the desert, don't give up. Persevere. Learn what He wants u 2 learn. Become who He wants u 2 b. B steadfast. Have peace. Don't get restless. Don't say goodbye and give up nor give in.

It is what u do n the desert that determines ur future. Don't take the easy road.

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Brothers, pray for us.
Greet all brothers with a holy kiss.
I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.". -1 Thes. 5:23-28

I say, "Good day." ;)
Tara K

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What is up peeps???

Remember me?

I just wanted to stop in and say hi.

Did you ever have a preacher that told the story abou the lottery and the power of prayer?

This is a random story, that a preacher told long ago at a church I attended and it has stuck with me. I often think back to it. Now, I know most of you have probably heard it before, but I wanted to tell it again anyways just in case someone out there hears it and gains a little inspiration.

So the Bible says if we have faith just the size of a tiny mustard seed, we can move mountains. Well, a guy who we will call Grayson, read that and decided that with the faith he had, he could definitely win the lottery.

Each day, Grayson would pray. "Dear Lord, I know that you are all powerful. I ask that you let me win the lottery today!" He prayed this prayer for days and days became weeks and weeks became months and months became years.

Finally, Grayson was older, but still every morning he would ease down to his knees and pray to win the lottery.

One evening, Grayson took his last breath and headed up to heaven. As he was lead through the gates he finally met the Lord. Grayson was a hardheaded man and he just had to know the answer to why his faith had not been fulfilled. He said, "Lord, I had so much faith. I knew that I would win the lottery. I prayed every day for years! Why did you not let me win?"

The Lord looked at him and smiled and said, "Grayson, my son, why didn't you buy a ticket?"

You see, you can't just have faith with out action. The truth is, if you really have faith, you'll have the courage or the motivation to take that first step. Is there something in your life that you feel you have prayed and prayed about but are not making progress in? If so...maybe you're forgetting to buy your ticket.

God has blessed us so much. Sometimes He'll take so much of the weight that you feel like you should just be able to float through and forget that he also blessed you with the feet to do your own walking.

So I just want to encourage myself and anyone that might be reading to take a step, buy a ticket, use what God gave you! He's got so much in store for all of us!!!

Have a great day!!!

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Potential Schmotential

The World is your canvas...

So I've been seeing people with huge potential not reach it lately.  And I'm not talking "careers" here either, folks.  I'm talking about who we are!  Not only do they not reach it, but instead, they are running in the opposite direction!  Why?  Is it because we are scared of our greatness, of responsibility, of true surrender?

I don't know.  I honestly cannot tell you why.  At first, I could assume it was because of not enough confidence, too much competition, thinking we are too busy, or perhaps just because of misdirection.

But I am thinking it is more than that now.  Surely we don't let petty things like that get in the way of our greatness?  Surely we don't let simplemindedness or selfishness get in the way of total surrender to God?  Right?

Or is that just it?  Do we think, deep deep down inside, that total surrender sounds too scary?  It's not!  From experience, I can tell you that it is so nice to be able to breathe and just "Let God!"

Is it pride?  Are we cowards?

I don't know.  But I find it hard to have sympathy.  You've gotta work your way to the top.  It's not gonna happen over night.  You've gotta work your way to greatness.  It's not like instant potatoes.  It takes time, love, dedication, sacrifice and care.

Don't spew out negativity.

Don't you wanna get look back on your life and see all the crazy hard stuff you did, and think, yeah.  I really did give it my best shot.  No fear.

We've all gotta work on our potential.  I know I need to.

Tara K

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Here Comes the Controversy

Woo wee.  I got all fired up today about something I read yesterday.  Didn't realize it made me so passionate...

So our president made a speech to the kids of America a few days ago (?).  I had read somewhere that it was "sinister," which made me wanna have a read at this speech.  So I clicked on the link and read every single bit of it.  It was the kind of speech, to me, that your basketball coach would give you to make you wanna be the best you can be.  An authoritative speech directed towards kids asking them to them obey their teachers, give forth their best efforts, work hard at developing their talents, and in time, a better world will become of it.  Yes, he said a few times that it would make a better America.  But to me, it would make a better life for us all.  When we all try our best, and we put forth every effort to be respectful and hard-working, we will see a better tomorrow.  In turn, people will begin to treat us differently.

He even mentioned that he had a hard life;  he didn't always have the money or fatherly influence that other kids had.  But that was no excuse to treat people rudely and without respect.

I dunno.  Your thoughts?  Am I missing something?  Are these not good things to strive for?  Sure.  Do these things for a better America.  But for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of our world, do it for Him!  Jesus was one who respected.  He was also one who stood boldly for what He believed in.  He never gave in to temptation.  He was gentle, kind, yet bold in Spirit.

Many of us did not vote for President Obama to become our president.  But now that he is our president, many have chosen to pray for him, as we should!  I believed this speech to be very encouraging to the younger generations to stand strong and to not give in.  Do you not believe your prayers for our president to be so powerful?  Do you not believe in what prayer can do at all?

Here is the link to the speech.  Let me know what ya think:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks

By Grace, Tara K

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Labor Day Weekend

Well, for my Labor Day weekend, I've been feeling pretty silly.  We've had fun laughing and such... but you may find yourself feeling a bit stuck.  There is someone... or something like you out there that feels the same way:

Feeling Stuck?

Feel like singing?

I hope you've had a great weekend... whatever it is that you may find yourself doing!  Let's thank God for work, past, present and future.  And for our country!  For your family, and this time with them!

In Him, Tara K

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Pieces

How to fit the pieces together.  Just right.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?  There is hope for a fool than for him.

-Proverbs  26:12

I know it sounds simple, but we have to keep that in check.  Where does your wisdom come from?

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

-Proverbs 28:1

Does it take someone else to light a fire under you to get you motivated, or are you one of the ones taking action, being bold, standing strong?

Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

-Proverbs 28:18

Integrity of the world verses integrity of the Word.  Usually very different.  Our ways can be crooked without us even realizing it.  Don't let the world's integrity be yours.  Let the Word give you the advice; let the Word be the example you follow.

One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

-Proverbs 29:23

Growing up, in order to toughen us up, we are told to have confidence and take pride in ourselves.  But the confidence and pride that we have should be in who we are IN Jesus, and who we are BECAUSE of Him.  Therefore knowing these things we are lowly in our own spirit; we know where are strength comes from, and that we are undeserving.

In order to obtain His honor, we must find holiness.  In order to find holiness, we must have repentance.  In order to be in TRUE repentance, we must confess our sins, and truly mean and understand the wrong in what we've done, which makes us not WANT to commit these sins again.  You will be broken, not hurt.  Do you know the difference?  Being broken, you know that there are pieces of you that only God can put together.  When you are broken, it's not about you anymore- it's the greater purpose.

It takes a lot of self-reflection and prayer.  We will never get to a perfect being, but let's strive to be like our best buddy in His honor!  I'm right there with ya!

By Grace, Tara K

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