tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58687002881012299772024-03-06T03:45:45.575+01:00Adventures in Being ForeignTwibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-25274970954887974762018-11-08T18:53:00.002+01:002018-11-08T18:53:21.679+01:00He is intentionalOne thing I have really learned the past year and a half, is that NOTHING in my life is haphazard. Why? Because I believe that GOD IS INTENTIONAL.<br />
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I didn't discern it in the moment, but looking back over my life and especially the passed months; I see the different times in which God carried me or went ahead and paved the way. I would like to share one such situation with you. </div>
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I got my current job when I wasn't looking for one. </div>
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When I graduated last year, I wasn't so keen on starting to work full time. In fact, the only job I was looking forward to ,was my summer job as an activity leader at a language summer school. I had worked there the previous year in the English department and I absolutely loved it. However, this time I was going to work in the Dutch department although I had applied for the English one. When the company organizing the summer language school offered me the possibility to work for the Dutch department, I was very hesitant as Dutch is my second language and I wasn't sure if I could manage to converse 24/7 in it. Normally, the company only hired native speakers for their different language departments; so this was an exception for them also. I accepted their offer and on the 31st July 2017, I started my first day as a Dutch department activity leader. </div>
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For four weeks, I was immersed in Dutch and eventually I improved in it myself. It was during those 4 weeks that I applied for my current job. One day, I was on LinkedIn and randomly liked a job vacancy post by a recruiter. After I liked her post, she messaged me privately and asked if I was interested in applying for the job since it fitted my profile. So I applied. A few days later, I had a telephone interview with her in Dutch; and sometime later, a formal interview with the hiring manager also in Dutch. Both interviews went smoothly and I spoke with such ease and confidence. Sometime later, I got the news that I was hired and after signing my contract, I started work on the 31st August 2017. </div>
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So where is God's intentionality in this situation?</div>
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For one, I believe God opened the opportunity for me to work in the Dutch department so that I could be more prepared for my job application. My Dutch was good enough before the summer school; but if I didn't use it by being placed in the English department, it would have deteriorated in those weeks just like any second language that isn't used often. Indeed, I wasn't at the summer school only to improve my Dutch for my application; God's intentionality showed itself in many other ways but this is one that really stuck for me. </div>
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Further, I see how God is using Dutch to prepare me to learn German; which will soon become one of my main languages of communication. He is also using my current job to get me in the workforce in Germany by giving me the opportunity to apply for a job in Germany within the company. </div>
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So, all I am saying is that nothing is in vain. I remember being frustrated about not getting the opportunity to work for the English department; but looking back I see that it wasn't for nothing that I got the Dutch department offer instead. </div>
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I'm sure that you too can look back on your life and see His hand guiding and leading you. </div>
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Be confident, dear reader, that no matter what you face; He knows and He's in control. I know I shared something positive, but even in the difficulties He is able and He wastes nothing. I have a testimony coming up about God's intentionality also in difficult times. He is the God of the hills and valleys. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Many are the plans in a person’s heart,</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Prov-19-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but it is the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>’s purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21</span></i></div>
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Check out this beautiful song by Travis Green: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb2wNc1Owpc" target="_blank">Intentional</a><br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Twisile x<br />
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-26443996434930924432018-10-27T20:41:00.001+02:002018-10-27T20:41:56.811+02:00You've got mail: an updateDear Reader,<br />
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Thank you for your patience with me.<br />
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I have been m.i.a for waaaaaay too long.<br />
7 months to be precious.<br />
SEVEN MONTHS!!<br />
Gosh, its unbelievable.<br />
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I AM SO SORRY.<br />
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Although it is inexcusable not only because it was my new year's resolution to write a post monthly but also because it showed my lack of commitment to something I LOVE doing.<br />
However, please do accept my excuses.<br />
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I was super busy with work, long distance engagement, wedding planning, church activities and activities with friends. My week days AND weekends were always packed. Yes, I like being busy...it's an addiction...seriously.<br />
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But I have good news for you and I!<br />
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Yes, great news , in fact the best news!<br />
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I have decided to prioritize myself.<br />
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That means, taking time to do not only the things that are required or give the biggest return but also those that are rewarding, things I enjoy..and blogging is one of them! Some others are reading and sleeping. Hehehehe<br />
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So I have set apart a specific time for blogging...drum roll...WEEKLY!<br />
Yaass, you read right. WEEKLY, meaning that I'll post at least on a monthly or biweekly basis.<br />
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*pops bottle*<br />
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So stay tuned. I have some awesome posts about work, our wedding, and my faith journey coming up.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Twisile x<br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-72904869833259073842018-02-16T18:42:00.000+01:002018-02-16T18:42:39.471+01:00Climb the MountainThere are many songs that I like that speak about pursuing an individual and intimate relationship with God; but right now the song that comes to mind is <i>Chasing After You by Tye Tribett</i>. It captures the essence: we as individuals can directly cultivate a relationship with God. Jesus Christ has made that possible for us (Romans 5:6-11). We can approach God, anytime and anywhere.<br />
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But many of us don't.<br />
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We are content to hear God's message from others rather than from God Himself. I've been there, I have relied heavily on a Moses before, but it was for a season. I understand that we need each other to grow; after all we are all connected as the Body of Christ (1Cor 12). However, there is a difference between growing together and "growing" through someone. If you hang out with God mainly or only when other believers are around (aka church) or if you only talk to Him during prayer meeting then Houston, we have a problem.<br />
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I think sometimes we just overthink being in a relationship with God, making it unnecessarily overly spiritual. The Bible mentions numerous kind of relationships that we have with God: He is our friend, brother, father, even, lover. I think a good point to start is seeing God as a friend (John 15:15) or brother (Romans 8:9, Hebrews 2:11). This doesn't mean we can approach Him anyhow but at least it can help us understand that He is someone who understands us and who we can relate to. I'm still growing in this also (journaling is helping me a lot), it doesn't happen at once; it takes time and being intentional.<br />
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Just think about one of your best friendships, how did it develop? Maybe it started with a small hello that eventually over the years turned into something very intimate, the person became someone whom you could be very honest and open with about EVERYTHING. I have those friendships and I treasure them because they are just so precious. You know God want's that with us individually, He created us to enjoy a relationship with Him. Sin kept us from enjoying an intimate relationship with God, but Jesus Christ paid the price and now we can enjoy that it.<br />
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So what are you waiting for?<br />
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Climb the mountain.<br />
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Meet with God. He invites you into His presence.<br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-46000562540038984212018-01-14T19:00:00.006+01:002018-01-14T20:18:04.269+01:00Wins, Walls, Wisdoms: 20172017 went by soooo fast! I can't believe we are already 2 weeks into 2018!<br />
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I don't know about you but the time between Christmas and New Year's Eve isn't enough for me to properly reflect on what happened during the year. Although, I made a video with a selection of pictures from the year, it was very restrictive and done impromptu. In addition, I think I reflect better when I write...so here goes a better reflection of my 2017!<br />
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I will review my year by classifying the highlights in three categories: wins, walls, wisdoms.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><u>Wins: blessings </u></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">1. I graduated from university! </span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">This was such a big blessing! I didn't see it coming when I started, the fact that God saw me through 5 years of university in Dutch! Gosh, even now I can't believe it. I still feel like a student (especially since I look like one, petite girl blessings lol). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">2. My sister got married!</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Ahhh! Another hug blessing for our family! My eldest sister found her prince charming. The wedding was soo amazing!!!! We were blessed in many ways: the weather was so great that day, the guests were joyful for the couple and we danced till the lights went out (hehehehe). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><b>3. My fiancé and I went to Zambia to celebrate our engagement.</b></span> And I got to see my bestie after 9 years of long distance friendship! NINE YEARS! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">4. I started working! </span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">The way I got my job just blew my mind. God is so intentional (will blog on this later, so you better come back). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">5. I finally started learning German. And the learning continues. </span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">6. I went to a Hillsong Young and Free concert! My second Christian concert. </span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">7. I saw God provide for my church in so many amazing ways.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">And much much more 😂😁. Like I said, just the highlights.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c6XznfSG2wQs2ZLTyBgNJShxuuW-wmXY8hfLKc_yCLys4u9tn7WE63_UOyyIMGIiOt0bAlxKvH_VcjD9J4Yx-UKUBQ2ZS-_STIL-bVMrsKX-pkFN7KaLjMEKQMCb0DU3X6DotRPkd6AY/s1600/%2526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c6XznfSG2wQs2ZLTyBgNJShxuuW-wmXY8hfLKc_yCLys4u9tn7WE63_UOyyIMGIiOt0bAlxKvH_VcjD9J4Yx-UKUBQ2ZS-_STIL-bVMrsKX-pkFN7KaLjMEKQMCb0DU3X6DotRPkd6AY/s400/%2526.jpg" width="285" /></a><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me" - Psalm 103:2</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="color: purple;"><b>Walls: challenges</b></span></u><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">1. I was worried about money. </span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">I decided to stop my weekend student job so that I could concentrate on my dissertation but this meant that I had to be more careful with my money. But I became a bit too careful, this almost ruined one of my friendships but thank God for forgiveness!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">2. I realized that I have commitment issues.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">I felt the urge to quite a lot of things for numerous reasons, for example: if something required more effort than I wanted to put in, if it was too much out of my comfort-zone, if I felt it was boring or below me and at times if I was convinced that I could easily replace it with a better option.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">3. I struggled with comparison, approval...the whole gang.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">The struggle is still real. I got robbed of my joy on numerous occasions because of discontentment and the inability to see who I am in Christ. Uniquely loved (will be writing a post on this later also.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">4. I wasn't very committed to God and His Word.</span> </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">You read it right. I was selfish. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">This literally sums up all the walls I experienced above. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">I didn't intentionally pursue my relationship with God. It's a hard pill to swallow, but the truth is the truth; and only the truth can set me free. Pretending that it was all cherries and roses won't get me anyway. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;"> </span><span class="text John-8-31-John-8-32">"Then Jesus turned to the Jews who
had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what
I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for
yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." - John 8:32</span></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text 2Tim-3-17" id="en-NIV-29871"><span style="color: purple;">Wisdoms: lessons</span></span></span></span></span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Based on my wins and walls, I learned a lot about God, myself and others. These are the wisdoms, and the verses they are based on, that I am taking with me into 2018; wisdoms that I want to develop even more. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">1. God first.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"> I need God more and more, every single day. I choose to walk in truth (God's Word). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">It is good for me to draw near to God, and He shall draw near to me. I will be intentional with our relationship. I am not going to rush ahead or stay behind Him, instead I'll walk beside Him. So far, Heather Lindsey's journal challenge which I am doing with some sisters is sooo helpful, I advice you to start it if you can, <a href="http://heatherllindsey.com/2017/12/its-time-for-journal-challenge/" target="_blank">link here.</a>) </span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Come near to God and he will come near to you - James 4:8</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text 1Tim-4-16" id="en-NIV-29764"> </span></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text 1Tim-4-16" id="en-NIV-29764">Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearer - 1Tim 4:16</span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">As my relationship with God becomes richer, the following wisdoms will also flourish.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">2. My identity is in Christ.</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">I am a prototype.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">This is a big growing point for me. I am not to compare myself or others with anyone. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i><span class="text Gal-2-20" id="en-NIV-29102">I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</span><span class="text Gal-2-21" id="en-NIV-29103"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! - Galatians 2: 20-21</span></i></b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">3. God is intentional. </span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">Nothing in my life is by chance. I choose to trust God in the hills and valleys.</span></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! - Psalm 139:16</span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">You are good and do only good - Psalm 119: 68 </span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">4. Attitude & perspective is so crucial!</span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">I won't let emotions etc get the best of me. No sir. Healthy mind, healthy life. I'll guard my heart and mind. </span></span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">The mind is it's own place and in itself, can make a hell of heave and a heaven of hell - John Milton.</span></span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">I am excited for 2018! So many powerful Scriptural prophesies have been spoken </span></span></span>about it! It will be my best year yet!<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-TLB-14037">Thank you so much for reading! I encourage you to take some time to reflect over 2017 and get super duper excited for 2018!</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"></span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text 2Cor-13-5-2Cor-13-9" id="en-MSG-12362">"Test yourselves
to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking
everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need
firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test
it out. If you fail the test, do something about it." - 2 Cor 13:5-6</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text 2Cor-13-5-2Cor-13-9" id="en-MSG-12362">Blessings,</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text 2Cor-13-5-2Cor-13-9" id="en-MSG-12362">Twisile xoxo</span></span><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> </b></span>Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-16222766089062162252017-12-27T20:00:00.000+01:002018-01-05T22:29:40.948+01:00Summer in Zambia: HomelandIn July, we went to Zambia to celebrate our engagement with my family there.<br />
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It was my fiancé's first trip to Africa so we were both excited for the adventure that lay ahead of us. After flying and transiting for almost a day, we finally landed at Lusaka International Airport; where we were picked up by my parents.<br />
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Since our engagement party was within 5 days of our arrival, we went into the city center the next day to buy some African print material for our outfits; it took as a long while to find something good. Mainly because the vendors at the market kept increasing the price when they saw that we were together (smh). So sometimes, I asked him to walk behind me with my cousin; while I went ahead to check the materials and ask about the price. We eventually found a lovely print that suited us both; and our outfits were made by one of my childhood friend's. She did such an amazing job in such a short time.<br />
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We spent day two to three in Livingstone. We traveled to visit the famous Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders) and to link up with my bestie, who I hadn't seen for 9 whole years! I repeat, NINE WHOLE YEARS! Gosh, God is so faithful. I had tried previous years to link up with her in South Africa but it wasn't possible and we were both so grateful that we could finally meet! Especially that she'd be there for the engagement party! We went to Victoria Falls together, we had so much fun...we got pretty drenched from the Falls showers, admired the rainbows which were popping up everywhere and crossed the extremely slippery bridge scared for our lives but super happy still. Livingstone was amazing expect for the mosquitoes, my fiancé was literally scared for his life but we survived. No one got Malaria.<br />
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After Livingstone, we headed back to Lusaka and left for Kitwe. Kitwe is my hometown and that was where we celebrated the engagement party. A day before the party, my fiancé and I, were separately taught about my tribe's marital traditional practices and he asked my hand-in marriage the traditional way. Before the engagement party, my girls and I had worship and prayer session; then we got ready. Although, our engagement party started late (African timing), we had such a great time. Our guests enjoyed ourselves and it was a joyous occasion. I got to see family members and family friends that I hadn't seen in a LONG while! And I was proposed to a 2nd time lol 😁<br />
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We traveled back to Lusaka the next day. Two days later, my fiancé went back to Germany (work duties). I stayed in Zambia for another week or so. I got to hang out with my sisters from Pinky Promise Zambia. I was blessed by the preaching about the Recovery Process. This is something that I really miss in Belgium; seeing young women on fire for Christ. We also had a picnic at the university campus, we were shared our thoughts and opinions and ate some good food! I was recharged and refilled spiritually.<br />
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Overall, we had such a great trip. My fiancé experienced Zambia for himself. He now knows where I come from, he got to meet my extended family. He also knows my friends personally. We were truly blessed.<br />
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If you want someone to sew you some amazing clothes, here is the link to my friend's Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tangible-Fashions-379611522233434/" target="_blank">Tangible Fashions. </a><br />
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-43996958756897262422017-12-03T17:55:00.000+01:002017-12-03T17:55:43.501+01:00Made A WayThis is my testimony.<br />
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On 07 July 2017, I graduated with a great distinction from my Master's in Biomedical Sciences. A Dutch 5 year degree program.<br />
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I was not born clever. <br />
God made this possible. He made a way for me.<br />
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This is my story.<br />
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My early primary years were a struggle, I often came 2nd or 3rd from last in a class of about 30 pupils. I even had to repeat one year. However, my breakthrough came 2 years after we had moved to Zimbabwe, when I was promoted to the faster stream in grade 7. And in high school, I became one of the top students in my class. And when I finished high school in Suriname on 25 May 2011, I was the best in my class.<br />
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A month later, I went to Belgium to study at university. Well I actually like to say that I was sent by my parents lol. Belgium was the best option for me to study except for one thing, I couldn't speak , Dutch,the language I would be studying in. I knew how to greet people but beyond that I didn't understand a thing. Having studied in English all my life this was quite a disappointment and at the same time a horrifying thing. However, my parents were confident that a one year advanced Dutch-as -a-second-language course would remove the language barrier.<br />
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So on 11 June 2011, I landed in Belgium and started my new student life with my sister. During the summer, in preparation for a placement test, I did some Dutch self study with a language book I got from a friend. I was motivated to learn Dutch since my higher education depended on it. I came back from the placement test with a headache...convinced that I would probably start in level A1 but God being so good I started in level B1 (the 3rd level) in September. I didn't expect it at all. About 6 months later, I had obtained the necessary certificate to prove that I was proficient enough to study in Dutch at university. <br />
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I started studying Biomedical Sciences in September 2012. My first year was nothing but hectic. I didn't know anyone for the first few weeks and spent most lectures seated at the very back of the auditorium. I would get back home after classes very dejected...I didn't understand my courses so well...I doubted I would make it beyond 1st semester. But God being good and gracious, I had my sister who encouraged me and He gave me friends that helped me through my 1st year in so many ways. Some gave me notes or summaries, others were willing to sit down with me until I understood the topic and even others studied with me in the library till it closed. God also gave me professors that were understanding...who didn't mark me based on my language but on my knowledge. I made it through first year, I had average grades and only had to resit one course. <br />
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In 2nd year, I became friend's with someone without whom the rest of my uni years would have been very difficult and very different. We became each others go to person when we needed further explanations or needed to discuss certain topics. We made a good team academically and socially.<br />
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When I finished my Bacherlor's degree in August 2015, my grades had improved over the years from my initial 52% overal grade to 62%. I had had 2 resits in total.<br />
In September 2015, I started my Master's degree. Before I started, I asked God for one thing...that I would have no resists, I didn't want to spend my last summer vacations studying for exams and He answered my prayers and more! I had no resists and I graduated with a great distinction (73%).<br />
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Though my beginning was small, God made my ending big.<br />
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"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work
within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.<span class="p">" - Ephesians 3:20</span><br />
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<span class="p">God did it for me, He will surely do it for you!</span><br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-2173915768731688252017-11-13T20:43:00.000+01:002017-11-13T20:43:03.180+01:00I'm BackFirst things first, my sincere apologies for being MIA for a VERY long time. I am too ashamed to even write the number of months. And yes, you guessed it, I have been busy.<br />
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Honestly, a lot has happened...a lot of amazing things. God's been pouring blessing upon blessing and I will be sharing them with you soon. I'm working on getting back into the rhythm of writing. I need to make time for the things I enjoy and this is something I truly enjoy doing.<br />
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Said enough, just wanted to let you know that:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_byCzLry8hxdekUV33SjZwndUKMOZcBus4-GNgcCr-Ppo4IJ1fW6rAqlDoDKb_W-Xr1slgKDgBxK4aSigypE2Jdx_hR-JOWULEBGhwh9a1dUeleNM8aW29j16WGptkaCHd4uazySXJxUc/s1600/Purple+Florals+Wedding+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_byCzLry8hxdekUV33SjZwndUKMOZcBus4-GNgcCr-Ppo4IJ1fW6rAqlDoDKb_W-Xr1slgKDgBxK4aSigypE2Jdx_hR-JOWULEBGhwh9a1dUeleNM8aW29j16WGptkaCHd4uazySXJxUc/s400/Purple+Florals+Wedding+Announcement.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made on Canva.com</td></tr>
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-5000356133578022332017-04-28T22:57:00.001+02:002017-04-28T23:10:26.612+02:00Wanting What God Wants<div style="text-align: justify;">
I came across a beautiful quote about a year ago in my news feed. I instantly liked and it saved the image with the quote on it. I remember thinking to myself that that's exactly what I wanted to be true in my life, I wanted God to have His way. I also remember thinking along the lines of Jeremiah 29:11, because God has good plans for me, then why wouldn't I want what He wanted for me more than what I wanted for myself? After all, His plans for my life are waaaay better! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_GsNfHyHXy83iAAet_Him2e7wifpJq-z80JYYv_KKyTk72Fzt2zmd7D8HR1wIpG1kfeEyOzbUu69TZhUqXOvYn8Al81jgXFsuacJBqHuqRS6KENzogaBS-LNn4oUu23QTy9H4pVIocHd/s1600/FB_IMG_1456850499347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_GsNfHyHXy83iAAet_Him2e7wifpJq-z80JYYv_KKyTk72Fzt2zmd7D8HR1wIpG1kfeEyOzbUu69TZhUqXOvYn8Al81jgXFsuacJBqHuqRS6KENzogaBS-LNn4oUu23QTy9H4pVIocHd/s320/FB_IMG_1456850499347.jpg" width="320" /></a>However, a couple weeks ago when I was studying Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer, I came to understand the quote in a whole new way. The thing is, my desires (like many other people's desires) are not always in line with God's. There are times, everyday, when what I want to do or say will not please Him and is contrary to His will and plans for my life. There is this gap between God's desires and mine. Although I do not have the power to always be in line with God's desires, God has done something in me that enables me to want and do what He wants. God has placed His Holy Spirit within me to will and do what pleases Him. </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><i> <span style="color: purple;">"The Holy Spirit will never [ever] tell us to do anything that isn't in God's will. He speaks exactly what He hears from the Father. He begins to influence our minds, will, emotions and bodies to desire what is pleasing to God and will bring Him glory. " - Priscilla Shirer</span></i></span></div>
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So the first part is that it is God's work. </div>
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- <span style="color: red;"><i><b>God </b></i></span><span class="text Phil-2-13" id="en-NLT-29365"><span style="color: red;"><i><b>is working in you</b></i></span>, giving you the <i><span style="color: red;"><b>desire and the power</b></span></i> to do what pleases him (Phil 2:13)</span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-2-13" id="en-NLT-29365">- </span><span class="text Phil-2-13" id="en-NLT-29365">Don’t
copy the behavior and customs of this world, but <span style="color: red;"><i><b>let God transform you</b></i></span>
into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to
know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)</span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-2-13" id="en-NLT-29365"><span style="color: purple;"><i>"Our responsibility is to cooperate by obeying His promptings and bathing ourselves in the Word and in prayer. - Priscilla Shirer</i></span> </span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-2-13" id="en-NLT-29365">But just because it is God's work, doesn't mean that we don't have a part to play. The second part is our response in obedience and in yielding.</span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-2-13" id="en-NLT-29365">- </span><span class="text Phil-2-12">Work hard to show the results of your salvation, <i><b><span style="color: red;">obeying </span></b></i>God with deep reverence and fear. (Phil2:12, NLT)</span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-2-12">- </span><span class="text Rom-12-1">I plead with you to <span style="color: red;"><i><b>give</b></i></span> your bodies to God because of all he has done for you (Romans 12:1)</span></div>
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Thus, to want what God wants is not just to want His good plans for us; but it is also do desire what He desires. This means that we must be intentionally aware of the Holy Spirit and what He is speaking to us more than our own minds, bodies, emotions etc. And that we should response by yielding and obeying. </div>
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I'll end with an example. This week, I had made a mistake with the experiment I was performing which made the data I had already collected useless. I knew I needed to inform my supervisor and instructor about the mistake I had made but I was scared and I was contemplating whether or to tell the truth. I had to remind myself that as God's child I was not a liar and that no matter how hard it would be to admit my mistake, I was to please God and not myself. I eventually braced myself and informed them. Of course both were disappointed but they also understood that such mistakes can indeed happen. In this case, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my identity and I responded by obeying. Although it was not easy, it was worth it because I knew that I did something that made God proud. </div>
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Blessings💜<br />
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If you evaluate your own life, are you more prone to want what is contrary to God's wants?<br />
In which areas of your life to you struggle with this the most?<br />
What steps can you take to change that?<br />
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Check out Discerning the Voice of God from Priscilla Shirer! It's absolutely amazing! :) <br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-46456322307255438922017-03-30T23:10:00.000+02:002017-03-30T23:10:44.468+02:00Alive and PowerfulHello there 😊!<br />
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My sincere apologies for being MIA, it's been hectic and difficult to find a balance between all my activities. I had planned to post at least once a month but alas, that didn't happen so far but I'm working on it :). With that being said, I wanted to share something that's been on my heart and mind for some time now: <b><i>the danger of knowing the Word of God but not experiencing it's power</i></b>.<br />
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You see, the Word of God is food for our spirit (<span class="exdous"><a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/1-Peter/2/2">1 Peter 2:2</a>, </span><span class="exdous"><a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Hebrews/5/12">Hebrews 5:12-14</a></span>) and we need food to function normally. The energy we get enables us to do our daily activities. Therefore, we believers need a daily portion of the Word to keep us functioning properly. If we stop eating, we become malnourished and fail to grow; on the other hand, if we eat a lot but don't use the energy, we become obese and limited in our activities.When I had the idea to write this post, I saw myself as an obese person receiving therapy; that is, I knew a lot but applied very little. I had a lot of information stuck in my head and not in my heart. So in order to avoid either extremes of this spectrum, we need a good balance between intake and work out.<br />
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How can we get this balance? We need to understand a couple of things. First, we need to desire and make it a habit to read the Bible daily. Secondly, when we read the Word it first touches our minds, we gain knowledge. But in order for the Word to have an impact on our lives, it needs to reach our hearts because out of the heart flow the things patterning to life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%204:23" target="_blank">Proverbs 4:23</a>). It's the Word in our hearts that changes the way we see things and our behavior. I'm not saying that the mind is less important, the mind is needed;that's were digestion happens. But after digestion, the Word needs to go where it will be used and that's the heart. But if it stays only in the head, there is knowledge but no application. And if there is no application then we've got a problem because it is meant to benefit you as a believer when you read it. You should be able to bear the good fruit of the Spirit. <br />
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I also want to stress that putting to practice the Word in our lives, is the work we do together with the Holy Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+2&version=NLT" target="_blank">1 John 2:26-27</a>). If we try to do it on our own, we become legalistic.As we read the Bible, we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us and to show us ways we can apply it, we also need meditate on the Word (chew on it over and over again until it's in the proper form for absorption and use). This is what am currently learning to do and it's not always easy but it's a start. <br />
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There are numerous verses in Scripture that point to it's usefulness in our daily lives and how crucial it is that we apply it in our lives. I have mentioned a couple below.<br />
<span class="text Ps-119-105">1. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-119-105">and a light for my path. - Psalm 119:105</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxPqqB0-9SgcF3A21MdBP607trcoDOyFlb5lF21liXN0Tum1i-kybJsTtCuNmAHi1ifRIKTp7NpWPlmsoVWw3hkqOLfecRfJN5iQeOkXShs0lI5by1nBMBpyAIG9w4JPSlAdDl6pL_qMh/s1600/alive+and+powerful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxPqqB0-9SgcF3A21MdBP607trcoDOyFlb5lF21liXN0Tum1i-kybJsTtCuNmAHi1ifRIKTp7NpWPlmsoVWw3hkqOLfecRfJN5iQeOkXShs0lI5by1nBMBpyAIG9w4JPSlAdDl6pL_qMh/s320/alive+and+powerful.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105">2.</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105"><span class="text Heb-4-12" id="en-NLT-29987">For the word of God is
alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes
our innermost thoughts and desires. - Hebrews 4:12</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105"><span class="text Heb-4-12" id="en-NLT-29987">3. </span></span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105"><span class="text Heb-4-12" id="en-NLT-29987"><span class="text Jas-1-22" id="en-NLT-30249">But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.</span><span class="text Jas-1-23" id="en-NLT-30250"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.</span> <span class="text Jas-1-24" id="en-NLT-30251">You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.</span><span class="text Jas-1-25" id="en-NLT-30252">But
if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if
you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless
you for doing it.</span> </span>- James 1:22-25</span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105">4. </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105"><span class="text 2Tim-3-16" id="en-NLT-29830">All Scripture is inspired
by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize
what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches
us to do what is right.- 2 Timothy 3:16</span> </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-105"> </span></span> <br />
On other hand, however, I also want to remind us that the Bible is not just there to pointing fingers at what needs to be "fixed" in our lives but it is primary a revelation of God. And a friend of mine states it perfectly "The Bible is not only a reflective surface, where you look at yourself and
see which areas need patching up. Read it and use it to see who God is
and to understand His nature." So <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">it's about learning about His nature that we may become more and more like Him.</span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Where do you find yourself on the spectrum? What steps do you want to take to do better? </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Blessings 💜</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Check out:</span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">- This devotional that spoke to me profoundly about this topic: <a href="https://odb.org/2017/03/28/bearing-good-fruit/" target="_blank">Bearing Good Fruit</a></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">- A post from a friend: <a href="http://livingbeautifulblog.com/mornings-with-jesus/" target="_blank">Mornings with Jesus</a></span></span><br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-33034152790868063342017-01-31T22:03:00.001+01:002017-01-31T22:03:27.567+01:00Fighting the Right Way<div dir="auto">
Confession.</div>
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I struggle with perfection. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So
much so that I spent most of last year hiding my mess from God. I found
it hard to go to God with my struggles. My (inner) battles. I was
convinced He didn't want to see nor know about them; that He wanted
me to have it all together. I thought I had to fight alone, which I
tried a couple of times and every time I lost miserably; even if I started on a good note, it was never long before I failed. It didn't
matter how determined I was or how much preparation I had, the result
was always the same. Failure. My continuous failure took away whatever willpower I had
to continue fighting and so I gave up. </div>
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But
now I realise that I was believing a series of lies. </div>
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</div>
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First, I was convinced that God didn't want me to share my mess with Him but I realise now that <b><i>with
intimacy comes vulnerability</i></b>. If I was in close fellowship with God,
which I wasn't, I would have known that He wanted me to tell Him about my
mess and ask Him for help. Just as we tend to open up more, the
more we know a person, so it is with God. The deeper our relationship
with Him is, the more likely that we'll share our very hearts with Him. </div>
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</div>
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Secondly,
I thought I could conceal my struggles but now I realise that<i><b> there is no point in hiding anything from God </b></i>because He knows and sees
it all (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4:13" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:13</a>, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139&version=NIV" target="_blank">Psalm 139</a>). Inside of hiding things from God, we should
be taking these things to Him and asking Him for power to overcome them.
Praying for conviction also otherwise our hearts become hardened. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Thirdly,
I assumed that God didn't understand me nor my struggles but now I realise that <i><b>He knows my frame</b></i>. After all He made me. God knows both our strengths and weaknesses. I
know that I need His help and for me to think that He doesn't want to
help me is very wrong; after all Christ came at a time when we were
utterly helpless (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5%3A6&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 5:6</a>). Without His strength, if we don't rely on
the Holy Spirit, we will eventually fail. It is the Holy Spirit who
enables us to overcome the power of sin through Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 8:2</a>).</div>
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Finally, although I knew that God's love for me was unconditional, I believed that He surely couldn't love the mess that I was. But God loves us so so much. I found and still find this the hardest truth to grasp fully. God's love for the individual is so vast! When I lost my
battles, I somehow thought that I had let God down and that He probably
didn't want anything to do with me. I was a failure after all. However,
<i><b>He loves me despite my faults</b></i>. He loved me when I was His enemy and His
love for us all was revealed in Jesus' death on the cross (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 5:8</a>). If He loved me so then, what more now that I
am His child? God's love for me isn't a blank cheque to sin as much as I
want, it's actually the contrary. His love for me should motivate me to
love Him back, and that means keeping His commandments (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 6</a>, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15-26&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 14:15-26</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A10-17&version=NIV" target="_blank">15:10-17</a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1John+2%3A5&version=NIV" target="_blank">1John 2:5</a>).</div>
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<br /></div>
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So
to make a long story a bit short, <i><b>God is teaching me to fight the right
way</b></i>. With Him. We are not meant to fight our battles on our own, don't
make the mistake I made. Invite Him in. You can only kill a Goliath with
a stone when you know whose you are and Who is on your side! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY1m443QnGvPGPO_sPJgxS5rGS2ldo1EPcUa6TkuMmTy6OhlB73ycdFpe4z1VksG038XS2g0oU_Smhi5bbMckUS0W7BNrhesQXRgPBih3fZnijjJTGfDw8ucC0iK_sKPGqCPOYPPw2Bj5/s1600/Fighting+the+right+way.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY1m443QnGvPGPO_sPJgxS5rGS2ldo1EPcUa6TkuMmTy6OhlB73ycdFpe4z1VksG038XS2g0oU_Smhi5bbMckUS0W7BNrhesQXRgPBih3fZnijjJTGfDw8ucC0iK_sKPGqCPOYPPw2Bj5/s400/Fighting+the+right+way.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />
This
song by Steffany Gretzinger: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkDqQtfs0w" target="_blank">Out of Hiding (Father's Song)</a> summarizes what I just wrote perfectly. I also
love this song by Positive on a similar theme: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxRUMyIv4EUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxRUMyIv4EU" target="_blank">Two Man Army</a>. Last but not least this beautiful sermon by Kim Walker Smith (I didn't even know that she preached??!!): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lzmg-2Pe1s" target="_blank">The Art of Vulnerability</a>.
Check them out! </div>
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What lies have you believed about battles? What truths has God shown you? Leave a comment below! </div>
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Blessings 💜Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-28870548265295028932017-01-25T16:14:00.002+01:002017-01-25T16:14:10.847+01:00Resolutions: changing for the betterHello there!😊<br />
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My purpose for this blog is deeply rooted in my previous post (click on the link if you haven't read it: <a href="http://adventuresinbeingforeign.blogspot.com/2017/01/2016-reflections-resolutions.html" target="_blank">2016: Reflections & Resolutions</a>), in which I mentioned the importance writing down a resolutions list and reviewing it regularly. I also mentioned a lesson I learned last year, that lasting change begins, continues and ends with the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
I have already started working on my resolution list, and it's already pretty long
although it's not done..and that's kind of scary BUT the good thing is
that most of the points are interconnected, so we'll just call it
detailed instead of long 😉. And these past days, God has been pointing out things to me that need to change...things that I didn't consider when I started writing. God wants me to change for the better and He is initiating that change, and that perfectly aligns with what I wrote about lasting change. The things that He has been pointing out are so deep and definitely something that needs to be worked on before I find myself in worse situations. I see that God is giving me another chance or a grace period and I am so thankful for it. I see them as "God's resolution list" for me and I'll be sharing them in the coming posts.<br />
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So this whole, "God's resolution list" kind of shocked me and I was wondering if it's Biblical and it actually is. Let me explain. I was reminded of these verses from Psalm 139.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><i><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24" id="en-MSG-6778">Investigate my life, O God,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24">find out everything about me;</span></span><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24"> </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><i><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24">Cross-examine and test me,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24">get a clear picture of what I’m about;</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24">See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24">then guide me on the road to eternal life.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24"><span style="color: black;">God knows us our hearts through and through. He knows everything about us. He can examine our lives and point out things that are wrong in our lives and He can lead us on the road to right road. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24"><span style="color: black;">So as good as it is to write lists from our view, we have an incomplete view of ourselves. Therefore, I encourage you to ask God to point out areas as you write your list. Some of you may be thinking that it's too far into the new year to write or to be talking about resolutions or even to make them. But let me remind you that we have 340 days left of the year, and January isn't over yet!😁 It's never too late to want to change for the better, and we don't have to wait for a new year to make resolutions. Everyday is an opportunity to do better. </span></span></span></span>And last but not least, let us ask God to guide us so that we can live out the resolutions that we have.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24"><span style="color: black;">Blessings 💜</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: purple;"><br /><i><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-23-Ps-139-24"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-79819898861268868632017-01-09T19:03:00.004+01:002017-01-09T19:03:35.888+01:002016: Reflections & Resolutions Helloo there!<br />
<br />
I hope you had a lovely celebration and are super duper excited for 2017! I am slowly loading my excitement bar and simultaneously downloading my thankfulness bar 😊.<br />
<br />
God was good to me, my family and friends in 2016 in so many ways. He has provided us with family unity and laughter, great friends, good health, finances, jobs... you name it! He did it! And I am grateful for these two highlights: I GOT ENGAGED! and am FINISHING MY MASTER'S DEGREE (bye bye university! hehehehe) and also for my FRIENDS! Mehn, I love my friends especially my sister! They have taught me so much about life! They have built me up in so many ways and encouraged me when I was low. God has used them to mold and shape me. So much to be grateful for! God is good, all the time!!!<br />
<br />
As good as 2016 was to my family, it wasn't all cherries and roses mainly but not only, because my sweet Mbuya (grandmother) passed away. We didn't see her death coming, it happened so fast but still we are thankful for her life. She was an amazing mother and grandmother who is dearly missed! I thank God that my parents were settled in Zambia when it happened. He moved them from Suriname only two years ago. I thank Him because we got to spend time with her and to enjoy her. She was an inspirational believer, a role model to me and others and I believe she is enjoying herself in heaven right now!<br />
<br />
Although we are already in 2017, I encourage and challenge you to still take some time aside to reflect on 2016 month by month if you haven't, both the good and bad events and to be grateful. A friend of my recently told me something very profound, "In the night sky, the stars shine and glisten, radiating like diamonds in the sky. There are treasures in the night. Dark times are not to be feared, they have their treasures too." <br />
<br />
With the ending of one year and the beginning of another comes: RESOLUTIONS! We all want to be or do better in some area or other in our lives. And that's good. It's good to want change for the better. I usually write up a list of things I want to progress in spiritually, physically, emotionally, academically ... and review it now and then. I actually need to work on taking more time to review. Nevertheless, one very important thing I learned last year is that<i><b> lasting change starts and continues with the Spirit</b></i>. You can't do it without Him. If you want to grow in some area, or if you are not sure of which areas you need to grow in; ask God and He will show you and help you mature in it. Start, continue and end with Him. When you fail, don't beat yourself down, get up and try again. Never ever give up!<br />
<br />
<i> Goodbye 2016. Hello 2017!</i><br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-82579056895746918022016-12-12T21:47:00.003+01:002016-12-12T21:47:35.431+01:00Relationship Series Part 3: Pursuit<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I am so sorry for the late post, the last weeks sINCE my last post have been hectic. The first semester will be ending soon and assignments keep coming 😢 BUT anywhooo, better late than never they say 😉<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->“When was the last time you enjoyed meaningful time alone
with God, time so good that you didn’t want to leave? -Francis Chan<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I was asked this question a month ago, my answer would
have been a sad but true “a long while back”. Today, I can answer with that it
was with something like last week, or yesterday and sometimes this morning. I
am not yet at that point where I can say that every day I find it hard to leave
God’s presence but I hope to be there one day. I am seeking, I am pursuing God.
I will continue to do this for the rest of my life. My hope is that I will pursue Him every day and that He’ll draw me deeper into Himself. I hope to continue
to cultivate intimacy with God every day for the rest of my life. That I'll continue to grow. <br />
<br />
<br />
I don't know where you are in your journey of faith maybe you relate more to my past, or present or future relationship with God. Whichever it may be, I want you to know this: you are not alone.<br />
<br />
1. God is with you every step of the way<br />
2. Other believers are in a similar situation/season/phase<br />
3. We have people physically and spiritually cheering us on (Heb. 12)<br />
<br />
So with that being said, don't give up, don't loss focus; He who started a good work in you will complete it. He is faithful.<br />
<br />
Blessings x<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASHZr58wXsP5oe_4-BWLrTsUd1-Z8wLIRRAW6MFsB5e4szGv5b_mKIVcVxM5mbu9ZzMg6SipybY7wBMdohjxe8-WC5OBjk1YPvqn6OCVCE4fNuEpTn5XaD3LOZiFwGMpTPa_o1RRegtdJ/s1600/DRAWNEAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASHZr58wXsP5oe_4-BWLrTsUd1-Z8wLIRRAW6MFsB5e4szGv5b_mKIVcVxM5mbu9ZzMg6SipybY7wBMdohjxe8-WC5OBjk1YPvqn6OCVCE4fNuEpTn5XaD3LOZiFwGMpTPa_o1RRegtdJ/s400/DRAWNEAR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Blessings</div>
Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-13251129757959258952016-11-25T21:34:00.003+01:002016-11-25T21:35:01.413+01:00Relationship Series Part 2: Unsatisfied<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am not satisfied.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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I am not satisfied with the level of intimacy between God
and I. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I came to realize this about a month ago, and although I am
in a better situation than I was then, at the moment I am still unsatisfied. My
number one new year’s resolution was “more Jesus, less of everything”, how did
I deviate from such a beautiful desire? How did I end up in this state of
lacking intimacy? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I wish the answer to such a question was simple. But alas,
it isn’t. However, despite the complexity of it all, I realized that the main
reason was that I had not really sought God. I had not pursued Him. Yes, I was
active in church, I had my daily quiet morning etc. I did all this but missed
God. I honestly don’t know exactly how someone can miss God but I did. And I
think it’s because I was too busy with school, work, university, church and an
LDR. So I concentrated on getting stuff done and not really on Who I was doing
it for or why I was doing it. I was going through the motions, trying to keep
up with things without having to sacrifice something. But the truth is, I did
sacrifice something and that was my intimacy with God. I also resorted to know about
God from others and not from Him. I had spent most of the year sitting at His
feet but not really listening to Him. I listened to myself or to other
resources: friends, books, blog posts, sermons…you name it but I shut my ears
to only voice that is worth listening to and that is His. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG7RK5jAd1RK4-IZzSeD-lM99Be21b3ct7F2FzP3pWwRvBPznlomkj14e4xbvmlmZevIamDw6T_3SnskBm7ssVvJJr79JbXLIyUE-BZJeGqiZvjK-EFeNbwNuZjSzoqDDCWpheXwlzH_g/s1600/Unsatisfied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG7RK5jAd1RK4-IZzSeD-lM99Be21b3ct7F2FzP3pWwRvBPznlomkj14e4xbvmlmZevIamDw6T_3SnskBm7ssVvJJr79JbXLIyUE-BZJeGqiZvjK-EFeNbwNuZjSzoqDDCWpheXwlzH_g/s320/Unsatisfied.jpg" width="320" /></a>What has happened has happened. I lost those opportunities
to cultivate intimacy with God. But there is still hope, now I know that
sacrifices have to be made and I’ll need to say “no” to certain things and say “yes”
to some amazing time with God. Cultivating intimacy with God requires time, it’s
something we need to fight to maintain, it doesn’t always come easily but it
sure is worth it. The Bible says God wants to be known by us: He says we will
find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. And it also says that what we sow
we shall reap. If we seek Him, we shall find Him and if we sow in some good
quiet time alone with God, we will reap a harvest of intimacy and
transformation.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>At the moment, I am fighting.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some days I win,
some days I lose. I long for the days when I’ll win continuously. I have tasted
and seen that the Lord is good, and I don’t want to give up knowing what I
know-that the Lord is good indeed. My walk with God isn’t meant to be some
mediocre journey. The Bible is full of people, like David and Moses, who had
such intimate relationships with God, and man, weren’t their lives adventurous!
You and I can have that too! And don’t forget, there is no magic formula to
cultivating intimacy, but it does require that you open your heart to Him. Share
your dreams, hopes, fears, worries…share EVERYTHING and LISTEN to Him speak. And
if the going gets tough, don’t hesitate to ask for His help. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blessings 💖</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
😊Check out this beautiful song:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI_1YliutzA" target="_blank">Kari Jobe-The More I Seek You</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">😊</span></span> Verses mentioned in text: Jer. 29:13, Gal. 6:7-10, 2Cor. 9:6<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
→ There is no magic formula for hearing from God. There's no checklist that will guarantee a message from the Lord. Still we can cultivate a relationship with God that creates room for dialogue. When we know someone well, our conversations move to greater depth and intimacy as we share our joys and fears with them... Just as we deepen our relationships with others theough spending time together and dialoguing about things that are important to us, so we can get to know God better by spending focused time with Him.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Melissa Spoelstra</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-44628556730699564272016-11-15T22:01:00.001+01:002016-11-15T22:01:49.194+01:00Relationship Series Part 1: Eggshell<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
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Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
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Name="Hashtag"/>
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</xml><![endif]-->I suppose I can say that I grew up in church. I remember
going as a kid and I continued to as I grew older. I was surrounded by
Christianity not only in church but in school too. So, what I knew about God
was mainly from Sunday school, youth group and school. My knowledge and
understanding of God developed more in Suriname and Belgium between my late
teens and early twenties. In this time, I began to understand God and the Bible
more. God was no longer this far-off person and the Bible was no longer “that-book-that-I-couldn’t-understand”.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, despite this progression, my life was not
completely surrendered to Him. Sunday belonged for God and the rest of the week
belonged to me. There was a disconnection between the girl who sat in church
and the girl who swore and went clubbing until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
I thought I could enjoy the best of both worlds but that was a lie from the
very pit of hell. I blended in with other church folk externally but was empty
on the inside, like an egg shell without it’s crucial internal components.
Although I could fool others, I could not fool God. Christ was not the centre
of my life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s only by God’s wonderful mercy that I got out of that
pit. He placed people in my path that planted seeds of truth that led to my
liberty. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlslczmNioy25Kqu-jx4NVWWUEte2jJfPNRxHSF8wbwcha44B_NSm5zelquGvOrTkooLJovqlZJXKoK6SZ3Y_SkUNe_vANa1zGI5hQ8nupe9JVCHMT_jbfxv5dL8X6Uuo-uXD8R93ODMN/s1600/eggshells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlslczmNioy25Kqu-jx4NVWWUEte2jJfPNRxHSF8wbwcha44B_NSm5zelquGvOrTkooLJovqlZJXKoK6SZ3Y_SkUNe_vANa1zGI5hQ8nupe9JVCHMT_jbfxv5dL8X6Uuo-uXD8R93ODMN/s640/eggshells.jpg" width="640" /></a>I wrote this post to remind and warn that being a
church-goer or in an open relationship with God isn’t real Christianity. The
devil wants us to believe that it is okay to love both world and God; that we
don’t need to choose one or the other. But that is such a big fat LIE! You can’t
have the best of both worlds because you’ll love one and hate the other (Matthew
6:24), and loving the world is enmity with God (James 4:4). Choices have to be
made, all or nothing choices. God wants all of us not just some of us. We are
to love Him with everything that we are: all your heart, all your mind, all
your strength and all your soul. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So maybe you were once like me, and well I thank God that He
got us out of that pit! Maybe you are in that pit now, if so, don’t lose hope!
He got me out, He surely can do it for you too. All you need to do respond to
His call for surrender and daily pick up your cross and follow Him. It doesn’t
mean you won’t fall, you will but you’ll get up each time (Proverbs 24:16). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blessings </div>
Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-32178842017341042862016-11-06T18:50:00.003+01:002016-11-06T18:59:12.969+01:00Relationship Series Coming Soon!Hi there!<br />
<br />
I am doing a relationship series!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌<br />
<br />
In these posts I'll be focusing on the relationship statuses I have gone through with God. I have been wanting to write these for a while and was encouraged by a post by a friend, Jessica Starks! Please check out her post here <a href="https://thepenandtheneedle.blogspot.be/2016/10/weekly-blessings-week-73-whats-your.html" target="_blank">what's your relationship status?</a>. It is a great way to get you thinking as you wait for my posts. I hope and pray that the posts will help your reflect on your own journey: where you have been, where you are and where you want it to be in the future! The series consists of three posts each dealing with the above mentioned themes: past, present and future.<br />
<br />
Hope to see you next week, when the first post is published!<br />
<br />
Blessings ❤❤❤<br />
<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-25164446375903070552016-10-01T18:06:00.000+02:002016-10-01T18:06:01.226+02:00Sharing is CaringThe societies we are a living in, especially in the West, are evolving from ones that are concerned about others to ones that are individualized and closed. And as a result, we are becoming the kind of people that "mind our own business" in other words, people that are concerned only about themselves.<br />
<br />
This change and it's consequences are contrary to what God desires of us. Human beings are created in the image of God. God is a relational being and is greatly concerned about our welfare. So when we become less relational and more selfish, we are acting in an abnormal manner. One of the most important ways to show genuine care for others is by sharing the Gospel in word and in deed, God doesn't want us to live among the lost without caring enough to tell them about His love which was so richly expressed in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection three days later.<br />
<br />
In the years that I have been living in Belgium, I have found it hard to be an effective witness of Jesus not only because of the above mentioned reason. For the first two years, I was uncertain of my faith although I still sought God, it's not easy to talk about someone you don't know. After my baptism, it was mainly because I was afraid of what people would think of me if they knew that I believed or I was not confident enough to start a conversation about the Gospel.<br />
<br />
But last month, God had been speaking to me and teaching me about evangelism in so many ways.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindGYYN5NJ2Xx4pvHcjfCSmfkyRTTzYoiyV31DXDdgwkAsAM_Urs_VtpPW1q7Nr74xpEx2LCCqk1wGSFxPmVcgDtGY4nCj7EBsQ7h4c5-oO7c5NpIOsHwVu-0vq6c97UpG6oa7Ki1DbFOe/s1600/sharingiscaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindGYYN5NJ2Xx4pvHcjfCSmfkyRTTzYoiyV31DXDdgwkAsAM_Urs_VtpPW1q7Nr74xpEx2LCCqk1wGSFxPmVcgDtGY4nCj7EBsQ7h4c5-oO7c5NpIOsHwVu-0vq6c97UpG6oa7Ki1DbFOe/s320/sharingiscaring.jpg" width="320" /></a>- He encouraged me to not only know my faith but also share it and He reminded me that I am His ambassador through whom many will come to know Him.<br />
- He helped me understand that it's not my job to convict and cause people to confess that Jesus is Lord but that my part is in planting the seed which He will tend and cause to grow.<br />
- He showed me that each day is a day for salvation and that I should seize every opportunity that comes my way.<br />
- Although I can witness with my lifestyle, I can also do so with my mouth; after all, faith comes by hearing the Word of God. This to for me, has been the most important lesson because I had always relied more on my lifestyle to witness to people. However, I have also been given a mouth to speak words of life. One method is not better than the other, both a biblical and both should be used.<br />
- Lastly, He made me realize that wherever and with whoever I am, I am there to witness. <br />
<br />
All this has been a lot to take in but the Holy Spirit both teaches and enables us to do good works of which evangelism is one. We can not witness in our own strength. Instead effective witnessing is a result of a rich relationship God which develops from spending time with Him, the knowledge of one's identity in Christ and a correct understanding of the Bible. The more I will know Him, the easier it will be to tell someone about Him. And the more I understand that I have not been given a Spirit of fear, the more I will not be ashamed to tell others about the Lord. Lastly, the more I understand the Bible, the better I will explain the faith. <br />
<br />
The sharing of the Gospel to a single person has a ripple effect, like that which is seen when a stone is thrown in a lake with each subsequent wave growing larger, it not only affects the person in which the seed was planted but also his/her lineage and the lineage of others around him/her.<br />
<br />
What greater gift is there to give to someone than the message of eternal life because of God's love displayed in Jesus' death and resurrection? <br />
<br />
Now is the time of salvation! Be bold, be silent no more!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
How has God been using you to draw people to Himself? What do you find difficult about the sharing the Gospel? Which songs inspire you to evangelize? <br />
<br />
Two songs that have greatly inspired me about witnessing are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc8x33lAnAk&list=RDEMMhuJoMVTdnjubHdY3R6RRg" target="_blank">Tell The World by Lecrae ft Mali Music</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcSWpVKKMcs" target="_blank">Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective. </a> <br />
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Check out these devotionals from Our Daily Bread about evangelizing:<br />
<a href="http://odb.org/2016/09/10/evies-decision/">Evie's Decision </a><br />
<a href="http://odb.org/2016/09/16/a-pleasing-aroma/" target="_blank">A Pleasing Aroma</a><br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-88745216761699868832016-08-31T11:03:00.002+02:002016-08-31T11:03:39.349+02:00Three & Free Indeed!<br />
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<i><span class="text John-8-34" id="en-NKJV-26416"><sup class="versenum">34 </sup>Jesus answered them, <span class="woj">“Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.</span> </span> <span class="text John-8-35" id="en-NKJV-26417"><sup class="versenum">35 </sup><span class="woj">And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.</span> </span> <span class="text John-8-36" id="en-NKJV-26418"><sup class="versenum">36 </sup><span class="woj">Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. - John 8:34-36</span></span> </i></div>
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Three years ago today, I got baptized and decided to take my walk with Christ seriously :)!<br />
I have had ups and downs, overflows of living water and dry spells. It hasn't been a problem-free, cherries and roses 3 years. However, it's still the best decision I have ever made, I don't regret it!<br />
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A wise person once said that you can't met the real Jesus and stay the same, having Him in my life has indeed changed me for the better. And I am sure that many fellow believers can agree with that! The Gospel changes everything! And definitely for the better!<br />
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The song, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulkje4KBF-A" target="_blank">Thank You Lord by Israel & New Breed</a>, is my celebration song for this wonderful occasion!<br />
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If you, my friend, are still doubting about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, doubt no more. Believe! His arms are open wide, ready to welcome you to a new life full of adventure! Delay no more. Now is the time for salvation.<br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-84492566942422633392016-08-28T19:15:00.000+02:002016-08-28T19:15:20.761+02:00When In RomeI know I haven't written any posts in about 2 months, but my summer was pretty busy. And I enjoyed every (well, maybe most) of it so I would like to share part of it with you!<br />
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My boyfriend and I recently visited Rome for 10 days and here are some highlights.<br />
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It was lovely but HOT! People think being African means that you can survive all types of hot weather, forgetting that not every African country is located near the equator. I was literally dying lol but luckily, living in Belgium has taught me to appreciate sunny weather as such things are rare in rainy Leuven. Although, I did enjoy the fact that I could finally wear my summer clothes and shoes; some days we were literally either running toward every bit of shade we could find or praying for some clouds. I wish I could say I wasn't warned about the HEAT, I was but the thing is that we had already booked our trip and tried to prepare mentally as much as we could but alas no amount of mental preparation was sufficient. It was just HOT! But the heat had one great advantage, clothes dried by themselves, such a great reminder of Zambia :) (in October,the hottest month of the year.)<br />
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Apart from the heat that I enjoyed and dreaded at the same time, we met up with a great friend of ours who traveled all the way from a small town near Florence. Our first view of the city was with her. That day, we walked a lot but got to see the famous Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps etc. We ate some delicious pasta at Pasta di Roma and of course, we didn't forget about the ice cream. It took as some time to find a place with great ice cream at an affordable price but we did and it was super duper yummy. I got hooked on ice cream from then on.<br />
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After the first day tour with our friend, we took our time visiting the tourist sites since we had 9 days left.<br />
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We visited the inside of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum two days later, thank God that a classmate had advised me to reserve tickets ahead of time because the lines are EXTREMELY LONG. So when we arrived at the entrance it took less than 30 minutes to enter, which is far better than waiting 3 hours in the heat to buy the tickets. The Colosseum and Roman Forum are breathtaking, it was amazing to learn about how the ancients lived, the persecution of Christians and other minorities. The following night, we meet up with a classmate and close of friend of mine who was also visiting Rome for a couple of days.<br />
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The days in between visiting tourist sites were mainly relaxing in a park or spent indoors online or reading a book. <br />
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We also found a church inside the city, this was not an easy task because most churches were located outside the city, miles away from where we stayed. That Sunday we worshiped at Rome Baptist Church, the people are welcoming and the service was different from what we are accustomed to but still powerful. <br />
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The next week, we visited the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Again, we had reserved tickets and entered the Museums with very little queuing. The Museums are LOVELY and their collections are extravagant, but it's impossible to see everything because there is more to see than there is time. So we decided to see whatever rooms were on our way to the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms and whatever we came across on the way to the exit. The paintings are absolutely breathtaking especially in the Sistine Chapel! St. Peter's Basilica was also spectacular, we entered through the Holy Door which opens every 25 years (We thought it was open every year but got to know this on the tour)!<br />
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We also did a free tour with "The Ultimate Tour Rome", it was about 2-3h and most places we went to like the Pantheon and Piazza Navioni for example we had already seen but what I loved was that we got to know the stories behind them. We also visited the oldest ice cream place in Rome, they have a 150 flavors! Their fruit ice creams are amazing! <br />
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Lastly, we did a day trip to Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope spends his summers. The train trip was about 45min and a return ticket was 4.20€! We spent some time swimming in Lake Albano and relaxing on the grass nearby. We had our last dinner here, I ate one of the most delicious seafood pastas I have ever had. However, we had to rush for the train since trains going back to Rome are hourly and we didn't want to head back too late.<br />
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All in all, it was worth it and super grateful to God who provided the time and finances!<br />
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If you plan to go to Rome some time in the future, here are 10 tips:<br />
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1. Accommodation in Rome is expensive especially during the summer, so book months ahead if you can. You also pay a tourist tax of 3.5€ per day, so when booking check whether this is included in the accommodation price or not.<br />
2. Flying to Rome isn't expensive if you book ahead. We flew to Rome with Ryanair for 64€ return. Ryanair is not very luxurious but it works for short distances and short holidays.<br />
3. Transport to Rome from the airport is easy to find and cheap so no need to book a taxi etc. We took a comfortable bus from Fuimicino to Rome for 6€ and arrived at Rome Termini an hour later. Trains take about 30min for double the price. If you are in a rush or short on time, take the train. <br />
4. If you are going during the summer, remember it's HOT so pack accordingly. You will not need warm or long clothes of any sort, unless you plan to go to the chapels; they have dress-codes.<br />
5. Always carry a bottle of water with you, when it's empty you can fill it again at one of the many fountains in the city. The water is clean and safe to drink! <br />
6. Beware of the street vendors, there are many of them selling items from selfie-sticks to water. They are very persistent, which is understandable because that's how they make their living. The only big problem we had was with the rose vendors who wouldn't accept a "no,thank you".<br />
7. You can always get a delicious meal for a good price away from the tourist sites, if the menu has translations then it's main customers are likely to be tourists and then you won't get to taste authentic Italian cuisine. Don't eat anything that is placed on the table that you haven't ordered and remember that restaurants have the service charge.<br />
8. If you have time, do a free tour!<br />
9. If you have even more time, go for a day trip to a non-touristy area near Rome. Most people go to the beach in the summer, but if you are looking for a peaceful environment that's a no-no. We choose Castel Gandolfo for that reason :)<br />
10. Eat ice-cream at GROM and Della Palma (the place with 150 flavors)! My friend recommended the former, the later is one of the oldest ice-cream places in Rome so drop by if you can! We normally got the small cones for 2.50€, we could choose two different super yummy flavors of ice-cream balls.<br />
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Blessings and hugs,<br />
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Twisile<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman Forum from Palatine Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign post near the Holy Door</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Vatican Museums</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint Peter's Basilica</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castel Gandolfo and Lake Albano</td></tr>
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-35770672836066078822016-06-11T13:32:00.003+02:002016-08-22T17:52:49.220+02:00Masterpieces of Grace<div dir="ltr">
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Leuven is a lovely small city. Every year and in different
places something is always under-construction, it can be anything but usually it is a building, a road or a roof.The same is
true for other cities like Ghent and Brussels. Renovation can be considered as something typically Belgium. Just take a walk outside and you will hear the drilling machines, the sounds of hammers hitting metal and you will see the builders at work from early morning to late
afternoon in winter, spring, summer and autumn and in all kinds of weather too. Their dedication is visible. They want to see the project complete and to admire the beautiful result of hard
work. </div>
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Apart from Belgians, I know Someone who is an expert and incredibly skilled in all things regarding restoration, renewal and rebuilding and He works on people. His name is Jesus. You might think and be convinced that people do not need repair, but we do. We are not in our original state. We used to be, until the fall and are in great need of restoration. Let me be explain further.</div>
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When God created the earth and made the first humans (Adam and Eve) in His image, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). But Adam and Eve went against God by disobeying Him. This lead to what we call sin, and every human being after Adam and Eve is born with it (Genesis 3). The problem about sin is that it destroys and disfigures us; it has stolen our true identity and left us empty and separated from God. Sin has made a mess of life. But the good news is that God has given us a solution to this sin problem. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who was in every way human as we are but without sin. He lived, died and rose again. In dying all sin was laid on Him and in rising up again from death, He destroyed the power of sin and all it's consequences such as death for example (Hebrews 2:10-18). So when we accept and confess our sins and trust that Jesus did this for us, we are saved and we receive eternal life, new life (John 3:16, Rom.10:9; 2Cor 5:17).</div>
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This new life consists of a lot of restoration, God bringing us to be like His Son; so in a way taking us back to our original state. He intends for us to be as holy and blameless as He is. So Christians are in fact people under-construction, this project lasts for a lifetime and ends either when we die or when Jesus returns (1Cor 15:35-58). Jesus through His Holy Spirit and our effort is slowly but surely changing our hearts and giving us new habits, new goals, new attitudes (Titus 3:5). Some habits are easier to break than others, some new characteristics will take more time and energy to learn. Some wounds are harder to heal, and painful to treat but they will be healed completely because God is not the type who doesn't finish His projects (Philippians 1:6). However, we should not use this fact that we are being renovated as an excuse to fall back into old destructive habits but as a propeller that energizes to seek to work and cooperate with God. </div>
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And the great thing about this restoration is that, God is not only restoring human beings but everything and one day there will be a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21).<br />
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<b><i>Salvation is only the beginning and Christ is making all things new! </i></b></div>
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Share your story in the comment section below or with a sister or brother, what new habits has God placed in you? What old habits has He taken away? </div>
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For further reading on this topic, check out the links below (the short list) ;)</div>
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http://odb.org/2016/05/01/the-restoration-business/<br />
http://odb.org/2016/05/04/out-of-the-ruins/<br />
http://odb.org/2015/12/02/glass-beach/<br />
http://odb.org/2016/02/03/training-for-life-2/<br />
http://odb.org/2015/06/03/something-new/<br />
http://odb.org/2015/07/27/the-checkup/</div>
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-43132619231596864892016-04-29T19:34:00.000+02:002016-08-22T17:54:05.769+02:00Daily Choices & Decisions (Wisdom II)<div dir="ltr">
In my last post, I wrote about wisdom and God (<a href="http://adventuresinbeingforeign.blogspot.be/2016/04/no-longer-encyclopedias-wisdom.html" target="_blank">No Longer Encyclopedias</a>). In this post, I am focusing on how to get wisdom and why it is beneficial. </div>
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The Bible encourages us to ask for wisdom from God and
trust Him to give it to us (James 1:5). Therefore, just as Solomon asked God
for wisdom, so can we. For the longest time, I have only asked for academic
wisdom but then I realized that I was limiting myself and
was in greater need of wisdom for life.</div>
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Receiving wisdom doesn't mean that I will SUDDENLY know and
understand all things. It's not automatic. If we look at Solomon, his
wisdom was first displayed in the judgement of who the baby's mother was (1 Kings 3:16-28) and
that was a sometime after he received it from God. And he didn't suddenly
write thousands of poems and proverbs (1 Kings 4:29-34), he wrote them over the course of his life. So when we ask
and receive wisdom, we don't suddenly become super geniuses but it's a
process that is visible in our actions and decisions day after day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from 887thebridge.tumblr.com</td></tr>
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Wisdom therefore is displayed in the daily decisions we make. For
example, the Bible says in Proverbs that <i>"he who vents his anger is a
fool</i>", but that "<i>a person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense</i>" (Proverbs 29:11; 19:11)<span class="p">. This is something I am currently struggling with. The thing is, my boyfriend is forgetful unlike me; and there have been times where I have gotten angry over the silliest things that I could have easily overlooked but my own pride and foolishness always got in the way. And it's only afterwards that I realize that I have hurt his feelings and did show him love. So although I have asked for wisdom, I am learning to live wisely daily by seeing my wrongs and aiming to do better next time. It does not mean that I will not fail, the honest truth is that I will but the important thing is that I will get up each time and try my to do better the next time by the power of the Spirit (</span>the righteous fall seven times, they rise again; Proverbs 24:16). </div>
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So far, I have written about how we can get wisdom. Now, a good question to ask is: why on earth would you want wisdom? Here is a short list of the benefits of wisdom, the rest can be found in the Bible ;) <br />
Proverbs 19:8 = it shows that you love yourself and it will cause you to prosper<br />
Proverbs 1:33 = you will live in peace, untroubled by harm.<br />
Proverbs 2:12, 16 = will save you from evil people, from immoral women<br />
Proverbs 3:13-18, 35; = more precious than silver, gold or rubies; life and riches and honor; <br />
Proverbs 4:4-9 = protection, good judgement,honor<br />
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So don't miss out! Get wisdom!<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i>"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise" -Ephesians 5:15</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="color: black;">God bless you! </span></i></span><b><span style="color: purple;"><i> </i></span></b></div>
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-3619847571622258182016-04-07T20:02:00.003+02:002016-04-07T20:02:58.682+02:00No Longer Encyclopedias (Wisdom) <div dir="ltr">
In this post and the ones to follow I will be writing about wisdom: what is it, how to get it and why it's important (i.e. what are the benefits).</div>
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Many of us when we hear the word wisdom automatically
think of Solomon. Although wisdom is instantaneously linked to Solomon,
it does not start nor end with him. </div>
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So what is wisdom? </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: simplydivinelove.blogspot.com</td></tr>
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Wisdom is found in God and that's where Solomon got his (1Sam. 3).
In Job and Proverbs, we are told that the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom. To fear the Lord means to have reverence for Him, and reverence is to show respect or honor. And what other better way is there to show God that He is worthy of honor and respect other than to obey Him? Wisdom is obedience, this should be an obedience out of love (trust me, you don't want be a Pharisee). Thus without God there is no wisdom and when you
find God you also find wisdom. Colossians 2:3 also tells us that all wisdom and knowledge
is found in Christ. That's why I think that the Bible also says that he
who says there is no God is a fool (Psalm 14:1). And here is where we see
that wisdom is not equal to intelligence because there are some pretty
clever people out there that don't believe in God. Thus human wisdom will not get you anywhere with God,we need His wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). </div>
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How does it differ from knowledge?</div>
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"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge." -Charles Spurgeon</div>
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<i>"Knowledge</i> is awareness of facts and</div>
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<i>wisdom</i> is awareness of how to use those facts for good goals."- John Piper</div>
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So it's knowing what you should and should not do, and acting upon it. (Eph.5:15-17, James 1:22)</div>
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Let me give an example to make it more clearer. I recently read a book on sexual purity. I learned a lot from it, it was a great eye-opener. As long as I don't apply what I learned, I am not better than where I was before. Yes, I may know that the devil and my flesh are fighting within me to take the upper hand and cause me to fail, and I may know that I need the Holy Spirit to win this fight.But as long as I don't apply what I learned; then I might as well have not read the book. Then I am being a fool! </div>
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This is applies to everything.For example in our readings of the Bible a lot of truth is revealed to us but as long as we don't apply and use it. As long as we don't let it marinate and take root in our hearts, then they just plain facts. This is an issue I recognize in myself, I read the Word daily but I am very weak spiritually because one of the reasons is that I am being a fool and not applying what am reading. And honestly, am fed up and super happy that God has shown me the step that am missing out time and time again. </div>
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Thus in all our getting, let us get wisdom by acting on our knowledge.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b> </b></span><span class="text Matt-7-24"><span class="woj"><span style="color: red;"><b>"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." - Matthew 7:24</b></span></span></span></div>
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"If you don’t have wisdom that goes with knowledge, you are only a
walking encyclopedia. A book of knowledge is useless without the
wisdom to know how to apply that knowledge." - Jack Wellman</div>
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Stay blessed xoxo</div>
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The book I read on purity is called <i>Sex and the Single Christian Girl</i> by Marian Jordan Ellis (YOU SHOULD READ IT'S AMAZING). Thanks to my dear friend, Mukase, for recommending it to me :)</div>
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-58154982931958315442016-03-02T12:34:00.001+01:002016-03-02T12:34:07.732+01:00Lost & Found<div dir="ltr">
I don't know why but I am learning a lot from phones lately. </div>
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On Saturday, I made a trip to Germany. And on one of my trains to my final
destination I found an iPhone 6 on a chair. I tried to find the train
conductor to hand it in but there was none. So I took it with me hoping
that the owner or one of their contacts will finally call after
realising that it's missing. To cut the story short, a day later I
received neither a call nor a message. I was desperate to find the owner
but helas the phone was locked and I eventually was left with the
option of handing it to the police which I did. I would have rather seen the phone back in the owner's hands but not handing it in to the police would have been deemed as robbery. No
finders-keepers principle here. The law is clear about such things (theft by finding).</div>
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But then it got me thinking. How can someone FORGET AN IPHONE 6 FOR SO LONG? HOW??? How can anyone forget their smartphone? Definitely not me (LOL) but now I know that it can happen.
Maybe the person didn't value it or it's not precious to them. Or maybe they are
not a phone person which is hard to imagine nowadays but it's possible. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6afC-cE2pZNBs5Hepr4NUESdenFv7zbWwMJChPRCIM8YoKC1tguSy2SfK6JD5hfjWOkjkYKyF6k07-cWsiNd6ZCMXkdssFsy2lIcVE31KUoyvuzmCorgkInmp1ZtlC5zmaCbxCgawNLm1/s1600/tumblr_mzk3o0kX581s7o0ofo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6afC-cE2pZNBs5Hepr4NUESdenFv7zbWwMJChPRCIM8YoKC1tguSy2SfK6JD5hfjWOkjkYKyF6k07-cWsiNd6ZCMXkdssFsy2lIcVE31KUoyvuzmCorgkInmp1ZtlC5zmaCbxCgawNLm1/s320/tumblr_mzk3o0kX581s7o0ofo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Then I remembered Jesus who came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10, Matthew 18:11). He went to
great lengths, the greatest lengths actually to save us who were lost.
He didn't forget about us nor leave us to find a solution ourselves; But He became flesh and died a criminals death
for our sake and He rose again on the 3rd day so that we may have eternal life. We sure are precious to Him. No doubt about that. He did
so much for us all. He came for ALL people, every single human being is
precious to Him. Today He is calling and opens His arms to everyone who
believes in Him and sees their need for Him. He loves you and has shown the greatness of His love. A love that nothing can separate us from. </div>
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We
aren't meant to stay lost forever instead we are meant to be with Him forever. </div>
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Thank you Lord that you didn't forget us but came to seek and save that which was lost. </div>
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<em>"Jesus, you are the one who saves, not us. Thank you for rest, for
hushing the furious winds of our faithless works. Thank you for stopping
the strivings of our souls. Overcome us more and more with the glory of
your grace, and make our posture toward others echo this summary of
your gospel: “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”" - Jonathan Parnell</em><br />
<em><br /></em>
If you haven't accepted Jesus into your life, you can do it now. Now is the time of salvation. Don't delay.<br />
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God bless xoxo</div>
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-86534356000101128482016-02-09T22:31:00.002+01:002016-02-09T22:31:17.499+01:00Underneath It All<div dir="ltr">
I finally got a new phone! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCbfC0VPJpVSfge6rk9fZE_qIZ5vIUKRg02WGHQSiCUTl98wlDxx1E2LQJrhwhfQheyXjI-gGyGWxdGEZdgX0toKdOFu_-zkuM2rOQEJym999PF7AgcaSZpB1tiGtKGfBCWLYFt5sgjlL/s1600/underneathitall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCbfC0VPJpVSfge6rk9fZE_qIZ5vIUKRg02WGHQSiCUTl98wlDxx1E2LQJrhwhfQheyXjI-gGyGWxdGEZdgX0toKdOFu_-zkuM2rOQEJym999PF7AgcaSZpB1tiGtKGfBCWLYFt5sgjlL/s320/underneathitall.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
It's been a journey. My last phone ditched me at my sister's birthday party. It fell down to its destruction. I must admit I should have
handled it with more care. When my phone stopped working, my sister
gave me her old phone to use [good sister :)]. But man it was a struggle. The first
week with that phone taught me a lot about myself. I could hardly
take out the phone in public. I was ashamed and afraid of what people
might think. I remember texting with my phone hidden in my bag and the
frustration with the fact that it was super slow whenever I wanted to call someone. All in all the phone
showed me that I view myself and others mostly based on what they own. I judge
someone mostly based on their appearance. And that's just horrible. <br />
It reminded me of Samuel when God asked Him to go and anoint a son of
Jesse to be Israel's new king instead of Saul (1Samuel 16). When he saw David's older brother, tall and handsome; he thought
to himself surely this is the one the Lord meant to appoint as king.
But he was wrong and God told him<b><span class="text 1Sam-16-7" id="en-NIV-7603"> <i><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"></span>“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> looks at the heart.”</i></span><i> . - 1 Sam.16:7</i></b></div>
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Many a time we are too quick to judge people and ourselves
based on the outside. But a beautiful face doesn't necessarily mean a
beautiful heart.
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Jesus also talked about this. He called the Pharisees and
teachers of religious law white washed tombs with rattling bones inside (Matthew 23:27).</div>
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The world does emphasize an external beauty. You see
outward beauty promoted everywhere. The media is constantly promoting
fashion and weight loss above good behavior and the celebrities some of
us look up to have no depth when it comes to character either. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3omCxPN0eBLp18wP12BdhizakUJ4NKLwalo3zpI0LbLLM2ieE7n_vZDvgNZWBGc1v4JbpBztXiAGWPUw6Ut5Jofoo3_3tPm4GXR-xXV9uScBG0fAkt-ECT0geJvNOcIU_6hQQUi2APZCk/s1600/underneath+it+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3omCxPN0eBLp18wP12BdhizakUJ4NKLwalo3zpI0LbLLM2ieE7n_vZDvgNZWBGc1v4JbpBztXiAGWPUw6Ut5Jofoo3_3tPm4GXR-xXV9uScBG0fAkt-ECT0geJvNOcIU_6hQQUi2APZCk/s320/underneath+it+all.jpg" width="228" /></a>I don't know about you but I want to be different. I don't
want to judge books by their covers. Yes nice clothes etc have their
role to play but they are not and should not be the deciding factor
about a person's identity. I wanna choose character over wardrobe. And I
thank God for my broken phone cause I desperately needed an awakening. I want to see people the way God sees them. Some might argue, well maybe God created us to see people that way after all He said that people don't see as He does. That argument however is only correct to a certain extent, yes we are not God and can't see people exactly as He does but we as believers are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. And Christ was not partial, for example He approached the Samaritan woman at the well despite cultural differences.Therefore, we should strive to be Christ-like with the help of the Holy Spirit because its not something that we can do on our own.</div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>"Dear God, help me to value what You value. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>As I follow Your example, I pray that You will be pleased with what </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>You see in my heart. "- Our Daily Bread </i></b></span><a href="http://odb.org/2015/10/20/an-inside-view/" target="_blank">(An Inside View)</a></div>
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God bless you all xoxo </div>
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Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5868700288101229977.post-80351303567793944722016-01-01T18:43:00.002+01:002016-01-01T18:43:31.232+01:00This Year #2016The count down is over, the anticipation has ended. 2016 is here!<br />
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And day 1 is almost gone. All I can say is that time flies. It waits for no one and is controlled by the Almighty God Himself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunNp_BQ7bKRTWTzzvr2rwAYRctJpKwek3AY2p6o_z8Mc0wTP9iHuvz6tQSi1F87qNLrJxsSdfV-KiL4izzu8I8e_gB-02WdNSYWqkm5TxKeJusXOqS7Dl6u2C66OcJTJug79hrWQLGAA4/s1600/moreJesusb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunNp_BQ7bKRTWTzzvr2rwAYRctJpKwek3AY2p6o_z8Mc0wTP9iHuvz6tQSi1F87qNLrJxsSdfV-KiL4izzu8I8e_gB-02WdNSYWqkm5TxKeJusXOqS7Dl6u2C66OcJTJug79hrWQLGAA4/s320/moreJesusb.jpg" width="320" /></a>2015 was quite a year for me, a lot of things happened, things that broke me and others that built me. Things that made me laugh with joy and others that made me ache with pain. But through it all God was faithful and continues to be. When I entered 2015 last year, it was a new year full of hope and expectations and some fear. I didn't know what lay ahead days,weeks or months from that very first day.<br />
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And here I am again. The first day of 2016, still not knowing what lies ahead but hoping and trusting in God that whatever comes, all I need is Him by my side. The only way I will be able to face anything that comes, be it victories or defeats, is by getting to know Him at a deeper level.<i><b> That is my top priority, more of Jesus less of everything. </b></i><br />
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Happy 2016 everyone! May God continue to bless you and continue to seek Him in all you do :)<br />
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<br />Twibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254222400415295961noreply@blogger.com0