tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18462862236409497462024-02-07T20:46:38.880-06:00INSIDE THE SHRINKIF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED (OR NOT) WHAT IS ON THE MIND OF A SHRINK, HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUTINSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-46983939734824232782015-01-16T07:00:00.000-06:002015-01-16T07:00:10.144-06:00PRIDE, YOU GOTTA GO!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Friday, January 16, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lord, speak through me. No! Speak to me. Is my desire to be an open vessel bordering on pride that I would look past what this vessel needs before it can rightly pour out from You and for You? Why do I sit in Your presence waiting for pearls of wisdom to share with others rather than put my face on the floor and empty myself so You can fill me? Only then will I have something worthy to give out. Please give me discernment for that subtle pride that I take for anointing. It's not what I know, not what I have seen, and not what spiritual vision and maturity I might have. It is only You in me. I will sit in Your presence, consciously emptying myself of me while waiting for You to fill me with Yourself. I must decrease, and You will increase. Only then can I be Your true servant. I desire Your fullness. Therefore, I have to wear the cloak of humility.</span><br />
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INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-12572452471203367782015-01-13T07:13:00.000-06:002015-01-13T07:13:22.664-06:00I FOUND THE FILLING STATION!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">M<span style="font-size: large;">y Lord really does hear my prayers! I asked Him to search me and show me things that need to change. Just since the first of the year, that has resulted in several pretty major changes. This morning as I sat in quiet worship, with a Christian song playing in the background that I had never heard before, He spoke to me in that inner voice so clearly.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">'Bobbi, you have been straining your spirit to reach Me, to get closer to Me, to be more like Me. Don't you remember, religion is man reaching out to find me? My child, remember, it is Me who reached down to you and you accepted Me. Now you don't need to strain to reach Me. I AM already with you. Rest your spirit in that, revel in it, let it strengthen your being with My power and love. Use your spiritual energy to give to others, to love others, to show others how to live in My presence. As you continue to give out what I pour in, I am abundantly pouring back into you far more than you could ever give away in your lifetime. Enjoy Me, bask in the center of My love and grace that surrounds you and is in you. What you have been spiritually striving for is already with you. Keep fasting and praying. Those are of acts of obedience to Me that I cannot resist. Greater things are coming. Take My hand, I will be sharing it all with you.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><span style="color: grey;">I AM NOT A HUMAN BEING </span><span style="color: grey;">HAVING</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong> A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>I AM A SPIRITUAL BEING</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE</strong></span></div>
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INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-34084135863823921262015-01-11T18:02:00.000-06:002015-01-11T18:02:36.491-06:00SPEAKING OF MOVING MOUNTAINS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">W<span style="font-size: large;">hy do I pray for God to move mountains in my life that overwhelm and scare me? Jesus told His disciples that even if they use a tiny dab of the faith they have been given, they could speak to mountains and they will move out of the way! I've been going about it all wrong. <span style="color: lime;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A20&version=NLT">Matthew 17:20</a></span><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">states that I cannot just sit and pray, "Lord, come fix this for me," then just wait anxiously hoping He will do something soon. He has told me that I am to use the faith He has given me to move these mountains in my way. Of course, the Lord isn't saying, "Bobbi, you're on your own on this one, I'm too busy." He is saying, "Bobbi, I am your Power. Rely totally on me, step out, be open to follow my leading, and start moving that mountain." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I may have to get on that mountain and start moving it with a teaspoon, but with every spoonful, the mountain has moved further than the teaspoonful before. This tells me that at times my efforts will seem small and pointless. At other times I will be elated at the progress. As long as I move the mountain out of obedience, that mountain will move. My Lord said so. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">So, I will grow and learn to enjoy the huge task of moving mountains. It is like taking a journey. I can't keep focusing on the destination, I have to take in the scenery, the beautiful things and the sad things of life along the way. This is what will make me grow and become more like my Lord. Maybe I will find someone along the way that hasn't quite caught on about mountain moving yet and I can let them come along in my journey. Maybe I will come across someone who has moved many mountains and will show grace to me by teaching me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Regardless, I have the rest of my life to move the mountains of living in this world. The Lord will keep me on task. And, I will have my teaspoon handy, just in case.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Bobbi J. Craigmyle, Psy.D. 01/11/2015<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A20&version=NLT">Matthew 17:20</a></span><br />
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INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-69244112522076653472015-01-11T13:59:00.000-06:002015-01-11T13:59:40.184-06:00NOT A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION AT ALL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> This is sharing how our God honors and works through a seeking heart that is humbled and hungry for Him. You see, that is part of what I need from writing this down. I need to get my cloak of humility back on the way it should be and to get so hungry for God that my life changes in the way it needs to do. Only the Lord can do that for me. I have to obey, but he leads. My prayer and purpose here is that something the Lord imparts to me through this might touch the heart of someone else and spark a fire.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">If you care to follow along with me in this not quite a New Year's resolution, that is wonderful. This is more of a new start with a new year kind of thing. It's not a resolution, it's a lifestyle change. Feel free to comment. If not, I pray that the Lord will fill your hearts with the fire to seek Him above all else.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, here are some things I believe the Lord has shown me as I prepared for this 2015 lifestyle change. I am typing it here as it came out of my heart and onto paper with pen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To walk through this life only taking steps where my finite mind safely leads me, is to live a life of control by the world of circumstances around me. I am allowing myself to be carried along by this vast ocean of a world cursed and out of control. In the middle of this, I am asking God to bless my choices, fix my disappointments and unexpected trials. What I am seeking to change is my source of control from my own idea of what I should do, to walking one foot in front of the other trusting the Lord to lead me through all of the unpredictable ups and downs of this life. He is in control of all this cursed world that surrounds me and covers my path. In letting Him be in control, I will step forward in places that will cut away parts of that veil that cover my spiritual eyes. I will recognize His power within me to gladly follow and experience the good and the bad. He knows where my feet need to step. I am content and praising Him for every blessing regardless of how deep the water is. After all, He is in control of my life, not the ups and downs of this world, not the feeble attempts of my own design. This can only lead to a joy that cannot be stopped.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In seeking to be a spiritual leader, I have somewhere along the line lost sight of the fact that my faith is just as faulty as anyone else's. I pray with all this "perceived" faith to move mountains for Him, while in reality I am afraid to even go near or look at the mountain. The Lord has never told me to sit in my comfortable pew and pray orders to Him to move these mountains for me. He has told me in His Word that if I have even a tiny bit of faith, I can tell a mountain to move and it will move. (Matthew 17:20) I don't think I've moved many mountains, so how do I use the faith I've been given to do this kind of thing? He might want me to climb up a mountain and move it with a teaspoon. Abraham climbed a mountain. God never failed him. Peter took his eyes off Jesus walking on the water, and he fell into the waves. My faith will be strengthened by keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, not looking at how high the mountain is or deep the water is. He will get me there. I just need to learn and enjoy the journey.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Well, all that is very noble and deeply spiritual and it requires a lot of commitment and perseverance. I'm not so sure that's meant for me, after all, I am an elderly woman, (I have a business to run, I have small children, I have poor health, I am just to be a watcher at the gate, I'm just not qualified to deal with that sort of thing.) What a blatant lie from Satan himself!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What has happened to me? Those rough unlearned fishermen were faced with the worst demons from hell, the impossible of situations. After Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit, these men did not cower back and say, "Well, someone more qualified, or has more time, or whatever, needs to take care of this!" NO! The gates of hell could not stop these men and woman. They no longer said, "Lord this situation is really bad and we can't seem to take care of it." They did what Jesus told them to do to have this kind of spiritual ability. He said, "Fast and pray."</span></div>
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INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-47678944324101850132014-06-15T07:48:00.000-05:002014-06-15T08:34:28.713-05:00DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DAD AND A FATHER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="ital-inline">DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DAD AND A FATHER</span></h2>
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<span class="ital-inline">Excerpt from Daniel Ruyter blog Memories of a Single Dad</span></h2>
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<span class="ital-inline"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The words ‘dad’ and ‘father’ are very similar on the surface and yet, I think to many people they hold very different meanings. Father’s Day seems to ignite something in a lot of people as it did with me as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s the difference between the words “dad” and “father”? Can they be used interchangeably? Are they basically the same thing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say <strong>NO</strong>, they are <strong>not the same thing</strong> and I’ll tell you why. Whether you agree or disagree on what I see as the difference between a dad and a father, I’d love it if you would share your thoughts in the comments below.</span><br />
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First, Let’s Define Dad</span></h2>
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Here’s Google’s definition of “dad”:<br />
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<span class="ital-inline"><a href="https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=definition+of+dad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="definition of dad parenting popular posts divorce Definition of Dad vs. Father and Asserting a Fathers Right to Parent" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12648" src="http://www.memoirsofasingledad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/definition-of-dad.png" height="177" scale="0" title="Definition of Dad vs. Father and Asserting a Fathers Right to Parent" width="565" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I disagree, Google. There <em>is</em> a difference between being a dad and a father.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A dad is someone that is there for his children. A dad watches and actively participates in their lives. A dad helps them grow up, raises them, nurtures them, attends dance recitals and baseball games and is <em>present</em>.</span><br />
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A dad is someone that is there for his children. A father is something else; a father is more of a biological term than a role or relationship.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the surface you’d think the <strong>definitions between dad and father would be the same</strong> – but they’re not. They are very different, in fact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A father is something else; a father is more of a biological term than a role or relationship. A father is a the birds and bees version of a parent. They are a reproductive assistant, if you will. Father’s need only contribute the biological components necessary to produce the child. After that, the their role and obligation to the child is over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A father doesn’t need to be present to have a have a child. They don’t need to participate to make their biological contribution. A father doesn’t need to be present to be a father. Therein lies the difference when attempting to define the difference between a dad and a father. Of course, this distinction is my own and you may or may not agree or buy into my differences. Though, I know there are single moms out there that know there’s a distinctive difference between the two. They see every single day what the differences are between being a dad and being a father mean to their child’s life.</span></span><br /></div>
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INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-69226272351283333192014-05-17T20:37:00.002-05:002014-05-17T20:37:59.702-05:00SATURDAY QUESTIONS FROM COLLETTA'S KITCHEN SINK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1) Do you know how to water ski?</b><br /><br />Yes. Only tried it one time, age 12. Got up first time and went for a long while. Surprised me so much I fell and didn't let go of the rope, ouch. But I skied.<br /><br /><b>2) Do you have 2014 vacation plans? </b><br /><br />Nope, not at the moment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3) Do you have a passport?</b><br /><br />Yes I do.<br /><br /><b>4) If you took a 7-night cruise, could you completely unplug -- no phone calls, no texts, no internet?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, but I would want my Kindle so I could read.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5) Do you own a travel alarm clock?</b><br /><br />No not exactly. I have my cell phone with an alarm clock on it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>6) Though the Go-Gos broke up in 1985, they frequently reunite for live performances. What's the last concert you attended?</b><br /><br />Casting Crowns! An awesome event!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>7) Their first hit was "Our Lips Are Sealed." Can you be trusted with a secret? </b><br /><br />Most of the time. Just being honest. But with my profession, absolutely.<br /><br /><b>8) In 1982, when this song was popular, the comedy <i>Tootsie</i> was in theaters. What movie makes you laugh?</b><br /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, with John Candy and Steve Martin</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><b>9) Sam is chewing on a Tums as she composes these questions. What's the last over-the-counter that you took? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gaviscon! Works great.</span></span></div>
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INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-78928183186954326552013-04-13T13:57:00.002-05:002013-04-13T13:57:56.265-05:00I CAN SAY NOW WHAT I COULDN'T THEN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gHDvV5BdtKB5ihAzBfYw-BkUEWRCMkPakxEvIMzJsKNw6Qk2EtYc2L_2prYGdEX-gF8T6QlxM9XyG0WMK950y68ujPO55kvyLB3fPljOxILzNqaR8m54Qnztfvhc-ZXyVWEWzzyYEZfK/s1600/edna-karr-band-at-zulu-2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gHDvV5BdtKB5ihAzBfYw-BkUEWRCMkPakxEvIMzJsKNw6Qk2EtYc2L_2prYGdEX-gF8T6QlxM9XyG0WMK950y68ujPO55kvyLB3fPljOxILzNqaR8m54Qnztfvhc-ZXyVWEWzzyYEZfK/s320/edna-karr-band-at-zulu-2009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dear Mr. Ward,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm coming to you many years past the time I could talk to you face to face, but never to late to express what I wanted to say. The day you announced who the majorettes would be my senior year was one of immense pain and discouragment for me. I understand now that it was a consolation prize to offer me the position of "Head Pom Pom Girl."</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Being a majorette was a very prized and prestigious position at our school. I longed and waited patiently to get a position on that team all the way up through my senior year. I don't understand why I was passed over that day. Of all the students in band, I was of the most faithful, dedicated, and serious band members from the time I was in the 4th grade. Playing my trumpet, showing up by bus at 6 am three to four times a week during school to practice was something I never missed. There wasn't a parade or concert I ever missed or came unprepared with my part.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was not the most beautiful nor the most graceful girl in band. By no means was I as popular. But I cannot fathom why I gave so much to your expectations, Mr. Ward, and so much love and dedication to music and our band, that I was denied one thing I needed you to say to me that day, "You have been faithful and you deserve to be on the majorette team."</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is the respone I know now I should have given instead of silently dying inside and passively accepting the consolation position:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mr. Ward, I have wanted to be a majorette since the day I started band in the 4th grade. I have served contently three years of high school now as a second rate pom pom girl. I now have enough self esteem and a sense of fairness to tell you that I decline the position of "head pom pom girl." I will put on the old hot wool uniforms along with my other band members, and march with my trumpet, proud that I have done a darn wonderful job for 9 years with passion, purpose, and dignity.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Your music student, Bobbi Jo </span></strong></div>
INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-17986522316985906442012-07-15T17:27:00.002-05:002012-07-15T17:52:09.809-05:00RAMBLING THOUGHTS ON MY POLITICAL VIEW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am a Christian first of all. My conscience and intent will always defer to the Word of </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God, the words of Jesus Christ. I am a politcal conservative and I uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights on which this nation was founded. I believe that drastic change in our political environment is needed, which all those with political interest will agree. However, I believe the necessary and successful change can be brought about without disregard and revocation of our Constitution and patriotism. Why throw out the baby with the bath water?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I believe I am being stereotyped as a Christian conservative because I do not agree with our President of the United States, Barach O'Bama. I am convinced he is a narcissist with his own agenda which is not in the best interest of America. I am not a racist. I love and befriend people of any gender, race, creed, or orientation. The fact is, Barach O'Bama is not African-American at all. He is Bi-racial, just as much Caucasian as he is African. If he were totally Caucasian my opinion of him would not be any different than it is at this moment. I was profoundly disappointed when Herman Cain was blasted out of the GOP running for past moral indisgressions. Like no other political figure has ever committed such an atrocity! I would have voted for him had he been nominated as the GOP candidate. I am now praying that Mitt Romney will choose Condoleezza Rice as his running mate for the 2012 election. Let's get real here, whether we like it or not, this would be a "racial" advantage because the current administration, all of it, and voters alike have made much of the political issues about race.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I remember in December of 2008 when George Bush was speaking at a press conference in Bagdad, Iraq at the Prime Minister's Palace. An Iraqi journalist took off both his shoes and threw them at George Bush, who had to sway and duck to keep from being hit in the head. This action of throwing one's shoe at another in the middle east region is a derogatory gesture meaning "You dog." Muntadhar al-Zaide, the Iraqi who threw the shoes was taken to the floor by another Iraqi journalist and then removed from the building and let go. Later George Bush was asked to comment on the incident. He said, "I didn't have much time to reflect on anything, I was ducking and dodging. I'm not angry with the system. I believe that a free society is emerging, and a free society is necessary for our own security and peace"; he added, "I don't think you can take one guy throwing his shoes as representative of the people of Iraq." I wonder what would happen if someone threw a shoe at Barach O'Bama as he spoke in a public press conference. More than likely it would be seen as a "hate crime." The responsible party would be taken into custody and several million dollars or more would be appropriated to increase security for Mr. O'Bama and his family. Same act, two different American presidents, two very likely different responses.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I am disappointed that I am stereotyped as an O'Bama hater, NoBama, Bible thumper, rebeller against change, supporting inaction rather than change, being a racist because I do not think Barach O'Bama is a good president, being supportive of protecting the rich elite, and being responsible for the tragic state of the decaying American society. I am seen as one who has been duped by right wing scare tactics like I don't take the time to educate myself on all political views.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I respect the right of every American to have a political view, even if it differs from mine. I'm just asking that mine be respected. Isn't that what Democracy is all about? Or am I being pigeon holed by far left liberals who want to live in a Socialist society?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Thanks for letting me ramble on with my thoughts and beliefs. God bless America!</span></strong><br />
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</div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-56282148557287689712012-05-12T11:36:00.001-05:002012-05-12T11:36:52.601-05:00MOM, I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">I know I always use the same picture of my mom for Mother's Day. I have later pics prior to her passing on New Year's Eve 1992. Those pictures make me sad. I watched this beautiful woman get overtaken by Rheumatoid Arthritis throughout her body. She would cry out in pain. I stood by her side when my dad left her for another woman after 32 years of marriage. I saw her lose all but about 30% of her <span class="text_exposed_show">vision to Glaucoma back in 1969. She lost 75% of her hearing from a fungal ear infection that was treated wrong. She was riddled with Osteoporosis and started breaking bones in her 50's. By the age of 65 she had Dowager's (sp) Hump so bad it looked like her head was coming out of her chest. She went from a walker to a wheelchair. Then in 1990 she had a severe stroke that left her paralyzed totally on the right side. She spent the last two years of her life in a nursing home that she hated because she needed 24/7 medical care. Through all of that, over all those years, my mom never lost her faith in God. She never complained and never asked God "why." She never let a day go by that she didn't pray for all of us kids and grandkids. My mom taught me to trust God no matter what comes my way, good or bad. She left me the greatest legacy a mom could leave. Total faith in a God who never leaves or forsakes us. I miss her now, but I will see her again and we will be together forever. Happy Mother's day Mama, from your baby girl, Bobbi</span></span></span></span></h6>
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</div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-75058436468988620852012-04-08T12:40:00.001-05:002012-04-08T12:40:40.472-05:00FOLLOW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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HAPPY EASTER,<br />
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</div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-5633554221473997822012-04-06T17:46:00.000-05:002012-04-06T17:46:55.124-05:00GOD'S MIRACLES NEVER STOP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial;">Coming up on Resurrection Day, we are reminded of the glorious miracle of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It it were not for those events, we would be lost with no hope.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial;">I have a wonderful miracle to share that isn't as far reaching as that of our Lord's, but it is a testimony that He is still in the miracle business and it still brings Him glory.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial;">Here is my story of the true miracle that took place yesterday:</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">My husband had a bowel resection in June 2011 in which is entire Sigmoid colon was removed. They were able to reattach, praise God. Things were going along fairly well until around the holidays 2011. At that time, he began to have trouble getting his body waste to pass through. With the help of many laxatives, stimulators, and fiber products, he was able to eliminate enough it kept him from seeking medical attention. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">His condition worsened until he was becoming more confined to the house and was having increased pain in the area where his colon was reconnected. It was time to get to the doctor. His PCP sent him for a CAT scan. When the results came back it stated that there was a significant stricture at the prior surgery site. My husband called his Gastroenterologist and told him what his symptoms were and what the CAT scan revealed. This doctor got him in for an appointment the next day.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">While we were in the Gastroenterologist's office, he came in and said he had studied the CAT scan and saw a severe stricture that looked like it was not allowing anything but liquid (and that in small amounts) to eliminate. He said this had to be taken care of as soon as possible. He had us wait in his office while he went to make a call to the surgeon who had done my husband's prior colon surgery. The surgeon said get him in my office in the morning by 7:45 am.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">We were in the surgeon's office at the designated time. He told us he had gone over the symptoms and had studied the CAT scan. He said there was a definite stricture there and had to be stretched or removed. He wanted to do the surgery the next day but wanted it done at the hospital because surgery was highly possible and he needed to have access to everything needed to take more colon out and try a reconnect again. He told us it might not be possible to reconnect, which would mean a colostomy bag. If the stretching procedure tore the colon, it could result in death.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">After we got home, we prayed asking God for healing, but letting Him know we would accept whatever His will was. On the 5th of April, yesterday, we were at the hospital, my husand had prepped just like one does for a colonoscopy. The surgeon scheduled my husband last because he wasn't sure what he was going to have to do: either do the ballon stretching to open the stricture which would take about 15 minutes or perform sugery to remove the stricture and reconnect if possible which would take at least 2 hours.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">After 40 minutes the "surgery" was done. The surgeon took me in a room and showed me a picture of the colon where the stricture was seen in the CAT scan. He said, "I don't understand it. There is nothing there. This is one of the most heatlhy colons I have ever seen. There is no stricture there. I dont' get it, because the CAT scan definitely showed a stricture there." He said the rest of his colon was very healthy and this procedure is being considered just a colonoscopy. He walked out shaking his head in amazement.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">The Lord did a total miracle on my husband between the time of the CAT scan and the surgery yesterday. There is no other explanation for it. Today he is doing great and having no symptoms.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PKpnwbaUguZR38Exaux3LrHDIRMCsLQWVfgXeslRfDLZpAvE5gQUa7jLvBNT7S0TdVpnXL7Gc3rCu1JeW2FpfbjsvuVje49ZW-upe6f2unDPH9vlx3xHEpl01boPYG4kZiNoazoSCJmk/s1600/a_happy_colon_is_a_healthy_colon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PKpnwbaUguZR38Exaux3LrHDIRMCsLQWVfgXeslRfDLZpAvE5gQUa7jLvBNT7S0TdVpnXL7Gc3rCu1JeW2FpfbjsvuVje49ZW-upe6f2unDPH9vlx3xHEpl01boPYG4kZiNoazoSCJmk/s320/a_happy_colon_is_a_healthy_colon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">My husband has learned that God loves him and his faith has grown over this time of having so much trouble. The surgeon learned that there is a Higher Physician who bypasses the surgeon's hands to provide healing. This experience has brought glory to God, healing for my husband, and a stronger bond between my husband and me.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial;">To God be the glory!</span></strong> <span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Resurrection Day! God bless,</span></strong></span></div>
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</div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-67154386027718806782011-12-16T05:10:00.000-06:002011-12-16T05:10:32.390-06:00LISTEN TO THAT INNER VOICE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How many times have we ignored that inner voice telling us to do something that seems pointless, odd, or impossible? It's time for us to listen to that inner voice. Wouldn't we rather be embarassed that we were mistaken about it than to find out in eternity that we ignored and prevented a wonderous miracle of God? Watch this brief video of a doctor who listened to the inner voice.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.godvine.com/Man-Dies-and-Returns-to-Life-on-the-Operating-Table-420.html">http://www.godvine.com/Man-Dies-and-Returns-to-Life-on-the-Operating-Table-420.html</a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Watch More <a href="http://www.godvine.com/" target="_blank"><u>Christian Videos</u></a> on GodVine.com</span></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-7844822908799452011-11-04T09:42:00.000-05:002011-11-04T09:42:06.656-05:00SEEING GOD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVtoQmGr7zQR-q1GW27lmUmmFRiq4T0UkiyIGD89LWeSSH4aH-8KhvClWer1MVsoDKqZuTW9qtOIJh2dQ1LW6K5eSw6n-JAjdJOItnqy0yA8shm2vgHpBDydXt25vG49anz2NFKNUDGz2/s1600/487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVtoQmGr7zQR-q1GW27lmUmmFRiq4T0UkiyIGD89LWeSSH4aH-8KhvClWer1MVsoDKqZuTW9qtOIJh2dQ1LW6K5eSw6n-JAjdJOItnqy0yA8shm2vgHpBDydXt25vG49anz2NFKNUDGz2/s320/487.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 20px 10px 10px;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 20px 10px 10px;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally, I don't like to submit a blog that consists of someone else's article, but there are times when I read something that just hits me in the core of my soul. I don't feel I can hide this article in my own soul as I will burst. I have to share it with anyone who will take time to read it and let it sink in to their hearts. This article was written by Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors. All credit for this article goes to him and to our Lord Jesus Christ for giving Dr. Clinton the anointing to write it. God's grace and mercy are everlasting. - Bobbi</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 20px 10px 10px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 20px 10px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEEING GOD by Dr. Tim Clinton, President of AACC</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; margin: 5px 20px 10px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">November 1 – November 7</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things…” Psalm 119:18</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the “createdness” of things, man knows there is a God…</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too often we fail to see God. We miss out on seeing the sacred that He has placed right in front of us.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Helen Keller, whose only ability to "see" was through touch once wrote:</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I, who cannot see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. </span></em><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf.</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough shaggy bark of a pine….</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle… is revealed to me.</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At times my heart cries out with longing to see these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, <strong>how much more beauty must be revealed by sight</strong>.</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet, those who have eyes apparently see little. The panorama of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted….</span></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><em><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a great pity that, in the world of light, the gift of sight is used only as a mere convenience rather than as a means of adding fullness to life.”</span></strong></em></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gift of sight – being able to “see” what’s around us – and I’ll add, more importantly, spiritually seeing Him! </span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a flight home recently, as we began our final approach, I glanced out of the window. The late evening sun highlighted fall’s vivid colors all along the Blue Ridge Mountains. I closed my iPad, put away my notes, and took in the breathtaking canvas that only our Creator-God could paint.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the press of life, and the pressure of deadlines have caused me to miss many “God-moments”.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><em>Romans Chapter 1</em></strong> contains a profound truth. <strong><em>“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God hath shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” (19-20 ESV)</em></strong></span></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Approach life with a “Spirit of Expectation” — to <strong><em>see Him!!</em></strong></span></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God’s Invisible Attributes.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His Eternal Power.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His Divine Nature.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clearly evident and visible in His Creation.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 ESV</span></em></strong></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Has the pace of life robbed you of enjoying His handiwork? Are the pressures of your daily grind stealing His eternal power from your soul? Has pain left you feeling that His divine nature could never fill your hurting heart?</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If so, slow down. No – STOP! Whatever you are doing right now, just stop.</span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get outside. Enjoy a “Festival of Fall” in your life. Play in the leaves with your kids. Pick some apples. Take a “Sunday” drive through the mountains. Enjoy His handiwork. </span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><em>Psalm 46:10</em></strong> says, <strong><em>“Be still and know that I am God”</em></strong> — because He is!!</span></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Allow the precious gift of sight to <em>add fullness to your life.</em></span></span></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 10px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It just might turn your life around.</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 10px 10px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 10px 10px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>By Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Counselors</strong></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 10px 10px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin: 10px 20px 10px 10px;"><a href="http://www.aacc.net/2011/11/01/seeing-god/"><strong>http://www.aacc.net/2011/11/01/seeing-god/</strong></a></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-46112022361965759102011-10-29T18:01:00.000-05:002011-10-29T18:01:16.846-05:00DON'T BE DECEIVED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was given a book to read by a former female minister of a mainline denominational church. She has delved into different religions including Buddism. She avows that the god this book describes is a god she can believe in. I am appalled at her lack of spiritual discernment and her fall into deception. This book is beyond a shadow of a doubt New Age and is contrary to the Word of God. It is a #1 best seller on the New York Times List.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Don't buy this book.</span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Conversations With God - Neale Donald Walsch</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Here is a note from James Dobson about the book. There is also a book out by the same author called Conversations With God for Teens.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From James Dobson: </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Educators, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch on TV and in movie theaters and the music they listen to ... but we must also be alert regarding the books they read. </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two particular books, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale Donald Walsch sound harmless enough by their titles alone. These books have been on the New York Times best seller list for a number of weeks. These publications make truth of the statement "Don't judge a book by its cover/title". The author purports to answer various questions from kids using the "voice of God." However, the "answers" that he gives are not biblically based and in fact go against the very infallible Word of God. </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "why am I a lesbian?" his answer is that she was born that way because of genetics just as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc. Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another girl poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong." </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply - "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone. I do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong because the rule is 'Judge not lest ye be judged'." And the list goes on. Not only are these books the false doctrine of devils but in some instances even quote (in error) the Word of God. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children (The Scholastic Book Club) and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children. Our children are under attack so I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your kids the true Word of God and guarding their exposure to worldly media because our adversary, the devil, "roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). And how many of us know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pass this on to every believer you know. <br />
God bless. </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
James Dobson, Ph.D.</span></strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/dobsonwalsch.html">http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/dobsonwalsch.html</a></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-81234541621482239502011-10-01T09:36:00.000-05:002011-10-01T09:36:30.149-05:00LISTEN TO THE TRUTH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our lives are surrounded with flashes of fear and seemingly hopeless situations. The Lord is teaching me day by day to keep my eyes off the tribulations in my personal life and in this world. He is showing me how to keep my eyes on Him so that I don't become immobilized for fear of the future or become overwhelmed at what goes on around me. He brings His Word to my mind and instills it in my heart so that I can keep going on with courage and peace. </span></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span></strong> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">I have family relationships that are very troubling. I endure physical problems that no end can be seen. I am aware of the condition of this world and the direction it is headed. All these things could so overpower me that I would be useless as a witness and encourager of my fellow Christians.</span></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span></strong> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Thank you Lord, for giving me Your Word that You are in control, that I don't have to be afraid. All I have to do is believe and keep walking in Your grace.</span></strong></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> </div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KwsvqVmFV6Y" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<strong>Lyrics to "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crown</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Oh,what I would do to have<br />
the kind of faith it takes <br />
To climb out of this boat I'm in <br />
Onto the crashing waves<br />
To step out of my comfort zone<br />
Into the realm of the unknown <br />
Where Jesus is, <br />
And he's holding out his hand<br />
<br />
But the waves are calling out my name <br />
and they laugh at me<br />
Reminding me of all the times <br />
I've tried before and failed<br />
The waves they keep on telling me <br />
time and time again<br />
"Boy, you'll never win, <br />
You you'll never win<br />
<br />
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story<br />
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"<br />
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"<br />
Out of all the voices calling out to me<br />
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth<br />
<br />
Oh, what I would do <br />
to have the kind of strength it takes<br />
To stand before a giant <br />
with just a sling and a stone<br />
Surrounded by the sound <br />
of a thousand warriors <br />
shaking in their armor<br />
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand<br />
<br />
But the giant's calling out <br />
my name and he laughs at me<br />
Reminding me of all the times <br />
I've tried before and failed<br />
The giant keeps on telling me <br />
time and time again<br />
"Boy you'll never win, <br />
you'll never win."<br />
<br />
But the voice of truth tells me a different story<br />
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"<br />
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"<br />
Out of all the voices calling out to me<br />
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth<br />
<br />
But the stone was just the right size<br />
to put the giant on the ground<br />
and the waves they don't seem so high<br />
from on top of them looking down<br />
I will soar with the wings of eagles<br />
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus<br />
singing over me<br />
<br />
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story <br />
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!" <br />
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory" <br />
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)<br />
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)<br />
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth<br />
<br />
I will listen and believe<br />
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth<br />
I will listen and believe <br />
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth<br />
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">For more inspirational posts click on the Spiritual Sundays icon on my sidebar to the right. God bless, </span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnRyPQDzgNLaogvrzsiJ6KkiFQUhjVDbfxW_n0_bNT6GefR1RKYQD1z0wIcOfqtLxshhCR51MmcO80kCR5BQ_jvFVpbHGYPysYbW3j7UhJLUD6Dig3XTVLh_lGgu_bf0P5AlteZUS_HoJ/s1600/Bobbi_smpjlytwoSST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnRyPQDzgNLaogvrzsiJ6KkiFQUhjVDbfxW_n0_bNT6GefR1RKYQD1z0wIcOfqtLxshhCR51MmcO80kCR5BQ_jvFVpbHGYPysYbW3j7UhJLUD6Dig3XTVLh_lGgu_bf0P5AlteZUS_HoJ/s1600/Bobbi_smpjlytwoSST.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</strong></span></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-15216067999262915802011-09-10T12:47:00.001-05:002011-09-10T14:13:14.186-05:00SURVIVOR TREE 9/11/01<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you feel like just throwing in the towel? Have you waited far too long for something good to happen? Don't give up, my friend. If you keep walking, you will find what you have been waiting for.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/20101222/downtown/911-survivor-tree-spreads-its-branches-over-world-trade-center-once-again"><strong>http://www.dnainfo.com/20101222/downtown/911-survivor-tree-spreads-its-branches-over-world-trade-center-once-again</strong></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More great worship and inspirations here: <a href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-everyone.html">Spiritual Sundays</a></span></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-75271123491886574782011-07-02T09:09:00.000-05:002011-07-02T09:09:30.561-05:00CAN MORALITY BE LEGISLATED?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">An interesting article to provoke thought for Christians and Americans.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> </div>Can Morality Be Legislated?<br />
By <a href="http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=54400">Dan Wafford</a><br />
<br />
Often, when people disagree with Christian principles, they trot out the phrase, "You can't legislate morality." This claim is typically used in an effort to short-circuit discussions regarding such issues as drug use, homosexuality, and others where there is generally not a long history or tradition of legislation. "Well, that's a personal choice: you can't legislate morality." Or "What I do in the privacy of my own home is nobody's business: you can't legislate morality."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Nothing could be further from the truth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Those who use this argument will readily acknowledge the validity of such laws as those prohibiting theft or murder. "Things like that are obviously wrong, because they harm someone else: that's the kind of laws we should stick to, and leave moral issues up to personal decision."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Such arguments are based on the principle that harming someone else physically or financially is inherently wrong. But that, too, is a moral judgment, based upon the principle that all people have equal rights.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There can be, and frequently have been, societies where laws were not based on such a system of values. One obvious example would be the South before the Civil War. Then and there, it was perfectly legal for a white man to buy or sell a black man, to steal his labor, to injure him physically, to rape his wife or his children, and generally even to murder him with impunity. If those acts were not illegal under the laws of the land, then what made them wrong, if not the moral principle that all people should be entitled to the same rights, regardless of the color of their skin or their station in life? Equality of races is a moral principle. Sanctity of life is a moral principle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Until early in the twentieth century, American women were not allowed to vote. If that was perfectly legal at that time, then what made it wrong, if not the moral judgment that all people should be equally entitled to the right to vote, regardless of their gender? Equality of sexes is a moral principle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When Muslims control a society, Islamic law enforces a tax, called jizya or jizyah, solely upon non-Muslims. If this is perfectly legal under the legislation of that Islamic society, what makes it wrong, if not the moral judgment that people should not be penalized for their choice of religion? Equality of those with differing religious beliefs is a moral principle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Until early in the twentieth century, children in most industrialized nations were brutally exploited in factories, working twelve, fourteen, or even more hours per day under extremely unpleasant, unsanitary and unsafe conditions, and receiving only pennies for their services. If that was perfectly legal under the existing laws, then what made it wrong, if not the moral judgment that those who are smaller, weaker and poorer should not be abused and exploited? Preventing exploitation of the weak and poor is a moral principle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I could name many more examples, but these are sufficient to prove the point. Again, nothing could be further from the truth: not only is it possible to legislate morality, it can very nearly be said that the only thing you can legislate is morality. What makes anything right or wrong, if that judgment is not based upon a system of values, a set of moral principles?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is small wonder that many in our modern society fail to recognize this moral foundation of the legal system: it is basically ingrained in our perceptions through not just a lifetime, but many generations who have accepted it as a fundamentally inherent characteristic of life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And rightly so: a society without a moral foundation is like a ship without a rudder: it will simply be tossed to and fro by the waves and pushed along whichever way the wind happens to blow. It is only by comparison to an unshakeable set of moral principles that we can ever truly know wrong from right.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The majority of moral principles that are generally accepted by modern American society come directly from the Bible. It is there that we learn the sanctity of life: Thou shalt not kill. It is there that we learn to respect the right of others to their own property: Thou shalt not steal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But much of our modern society wants to embrace those moral principles in the Bible that they find convenient, while rejecting those that would limit their illicit desires. They are quite happy to claim as inherent rights the protection of their person, property and freedom. Yet they protest vigorously any instruction that they should honor the marriage covenant: Thou shalt not commit adultery; that they should deal honestly with their fellow man: Thou shalt not bear false witness; that they should honor the institution of family: Honor thy father and thy mother; and most of all, that they should honor the God Who created them: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our society has essentially rejected God's sovereignty and authority. People today place no value on a moral principle simply because it was commanded by God. The only portions of His law they give any respect are those that protect their own interests.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The moral decay of our society is becoming more apparent with every passing day. It is not that decay has not been occurring in the past, but rather that it has been less visible. When ours was essentially a Christian society, the majority of people accepted all of God's moral law as necessary to a peaceful and ordered life. When people first began to abandon God, they felt a degree of constraint from those who still reverenced Him. For the most part, they hid their sins in shame.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But as the rebellious learned to enjoy their sins more and to fear the constraints of society less, they became bolder, openly flaunting their rebellion. They have learned to attack rather than hide. They have succeeded in shutting God out of our schools, yet they wonder why sexually transmitted diseases, drug addiction and mass murders have replaced reading, writing and arithmetic. They are succeeding at legitimizing homosexuality and destroying the family, yet they are amazed by the exploding divorce rate. They are succeeding at forcefully ripping away from our government any connection with or reverence to the God Who made their freedom possible, yet they wonder why our prisons are bursting at the seams.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
They are succeeding at disseminating the lie that "you can't legislate morality," and in the process are destroying what few vestiges of morality remain in this once-great country.<br />
<br />
Dan Wafford lives in beautiful coastal Georgia. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Stanford University. He writes Christian articles, essays, songs and books, as well as novels and popular music. His book The DiVine Code, which reveals details of encoded messages in the Bible, is currently available at Amazon.com. More information about The DiVine Code is available at <a href="http://thedivinecodebook.com/" target="_blank">http://thedivinecodebook.com</a><br />
<br />
Article Source: <a href="http://www.faithwriters.com/" target="_new">http://www.faithwriters.com</a>-<a href="http://www.faithwriters.com/" target="_new">CHRISTIAN WRITER</a>-<a href="http://www.highpowersites.com/" target="_new">MAKE A WEBSITE</a></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-37115194531432713692011-05-16T07:12:00.000-05:002011-05-16T07:12:48.498-05:00WOW, WHAT A WAKE UP!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>WOW, WHAT A WAKE UP!</strong> <br />
<br />
<strong>Dear God: </strong></span><span style="color: #ff6666; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span><br />
<strong>Why didn't you save the school children at:</strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span></span><span><br />
<strong>Bath , Michigan1927 </strong></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span>Houston, TX 1959</span> </strong></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;"><strong> </strong></span><strong><span>MosesLake , Washington 2/2/96 <br />
Bethel , Alaska 2/19/97 <br />
Pearl , Mississippi 10/1/97 <br />
West Paducah , Kentucky 12/1/97 <br />
Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97 <br />
Jonesboro , Arkansas 3/24/98 <br />
Edinboro , Pennsylvania 4/24/98 <br />
Fayetteville , Tennessee 5/19/98 <br />
Springfield , Oregon 5/21/98 <br />
Richmond , Virginia 6/15/98 <br />
Littleton , Colorado 4/20/99 <br />
Taber , Alberta , Canada 5/28/99 <br />
Conyers , Georgia 5/20/99 <br />
Deming , New Mexico 11/19/99 <br />
Fort Gibson , Oklahoma 12/6/99 <br />
Santee , California 3/ 5/01 <br />
El Cajon , California 3/22/01? </span> </strong></div><strong> </strong><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">and</span></strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span> </span> </div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> <span style="color: maroon;">Blacksburg, Virginia 4/16/07? </span></span></div><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 18pt;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span><br />
Sincerely, <br />
<br />
Concerned Student </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------- <span style="color: #ff6600;"><br />
<br />
Reply: <br />
<br />
Dear Concerned Student: <br />
<br />
I am not allowed in schools. <br />
<br />
Sincerely, <br />
<br />
God </span><br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------- <span style="color: #990000;"><br />
<br />
How did this get started?... </span><br />
<br />
----------------- <span style="color: #3366ff;"><br />
<br />
Let's see, <br />
I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained <br />
she didn't want any prayer in our schools. <br />
<br />
And we said, OK.. </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #33cc00;"><br />
<br />
Then, <br />
someone said you better not read the Bible in school, <br />
the Bible that says <br />
"thou shalt not kill, <br />
thou shalt not steal, <br />
and love your neighbors as yourself," <br />
<br />
And we said, OK... </span><br />
<br />
----------------- <span style="color: #cc6600;"><br />
<br />
Dr. Benjamin Spock said <br />
we shouldn't spank our children <br />
when they misbehaved <br />
because their little personalities <br />
would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. <br />
<br />
And we said, <br />
an expert should know what he's talking about <br />
so we won't spank them anymore.. </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #993399;"><br />
<br />
Then someone said <br />
teachers and principals better not <br />
discipline our children when they misbehave. <br />
And the school administrators said <br />
no faculty member in this school <br />
better touch a student when they misbehave <br />
because we don't want any bad publicity, <br />
and we surely don't want to be sued. <br />
<br />
And we accepted their reasoning... </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #ff6600;"><br />
<br />
Then someone said, <br />
let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, <br />
and they won't even have to tell their parents. <br />
<br />
And we said, that's a grand idea... </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #3366ff;"><br />
<br />
Then some wise school board member said, <br />
since boys will be boys <br />
and they're going to do it anyway, <br />
let's give our sons all the condoms they want, <br />
so they can have all the fun they desire, <br />
and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. <br />
<br />
And we said, that's another great idea... </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #993399;"><br />
<br />
Then some of our top elected officials said <br />
it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. <br />
<br />
And we said, <br />
it doesn't matter what anybody, <br />
including the President, <br />
does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good.... </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: red;"><br />
<br />
And someone else took that appreciation a step further <br />
and published pictures of nude children <br />
and then stepped further still by <br />
making them available on the Internet. <br />
<br />
And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech.... </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #009900;"><br />
<br />
And the entertainment industry said, <br />
let's make TV shows and movies that promote <br />
profanity, violence and illicit sex... <br />
And let's record music that encourages <br />
rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes... <br />
<br />
And we said, <br />
it's just entertainment <br />
and it has no adverse effect <br />
and nobody takes it seriously anyway, <br />
so go right ahead. </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #cc9933;"><br />
<br />
Now we're asking ourselves <br />
why our children have no conscience, <br />
why they don't know right from wrong, <br />
and why it doesn't bother them to <br />
kill strangers, classmates or even themselves. </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <span style="color: #339999;"><br />
<br />
Undoubtedly, <br />
if we thought about it long and hard enough, <br />
we could figure it out. <br />
I'm sure it has a great deal to do with... </span><span style="color: red;"><br />
<br />
"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW," </span><br />
<br />
------------------ <br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Unknown Author</span></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-20696675862599872012011-05-07T15:37:00.002-05:002011-05-07T15:40:22.600-05:00THOUGHTS ABOUT MOMS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm always remembering my mom - how she worked so hard to keep the house looking nice - how she instilled in us kids the importance of honesty and respect for others. The greatest gift my mother gave to me was living the Christian life that she so wanted all her children to live. Mama lived to see all her children living for the Lord, except for my brother, who gave his heart to the Lord a year afte she passed away. God heard her daily prayers for our souls.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUdeUzJxSETG3ot-8SEya5ptv8mLUFUR5qgBLzMFF0-2XZTGrApgpodoJvUXn7BE_FNluXoEJ4CGWPBWO2bR-XWgOtSbxPp32625tCFoqNQgTTyWB-nVrbVvcc8eOeyftTtHf2hXCq69p/s1600/momma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUdeUzJxSETG3ot-8SEya5ptv8mLUFUR5qgBLzMFF0-2XZTGrApgpodoJvUXn7BE_FNluXoEJ4CGWPBWO2bR-XWgOtSbxPp32625tCFoqNQgTTyWB-nVrbVvcc8eOeyftTtHf2hXCq69p/s320/momma.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Martha O. Clayton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">June 18, 1912 to December 31, 1992</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I often think about the mother I have been to my two sons. If I think too long on the mistakes I made, I get depressed. I still think I feel inadequate as a mother, but the way my boys turned out as adult men, I have to say they are mighty resilient or I at least did a few things right. We are still very close and they continue to call me "Mama."</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpcFL5nLEVUCq4uIkHnEFlEcqSuNoztGORBlyEPBmzNFilXiv85VBZTZYavoi6tGNpkJq89uAzlYunlFtNFE_-F8xEcGdKvhwDjEqVgcp0O0asZyliNgPM7pSh7fhX7VO88DNY4KAnA7C/s1600/P1010262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpcFL5nLEVUCq4uIkHnEFlEcqSuNoztGORBlyEPBmzNFilXiv85VBZTZYavoi6tGNpkJq89uAzlYunlFtNFE_-F8xEcGdKvhwDjEqVgcp0O0asZyliNgPM7pSh7fhX7VO88DNY4KAnA7C/s320/P1010262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeremy Clay Woolsey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">February 6, 1972</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnXDJaWIPYwYOrCFDuzzaki4jcKn2DLjoSPlpd3rkvBa4G7vhSMrpSmyDMRvYgeL9kf8d9TQw-MdQ3nUvrIOSF6srH7MFnns0nJDyxHOLfiQMG0JCJB5SPFK5zv30fLKyik10jlMpBNZz/s1600/P1010283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnXDJaWIPYwYOrCFDuzzaki4jcKn2DLjoSPlpd3rkvBa4G7vhSMrpSmyDMRvYgeL9kf8d9TQw-MdQ3nUvrIOSF6srH7MFnns0nJDyxHOLfiQMG0JCJB5SPFK5zv30fLKyik10jlMpBNZz/s320/P1010283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan Thomas Woolsey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">April 13, 1977</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then I think about the kind of parents these sons would be. Jeremy and his wife, Deena, have made the decision to remain childless. They do parent a wonderful 4-legged doggie, Lou. I believe they would both make good parents, but I respect their decision and love them so much.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ryan has a 10 month old son, Evan. He shares parenting with his wife, Jenn, as they both have careers. Ryan is a more wonderful father than I could have ever imagined. Between Ryan and Jenn, little Evan is going to know he is loved and know how to love. It brings me joy to watch this new family as they experience the wonders of raising a child.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgBN_PzLMab10MXt9I3fdKDybPAjEVJY4fJWuNfbccPS5GNEcI81eXR9DczGVsA50Clu5azsl_3ezW2sfEmuj0BvAlVyAsuGrEPSlJ1slzH3NnXCR8lobB9S1ZwXn8dFEqVFAA9XlQ9Tp/s1600/ry+and+evan.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgBN_PzLMab10MXt9I3fdKDybPAjEVJY4fJWuNfbccPS5GNEcI81eXR9DczGVsA50Clu5azsl_3ezW2sfEmuj0BvAlVyAsuGrEPSlJ1slzH3NnXCR8lobB9S1ZwXn8dFEqVFAA9XlQ9Tp/s320/ry+and+evan.bmp" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan Thomas Woolsey &</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Evan Thomas Woolsey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mother's Day is quite important to me as I recall and experience the joys of motherhood. I miss my Mama, but she is waiting at the feet of Jesus. I vow to be the best mom I can be to my children and grandchildren. And I pray that my children will be awesome parents. Thank you Lord for your many blessings to me.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Hooking up with <a href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/">Spiritual Sundays</a>. Visit there for great inspiration.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="center"></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-42638702593172739542011-04-17T16:47:00.000-05:002011-04-17T16:47:53.205-05:00OPEN LETTER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6i3FQ7j4ZRDQ236L0OLD6nEZ7iBq5MoJXvmBpY0Qh5p_xPCZmxH7Ge_6HPjg5sf-3Ua6LWthjTZyeRTz7u9klpzgkXoIYljK54q3z9O4ODebTBI2lmfEHN5ZwISVKLcGQr1rdyQp9Ef2/s1600/father+and+daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6i3FQ7j4ZRDQ236L0OLD6nEZ7iBq5MoJXvmBpY0Qh5p_xPCZmxH7Ge_6HPjg5sf-3Ua6LWthjTZyeRTz7u9klpzgkXoIYljK54q3z9O4ODebTBI2lmfEHN5ZwISVKLcGQr1rdyQp9Ef2/s320/father+and+daughter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following is a personal letter sent from a loving father to his growing daughter. It tells about life and the purpose of family.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Dearest Joanne,</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Those beautiful quaking aspens that you've seen in the forest as we have driven along have one purpose in life. I would like to tell you about them because they remind me a lot of Mommy and you kids and me.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Those aspens are born and grown just to protect the spruce tree when it's born. As the spruce tree grows bigger and bigger, the aspens gradually grow old and tired and they even die after a while. But the spruce, which has had its tender self protected in its childhood, grows into one of the forest's most wonderful trees.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Now think about Mommy and me as aspens standing there quaking ourselves in the winds that blow, catching the cold snows of life, bearing the hot rays of the sun, all to protect you from those things until you are strong enough and wise enough to do them yourself. We aren't quaking from fear, but from the joy of being able to see your life develop and grow into a tall, straight woman.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Just like the spruce, you have almost reached the point where you don't need us much as you used to. Now you stand like the young spruce, a pretty, straight, young thing whose head is beginning to peep above the protection of Mommy and Daddy's watchfulness.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">I'm telling you all this because from now on, a lot of what you eventually become--a lovely woman, a happy woman, and a brilliant, popular woman--depends on you.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">You can't go through life being these things and at the same time frowning. You can't achieve these things and be grumpy. You have to grow so that your every deed and look reflect the glory that is now in your heart and soul.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Smile. Think right. Believe in God and His worldwide forest of men and women. It's up to you.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">I love you,</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Daddy</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">Written by Senator Barry Goldwater to his daughter on June 11, 1948</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNv9wTXUk6XQoL8ylRM2HJdUnGI1Ikf61byj1Jb2kEc6h3RWDDWLLvQ2Zo2oVPo22rIckk3psRwDD0cMEspDNBnwIY6M5Y1uDr80yeITbPte2_KwVQhnKxTzRzf5XjVT3nPsL6SQd0PWf/s1600/PinkGlitterDr_BobbiJo-vi.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="26" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNv9wTXUk6XQoL8ylRM2HJdUnGI1Ikf61byj1Jb2kEc6h3RWDDWLLvQ2Zo2oVPo22rIckk3psRwDD0cMEspDNBnwIY6M5Y1uDr80yeITbPte2_KwVQhnKxTzRzf5XjVT3nPsL6SQd0PWf/s200/PinkGlitterDr_BobbiJo-vi.gif" width="200" /></span></a></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-52647369228073502472011-03-12T10:38:00.002-06:002011-03-12T10:43:27.346-06:00PUBLISHED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've written many short stories and thousands of devotional, even have several books started, hundreds of pages. Finally I can say I am published. I submitted a devotion to Christian Devotions.com and they accepted it. It was published on March 11th, 2011. It's not like I made the top 10 author list or got a contract with Simon and Schuster, but to me it is a real victory. God is faithful and gracious to me in spite of my lack of faithfulness to Him. I'm so greatful for the blood of the Lamb. It covers all my lack.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here is the site where you can read the devotion: <a href="http://christiandevotions.us/tag/bobbicraigmyle/">http://christiandevotions.us/tag/bobbicraigmyle/</a></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Visit</span> <a href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/">Spiritual Sundays</a> <span style="color: #38761d;">for wonderful praise and worship.</span></span></strong></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-35186360356211933682011-02-13T13:41:00.002-06:002011-02-19T06:41:51.923-06:00WHAT GREATER LOVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9DT2ZV5rLq-p3HZ7w6PZFouVZhgneIqNCaPGjATRE8vwz5jZgZ4ZnSOINRk6t6QWyWw9QIPEvqOk-8C2cegEboTuCo0xOBWxw6hd_rV9Y6M7bPpnUFVWsOXWvDOjn4VR_TMr9A7gGYhq/s1600/kiss020308DM_468x344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9DT2ZV5rLq-p3HZ7w6PZFouVZhgneIqNCaPGjATRE8vwz5jZgZ4ZnSOINRk6t6QWyWw9QIPEvqOk-8C2cegEboTuCo0xOBWxw6hd_rV9Y6M7bPpnUFVWsOXWvDOjn4VR_TMr9A7gGYhq/s320/kiss020308DM_468x344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: purple;">This post was written for last weekend's Spiritual Sunday, but the sign up program was not working, so I am entering this post this weekend. It is an example of true love and commitment in the face of adversity, just like God's love for us.</span></strong></div></div><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>It was another morning, just like all the other mornings that had taken place over the last seven and a half years. Chet and Elaine had just finished their usual breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, a roll, and of course, coffee. They were making their way to the living room as they were expecting the Covington's over for a brief time of chatting and catching up on the things that went on since their last get together.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Let's go back to four hours earlier that morning, just to help you understand the significance of the event that was about to take place on this particular morning.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Chet was up at his usual time, 4:30 a.m. He stretched his lanky arms as he walked down the hallway to the kitchen where the coffee pot sat waiting. Chet had carefully laid out 2 cups along with the creamer and sugar bowls. He poured himself a cup of coffee and filled the creamer making sure it was ready. He made his way back to the bathroom to complete his morning shower routine, but Chet never put on the clothes he intended to wear for the day. He put on a long sleeved cotton robe that zipped up the front. After his last sip of his first cup of coffee, he reached for the latex gloves from the box lying on the top shelf. Chet was ready to start the day with his beautiful bride of 53 years.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Entering Elaine's room had become somewhat bittersweet for Chet. But he faithfully went through the steps of a regimen that only love could withstand. Elaine was awake but not quite aware of Chet's presence. He softly called out her name so as not to startle her. "Elaine, sweetheart, it's me, Chet."</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>With only movement of her arms and no reply, Chet went over and began removing the soiled nightgown that had caught the overflow of the disposable undergarment. This was a particularly rough night for Elaine as her bowels seemed to work overtime and the entire bed was covered with the foul waste, as were her hands and face. Chet sponged off what he could and got her to the shower. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>There, he gently washed her gaunt, wrinkled body until she was fresh and clean. After he patted her dry with the softest of towels he saved for her use, he helped her to the seat where he could get her dressed. She wasn't combatant this morning as she was some mornings. Chet was greatful for that. He picked out the light blue dress with the little purple flowers because he knew that was Elaine's favorite dress to wear when she was socializing. After he put on her fresh disposable undergarment and the rest of those regular "women's things" Chet slipped on that dress on Elaine, stepped back and gazed at her as if she were a lovely painting. He said to her, "Elaine, you look so beautiful today. As beautiful as ever."</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>By now, Chet had learned how to fix Elaine's hair much the way she had fixed it herself. She was always one for simplicity, so it was not difficult to replicate. Never, never, never, would Elaine be seen by others without her make up on. That was just something she felt very strongly about. So, Chet set about to powder her nose and chin, topped with a hint of blush. A little mascara and a stroke or two on the eyebrows. Chet whispered that he still had the most beautiful bride in the world.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Elaine sat in her wheelchair, while Chet sang her favorite song, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," and began cleaning up the night's mess. He sang and whistled the tune. Every once in a while, he would call out to Elaine and tell her how much he loved her. Chet did this even though his only response was a glassy stare. When the bedroom was once again ready for another night, and he was properly dressed himself, Chet took Elaine strolling down the hall singing and humming bringing her to the kitchen table. Elaine sat motionless while Chet made them breakfast.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>They made their way into the living room that was all dusted and proper. Chet helped Elaine out of the wheelchair and into her favorite stuffed living room chair near the sofa. About that time, the doorbell rang. It was the Covington's who had come to visit. Opening the door, Chet smiled and invited their long time friends into the room. Mr. Covington began the conversation and said to Chet, "Well, Chet, my friend, how has the good Lord been treating you?"</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Chet gave a genuine grin and replied, "Oh, the good Lord has surely blessed us with another beautiful day to be together and spend time with friends." So they wiled away the hour with musings and news as they had so many times over the years.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">- Bobbi J. Craigmyle, Psy.D.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;">February, 2011</span></strong><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #990000;">"Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone who loveth is born of God and knoweth God." 1 John 4:7</span></strong></em><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #990000;">"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13</span></strong></em><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #990000;">"Now the three of these remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13</span></strong></em><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><span style="color: #990000;">"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate." John 19:4-6</span></strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Please visit <a href="http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/">Spiritual Sundays</a> and open your heart to the wonderful words and music of praise and worship. You'll be glad you did.</span></strong></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-75443937927088398882011-01-30T12:00:00.000-06:002011-01-30T12:00:28.204-06:00THE CLOTHESLINE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2GlzDllvaALbisbdbWPf73HyO9KOmMPMeV51Vq6J4ihyphenhyphenlarAny_iL9ggnWr7sjVWSViJZmW0nd5yXmGRg4KApXiBjgUoqvTLp1picQVgsu52i8M0tCTTBqrcA-jHCDmIdoT0o2IXaUSa/s1600/Colorful_Laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2GlzDllvaALbisbdbWPf73HyO9KOmMPMeV51Vq6J4ihyphenhyphenlarAny_iL9ggnWr7sjVWSViJZmW0nd5yXmGRg4KApXiBjgUoqvTLp1picQVgsu52i8M0tCTTBqrcA-jHCDmIdoT0o2IXaUSa/s320/Colorful_Laundry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES (if you don't know what clotheslines are, better skip this) </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always wondered where my Mom got the rules for hanging clothes. That is the way she made me hang them. Funny, </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you have to be a certain age to appreciate this, but I can hear my mamma now!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. You had to wash the clothes line before hanging any clothes- walk the entire lengths of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first. Longer, heavier things in the back. Shorter things in the front so the wind could blow through it all.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. You never hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbors think? Pin lightly on the seams.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Wash day on a Monday! . . Never hang clothes on the weekend, or Sunday, for Heaven's sake!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Hang the sheets and towels on the outside lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. It didn't matter if it was sub zero weather . .. Clothes would "freeze-dry."</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Always gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky!"</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Clothes off the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. IRONED?! Well, that's a whole other subject! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A POEM</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A clothesline was a news forecast </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To neighbors passing by. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were no secrets you could keep </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When clothes were hung to dry.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also was a friendly link </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For neighbors always knew </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If company had stopped on by </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To spend a night or two. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For then you'd see the "fancy sheets" </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And towels upon the line; </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'd see the "company table cloths" </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With intricate designs. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The line announced a baby's birth </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From folks who lived inside - </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As brand new infant clothes were hung, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So carefully with pride! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ages of the children could </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So readily be known </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By watching how the sizes changed, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'd know how much they'd grown! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also told when illness struck, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As extra sheets were hung; </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haphazardly were strung. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also said, "Gone on vacation now" </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When lines hung limp and bare. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With not an inch to spare! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New folks in town were scorned upon </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If wash was dingy and gray, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As neighbors carefully raised their brows, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And looked the other way . . . </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But clotheslines now are of the past, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For dryers make work much less. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now what goes on inside a home </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is anybody's guess! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really miss that way of life </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a friendly sign </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When neighbors knew each other best > </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By what hung on the line!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial;"> - Unknown Author</span></strong></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-20663227362131028982011-01-30T11:10:00.000-06:002011-01-30T11:10:35.446-06:00THE BEST THINGS TO GIVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>The best things to give:</u></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To your friend</span> --- <span style="color: purple;">loyalty</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To your enemy</span> --- <span style="color: purple;">forgiveness</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To your boss</span> ---<span style="color: purple;"> service</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To a child</span> --- <span style="color: purple;">a good example</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To your parents</span> --- <span style="color: purple;">gratitude and devotion</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To your wedded mate</span> ---<span style="color: purple;"> love and faithfulness</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To all men</span> --- <span style="color: purple;">charity</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">To God</span> --- <span style="color: purple;">your life</span></span></strong><br />
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<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Author Unknown</span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Find more inspirational words, pictures, music, and thoughts at</span> </strong><a href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/"><strong>Spiritual Sundays</strong></a><strong>.</strong></div></div>INSIDE THE SHRINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846286223640949746.post-60840880502054180002011-01-08T09:45:00.003-06:002011-01-08T09:49:45.603-06:00CURSE GOD AND DIE!<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend, I wanted to do something for <a href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/">Spiritual Sundays</a> on this blog. I have 4 different daily devotional applications on my phone and one of them this morning struck me as something I should share with my blog friends and visitors. I'm so painfully aware of how easy it is to give up when life seems to have taken everything good away and there is nothing left but misery and hopelessness. Jesus tells us about this in the Gospel of St. John: <span style="color: #cc0000;">"</span><em><span style="color: #cc0000;">I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." </span><span style="color: #660000;">NIV</span></em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial;">This devotion is taken from the devotion called <span style="color: #134f5c;"><em><a href="http://thisistoday.com/archives/curses-into-blessings-2011-01-08/">Today</a></em></span><span style="color: #660000;">. It was written by Norm Prenger. I pray that the Lord will speak to you through His Holy Spirit so that you may be comforted, encouraged, and able to do likewise to those who may need it. God bless, Dr. Bobbi</span></span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgS-FVoeUOrXt0mjyhT9WxFa3h6dfcFh7jnkw4ncEkQQvUg-u03inbwcoe4Vlj9mKQHVRN9gm75ii9BLGJsBnlQD1q7bl5dlWHs5Zw6o1M_15U0VgQ_82SbAfZQl4n4VjPH-E0329GJtX/s1600/job.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgS-FVoeUOrXt0mjyhT9WxFa3h6dfcFh7jnkw4ncEkQQvUg-u03inbwcoe4Vlj9mKQHVRN9gm75ii9BLGJsBnlQD1q7bl5dlWHs5Zw6o1M_15U0VgQ_82SbAfZQl4n4VjPH-E0329GJtX/s1600/job.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #274e13;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">CURSE GOD AND DIE</span></strong></span></div><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Job 2:9</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>My heart goes out to Job’s wife. She lost so much—beautiful sons and daughters, a substantial lifestyle, her security and dignity. Now her husband was covered in terrible sores and mumbling praises to God with ash-covered lips. Job’s own skin had become for her a living canvas depicting life’s cruelty and religion’s futility. Something inside of her snapped.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>She is not alone. It’s ironic, but many folks drift away from faith in God for one of two reasons: life can be either too pleasant or too painful. Both ways of experiencing life can lead us to forget our Creator. A life of ease can lead to laziness, and a life of pain can lead to bitter despair. Satan is happy when we experience either outcome.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t promise a life of ease. It’s not some sort of spiritual painkiller to take away suffering. In fact, to embrace the truth can mean embracing even more pain—for Jesus’ sake. Leaving behind lives that are built around sin and selfishness will feel like dying. But death won’t have the last word.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Dear woman, look again at your husband, Job. See in his suffering a hint of the coming suffering of your Savior. See in Job’s faithfulness to God, despite so much suffering, an expression of the integrity of faith to which we are all called. All is not lost, and all can be forgiven.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Prayer</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Lord, forgive us when we give in to despair. We trust the One who endured the cross for love’s better day. With him, may we let it all go into our Father’s hands. Amen. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Norm Prenger</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://thisistoday.com/archives/curses-into-blessings-2011-01-08/">http://thisistoday.com/archives/curses-into-blessings-2011-01-08/</a></span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_swlmbNTeYfrzAsj9IOdNVk4Y-uM19Vg5a_VTOmAF3ISI88jMuoewv1f_Nk0Y9iM4Rszu3_6X0eOQjWrcQQQNUv_amZyJIA2isJf_3NAzmsoWejnkP66Gx9-IXood9D2ItBOvLf6DlcLQ/s1600/Name+Tag+5-30-08.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_swlmbNTeYfrzAsj9IOdNVk4Y-uM19Vg5a_VTOmAF3ISI88jMuoewv1f_Nk0Y9iM4Rszu3_6X0eOQjWrcQQQNUv_amZyJIA2isJf_3NAzmsoWejnkP66Gx9-IXood9D2ItBOvLf6DlcLQ/s200/Name+Tag+5-30-08.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Galatians 2:20</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><br />
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