tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24704625185906858662024-03-19T04:58:24.933-07:00woman2womanwoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-58652726885866096802024-03-19T04:57:00.000-07:002024-03-19T04:57:53.311-07:00<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Jehovah Roi--God Sees Me</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In Genesis 16:7-13, Hagar, Sarah's servant is expecting Abraham's first child. Hagar has become defiant, Sarah has to deal with the problem, and Hagar has run away. As she is sitting alone in a desert place, she hears the voice of the Angel of the Lord and he said, "Hagar, go back home to Sarah and submit to her." He then tells her she will have a son, he will become a prosperous man, and his name will be Ishmael. In v13, Hagar says this: "God sees me." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jehovah Roi is the Hebrew name for The God Who Sees Me. Today you may feel invisible. You may feel no one sees you, no one hears you, no one understands you, not even your husband or your closest friend. But Jehovah Roi sees you. He understands you and you are important to Him. You are never alone, you are never "unseen."</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you know someone who is suffering from lonliness and feeling "unseen" please share this post with her and let her know that The God Who Sees, sees her.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Penny</span></p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-80707907538554375372023-06-06T05:10:00.000-07:002023-06-06T05:10:50.012-07:00Just as a Little Child<p> I am an admirer of Billy and Ruth Graham. I admire their love story, I admire their choice to live modestly and in such contrast to many popular preachers and evangelists of our day. I have read many of their books and especially enjoy Ruth's biography, "It's My Turn." In her biography she inspires women of every age to live for Christ, love and serve your husband, devote yourself to your marriage and children, and serve faithfully wherever He places you. </p><p>In her biography she says this; When Jesus put the little child in the midst of His disciples (Matt.18-1-5) He did not tell the little child to become like the disciples: He told the disciples to become like the little child. </p><p>My grandchildren are teaching me many spiritual lessons. As I listen to their sweet words of love, as I witness their trust in their parents and see their devotion and abandonment to those of us in their lives they depend on, it reminds me that God desires my free expressions of love. He desires that I trust Him when I don't understand the circumstances of my life or the situations He sends my way. He longs that I remain devoted to Him with abandonment and depend upon Him and Him alone to provide for me, to sustain me, and direct, and yes, even to correct. For I have discovered in my own life that it is easy to have child-like faith when things are going well, but not so easy when I am chastised and corrected for sin in my life. </p><p>The things that come from a child toward his parents are simple things. They are not complicated at all. Trust, faith, obedience, devotion, expressions of love, loyalty, spending time together, expressing thanks, can easily be seen in children who love their parents. And these are child-like expressions of love and faith I long to give my Savior. </p><p>We're quick to point out to our children those adults they are to admire, imitate, and strive to be like and that is not always a bad thing. But I want to be just as quick to take Jesus at His word and strive to be more like a little child in my faith and my approach to God.</p><p>Every single person, from the greatest to the least has come to Christ as a little child. Only when we put away all the "grown-up" ideas, misconceptions, misunderstandings, false teachings and come to Him with the same love, devotion, and trust as a little child can we ever experience the true joy and sweetness of Jesus. </p><p>Come to Him as a little child today. He will not turn you away. </p><p><br /></p><p>Penny</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-66772608277209747682023-01-21T05:28:00.000-08:002023-01-21T05:28:03.676-08:00Don't Nurse the Hurt<p> Have you ever been treated unfairly? Or worse, have you ever had to see your child treated unfairly? Nothing gets a Mama fired up like seeing her child go through the hurt of unfair treatment. </p><p>Often when we've been deeply hurt, we find comfort in "nursing the hurt." We nurse it by dwelling on the pain, reliving the mean words said to us, and sometimes by plotting our revenge.</p><p>The truth is, all of us have been treated unfairly. All of us have been hurt by the careless words and actions of others. And each time we are hurt we can either let the hurt consume us and dictate our actions, or we can "attack" the hurt by responding like Jesus.</p><p>Matthew 5 is one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. It is filled with such deep, spiritual truth that I believe it is one of those passages that should be read slowly, deliberately, prayerfully, and by all means, take notes. In v44 Jesus tells us four things we can do when we're treated unfairly to make sure we don't live our lives "nursing the hurt."</p><p>1. Love the one who hurt you. Sounds impossible, doesn't it? Well it isn't. Through much prayer and humility, we can do it. Jesus would never command us to do something that He could not enable us to do. It will be hard, but we can learn to love them.</p><p>2. Be a blessing. Again, it won't be easy. Some days may be especially hard, but look for ways to be a blessing, in spite of the pain.</p><p>3. Do something good for them, something that goes above the ordinary. A word of encouragement, a kindness to them or their family, an action that says, "I'm trying."</p><p>4. Pray for them. Each time you see them, especially, soon after the hurt, you will think about what was said or done to you. You will play it out in your mind and it is at this crucial time in the process that satan will enlarge it in your mind. He will do all he can to keep you from praying for them because he knows when a believer prays for an enemy the Holy Spirit begins to soften our heart. And oh my ladies, he does not want you or me to have a soft heart.</p><p>I greatly admire Dr. Adrian Rogers and he said this about these 4 things; "It will be easier to respond in love if we have done the other three things. I know one thing: you'll be better. You see, we are not in the world to please other people. We are here to please Jesus." </p><p>When I bless my offender, when I do something good for her, when I pray for them, I am re-building our relationship. It may be much different than it was before the hurtful words, but as I purposely put into action these 3 things I will find that I can say, "I love you." </p><p>As long as we are nursing the hurt, we won't heal. We nurse it each time we allow it to consume our thoughts and feelings. Healing will come when we obey God and put into practice these four things. God is faithful. His word is a healing balm for our hurting heart, and He can restore any relationship. Obey Him even when you don't understand what He is asking you to do and trust Him to bring good out of every situation. He will.</p><p>I'd love to hear from you.</p><p>Penny</p><p><br /></p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-69909205821601815602022-08-27T08:37:00.001-07:002022-08-27T08:37:40.839-07:00He's Closer Than You Think<p>I love the change of seasons. I would not like to live where I could not look forward to spring and summer, flowers, fresh corn and tomatoes from the garden, and long, sunny, hot days. For me, life would be dull without the anticipation of fall with its changing leaves, pumpkins sitting everywhere, cool crisp mornings, evenings with a fire in the firepit. And then there is all the "getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas." I love it when my family gathers around the table. I enjoy decorating the tree, getting just the right gifts, the Christmas play at church, Luke chapter 2.</p><p>I've learned that my faith goes though seasons too. There is the season of fresh, new faith. Those sweet times of discovering God and all His splendor, just after we're saved. Those early years when He is building our faith by answering the smallest of prayers, revealing Himself to us as we read those first words from His Word, as we sing the old hymns with a new awareness of what they mean, and we hang onto every word the preacher says. There is nothing so sweet as fresh, new faith.</p><p>Then there are the middle years of our journey with the Savior, I call them the "busy years." We've reached a place of maturity, but we still have a lot of learning to do. Our family is growing and we're busy with raising kids, growing our relationship with our husband, helping with our parents, working in the church and all the countless other things that fill our lives. Our fellowship is sweet and comfortable, but not quite as intense as fresh, new faith.</p><p>Then there comes the season of feeling that God is not as close as He once was; He feels so far away. Our prayers are not as intense, they seem to be more "me" focused. My spiritual gifts that I excitedly used in the church during my fresh new faith season have become more of a "chore", not a pleasure. If you are in this season now, you don't have to stay there. We can never go back to "fresh new faith," but mature faith is an exciting faith as we look forward to Christ's return and an eternity in His presence. And the good news is this: God hasn't changed, and He never will. (Malachi 3:6) And when I draw near to God, He will draw near to me. (James 4:8)</p><p>So how do I get there? How do I draw near to God when I don't know how?</p><p>Here are 5 things that help me when I feel God is far away.</p><p>1. Confess that you have moved and tell Him you are sorry. God never changes. He has promised to always be with us, so if I feel He is far away, guess who moved? Me. The first step in getting closer to God is to admit that I have moved away, not Him.</p><p>2. Begin right now to thank Him for everything in your life. Giving thanks is an act of obedience. (1 Thess. 5:18) Start right where you are and thank Him for the good and the bad and He will bless your obedience. He will bless you with more of Himself and more faith.</p><p>3. Sing His praises. Whether it actually be in song or in your heart praise Him! Praise Him for Who He is: Praise Him for His goodness: Praise Him for His love: Praise Him for forgiveness of sin: Praise Him that You belong to Him. Get the idea? Praise Him for everything! Psalm 148:5 says it best; "Let them praise the name of the Lord for He created them."</p><p>4. Immerse yourself in the Word of God. Read it with hunger and let Him fill you up with Who He is. He will not disappoint you. The more you read it, the more you will crave it.</p><p>5. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5:17) Talk to God as if He is standing right there in the room because He is. He is your Father and whatever you are concerned about concerns Him too. You are His beloved child, and He will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5 and 6.)</p><p>James 4:8 is a promise from God; "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." He's closer than you think. He is only one step away and He's waiting for you to take that first step toward Him. </p><p>I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and share the blog with friends.</p><p>Thank you so much for your prayers and support.</p><p><br /></p><p>Penny</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.</p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-47201986402475171842022-05-24T05:12:00.000-07:002022-05-24T05:12:43.568-07:00Sing Like Paul and Silas!<p> I love to sing......usually. It's easy to sing when life is good, the family is healthy and well fed, and all the bills are paid. But throw in a teenager making a bad decision, a large unexpected medical bill, a layoff at work, or no job at all and singing is not at the top of my list of fun things to do when my heart is hurting. But in Acts 16, that is exactly what Paul and Silas chose to do: sing as loud as they could sing.</p><p>Paul and Silas were preaching throughout Asia Minor, the churches were growing and people's lives were being changed. In v16, a young servant girl "with a spirit of divination" followed them and relentlessly distracted from the message they preached. Paul commanded the demon to leave her, it did, and he and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison. Bleeding and in much pain it would have been so easy to feel despair and rejection from God. After all, isn't that when satan delights to attack our feelings and emotions? He beats us up when we are down, he reminds us of our past when we feel good. He knows our weaknesses and he relentlessly uses them against us.</p><p>Does life seem overwhelming today? Are you anxious, fearful, lonely? Get ready: you have a song to sing!</p><p>When we sing a song of praise and thanksgiving in the midst of our turmoil we are saying, "Lord, I trust you. There is nothing in my life beyond your power to fix." </p><p>When Paul and Silas began to sing and preach to the other inmates the Bible says the men listened. That says to me that when we go through difficult times and circumstances we are given an opportunity to work with God in our suffering and bring honor and glory to Him, or we can work against Him. When we sing praises to Christ, we work with Him and people listen. </p><p>Ladies, it works! Singing songs of praise and thanks lifts me from the bottom of the pit and sits me at the feet of Jesus. So...folding laundry? Sing. Vacuuming? Sing. Changing a diaper? Sing. Feeling physical or emotional pain? Sing. It may be the LAST thing we want to do when we're hurting, but let's determine to make it the FIRST thing we do. </p><p>Sing like Paul and Silas!</p><p><br /></p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-69651641003631201102022-04-17T06:44:00.000-07:002022-04-17T06:44:32.453-07:00Death Could Not Make Him Stay<p>Happy Easter! </p><p>The grave clothes are folded, the tomb is empty, there is no smell of death. </p><p>There is no weeping only joy, He lives just as He said.</p><p><br /></p><p>Friend, Jesus is alive today, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, He died for you. He loves you. He will accept you. If you have not repented of your sins, please do so now. In faith, cry out to Jesus, He loves you, He will save you.</p><p><br /></p><p>Death Could Not Make Him Stay</p><p><br /></p><p>They were scared, tired and cold</p><p>The day was long, the night longer</p><p>They had promised to be bold, </p><p>They'd promised to be stronger</p><p><br /></p><p>Huddled close together</p><p>As they watched the eastern sky</p><p>They waited for the morning</p><p>Why did He have to die?</p><p><br /></p><p>Then Mary came and told them</p><p>"Come and see the empty tomb.</p><p>He is not there He is alive,</p><p>Come with me, see it too."</p><p><br /></p><p>Oh Yes! The tomb was empty,</p><p>Just the way that Mary said</p><p>John went in, He was alive</p><p>John knew He was not dead</p><p><br /></p><p>No grave could hold the Son of God</p><p>Death could not make Him stay</p><p>Praise God Christ won the victory!</p><p>He is alive today.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Happy Resurrection Morning!</p><p><br /></p><p>Penny </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-42340497433938902152021-11-17T11:22:00.001-08:002021-11-17T11:32:30.212-08:00Where Were the Other Nine?<p> As a young Mom, manners were a big thing at our house. And I remember well the very first courtesy I taught to our oldest was to say "Thank You." With his sweet little "just learning to talk voice" how proud I was to hear him say "tank you" to each gift, a cookie, or help with a toy, and then to hear the words of praise in response from others who had been the recipient of that sweet little "tank you."</p><p>A grateful heart is a mark of a maturing believer and it speaks to our appreciation for all the graces and mercies we have received. Just as any parent enjoys hearing words of appreciation, Jesus' heart is blessed when we respond with thanksgiving for Who He is, for all He is to us.</p><p>Gratitude is taught many places in the Bible, but one of my favorites is found in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and he "passed through the middle of Samaria and Galilee." He didn't have to go that route, but He chose to go right through a place that the Jews hated, and a place that hated them. I personally believe that Jesus wanted to teach His disciples the importance of stepping outside our comfort zone, of being willing to be in uncomfortable places with less than friendly people and share our faith. And the perfect place for that lesson was in Samaria. </p><p>Ten lepers saw Jesus and carefully approached Him, making sure to keep their "legal" distance. They recognized Who He was and loudly shouted, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When Jesus heard them and saw them, He commanded that they follow the Law's requirement for cleansing and go to the priest and show him that they were healed, that they were ready to return to their homes, their families, their lives.</p><p>In verse 15, when one the 10 looked at his skin and saw that those awful, sickening white leper's spots were healed he went no farther: he fell down at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. With his face on the ground, repeating the words, thank You, thank You, over and over, Jesus looks around and notices that the other nine are no where to be seen.</p><p>In v17 Jesus asked the man, "Where are the other nine?" Then Jesus said, "You are the only one to give God the glory for your healing. Get up, go anywhere you choose, your faith has healed you."</p><p>We know nothing more about this thankful man but someday soon in Heaven I would like to talk with him and learn the rest of his story. I believe it will be a story of blessing, because ladies please remember this: God blesses thankfulness, with more to be thankful for. Don't miss an opportunity for blessing by forgetting to say, Thank You, Lord.</p><p>Are you in need of answered prayer? Start each day with "Thank You, Lord", then start naming the good and the not so good, and thanking Him for everything. (1 Thess. 5:18) You will feel so good, you will be so blessed, you will be amazed. Thankful people are happy people and don't you know that this man who was once a leper knew the true meaning of Thank You and all the blessings that comes with it.</p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-73399861487360161282021-04-24T14:45:00.001-07:002021-04-24T14:45:52.427-07:00You Are There<p> You Are There</p><p><br /></p><p>No matter the trial, You are there</p><p>No matter the fire, You are there</p><p>In the testing, in the pain, </p><p>Nothing wasted, or in vain</p><p>In the sunshine, in the rain, You are there.</p><p><br /></p><p>Such comfort trusting, You are there</p><p>Such joy in knowing, You are there</p><p>In the splendor, in the peace</p><p>In surrender, on my knees</p><p>Always faithful, You will be</p><p>You are there.</p><p><br /></p><p>He is there for you ladies, no matter what you are facing, no matter your circumstances, wherever you may be today, He is there.</p><p><br /></p><p>Penny</p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-68041542125062311952020-12-29T08:38:00.000-08:002020-12-29T08:38:31.132-08:00The God Who Sees<p> Do you ever feel like a tiny little speck in a great big world? I do. It is a lonely feeling, a feeling that no one sees you, or understands how you feel or what you need. I remember the first time I felt the overwhelming reality that I was indeed a tiny little speck in a great big world. The front porch of our house had two swings, one on each end, and my sisters and I would often sit in those swings and make up all sorts of games. We imagined the swings were airplanes, or trains, or even ships on the ocean and we were all on a journey to a far away land. We especially loved to play those games on rainy summer nights and on one such stormy night while pretending we were in the middle of the ocean, I looked out into that big front yard with all those trees and felt so tiny, so small. I remember exactly where I was, which swing I was in, and just how I felt: a tiny little speck in a great big world.</p><p>Many years have passed since that dark, rainy night in that front porch swing, but I can still experience feeling small and unseen. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, a young woman named Hagar experienced the same feelings: she felt alone and that no one saw her.</p><p>Hagar was a maid servant to Sarah, Abraham's wife. She was an Egyptian and she became a part of their household when Abraham had taken his clan to Egypt, and because of his deception to the Pharaoh, he was commanded to leave. The Pharaoh had given Hagar to Sarah while Sarah was living in Pharaoh's house and when Abraham was ordered to leave, Hagar went with them and she became the property of Sarah. Her life was completely controlled by her mistress, she had no say-so at all, and when Sarah was unable to have children, she gave Hagar to Abraham as his concubine. The child they would have together would be considered the child of Sarah and Abraham. But as soon as Hagar was expecting, everything changed. Whether it was jealousy or pride, the two women found themselves in a much different relationship than before. Hagar became insolent and when Sarah complained to Abraham, he told her to take control of the situation. She did, and when she disciplined Hagar, Hagar ran away. </p><p>In Genesis 16, Hagar finds herself in the wilderness, all alone, and afraid. But then an amazing thing happened: the incarnate Lord appeared to her, an Egyptian girl, a Gentile, and asked her why she was in that wilderness place. She told Him she was done, (I've said that a few times) she was leaving, (felt like doing that a few times) she said, "I'm running and I'm not going back!"</p><p>In verses 9-12, the Lord told her to return to Sarah and to "submit" to Sarah's authority. And then He made her some amazing promises that let her know she was not alone, she was important, He saw her. She was expecting a child and that child would become a great man and do great things. </p><p>I love reading the Hebrew names for God and I want you to mark Genesis 16:14 in your Bible and when you feel all alone, that no one sees you, this verse will assure you that you are seen and known by God: v14; Then she called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her, Jehovah Roi, the God Who Sees; "For," she said, "Have I also seen Him Who sees me."</p><p>Maybe you are in a wilderness place today. Maybe your wilderness is financial, or a relationship with someone you love is strained, or maybe you are feeling alone because of your health. No matter your wilderness place, or how alone or unseen you may feel, Jehovah Roi sees you. He sees exactly where you are physically and spiritually, and He cares. </p><p>Hagar was obedient to God. She went back to Sarah and to her home. She had a son and named him Ishmael, just as the Lord commanded. God kept HIs promises to her, and Ishmael became a great man. I believe Hagar often called out to Jehovah Roi and each time she did she knew that "she had seen Him Who saw her."</p><p>Are you feeling like a tiny little speck in a great big world? Look to Jehovah Roi because He is looking at you. </p><p>Penny</p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-62702547117973373962020-11-05T10:09:00.001-08:002020-11-05T10:19:10.415-08:00It's Time to be Bold<p>I do not like confrontations. I do not like to disagree, hurt someone's feelings.....take a stand. I like happy, feel good moments with everyone getting along, smiling and agreeing, in other words, "I'm not a fighter." But just the other day I learned a very important lesson that I pray I don't soon forget: true believers, true followers of Christ, Christians living under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ are called upon, yes even commanded to confront, disagree, hurt the feelings of a loved one if necessary...to take a stand.</p><p>I have tried to stay clear of battles on Facebook concerning the election, (will it ever be over?) the pandemic controversy of mask or no mask, ( I'm saving money on makeup) and the endless lists of opinions on everything from laundry detergent to the best way to peel a banana. But ladies, when it comes to biblical authority it is time to be bold. It is time to stand.</p><p>Almost 20 years ago a young woman began attending my Sunday School class. She was so sweet, so eager to learn and in the course of time she became a believer and began to grow in her faith. I invested myself in her by praying for her and with her, and listening to her questions about the Bible and how to apply it to her life. I've watched her mature as a wife and Mom, teacher of young children and faithful Christian. She has blessed me many times by thanking me for mentoring her in her faith. She is kind, soft spoken, doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or stir the pot so to speak, but she became the teacher and I the student as I watched her take a stand and be bold.</p><p>My friend is pro life and outspoken about her convictions. She not only says that she is pro life, she backs it up with her involvement in children's causes. After sharing a pro life post on her Facebook page, a person she respected and liked challenged her belief. And when I read this young woman's response I had to share what I learned:</p><p>1. Begin with the positive. Thank them for sharing their feelings with you. Ask how they are doing, give them a heartfelt compliment or word of encouragement.</p><p>2. Respect them and their opinion. The tone of our voice or the tone of the words we speak or write telegraph our respect or disrespect. To be bold does not necessarily mean being loud.</p><p>3. State your convictions without apology. A conviction is much different than a preference or opinion. A conviction defines us and dictates our words and actions. Believers live by our convictions, not our opinions. We owe no one an answer or apology for our convictions. Convictions influence people. Leaders lead by conviction, not by opinion.</p><p>4. Be ok with walking away. Not everyone will agree with you or respect you. If that changes me, then I need a time of reflection and self-examination. If someone is not ok with my convictions, I must decide where my loyalty lies: with my Savior or with what others think of me.</p><p>I believe the time of our Lord's return is near, and if there ever was a time for Christian women to be bold in our faith and convictions it is now. In Esther 4:4 Mordaci said to her, "Who knows if you were brought to the kingdom for such a time as this?" You and I were not placed her in this time and place by accident: we are here "For such a time as this." We are here to be bold.</p><p><br /></p><p>Penny</p><p> </p><p> </p>woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-36367388829050426772020-06-13T07:54:00.000-07:002020-06-13T08:03:21.161-07:00My Forever HomeI love Fixer Upper. I love Property Brothers, Home Town, you name it I really enjoy home improvement shows and one phrase that seems to be the theme of most of them is, "forever home."<br />
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I like old stuff. Old dishes, old furniture, old houses, David loves old cars, we like old stuff. There is something so satisfying about getting a room painted, a new area rug, an old drop leaf table with an old pitcher sitting on it filled with hydrangeus from my yard that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. I'm a nester, I love my home and there is no other place I'd rather be than safely tucked in, within the walls of my little place on earth.<br />
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In 2019 Americans spent an average of $9,081.00 on home improvements. We did not, but I sure spent my fair share. Home improvements have increased more than 17% and decorating/renovation cost now surpass home maintenance. Let's face it, we like to decorate our homes. And within reason and the right priorities, there isn't anything wrong with wanting our home to be a refection of our personal style and taste. The Bible even says it's ok and encourages us in Proverbs 31 to "look well to the ways of our household." In Genesis we can even read about some of the decor that adorned the tents of Sarah, Rebekah and Rachael. But here's the thing.....this little corner where I live is not my forever home. And no matter how much I paint, fix up, keep up with the latest styles and decor of my friends it will still be just a little house here on earth that I live in for just a little while. But..... while I am maintaining my home here on earth and copying what I see on all those decorating shows or trending designs of my friends, Jesus is preparing my real home, my forever home. In John 14:3 Jesus tells me that He is preparing a place for me, a home like nothing I have ever seen or can imagine. Nothing can destroy it, it is mine, His gift to me. It will be decorated beautifully.<br />
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In our church service last Sunday evening, our pastor encouraged us to share what we had learned about ourselves during the covid 19 shutdown. I knew without even thinking about it that I had learned the true meaning of contentment. While I grieved over the images I saw on tv about the suffering taking place all over the world, I was content to stay home, to stay put. David and I have lived here almost 50 years. We've raised 3 sons here (believe me it shows the scars) and 9 grandchildren fill it up with love and laughter. (and sometimes a few more scars) So what do all of these random thoughts and ramblings really boil down to? Simply this:<br />
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Don't get caught up in the house and miss the home.<br />
There are no forever homes here on earth.<br />
Let your home really be your home. It's ok if everything doesn't match, if it looks a little dated, if there's a few bumps and scars. Sheetrock can be fixed, believe me I know. Someday I'll write a post about all the holes in the sheetrock from wrestling matches, "hall ball", and yes, walking on your hands and falling into the wall. The memories that are made here are eternal and our kids will learn early in life what we really value: do we value them more than we value our temporary home? Because you see, children are eternal, they are forever, houses are not.<br />
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So... I guess I'll keep watching Joanna Gaines do her thing, and the Property Brothers work themselves crazy trying to create a forever home. But while I"m watching, I won't loose sight of my forever home in Heaven. There, I will live for all of eternity with the One Who made it possible for me to live in a forever home, bought, paid for, created by Him.<br />
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Matthew 6:20<br />
Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven, where moth nor rust corrupts and thieves do not break in and steal. V21: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.<br />
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Where is your treasure? Where is your heart?woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-171092650579767682020-01-28T10:07:00.001-08:002020-01-28T10:12:32.991-08:00The Most Important Question You Can AskThe sudden deaths of Kobe Bryant, his young daughter, and seven others has shocked the world. So young, so much life to live, so much to give, and then in an instant it was gone. As a believer I know that God has complete control over life and death, our world and everything in it, but still, we wonder why some who have so much to give and to live for are taken so young, and the evil we see around us continues, unaffected by the good.<br />
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I read a short article by Randy Shepherd and Jamie Johnson telling that they had met Kobe Bryant in a hotel lobby at the Summer Olympics. They talked briefly, then they asked him if he had ever accepted Jesus as his Savior and he said yes. They gave him a gospel tract and he took it graciously, the three had their picture taken together, then went their separate ways. Even though I do not know these men, actually never heard of them before, I must say I admire their boldness in asking someone I would think as unapproachable, the most important question that a believer can ask: "Has there been a time in your life when you knew you were lost and you asked Jesus to forgive your sins, then asked Him to save you?"</div>
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Many people believe that if the good they do outweighs the bad, they'll go to heaven when we die.</div>
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Many believe they must be baptized, be a part of a certain church or movement, or do good works and that will be sufficient. But the Bible declares that the only way to heaven is to: recognize that we are lost without Christ, repent (turn) from our sin, ask Jesus to forgive our sins and to save our soul. </div>
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Be bold today; ask someone you love the most important question. Ask a friend the most important question. And yes, ask someone you hardly know at all the question that could start a conversation that would change a person's eternal destiny.</div>
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Listed are scriptures that can help you get started. Be bold. Share your faith. We never know how close someone may be to hearing the gospel message for the last time.<br />
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John 3:16<br />
Romans 3:23<br />
Romans 5:8<br />
Romans 10: 9, 10<br />
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Penny</div>
woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-50662518445829904352019-11-26T07:28:00.000-08:002019-11-26T07:28:57.576-08:00A Measure of FaithDoubt is such a terrible thing. Whether it was doubt expressed by the Israelites when Joshua and Caleb returned from spying out the Promised Land, the doubt of the rich young ruler, or my doubt that God's promise is for me, doubt is defeat for the believer and victory for the enemy of my soul and it is a terrible thing.<br />
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I confess, I have doubted, and not just once. I tend to lean toward the premise that what can go wrong will. But in the last few years I have recognized what my doubt is really doing; it creates a spiritual wall between God and me and prevents the answers to my prayers and the intimacy with my Heavenly Father that I so long for.<br />
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One day last spring I experienced the provision of God after a long season of doubt and it left me in such a state of awe that still amazes me today and replaced my doubt with belief. This is an entry in my journal and a poem I wrote about that experience:<br />
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"The Lord provided yesterday in a surprising way. I am still awed this morning. Oh how I love Him. Oh how thankful I am for my Jehovah Jireh. He is my provider, He is my everything."<br />
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When I Thought He Couldn't 4-25-19<br />
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Just when I thought He couldn't, He did<br />
Just when I thought He wouldn't, He did<br />
Just when I doubted, cried and complained<br />
When all I could do was to call out His name,<br />
say, "Oh it's impossible, I am to blame"<br />
Just when I thought, "Not this time." He did.<br />
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If you have doubts that God will keep His promise, answer your prayer, or do what He says he will do, you are not alone. The men and women of the Old and New Testament had their doubts from time to time as well. But when we recognize that what is missing from our doubt is faith, and when we realize that it is God who provides the "measure of faith" (Romans 12:3) we need to believe, well....that literally changes everything.<br />
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God is faithful. He Loves you. He can. He will. He has given you the measure of faith to believe His promises. He will never fail you.<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-79371410012857094582019-07-18T08:19:00.000-07:002019-07-18T08:20:57.180-07:00God is AbleGod is able. No matter what your situation may look like, no matter what you have been told, God is able. Ephesians 3:20; God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.<br />
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Are you lonely this morning? God is able to comfort you and give you companionship.<br />
Are your finances pulling you under? God is able to supply your need.<br />
Hungry? God is able to feed you.<br />
Afraid? God is able to protect you.<br />
Is your marriage falling apart? God is able to restore love and your broken marriage.<br />
Are you sick? God is able to heal you. He is our Jehovah Rapha.<br />
Are your children in trouble and away from God? God is able to draw them back.<br />
Are you anxious for the days ahead? God is able to control the future.<br />
Is your heart burdened with a deep desire that you haven't shared with anyone? God is able. He knows your heart and He is able to give you your deepest desire.<br />
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Trust in His promise, believe with all your heart that He is able. Don't quit, don't give up.<br />
God is able.<br />
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Penny<br />
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<br />woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-1627180247984984982019-07-09T14:27:00.002-07:002019-07-09T14:32:05.870-07:00My Remembrance BookI am a fan of Little House on the Prairie. Each Monday night at 7:00 my little boys and I would sit in front of our big ole box tv and watch as the writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder played out on that screen. Most Monday nights David was working and each fall and winter when a new episode aired I made sure homework was done, baths were over, the popcorn popped and we were ready for each new adventure. Of course I had read every single book she'd written and even though most episodes weren't actually in the book, the theme was the same each week; good wins. In the very first episode of the tv show, and in the opening page of her first book, Laura says, "If I had a remembrance book."<br />
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In a recent conversation with a friend, she shared the very real struggle she was having with depression and anxiety. As a woman I could relate. Studies show that women are more prone to suffer depression and anxiety than men, and while I am certainly not qualified to speak from a clinical perspective, I want to share with you something that helps me when I feel myself slipping into that dark pit of self absorption and lies of the enemy; my remembrance book.<br />
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I have loved writing since I was a little girl and for most of my adult life I have kept a daily journal. I also love to keep a journal of my daily Bible readings and even writing down on paper my prayers. But I have one special arrangement of writings that reminds me of God's love, His mercy, His faithfulness, His goodness, and the truth of who I am in Christ. It is my remembrance book and it has truly been light in the darkness, my shelter in the storm, because it is God's perspective of me.<br />
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You see, for me, a remembrance book cannot be written in the dark; it can only be written in the light. So I prepare for the dark, while I am in the light. So how do you make your own remembrance book? Today, begin remembering the good things, and writing them down. It's good to put a date beside them if you can. Write a scripture with a promise, write what you feel the scripture is speaking into your life, write about a special memory, a fun adventure, those you love. While you are in the light, look for God's activity in your life and your family. Look for the little things like a sunset, your granddaughter's laughter, a gift from your son, a dinner with your husband, a special hymn that touched you deeply. The point is....remember something good, then write it down because when the darkness comes, it's hard to remember the good times of the light. And when the fear, the dread, the depressing thoughts come to your mind, get your remembrance book and begin to read.<br />
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Many times in the scriptures God encourages us to remember the good. In Genesis 9:13 God gave Noah a rainbow to help him remember His promise not to destroy the world again by a flood. When we observe the Lord's Supper we are to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. The most important memory anyone can have is when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. And each time I remember the good, the darkness is beaten back just a little bit farther because nothing dark can exist in the light.<br />
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This is by no means the answer to all forms of depression or anxiety. It is simply something that helps me keep a balance in my thinking. Remember the good, write it down, choose to read it when you feel the dark creeping in. Laura Ingalls Wilder had no idea that her remembrance book would have such an impact on the literary world. What could your remembrance book do for you and maybe others?<br />
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Penny<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14YBrUBYjUE9-FbhEFZ0MiT4Jnnw5iyLQAha_2efaRCTnWP7B7Y6FGMU_hRfNqFUELW1r2AN4_GbEXLtS9j2w7xUEX2fx_9kD6bYEk7G1-Ffp2re7SFSJt3uathMeTloYUXlsB95G8KQ/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14YBrUBYjUE9-FbhEFZ0MiT4Jnnw5iyLQAha_2efaRCTnWP7B7Y6FGMU_hRfNqFUELW1r2AN4_GbEXLtS9j2w7xUEX2fx_9kD6bYEk7G1-Ffp2re7SFSJt3uathMeTloYUXlsB95G8KQ/s320/IMG_3025.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of my "Remembrance" books.<br />
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<br />woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-26631612451365813502019-05-07T08:59:00.000-07:002019-05-07T08:59:39.481-07:00What Are The Consequences?The day began well. The sun was brightly shining, the air was warm and I had big plans to fill my flower pots with beautiful, colorful flowers and enjoy a day on the patio reading and writing. I love May in Kentucky and I read a statement many years ago that I recite each May; there is no place like Kentucky in May. This was one of those May mornings in Kentucky that make the long, gray winter worth the wait. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, I had a decision to make about something and without thinking any further than the moment, I hurriedly decided to.........<br />
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Have you done that? I knew better than to be so hasty in my decision. I knew to pray, think it through, weigh all the options, even chuck my pride and ask advice from someone much wiser than me..Oh how many times I have said, "If only I could go back and do that differently." And for the zillioneth time I was reminded that every decision has a consequence. Every word, every action, even our very thoughts have consequences.<br />
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As a Mom I tried to prepare my children for the consequences of their decisions. I often reminded them that they were responsible for their actions and words. I often cautioned them to think about what the consequences might be if they don't do their homework? What will the consequences be if you drive too fast, or if you drink alcohol? And what might be the consequences of choosing the wrong friends or the wrong wife?<br />
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The Bible has much to say about making a wise decision and thinking ahead to what the consequences might be for the right decision and even for the wrong one. So today I simply encourage you to:<br />
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1. Think it through. Ask God daily for wisdom and spiritual discernment, and when the time comes to make that quick decision, the Holy Spirit has already been preparing your heart and mind with "the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:16.<br />
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2. Ask the tough question: what are some consequences if I do this? Who could be hurt?<br />
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3. Fast and pray. There will be many decisions we will be called to make that are minor in nature; what to have for dinner, which color looks best on me, should I go to the gym today? Then there are those decisions that have big consequences. In Matthew 17 a man had brought his epileptic son to the disciples for healing, but they could not heal the boy. The father then brought him to Jesus and asked Jesus to heal his son, stating that he had brought his boy to the disciples, but they were unable to heal him. Jesus healed the man's son and the disciples asked Jesus why they could not heal him. Jesus replied, " This miracle could only be done after you have fasted and prayed." (my paraphrase) I believe Jesus had been fasting and when He added His prayer to His fast, a miracle occurred. Making the right decision in a critical situation demands something from us; something that shows God we mean business, we are serious and fasting says to God what our prayers alone cannot.<br />
Often we are compelled to make a quick decision and there is no time to fast; my son chooses one specific day each week to fast his lunch and pray. The disciples did not have time to fast, the man's son needed healing at that moment. But if they had been fasting regularly they would have been "fasted and ready" to pray for a miracle.<br />
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I was able, with God's help, to "fix" my decision that May day. The consequences were not as bad as they could have been. Maybe you're waiting on the results of your consequences; while you wait ask God to do what I often ask Him: "Lord, subdue the consequences of my sins." This is biblical and I have seen Him work on my behalf to lessen the consequences, while still teaching me the lesson.<br />
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Even if you aren't in Kentucky, enjoy this beautiful May day; think through your decisions, ask some tough questions even when you don't like the answers, and learn the spiritual power of fasting and praying. God will help you through it, I know He will because He helps me.<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-84597935179824707942018-12-31T17:15:00.003-08:002018-12-31T17:19:39.785-08:00A New BeginningThis past Sunday David and I, along with our son Jeff and his family had the privilege of worshipping with our son Kyle and his church in Cadiz, Ky. My spirit was refreshed as I listened to Kyle's message and I was reminded again that God delights in giving His people "new beginnings."<br />
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As many of you have shared with me in the last few weeks, "2018 has been a very difficult year." I cannot remember when David and I and our family have faced so many battles, but we have also seen God's faithfulness in each and everyone. And today, December 31, 2018, as I look back over this last year I can only stand amazed at His mercy, His faithfulness, His goodness.<br />
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Lamentations 3: 21-25;<br />
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. It is because of God's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.<br />
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2019 will hold many things for all of us, but this one thing I know and am assured of; God is sovereign over all His creation. That means absolutely nothing can enter our lives unless He allows it and if He allows it, it is something He can and will use for our good and His glory.<br />
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In his message Kyle encouraged us to commit to four things for 2019;<br />
1. Read the Bible everyday.<br />
The word of God is powerful, it is alive, it will direct us, change us, convict us, love us, help us.<br />
2019 will be a year of much wisdom when we read and apply His word.<br />
2. Share your faith.<br />
We all know someone who is lost. Invite them to come to church with you. Tell them about when you were saved and then share the Roman's Road with them.<br />
3. Grow closer to your church family.<br />
Be faithful to each service. Reach out to those you don't usually fellowship with or know well. Commit to knowing your church.<br />
4. Give more.<br />
Whether it be more money, time, effort, prayer and study, love, mercy, compassion, kindness, goodness, praise, just give a little more.<br />
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Thank you so much for your love and support of the blog. I enjoy hearing from you. May 2019 be your best year ever and with love and hope I say, "Happy New Year. God bless you. God be magnified and glorified and exalted. And may this be the year that Jesus returns for His bride, His church."<br />
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Your new beginning is about to begin.<br />
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Penny<br />
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<br />woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-76665174673512163762018-10-23T13:01:00.000-07:002019-09-17T17:04:44.949-07:00Is Your Mountain Moving Yet?A mountain is a big thing. One of our favorite places to vacation in the fall is the Great Smokey Mountains. David and his family had vacationed there when he was a child, but I did not see the Smokies until we had been married for a couple years and when I saw them, I was enthralled. Their beauty and grandeur never grow old. No matter the season, no matter the weather, they are beautiful to me.<br />
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We also enjoy the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. As we stood on a ridge in West Virginia one fall afternoon we watched as a mountain was literally being moved. Mountaintop mining was slowly, but surely moving a mountain that contained one of our most valuable natural resources, coal, and in that instance Mark 11: 24 came to mind and I learned a valuable spiritual lesson in what it takes to move a mountain.<br />
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In Mark 11:20-24 Jesus teaches His disciples and us an important lesson on the power of faith. The disciples had earlier witnessed Jesus speak to a fig tree: "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter, forever."<br />
The next day they saw the same fig tree dried up from the roots and Peter pointed to it and said to Jesus, "Master, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away." And Jesus said, "Have faith in God." Then Jesus gave this promise: if we will look at the mountains in our lives and say,<br />
"Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea" and if we will not doubt, but believe in our heart, we shall see the mountain moved.<br />
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Many times in my life I have told a mountain to move and when it didn't immediately move, I stopped telling it to move. I had faith in God that He could and would move the mountain, I tried not to doubt, but when I saw no movement, I gave up. But over the course of the last several months I have begun praying for a mountain in my life to move and this time, I will not give up. And even though some of it is still there, it has been moving, chunk by chunk for quite a while now. It isn't as big a mountain as it once was, it didn't move immediately, but little by little my mountain is moving. Someday soon I believe I will see the rest of it "cast into the sea."<br />
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Maybe you have a mountain that is so big and seems so hopeless that you just can't believe it will ever move. Is it a mountain of debt? Is is a mountain of pain and hurt in your marriage, in a family relationship, in your church? Is it a mountain of regret over past sins and mistakes and failures? Maybe it is a mountain of disease that threatens your health or even your life. Jesus would never have told us to tell a mountain to move if it wasn't possible to move it. All He asks is that we have faith; and for me, the patience to watch it move slowly, just a little at a time, but moving just the same.<br />
Because you see, the slower the mountain is moving, the more God is refining me, rebuking me, cleansing me, and preparing me to live the abundant life He has promised without that mountain in my way.<br />
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So today I encourage you to say to your mountain, "Be thou removed, be thou cast into the sea." "Have faith in God." Don't limit God by giving up too soon. Keep praying, keep believing, don't doubt His power to move your mountain, watch daily for evidence that the mountain is moving, even if it seems to be moving ever so slow. And here is the most important thing to do while you are waiting/watching your mountain move; even when it doesn't "feel" like it's moving one little bit, say "Thank You Lord for moving my mountain." God is exalted and honored each time we thank Him in advance for answering our prayer, for moving our mountain.<br />
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Because of His promise that faith can move our mountains, I will never look at the Smokies again without thanking Him and praising Him for the mountains in my life that He moved, that He has cast into the sea. And it all begins with faith. Have faith in God.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-9548301412473656692018-08-04T09:03:00.000-07:002018-08-04T09:03:13.082-07:00Jehovah Shalom: God of my PeaceMy younger grandchildren love the tv show Peppa Pig. And one of the songs Peppa and her family sing is: Peace and harmony. Peace and harmony. And as a family of 16 David and I enjoy those times when we all get together here at our house and there is "peace and harmony." But....in a large family with grandchildren, ministries, strong wills, lots of opinions, lots of noise, lots of advice flowing freely, well, you know what I mean. David and I pray that peace and harmony will always co-exist in our home.<br />
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The Jewish word for peace is Shalom. I love that Hebrew word and I love to hear it spoken. When the Jews prayed for peace they would address God as Jehovah Shalom: God of my peace. Maybe today you are experiencing a lack of peace about something in your life. Maybe it is in your marriage. Maybe one of your kids is doing something or....not doing something that causes you to feel a lack of peace. Maybe your job isn't going so well or maybe your health or finances has robbed you of that peaceful feeling in your heart and you find yourself actually dreading the day. Well ladies, the same God of peace that the Hebrews called out to in their times of stress and trouble is the same Jehovah Shalom that you and I can call upon to make things right in our life and restore our peace.<br />
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In Ephesians 2:14 Paul reminded the Ephesians and us that Jesus is our peace. No matter what is going on around me, when I speak the name of Jesus in my heart, or if possible, aloud, I begin to sense His peace and His presence. His name calms me as nothing else can: it is my shelter in the storm, the place I run to when I am afraid, confused, stressed. In Isaiah 9:6 He is called the Prince of Peace and He preached "the gospel of peace." The four gospels are filled with peace and reconciliation because Jesus came to bring peace between us and God and it is His peace that reconciles people to Himself.<br />
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So ladies, the next time the stresses and pressures of your life steal your peace, pray Ephesians 2:14 back to God: Jesus you are my peace; You are Jehovah Shalom. Jesus, give me your peace today.<br />
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Peace and harmony are only One word away: Jesus.<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-4510797798266370422018-05-18T19:18:00.000-07:002018-05-18T19:22:02.119-07:00The Greatest Good, The Deepest HurtOne hundred years ago today, May 18, 1918, my paternal grandmother passed away due to complications of childbirth. My Dad was one month shy of his third birthday. My grandfather was a good man who had married later in life to a young woman who was the love of his life. In rural areas of Kentucky in the early 1900's jobs were scarce and he moved his family often as jobs became available. But the day he buried his beloved wife, his moving days were over because you see, he could not leave her in that church cemetary, all alone. He stayed close by, visited her grave often, and never married again. He and his two little boys began attending the church that sits right beside her grave, and eventually began sweeping the floors, building the fire, filling the water bucket, locking or unlocking the doors, simply put, his new home away from his home became the church beside her grave.<br />
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In time, he became a Christian, a very respected man in the church and the community and his youngest son, my Dad, married a local preacher's daughter and they began serving together in that country church. My parents were married 70 years, had 10 children, never lived anywhere else but in this same small community and as of today, exactly one hundred years later, I'd like to share with you what God has done with that great loss, that great sacrifice.<br />
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7 of their descendants are ordained Baptist preachers.<br />
One of their sons-in- law is a Baptist preacher and my sister is a preacher's wife.<br />
There are deacons, Sunday School teachers, musicians, song writers, published authors, and a group of gifted and talented believers who would not be here today if that beloved wife and mother had not lost her life, if she was not buried in that cemetary beside Nelson Creek Baptist Church.<br />
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It was a tragic loss, it was heartbreaking and a loss that my Dad never forgot. And only Heaven will reveal the multitude of stories that are yet to be told and written because God had a plan much bigger than our finite minds could understand.<br />
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Today, you may have experienced a tragic loss that makes no sense, that cannot be explained. There is no way my grandfather could have comprehended what God would do with his loss, but in heaven today he can say, "It was worth it all."<br />
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God has a plan, and when you become discouraged by circumstances you cannot control, by things that hurt so deeply you feel you will not live through it, press into the God Who loves you beyond measure and remember this: God views our lives with eternity in mind, He uses the most unlikely of people, the most difficult, heartbreaking of circumstances to accomplish His sovereign plan, and He will always bring the greatest good from the deepest hurts.<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-6735722844948687072018-01-22T17:13:00.000-08:002018-01-22T17:13:11.141-08:00Impossible With Men, Possible With GodA new year is an exciting time. It means a new beginning, an opportunity to make some things right and start some things over. A new year means a renewed hope and renewed vision for God's plans for us.<br />
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David and I faced several challenges in 2017 and I am sure you and your family did as well. It is not a stretch to say that we even felt that some of those challenges were impossible and a couple of them have found their way into this new year. A new year and a new beginning don't always mean the old stuff goes away.<br />
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At the beginning of a new year I choose a verse of scripture that I call "my life verse for the year." It is always a promise that I commit to memory and when I need to be reminded that God can be trusted to keep His word, I let that verse saturate my thinking and my focus. This year my verse is Luke 18:27;<br />
Jesus said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."<br />
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In my journal I have written some things that I feel are "impossible". I am sorry to say it is a long list and I know it is a list that will grow with the new year. But each time I see God turn the impossible into possible, I will thank Him, praise Him, and mark that impossibility off my list because you see...... I am choosing to believe God for the impossible.<br />
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As you begin a new year, I encourage you claim a promise and in faith, believe that God is more than able to keep His promise, no matter how impossible it may seem.<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-33863088624188723872017-10-08T17:15:00.001-07:002017-10-08T17:15:30.372-07:00Lay Your Letter on the FloorI love reading the prayers of the Old Testament saints. They inspire me because of their unfeigned faith.. They encourage me because they struggled just like me. One of my favorites is found in 2 Kings 19. Hezekiah was King of Judah and the Bible tells us that he was a good king; almost as good a king as his ancestor King David. He loved God with all his heart and he worked tirelessly to rid Judah of idol worship and to return his nation to the worship of the One True God.<br />
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Assyria was the bitter enemy of Israel and Judah. One day, Hezekiah received a letter from the king of Assyria declaring that he and his army would utterly destroy Hezekiah and his people. Verse14 tells us that Hezekiah immediately left his palace and went to the Temple and he took that letter and spread it out on the floor "before the Lord." I can see it; the thick parchment paper with a message written in bold ink stating that the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, would do to Hezekiah and Judah what he and his army had done to the other nations around him. And with that letter laying on the floor of the Temple, Hezekiah lay on his face before it and began to pray:<br />
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"Oh Lord God of Israel Who dwells between the cherubim, You are the God, even You alone of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth.<br />
Lord, bow down your ear and hear, open Lord your eyes and see, and hear the words of Sennacherib, who has sent to reproach the living God. Assyria has already destroyed the nations around us. v19, Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech You, save us out of his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, even You only. v20, God told Isaiah the prophet to tell Hezekiah, "I have heard."<br />
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There comes a time when religion will not help us. The faith of our parents, the well meaning words from others cannot fix what is wrong. Those are the times when we have to do as Hezekiah did and lay it on the floor, fall on our face and pray. And pray until we hear God say, "I have heard."<br />
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I hope you'll read the rest of the story because Jehovah Saboath (The Lord of the Hosts) proves Himself faithful once again. God made Hezekiah this promise: v33, the same way Sennacherib came in, the same way he will leave, he will not come into this city because, v34, I will defend this city to save it for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.<br />
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Then in one night God's Heavenly Hosts killed 185,000 Assyrians and Sennacherib wasted no time in getting as far away from Judah as he could get.<br />
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Life is hard. Life is not fair. But when things look their worst, you are afraid to the core of your being and you see no way out of your situation, God is there. He loves you.You may not have a letter, but you can write your own. On a piece of paper, write whatever it is that threatens your marriage, threatens your family, threatens your peace, and lay it on the floor, and as Hezekiah did, pour out your heart to God. He will hear you.<br />
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Penny<br />
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<br />woman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-34241271438409943812017-03-25T08:12:00.000-07:002017-03-25T08:12:16.230-07:00Are You Standing in the Need of Prayer?"Standing in the Need of Prayer" is an African-American spiritual whose origin is unknown. It was published in 1925 in The Book of American-Negro Spirituals and the text is simple, yet profound:<br />
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"Not my brother, nor my sister<br />
But it's me Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer."<br />
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The simple statement of this song expresses a deep need and a deep humility. It is a knowing in the heart that isolates the writer and his/her needs from those of all others. And that great need becomes an intimacy with God, a longing that excludes all else; even the needs of family.<br />
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Do you feel that's you today? Is there something in your life that has taken all your attention, all your time and resources and you feel there is nothing of you left over to give to someone else? Maybe like the writer of the song you feel it is YOU who has the greatest need of prayer today. Check out Psalm 70:5;<br />
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"I am poor and needy,<br />
Make haste to me O God.<br />
You are my Help and my Deliverer;<br />
O Lord do not delay."<br />
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Ladies, He is faithful, He will not delay. And it is OK to tell Him right now:<br />
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"Hurry Lord."<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-74745019995831968152017-03-07T13:01:00.000-08:002017-03-07T13:08:48.017-08:00When the Impossible Becomes PossibleHi Everyone,<br />
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It has been a while since my last post and I thought today we'd do a little Bible Study. So get your Bible and turn to Luke 10 and look at verses 38-42; one of my favorites. Turn to John 11 and place a marker there.<br />
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Do you have a sister? I have four! Older sisters are bossy (I know because I'm an older sister) and younger sisters like to tattle. Martha and Mary are my two favorite sisters in the Bible and the reason I love them so much is that they are a mirror of our own relationships. Their little family in Bethany is much like our 21st century family dynamics and from them we learn many spiritual truths.<br />
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We are first introduced to this family in Luke 10. Since Martha is mentioned first, she is believed to be the oldest. They lived with their brother Lazarus in the small village of Bethany, about 2 miles southeast of the Temple's eastern gate. In the gospels of Luke and John, we're told that Jesus enjoyed spending time with them. He made it a priority to stay in their home when He was in Judea. Matthew 8:20 tells us that Jesus had no earthly home, and when He visited Bethany, He made Himself at home in the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.<br />
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Martha and Mary are a fascinating pair simply because they are so different. Their personalities were on the opposite ends of the spectrum, but they had one thing in common, the most important thing to have in common and it was this: they loved Jesus. He was the focus of their earthly existence. Is He the focus of yours? And John 11:5 states Jesus' feelings for them very simply and to the point: "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus."<br />
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We aren't given the backstory on how this family became so intimate with Jesus, but through His earthly ministry these three had heard His message of forgiveness and salvation and they had given their heart to Christ and from there they had each built an intimate relationship with Him.<br />
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Look at v38: Jesus was so comfortable with them that He knew He didn't need an invitation, He went immediately to their home when He was in Bethany.<br />
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Martha is the perfect hostess, an excellent cook, and perfect housekeeper. She is always ready for company. She was warm and friendly and very welcoming when Jesus came to her door.<br />
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In v39, Jesus is sitting, talking with Lazarus, maybe some of the disciples are there and even other men who had seen Jesus go into their home. And where was Mary?<br />
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In v40, what was Martha doing?<br />
Martha was righteously indignant and may have felt just a little superior to Mary because she was doing all the work and she looked at what Mary was doing as a means of getting out of helping her prepare the meal.<br />
In our words, Martha saw herself as "the victim" and Mary as "lazy".<br />
What did she ask Jesus to do?<br />
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And look at Jesus' answer in v41: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about a whole lot more than Mary's refusal to help you in the kitchen. Leave Mary alone. She has chosen to do the most important thing and what she is doing she will never loose."<br />
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Martha was the one who put on the apron, pulled her hair up into a bun, put her hands in the bread dough and went to work serving everyone in the house. But.....there was something just not right with her servant's heart. She was so focused on the work, she wasn't listening to the words of the Master.<br />
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Mary, on the other hand, was so consumed with thoughts of Jesus, that she was oblivious to the good smells coming from the kitchen, or the hints from Martha that she needed help. She was by no means lazy, she just understood better than anyone what an important occasion this was and that there would never be another time when Jesus would be with them like this. Mary had the ability to discern the heart of Christ.<br />
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In v40 Martha's "much serving" was a distraction from the "one thing." (v42)<br />
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Ladies, Jesus established worship as the highest priority for every believer. And we are in danger, spiritually, when we are more concerned with doing things "for" Jesus, than we are with hearing Him and being in His presence. Our service for Christ must be subordinate to our intimacy with Him. We have to choose "the good part."<br />
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Turn to John 11. At this point, I'm feeling just a little sorry for Martha. After all, she is working so hard to make everything nice for Jesus. There are probably a lot of men there, waiting to eat, and she could sure use Mary's help. And on top of all that, she is reprimanded by Jesus. But in John 11, her brother Lazarus has died and has been in the tomb for four days. Death is such a hopeless thing and even though Jesus has arrived in Bethany, for them, death is final. Read v22 of John 11; Martha said to Jesus, "But I know." Did you hear her faith? She isn't working now, trying to impress Jesus with her nice home and good meal. She is simply a grieving sister making a statement of faith: "Lord, my brother is dead and has been in the grave four days. If You had just been here, I know You would have healed him and he would still be alive. But even now, I have faith in You (please get this, Martha knew Who Jesus was and she knew He was God in the flesh) and if You will ask God, God will restore his life."<br />
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For me, that is one of the most extravagant expressions of faith I have ever read in the Bible. Martha knew that even death was not final if Jesus said it was not final. Look at John 11:43; Jesus went to the grave and called out Lazarus' name in a loud voice, and what happened?<br />
Martha knew the truth of Luke 1:37; Nothing is impossible with God.<br />
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You may be facing what looks like a hopeless situation today; remember Martha's words to Jesus, "But I know." Jesus can do anything and He will do whatever it takes to bring about His will and purpose for your life. Trust Him with whatever seems impossible today and know that the impossible becomes possible when we say, "But I know."<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2470462518590685866.post-60464688356906530452017-01-03T13:31:00.001-08:002017-01-03T13:31:15.947-08:00A Life Verse for the New Year Happy New Year! I love the beginning of a new year. I love mornings, Monday's, and the first day of each month. It is so exciting to have the privilege of....new beginnings.<br />
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2016 was a good year for our family. David and I celebrated our 46th anniversary last May and on December 29th he celebrated 47 years of "railroading." I was blessed to visit several Christian Schools and preschools and share my children's book, When God Created the World, and share the beautiful story of creation with eager hearts and minds. (Mom, please teach your young children spiritual truths. It is so much easier to teach them the truth when they are young than to un-teach the lies of the enemy when they are older.) We enjoyed milestones with each of our grandchildren and witnessed God working in the lives of our sons and their families. I look forward to this year in our church and I dearly love teaching my Sunday School class and occasionally writing for Parent Life. And of course I love sharing on the blog and getting to "know" women from all over the world.<br />
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I am not one to make resolutions, but I do like to evaluate the previous year and look for ways to improve the new year. One thing I do at the beginning of the year is to choose a verse of scripture and designate it as "My Life Verse" for that particular year. And this is my verse for this year: Psalm 67:1;<br />
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"God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us."<br />
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I need God's mercy, I need Him to bless me. But what does it mean for "His face to shine upon me"?<br />
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We live in sin-darkened world. In John 1:9 Jesus is the True Light. Light exposes things that are hidden in the dark; light is warm and inviting. When I ask God to "shine His face" upon me and my family I am asking Him to look at me, to expose the dark places in my heart, and to feel the warmth of His love and embrace. With each new day I need new mercy, new blessings, and I need His face to shine upon me.<br />
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So ladies, for this new year I encourage you to choose your life verse and:<br />
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1. Pray it out loud each day.<br />
2. Pray it with faith and confidence and watch as He blesses you more and more.<br />
3. Look for a display of His mercy in unexpected ways.<br />
4. Take the time to sit quietly before Him and feel the warmth of His gaze upon your life.<br />
5. Determine to know God better and love Him more in 2017. <br />
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Have a very blessed and Happy New Year. Tell someone about Jesus; that He loves them and what He did for them on the cross at Calvary.<br />
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I'd love to hear from You.<br />
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Pennywoman2womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14655498513504682774noreply@blogger.com0