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Monday, July 19, 2010
She cooks, she cleans, she plots
By Edward Copeland
When we first meet Raquel (Catalina Saavedra) in Sebastián Silva's film Chilean film The Maid, Raquel casts a solitary figure, eating alone in the kitchen of the family she has long worked for while in an adjoining room, the family is completing preparations for a surprise birthday gathering for their servant. One of the sons keep urging Raquel to hurry and come to the other room, but Raquel seems more interested in her meal than any festivities. Eventually, she relents and as the family showers her with song and gifts, Raquel seems anything but particularly full of joy. In fact, joy doesn't seem to be part of Raquel's limited universe.
At first, it's unclear where the conflict is going to lie in The Maid as Raquel runs into friction with the family's oldest daughter Camila (Andrea García-Huidobro), who thinks The Maid is impinging on her privacy and is a bit unstable. Soon though, it becomes clear that Raquel is indeed the problem as the lady of the household, Pilar (Claudia Celedón), hires new maids to lighten Raquel's load but Raquel views the new servants as interlopers and threats to her job and existence.
Raquel's rebellion seems to be a case of pique at first, almost mischievous, but as things escalate, one begins to wonder if there may be someone dangerous beneath that maid's uniform. Then, as the saying goes, the third time's the charm and after a spell that lands Raquel in the hospital, Pilar brings in a new maid named Lucy (Mariana Loyola) and she recognizes in Raquel what the woman needs and has just the solution.
When Raquel resorts to her usual trick of locking the new maid outside and then hiding (though you'd think the family would be wise to this by now and give new maids their own set of keys), instead of growing angry or scaling the house like the others, Lucy vanishes. A curious Raquel goes out to see what happened and gets a delicious surprise that makes her laugh and smile for the first time in the movie. It's a wonderful moment in the film and for Saavedra.
What's so wonderful about The Maid is that at nearly every step, it defies your expectations thanks to its clever script by Silva and Pedro Peirano. When you expect the story to take a left turn, it often swerves to the right. Sometimes the results are sad and touching, other times they are hilarious. When the ending arrives, it sets you on edge for fear that the progress which has been made may be lost, but the film tosses you yet another thoughtful curve.
When The Maid is over, you see how one person can truly transform another who was simply seeking kindness and real human contact. Saavedra's performance guides the film and Silva has created a nice little tone poem of a movie.
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My wife and I plan on watching this soon. Thank God movies like this are available on Netflix Instant View. I remember hearing about this on "At the Movies" and thought it looked really bizarre. Your review has given me that extra nudge to hurry up and watch this.
Great thoughts as always!
Great thoughts as always!
I hate cleaning out the fridge too! I will have to try doing one deep cleaning of something when I vacuum or dust. Great tips! I haven't cleaned the blinds inPost a Comment
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Thanks for share that....
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"Imitation is the highest form of flattery."It is difficult to believe that YouTube started only about three years ago according to the WayBackMachine documentation/history. See here and here. I'm not sure we school people have come to terms with the revolutionary nature of this event. Now there is a proliferation of similar sites and the convergence of television and the internet seems to be very close. Sure there is plenty of distasteful stuff out there, but the power of this democratization of culture through this medium awes me. People who never have had a chance to strut their stuff now have a forum and, increasingly, in my humble opinion, we're seeing the power of it all.
I do understand that many schools block video sites, and I do understand their concern for protecting the young. I'm just not sure we are doing them a favor by failing to model and inculcate in them the ethics/etiquette involved in working in any forum. Are we teaching them about civility and how to think critically by simply ignoring and/or denying this powerful medium which just about anyone can access at home or, I imagine, most public libraries?
My nephew, Josh , a third year engineering student at UMO, posted a "cover" yesterday of a group he was singing and playing with at the Black Mountain Ski Area in Rumford. The song was "Crossroads" which was made popular by Cream and Eric Clapton back in the 60's. At least that is where I knew it from. However, Josh had connected with the tune with someone closer to his generation - John Mayer - who he can't seem to get enough of. And it turns out that it was actually written by Robert Johnson, a hero of Clapton. My point is that YouTube has the power to make all these connections at a gut level. The circle of life.
BTW, I subscribe to Josh's videos, so I instantly know when he has posted a new one. I can then give him feedback and encouragement. He loves it. Yes, the circle of life.
Josh and Band's Rendition:
Mayer and Clapton
Robert Johnson

subset: commoncrawl


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Be pleasing to God. Live His Way. Find Peace and Joy in Him.
His Way is found in His Word, line by line, chapter by chapter. Jesus is the Living Word.
John 1:14 KJV And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the ONLY One who was born through woman, through the bag of waters AND lived perfectly in service to God. He showed us the Way, He IS the Way. We all may try our best, but we fall short of His perfect obedience and love. He is the only one who could offer the perfect love sacrifice of The Lamb, whose Precious Blood covers the doorposts of our minds and forces evil to Passover us.
Exodus 12:5-14 KJV 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded , your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Hebrews 10:1-14 KJV 1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come , and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect . 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered ? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith , Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure . 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool . 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Jesus is God in the flesh, Immanuel=God with us.
Isaiah 7:14 KJV Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel Matthew 1:23 KJV Behold , a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Emmanuel is Immanuel, just in Greek instead of Hebrew language), John 14:9 KJV Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
He served His people while in the flesh, and opened up salvation to 'whosoever believeth in Him' John 3:14-17 KJV 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up : 15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish , but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
Salvation is now available to the House of Israel and all the nations to any individual who 'will believeth in Him' no matter under what man made government they may be living in Matthew 27:51 KJV And, behold , the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake , and the rocks rent Mark 15:38 KJV And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom Luke 23:45 KJV And the sun was darkened , and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst
With His ultimate service of laying down His flesh life to those who were so confused and riled up, they killed the Messiah. Jesus The Christ, did not have to lay down His life. He had power to take it up at any time, but He served the will of God by serving the will of the people, to His flesh death. In that sacrifice He rent the veil of the Holies of Holies and 'whosoever believeth in Him' is allowed direct access to our Father through prayer and repentance in Jesus' Name, our Intercessor against the accuser of this world.
Revelation 12:10 KJV And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down , which accused them before our God day and night.
Likewise, He earned the role of our King of kings and Lord of lords in our hearts. He did not have to. As our Creator, He could've made us all robots who automatically love Him.
Hebrews 12:1-18 KJV 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard , lest at any time we should let them slip . 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape , if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness , both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come , whereof we speak . 6 But one in a certain place testified , saying , What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying , I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is , the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted , he is able to succour them that are tempted
But, He did not make us like robots without feelings and emotions. We learn, grow, mature, change all the time in what challenges we are going through or overcoming, in what we are learning. He showed us a challenge on how to have joy in our lives with Him when we choose to try to mature in His Way.
John 15:11 KJV These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full He wants us to have JOY. Jeremiah 33:9 KJV And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it
Isaiah 9:1-8 KJV 1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
The only Way to do that is to live His Way, with Him as our King of kings, Lord of lords. Only His Word is infallible and will help us navigate and slice away lies from Truth that truly feeds the soul.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Heaven is His throne, the earth is His footstool.
Isaiah 66:1 KJV Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool : where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Acts 7:49 KJV Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool : what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Mark 14:58 KJV We heard him say , I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
There are different levels to that. He is King of kings, Lord of lords, so He rules in heaven and in earth over ALL.
Ezekiel 18:1-4 KJV 1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying , 2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying , The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge ? 3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth , it shall die
He deserves and earned our respect and love and the position of our King. He did not have to and could have subjugated us all. But, He loves us and wanted our love to be genuine. He did not have to earn our respect as the very best possible King, but He did so through ultimate humility of service.
Isaiah 53:1-12 KJV 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed ? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised , and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken , smitten of God, and afflicted . 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed . 6 All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed , and he was afflicted , yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb , so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief : when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors
At the one level, Jesus gave us power over all the power of the enemy in His Name in our own personal lives when we have faith in Him and His promises and through His Name.
Luke 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you
He always shows us the Way through. God and you make a majority, no matter what struggles you are facing.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
He wants to help us through our struggles, but He is a gentleman and will not interfere unless we ask and seek Him to be in our lives and we work to meet His very reasonable qualifications of us asking and repenting/trying to learn to do better to be pleasing to Him when we fall short. And when we fall short as we learn and grow, when we repent, He forgives and wipes clean. We may remember so we can learn from it, but He does not want to hear about it ever again. To bring sins forgiven up again is to doubt Him. Faith in Him and His promises require that when He says 'clean', He means it.
He loves us that much that He came through in the flesh to teach us this and to show us that He does not ask us to do anything that He had not done, Himself. He lived in the flesh in perfect humble service to all of us to the point He laid down His life when in our immaturity we were riled up, emotional and wanted Him gone, The Light that showed us our weaknesses which is painful.
John 3:19-21 KJV And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The Light of our lives, the Love of our lives, sees our weaknesses and when we realize that we are not perfect and we fall short in front of the One we love most and most want to please, that is a very painful moment, but He laid down His life to show us that He will not mock or be cruel to us in our imperfect love for Him.
Luke 23:34 KJV Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots
Even when we deserved it and when the cruelest intentions of murdering His flesh came against Him, as He was on the cross, He only taught and forgave. He is long-suffering and wills that ALL come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance.
The cross was the ultimate lesson that when He or His disciples (disciplined in study in His Word and Way) are teaching they are to turn the other cheek as He taught "the disciples".
Matthew 5: 1 KJV And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying... Matthew 5:39 KJV 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also
He taught this to those who would be teaching His Word and Way and does not include self defense from attacks that come outside of teaching. In other words, if a person becomes riled up against you because of teaching His Word and you caused them to be riled up, then turn the other cheek so they are not offended so much they turn from God, let them be offended with you so they may still investigate God's promises when they calm down.
If someone means you harm in evil intent and it was not caused by you teaching God's Word, then self protection is required by God in order to preserve the disciples/teachers so they can continue to teach.
1 Timothy 5:7-8 KJV 7 And these things give in charge , that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel
Luke 11:21 KJV When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.
The cross was also the ultimate lesson that His Word comes to pass exactly as written.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
As Jesus was on the cross, He was teaching Psalm 22. The events written by King David, a thousand years before, with Divine guidance, were coming to pass, exactly as prophesied a thousand years before, right down to the Roman soldiers gambling for his robe. What profit would the Roman soldiers have in following prophesy? It was by Divine guidance that all Scripture was fulfilled as written, even through those who most likely did not know Scripture.
Psalm 22:18 KJV They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture.
Matthew 27:35 KJV And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matthew 27:46 KJV And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying , Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34 KJV And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying , Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
(note: Jesus never called God, 'God', He always called Him 'Father' as an example to us Matthew 6:6-13 KJV But thou, when thou prayest , enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly . 7 But when ye pray , use not vain repetitions , as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come . Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen )
Psalm 22:1 KJV My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Then at the end of teaching Psalm 22, He concluded with "It is finished"
John 19:30 KJV When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said , It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
The word "finished" in the original language of Greek of the New Testament before translation into English is 'teleo' # 5055 in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Greek Dictionary, which means 'done'. It is also the word 'accomplished' in John 19:28 KJV After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst
Psalm 22:31 KJV They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this
Psalm 22 ends with the Hebrew word for 'done' which is 'asah'. #6213 in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hebrew Dictionary.
"It is finished" = "He hath done this".
Do not be confused, though, our Father is not impotent against evil and there is a time appointed where He will pour out His wrath on those hard heads that will not hear His Word, continue to rebel and do evil. As our King, He protects His own from the cruelty our immaturity and/or choices inflict on ourselves and each other. There IS a point, as written, where He has given the lessons and we either learned or we have not. The choice is ours.
Hebrews 2:3 KJV How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
If we have learned to personally/individually train our minds and become self disciplined in His Love, in His full Word, His Way, with the end goal of being able to fully experience the range of emotions that we were naturally born with in discipline and the safety of His love, then we have the JOY of Him.
John 14:22-23 KJV Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
If we have not bothered to learn and are like wild toddlers flailing around at every whim and emotion, hurting ourselves and hurting others through our lack of maturity, training, and discipline in His Word, He HAS to rein us in, in His timing, in order to protect us as well as those around us. Sometimes spanking us and showing us through what we understand, (even when we are out of control like a toddler), 'strength', that we are NOT as powerful as Him and we are NOT in control of anyone or anything but ourselves, but He is above all.
John 19:11 KJV Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Even that tough love discipline is in Love, teaching us our boundaries. As any parent, we can understand how He probably wishes to never have to discipline us and it most likely hurts Him more than us to need to discipline us which is why He went to such extremes to show us His love and willingness to forgive with such a simple request that we think about it and repent and try to learn to be better. 7 x 70 times He will forgive, as long as we repent.
Matthew 18:21-22 KJV Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
But if in our toddler stubbornness, we refuse to submit to His Way or to even try, He will discipline. We have no power against anyone who has faith in Him and calls on Him for protection unless it is given from Him.
John 19:11 KJV Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Luke 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
But for those who do not call on Him or trust in His Name, His Word, His promises, we can hurt each other, but even allowing that, He is allowing discipline, so hopefully we WILL turn to Him and appreciate His protection over us thank Him and ask Him for it and mature and become people others want to be around.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Luke 17:19-21 KJV 19 And he said unto him, Arise , go thy way : thy faith hath made thee whole . 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come , he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
WE are to be actively involved over what we can control, which is ourselves and our reactions to events around us and our choices. WE choose to study and be disciplined in Him...or not. WE choose to personally investigate His promises and His Word...or not. What we lose when we choose to not do these things, is Him now and in the eternity and eternity with all our friends and family that have decided to have faith in Him, in His promises, in His Word and do actively work to be pleasing to Him and have Him in their lives. That is a seriously harsh and lonely decision for a soul to make.
2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
When we choose Him, we are never alone, He is always with us and it is a joy to know that His love is fully available to all we love, too.
Hebrews 13:5 KJV Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
One sign of maturity that God appreciates is when we trust Him enough to thank Him for keeping us in line, knowing He only allows what we need.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
When we become 'abel'/able, or mature, our emotions can still be enflamed and jealousies over loved ones or God, can temporarily override our sensibilities, but as long as we stay strong in Him and His promises, repenting when we go astray, asking for His guidance, He bridges that gap in ourselves and carries us across. The temptations pass over us, (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV) though our minds pass out in such strong emotions and passions. HIS Passion, covers us as evil passes over us where our passions become too much for us to handle on our own.
James 5:17 KJV Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Cain's offering was not pleasing to God, Cain did not work to be pleasing to God or trust in Him, so when his emotions of jealousy were riled up, he tried to destroy his brother Abel by murdering him.
Genesis 4:1-8 KJV 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived , and bare Cain, and said , I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect . And Cain was very wroth , and his countenance fell . 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth ? and why is thy countenance fallen ? 7 If thou doest well , shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well , sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him
As though removing what he falsely believed caused those emotions (Abel) would fix the hurtful feelings that he was dealing with of his work being rejected. Those feelings that hurt us are feelings of disappointing God and those we love. Removing those we love, trying to remove God, does not fix those feelings. They stick with us no matter where we go and can be a heavy burden, until we repent to God in Jesus' Name and open our hearts and minds to learn and mature.
Isaiah 1:18 KJV Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
How can you reason with God if you don't know what His promises are? There is only one Way through and that's His Way, in decisions we make for ourselves to self-discipline in His Word and Way. When we choose Him, He will guide us in His Way to the Light, to forgiveness, to relief in His love and even to JOY in learning how to mature to the point we can experience the full range of our God given emotions with Him and each other-safely in His love. That's not safe without discipline, without His love, as Cain's actions show. IF we choose to go it alone without God, we do not have His protection and this world can be very cruel.
2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
We can actually be very cruel to ourselves, too, by choosing this path.
Abel is still alive. He is with God having died in the flesh while working to be pleasing to God and through no fault of his own his flesh life was taken. Cain is still alive. When his flesh died and he returned to God, Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 KJV 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed , or the golden bowl be broken , or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it, he had committed a sin that was not forgive-able in the flesh, 1 John 3:15 KJV 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him, he did not get to be with God and is on the other side of the gulf in heaven. Luke 16:19-31 KJV 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores , 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass , that the beggar died , and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died , and was buried ; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said , Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said , Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted , and thou art tormented . 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said , I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said , Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent . 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded , though one rose from the dead
Cain is awaiting, as we all are, the millennium of teaching and the final Judgment Day Revelation 20:11-15 KJV 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away ; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened : and another book was opened , which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Jesus went to the ones on the other side of the gulf and taught those there.
1 Peter 3:11-22 KJV 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled ; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so , that ye suffer for well doing , than for evil doing . 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient , when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing , wherein few, that is , eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
One can hope that Cain has realized being without God or those who love God and His Way is a much worse situation than working to be pleasing. And he has truly repented and is working to mature and will be acceptable in God's Kingdom and find JOY there with loved God and loved ones. One thing is for sure, God will ultimately judge fates of each soul in His timing. It is written.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
That choice is ours to investigate, reason with, study His Word or not.
2 Peter 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
John 3:6 KJV That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 8:31-32 KJV 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free
John 13:38 KJV 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice
John 14:6 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
John 14:1-4 KJV 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Joy and Peace in His Truth
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text:
The sketch at the Paper Players looks like you should use patterned paer for the centre strip and I bet it looks just great that way too, but I was sure this would also team beautifully with this pennant style greeting stamp. I could have used one of the circular greetings which come in Amazing Birthday, but decided on Love Ya from Just Sayin' . Maybe I will add Sam's name to this too. My pennants at the top are from Tape It, I used that stamp set for Aaron's card too. It's not a new set, but I'm seeing it with fresh eyes at the moment.
I've been hanging out for the end of the week (my working week anyway) because I am so exhausted from moving offices at work. We do begin our school holidays in Victoria this Friday too, but at some stage over the holidays, our team will need to go in to work to finish off - after the moving men have tackled the heavy cupboards and filing cabinets. Us 'girls' handled the moving of four desks on a trolley, assisted by my dear hubby.Plus there was a myriad of smaller items to lug across the whole school, so it was probably more exercise for me than I'm used to!!!
Thanks for visiting my blog, if I can help you in any way, you can leave a comment, or see some more details below...
I'll be showing off the new stamp sets, In Colors, Blendabilities and Framelits at my Catalogue Launch on July 4th. You're most welcome to come if you are near to South Morang, Victoria (north of Melbourne). Its FREE! Email me or phone 0417 500 681 for details.
Australian readers - You can shop for supplies in my online shop, there's only 4 days till the mini Occasions catalogue and main catalogue finish. Lots of retiring bargains and weekly specials too.
Hostess code C2KVNKJJ
Classes for watercolouring available if you are near to South Morang (Melbourne) VIC


text:
|20 cormorants visible on this side of the rock.
As I approached, although only two flew away, there seemed to be fewer birds on the rock.
|13 cormorants.
The tide had gone out by the time I arrived to a point opposite the rock. The cormorants seemed a bit nervous about me.
|9 cormorants. And what is that one doing?
|Zooming in. It looks like he's holding his head upside-down. And then he righted himself, and dropped out of sight.
|7 cormorants. And one gull, now that there's space on the tip of the rock.
When I had walked back a fair distance, farther out from the shore now that the tide was lower, I turned to look at the rock. All the cormorants were still there, but they were jammed together on the seaward side.


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Sunday, February 5, 2012
Stampendous Belated Birthday Wishes
Good Sunday morning - are you ready to watch the super bowl or the commercials? I will listen to it and pay closer attention to the commercials. Since the Green Bay Packers are not playing, it does not mean as much to me.
My card today is based on one of the sketches from Card Positioning System - they are celebrating their 5th anniversary - with 15 days of sketches - this sketch is from Day 2. The challenge from Stampendous this month is to use texture. I have added texture with an embossing folder and have pop dotted the image and sentiment.
The stamp is from Stampendous and the birthday sentiment is from SRM Stickers. Of course, I had to add a little bling because every little girl loves bling and Molly's favorite color is purple.
Thanks for stopping by today.
Posted by Paper Therapy Ponderings at 11:24 AM
Labels: Card Positioning System, Cuddlebug, SRM Stickers, Stampendous
3 comments:
- Linda Beeson said...
What a cutie! Nice use of that CPS sketch.
- February 6, 2012 at 11:11 PM
- Melinda Gleissner said...
OK, I love the texture you created with all of your layers and embossing.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving your kind comment.
- February 11, 2012 at 1:31 PM
- Tenia Nelson said...
What a super cute card!!! I spy SRM and Stampendous.....two of the best products around!!!!
- February 18, 2012 at 7:05 PM
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