tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74737685896575705512024-02-20T23:51:16.958-05:00Knowing God MinistriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-39503860060628329552015-10-23T11:41:00.001-04:002015-10-23T11:41:31.372-04:00My Blog has Transitioned<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is my final post on Google Blogger. For
consistency and simplicity, we have transitioned everything to our Wordpress
platform @<a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/" target="_blank"> www.knowinggodministries.net </a></span></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although there should no glitches to you, the subscriber, in the event you do not receive any posts within the
next two weeks via email, please contact us and let us know! <a href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net" target="_blank">Melody</a> will be happy to help you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are not subscriber, PLEASE visit <a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/blog/" target="_blank">our blog site</a> and enter your email! We would love for you to be a part of the Knowing God Ministries family!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many Blessings,</span></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-89731005785115254732015-10-21T14:58:00.001-04:002015-10-21T14:58:08.077-04:00Do you shop at Belk?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever shop at Belk?</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you Christmas shop?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you looking for a way to help KGM </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">AND </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">get a jump start on your Christmas shopping?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
If you answered <b><span style="color: blue;">yes </span></b>to any of the above questions, you will not want to miss out on this opportunity. It's a win for YOU and for KGM. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="Belk" data-cke-saved-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/468856524433920000/PKzTXCvD_400x400.png" data-icontact-resized-width="154.33334000000002" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/468856524433920000/PKzTXCvD_400x400.png" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; height: 158.333px; text-align: center; width: 154.333px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px;">It's the Belk Charity Sale! KGM is a registered charity for this event!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">DETAILS:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For 4 hours on Saturday, November 7th, you can shop at ANY BELK location and receive:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">up to 70% off</span> storewide including savings on rarely discounted brands</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">$5 off </span>your first purchase</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even if you can't shop November 7th, you can start reserving your merchandise November 2nd!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Time:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 Hours ONLY!</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday, Nov. 7</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6am-10am</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ANY Belk Store</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tickets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You Must have Ticket - </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Tickets are $5 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(but you get your $5 back at checkout when you make your first purchase)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How to obtain a ticket:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Contact our office </span><a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net?subject=Belk%20Charity%20Sale" href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net?subject=Belk%20Charity%20Sale" style="color: rgb(138, 138, 138) !important;"><span style="color: #ff00aa;">melody@knowinggodministries.net - </span></a></span>Contact us now!!!</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Available at </span><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/kgm-at-night/" target="_blank">KGM @ NITE</a></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">How you can help:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Buy a $5 ticket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Forward this email to your friends - ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SHOP AT BELK</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Purchase (like I did) 10 tickets and give them away to special people. (Or you could sell them)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Volunteer at a Belk store the morning of the event! <a href="mailto:tara@knowinggodministries.net" target="_blank">(Contact me for details) </a> I'll be volunteering!</span></li>
</ol>
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This event is a win/win for both you and KGM! <span style="font-size: large;"> Please</span> join us in furthering the kingdom by planning your Christmas shopping in advance!<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">We look forward to hearing from you!</span></div>
<br />Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-81878741676789946732015-10-13T14:37:00.002-04:002015-10-13T14:37:13.639-04:00Selective Hearing<div style="text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Belk" data-cke-saved-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/468856524433920000/PKzTXCvD_400x400.png" data-icontact-resized-width="154.33334000000002" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/468856524433920000/PKzTXCvD_400x400.png" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; height: 158.333px; width: 154.333px;" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px;">Belk Charity Sale</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px;">up 70% off storewide!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">(Details + Luncheon Info below!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Isaiah 66:2</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">"This is the one I esteem," declares the Lord, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">"He who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my Word."</span></div>
<br />
I often joke with my husband by telling him he has selective hearing. He hears the things he wants and ignores what he doesn't want to hear!<br />
<br />
But if I'm honest, I wonder if God thinks the same of me. Although <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I genuinely want to hear God's direction, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"> when I sense Him saying something I really don't want to hear such as:</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i><span style="color: blue;">"Forgive... I'll vindicate,"</span></i> when in reality, I'd rather vindicate. </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Or</span> <i><span style="color: blue;">"Fast and pray,"</span></i> when I don't want to deny myself chocolate or dessert. </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Or</span> <i><span style="color: blue;">"Go and engage" </span></i>when I'd rather stay in my comfort zone...</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Its as if I turn into a quintessential two year old with a my fingers in my ears singing, "I don't hear you!"</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever it may be, <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I tend to turn the page and pretend I didn't hear <i><span style="font-size: large;">that.</span></i> <i>'Surely that isn't for me,' </i> I'll tell myself. </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">How do YOU respond when God impresses something on your heart, you'd rather not hear?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you </span><strong style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: red;">tremble at His Word?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Are you <span style="color: red;"><strong>humble toward what He has to say</strong></span>? Do you tend to have selective hearing as well?</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">If you and I </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times;">want to the benefits of a closer walk with Him such as: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times;">Hearing Him speak into ALL our circumstances giving direction and guidance</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times;">Filling our marriages and/or parenting or business' with His resurrection life when we're on empty</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: Times;">Living with joy and peace, despite the battle we may be facing...</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times;">WE have to resist the urge of being a selective listener. <span style="font-size: large;">THIS </span>He esteems!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span>
<img alt="Belk" data-cke-saved-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/468856524433920000/PKzTXCvD_400x400.png" data-icontact-resized-width="154.33334000000002" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/468856524433920000/PKzTXCvD_400x400.png" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; height: 158.333px; text-align: center; width: 154.333px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: 21px;">Belk Charity Sale</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 21px;">up 70% off storewide!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Get a jump on your Christmas shopping!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e;">4 Hours ONLY!</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e;">Saturday, Nov. 7</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e;">6am-10am</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><strong><span style="color: #8f739e;">ANY Belk Store</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Must have Ticket </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Tickets are $5</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #8f739e;"><strong>Receive DEEP discounts </strong></span></span><strong style="color: #8f739e; font-size: 16px;">+ </strong><strong style="color: #8f739e; font-size: 16px;">$5 off with your ticket.</strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Contact our office to get your ticket or to share with your friends! </span><a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net?subject=Belk%20Charity%20Sale" href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net?subject=Belk%20Charity%20Sale" style="color: rgb(138, 138, 138) !important;"><span style="color: #ff00aa;">melody@knowinggodministries.net </span></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Available at Luncheon and</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">KGM @ Nite as well!</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26px;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 26px;">Luncheon - October 16th </span></div>
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Wednesday is last day for early registration</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">When
it comes to money, what's the hot button in your home?</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">General Session</span> </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 15px;">The Cure for the Cash Clash</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Workshop</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;">
<em><span style="font-size: 15px;">Cash Clash Live - Open Forum</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Speaker</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #8f739e;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">Nia Davenport,</span></span><span style="color: #8f739e; font-size: 19px;">CPA, Life Coach</span></div>
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<img alt="" data-cke-saved-src="https://staticapp.icpsc.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/396803/0d6ae8f77139ad1921fb226c182f385b/image/jpeg" data-icontact-width-flexible="288" src="https://staticapp.icpsc.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/396803/0d6ae8f77139ad1921fb226c182f385b/image/jpeg" style="cursor: default; display: inline; height: 197px; width: 145.66px;" width="145" /></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 26px;"><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 26px;" target="_blank">Details/Register HERE </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Nia Davenport is truthful, relatable and funny! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-12857918049014669782015-10-05T13:36:00.001-04:002015-10-09T10:01:28.075-04:00What to do when in a Fiery Trial<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Daniel 3:24-25</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">"Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?... Look! I see four men walking around in the fire... and the fourth looks like the son of the gods."</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><i>NOTE: This post is in response to a young mom who contacted me to ask about my daughter. Her son was recently diagnosed with the same autoimmune disease my daughter has battled for 11 years. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><i>My advice to her and you, if you're walking through a fiery trial, is to:</i></span><br />
<ol>
<li><i style="color: purple;">Fervently pray over your situation.</i></li>
<li><i style="color: purple;">Ask for <b>eyes to see His Presence</b> in the midst of your fiery ordeal. </i></li>
</ol>
<i style="color: purple;">When you do, the journey may be dark, but you'll experience God unlike EVER before. He promises to be with us in trials - even when it doesn't feel like it...</i><br />
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When my daughter, Caroline was two years old, she was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disorder called <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). A mouth full to pronounce, this is a rare skin and muscle disease. It presents itself looking like eczema, but it's not. JDM gradually weakens the major muscle systems in the body until you can barely walk, swallow or breathe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Six months following this diagnosis, her body was still not responding to the medications. It was at the six month visit I entered the fire when I heard the words no parent wants to hear: <i>"We're not sure if Caroline will make it unless we do something drastic."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Immediately a knot formed in my throat and I felt paralyzed with fear. Millions of things go through your mind when something happens with your child: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You tend to blame yourself. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You wonder if you ate or drank something during pregnancy that could have caused it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You wonder if in your cluelessness in</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> parenting, if something happened that could have prevented it. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly you find yourself spiraling into a sea of despair and hopelessness. You're not even sure what to do next. Getting out of the bed even seems difficult. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">In addition to her daily regimen of drugs, but Caroline would also begin receiving weekly shots of a strong chemotherapy drug that I was supposed to administer. She would also be admitted monthly to the Duke Children's Hospital for infusions lasting six hours or more each visit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I walked around in a fog for days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Then God led me to call </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">my friend and neighbor, Suzi. Unlike me, Suzi was able to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">think clearly and was not paralyzed by the trauma of the situation. She knew the greatest thing needed - maybe even more than the increased therapy, <b>was prayer</b>. And not just "cross my heart, hope it goes well" prayer, we needed fervent, on our face, storming the gates of heaven kind of prayer. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Which I knew NOTHING about at the time. I do now.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She immediately responded by calling a prayer meeting in her home. She invited anyone who was willing to come for prayer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With our faces in the carpet, we cried out to the Mighty Deliverer. We asked for healing. We asked for His help. We prayed Scripture. But equally importantly, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><b>we prayed for His Presence in the situation</b></span></i>.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">Side note: We did this for 12 months, prior to EVERY Duke appointment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a result, I watched God undertake for me in ways that could have only been Him. He would open my eyes </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">to see His Presence</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> every time I was at Duke Hospital. I would "see Him" in the fire with me:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Caroline had to have multiple viles of blood drawn, the person drawing the blood would get it on the first prick instead of having to insert the needle multiple times.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The nurses assigned to us seemed to be hand-picked - just for us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would marvel at Caroline's uncommon courage - especially when I felt weak.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He would enable my three year old to stay calm and<span style="color: magenta;"><b> perfectly still </b></span>for six straight hours as she was hooked to monitors and an IV.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus would even help me find a parking place on those hard days. This may sound small and trivial - but it was huge!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I could go on! These examples scratch the surface. I "saw Jesus" in one of the most scary trials I've ever encountered. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Within six months, Caroline was responding favorably to this new regimen! He was answering our prayers both big and small.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Quite frankly, she's doing so well now, that it's easy to forget she has this disease. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eleven years later,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> Caroline's disease is in remission! Talk about answered prayer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the daily medications and the weekly drama of taking methatrexate </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">are continual reminders that we're still in this. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">(T</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">he disease has morphed into rheumatoid arthritis).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> We also continue to have quarterly visits to Duke and because this disease is provoked by the sun and ultraviolet rays, we apply sunscreen to her arms and hands even during the winter months. Having moisturizer that has a good SPF is a must year round. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Without a doubt, prayer has more to do with Caroline's wellness than her meds. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Yes, I give God praise for advanced medicine. But sometimes advanced medicine is not enough. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Prayer - fervent prayer is what's needed even more.</span></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you find yourself placed in a fiery trial, </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">look for His Presence.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> He'll be there with you, just was He was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. You just have to have eyes "to see." You'</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ll see Him in the mundane doing miraculous things only He can do! </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">When you "see Him," turn your despair into praise and gratitude! And then look for an opportunity to tell others of His reality in your fiery trial!.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-41576802840928116962015-09-14T13:40:00.004-04:002015-09-14T13:40:43.985-04:00When Your Soul is Thirsty<div data-icontact-image-nowrap="true" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; padding: 0px; text-align: center; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Psalm 42:1-2</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">This past weekend, I did a retreat in Grundy, Va, called 'Got Purpose?' </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Grundy is DEEP in the Appalachian mountains - close to the Virginia/West Virginia line. </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">Once arriving, (five plus hours from Raleigh) I found faith-filled women. No, STRONG, ROOTED, faith-filled women. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retreat Team </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Above is the retreat team of Harman Memorial Baptist. They were amazing! Harman Memorial is in coal mine country. (It was really cool seeing an active mine - across the street from the church. I've never seen a mine before!) But even cooler were the women who attended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">The ~100+ women who attended were HUNGRY for truth. Truly, they reminded me of the key verse today. Their souls were thirsty for living water. They were thirsty for hope. </span></div>
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Many drove an hour + to attend.<br />
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Women of all ages</div>
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Even mothers and daughters! (my favorite!)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">I share this - because it's rare to find such spiritual hunger. It's rare to find a leadership team that truly understands the power of prayer. This leadership team in the months leading up to the retreat - met regularly for prayer. They even took a day to fast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">They absolutely inspired and encouraged me personally with their heart for prayer. (See the new hit movie <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5kpJ5mkeE" target="_blank">War Room. Click to see trailer)</a> Prayer is powerful! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">As a result:</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: 15px;">Women responded to the challenge of identifying the sin that would rather stay hidden in our lives; to forgiving those who sin against us; to walk with God by SITTING in our chair; to obey God - even when it means stepping out of comfort zones.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: 15px;">They responded by drawing lines in the sand - on their knees in prayer. Each committing to walk with the Lord afresh - fulfilling the specific, God-given purpose each of them have been given.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: 15px;">Hope and joy abounded! In a difficult area of the country where coal mining has been shut down and the economy severely depressed - women have a new way of approaching the everyday. Women are dreaming again! Except now - they're allowing their dreams to be defined by the God of hope!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/11999062_428845283966555_5299714113532297457_n.jpg?oh=9365d9036ae18cc77019cd4634084e6d&oe=56A2593E" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retreat leader, Dee Dee Looney</td></tr>
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Thank you Dee, Belinda, Tracie, Sarah, Tonya, etc... for the opportunity to minister to your women! What a privilege.</div>
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ALSO: LOVED going to Huddle House at 11pm Friday night! Can't remember the last time I was up that late:) Fun getting to know you!</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Luncheon Friday, September 18th</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Luncheons are a <span style="font-size: 19px;">mini oasis' of spiritual refreshment.</span>..</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">each with a specific message to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">This month: SPIRITUAL WARFARE!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Speaker: Debbie Wilson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Do
you ever feel discouraged for no apparent reason? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Does
fear control you? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Does
your past taunt you? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">If
you answered "yes" to any of the above, you're experiencing </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Spiritual
Warfare...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" target="_blank">Click HERE</a> for more and to register.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Early Registration ends Wednesday!</span></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-90300894311300431182015-09-01T18:15:00.003-04:002015-09-01T18:15:53.615-04:006 Ways to Become your Husband's Companion<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<img alt="KGM at Night logo" height="185" src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/KGM-at-Night-logo.png" style="line-height: normal; text-align: start;" width="200" /> <br />
If in the Raleigh, NC area, don't miss the first <b><span style="color: #351c75;">KGM @ Nite</span> </b>and Tara speak on her latest book, <br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/kgm-at-night/" target="_blank">The 7 Day Challenge. </a></b></span><br />
See below for details!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%;">Genesis 2:18,</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%;"> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The Lord God said, “It is not good for man
to be ALONE!</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Men desire companionship from their wives. They long to have someone with whom they can
share life’s experiences.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">However, I believe
men are lonelier today than ever. With
social media occupying our minds, our kids busier than ever with sports or
activities and the endless things we use to fill our schedules, men are lonely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Even worse is when our men feel alone in our
presence because we’ve become so disconnected emotionally, physically and
spiritually.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Often we can be sitting beside him on
the sofa or at the dinner table but are so distracted with our own agendas and
schedules that our men are left out in the cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">IF this is your
home: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Have the courage to say, I’m guilty! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Start being “available” when you’re both home at the
same time. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Begin listening to him when he talks. Put your smart phone down and look at him when
he’s talking. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Don’t interrupt him. LEARN TO RESPOND TO WHAT HE IS
SAYING. This has become lost in today’s
society. Example: He says:
“Let’s have roast beef Sunday, with mashed potatoes. That’s my favorite meal.” And you respond, “Hmmm, Sunday….what time do
you want to leave for Church?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Laugh with him.
Study what amuses him. It’s a big
deal to a man that you are on the same page with him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Be willing to do things he enjoys (including
watching things on TV).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Men are
typically not as talkative as we are, so become comfortable with silence. Your physical presence and mental presence
will be noticed, even if you aren’t saying anything.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: x-small; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Taken from: </span>Click <a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/7-day-challenge/" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Does your Marriage need a little touch-up work... a little sprucing up? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or a </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">major overhaul?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Come and learn how the Bible's recipe for marriage can lead to significant change in only </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 Days!</span></div>
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<img alt="KGM at Night logo" height="185" src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/KGM-at-Night-logo.png" width="200" /><br />
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666699; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">EVENT TITLE:</span></strong></div>
<span style="color: #666699; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Jump Start your Marriage in a Week</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
– The 7 Day Challenge</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666699; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Location:</span></strong></h2>
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Hope Community – Morrisville Campus</div>
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7:00 pm – 8:30 pm</div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #666699; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tickets:</span></strong></h2>
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$10 – ticket | $22 – ticket + book <span style="color: magenta; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">details below</em>)</span></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: magenta; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Register <a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/kgm-at-night/" target="_blank"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #ff00ab;">HERE</span></span>!</a></span></strong></h1>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-11570574181112850772015-08-24T14:27:00.002-04:002015-08-24T14:27:31.591-04:00Intimacy in Marriage - a Gift to be Prioritized<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Song of Solomon 5:1</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Oh, love and beloved, eat and drink! </span><span style="color: red;">Yes, drink deeply of your love!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday's Luncheon - </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">SO good</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to see familiar faces...</span><br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11870819_10153005721492651_3020961447099249563_n.jpg?oh=95fd317f02d7180943ba818d44dca63b&oe=563658B6" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and to meet all the new faces!</span><br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11866480_10153005721687651_8408058641572014612_n.jpg?oh=e1ba47d3e94f97c9582f615850eb5d27&oe=567DADFB" width="320" /><br />
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We had a full house to discuss a topic that for the most part, is NOT discussed in the church at large.<br />
The topic: <span style="color: blue;"><b>Intimacy in Marriage.</b></span><br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11889689_10153005714337651_2269512556854933044_n.jpg?oh=57ee63750a37920daddca298f67ec1b5&oe=5671435A" width="320" /><br />
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How can it be? How awkward for a Pastor or Minister to address from the pulpit:<br />
<ul>
<li>Lack of intimate desire?</li>
<li>Menopause issues?</li>
<li>Dryness?</li>
<li>Pain?</li>
<li>Body image issues?</li>
</ul>
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But in a room full of Christian women - we discussed it! And we didn't just scratch the surface, we talked about very real issues and received solid Biblical truth. <br />
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Personally, it was refreshing to discuss a subject that drives much of the culture, except we brought God's standard and truth into the subject.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The big message of the day: <i><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Sex in marriage is a precious gift we should prioritize, protect and foster.</span></i></div>
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Brigitte Harrison, our bold, courageous speaker, encouraged us to:<br />
<ul>
<li>Build a wall! Sex serves as a barrier against temptation. She described it as adding a layer of bricks around the wall of your marriage.</li>
<li>To not be ashamed! Sex is not something to be ashamed of. God created it and said that it was good. </li>
</ul>
She told us that sex unifies. That sex allows us to intimately know each other. That sex is actually a picture of God's love! God's love is about acts of service; His love is sacrificial; His love is selfless. Therefore, we should be the same.<br />
<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11914938_10153005717602651_2705827020624930828_n.jpg?oh=280fbbebf73d6c48df502c2040435ea2&oe=5681FB62" width="320" /><br />
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She even challenged us to be creative and adventurous. There were 3 questions we should ask:<br />
1. Does God say no to this?<br />
2. Is it good for us? Will it be encouraging?<br />
3. Is it only us? (NEVER should sex involve other people.)<br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11866248_10153005717702651_2721724387354837253_n.jpg?oh=02304bae1b51e545419fadd3078eadb6&oe=566F99C7" width="320" /><br />
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And the biggie: We, as women, should not only<span style="font-size: large;"> <u>respond</u></span> to our husband's advances, but it is <span style="font-size: large;">vital for us to initiate. </span>Men want to know we are eager, not just enduring. They want to feel wanted.<br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11898552_10153005717397651_8540796810772728371_n.jpg?oh=582f51b96773d0220d904a7cc6f83b0d&oe=563B4AAF" width="320" /><br />
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Not always easy. Several women during the break approached me in tears sharing that their marriage is on the brink of disaster - and that they've never initiated intimacy. They were thankful to have heard such truth.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the Workshop -</span><br />
<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11059699_10153005719327651_7923288891272389730_n.jpg?oh=28b984a519d64ef8425cb321338090e0&oe=5676625C" width="320" /><br />
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Oh my! What a hoot this was! Tons of fun! <br />
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Between Rey Cooke, Debbie Wilson and Brigitte; Kelly Hollis as the moderator, anonymous questions from the audience were answered. Nothing was held back! <br />
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They did a great job answering with practical suggestions - some that even made us belly laugh! If you were there, who will forget what Rey shared about coconut oil???<br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11218468_10153005720472651_8810178580916137427_n.jpg?oh=d08039f1d4aa96870231845e330f67ba&oe=566BBE0D" width="320" /><br />
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In all seriousness, what I personally loved was how these women addressed issues that come from menopause. One such example was Rey sharing that though she had lost most all desire, <b>she made up her mind </b>that since this was important to her husband, she would make it important to her. She proceeded to share the practicals of how she did this.<br />
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Another big moment (in my opinion) was when Brigitte answered a question saying, <i>"Many of these issues I shared were NOT my husband's issues. They were mine. But I sat with the Lord and allowed HIM to walk me through these issues instead of making them my husband's problems. You should do the same - sit with Jesus. Allow HIM to heal your heart."</i><br />
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Amen!<br />
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The other really awesome thing was the number of spiritually mature women who were in the audience and were able to add such encouragement to the discussion. The things they shared were PROFOUND! I wish you could have been there! One such nugget:<br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Resentment and Romance </b></span>are not good bedfellows. If you're angry with your husband and not forgiving him - romance can never come.</li>
</ul>
POWERFUL statement.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Another shared how she found passion in her marriage again following breast cancer. A very moving moment.</li>
</ul>
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<ol>
<li>To see more <span style="color: magenta;"><b>pictures </b></span>from the luncheon, click <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/knowinggodministries/photos_stream" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></li>
<li>To <span style="color: purple;"><b>share your favorite part</b></span> of the luncheon or t<span style="color: purple;">he teaching that was most meaningful </span>to you, join us on the KGM Facebook page by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/knowinggodministries" target="_blank">HERE</a></li>
</ol>
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Don't miss our <span style="font-size: large;">September luncheon -</span><br />
September 18th with Debbie Wilson. <br />
Topic: <i>How to Win at Spiritual Warfare</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/7-day-challenge/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Pre-Order</span> your copy of my latest book! </a><br />
<a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/7-day-challenge/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/7-Day-Challenge-cover.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
It's discounted if you order by August 28th! You'll also receive some fun presale perks, like a pass for a friend to the<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/kgm-at-night/" target="_blank">KGM @ Night Event September 10th</a>!</span><br />
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<br />Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-38109491778038167372015-08-18T09:28:00.006-04:002015-08-18T09:28:45.717-04:00Married Woman: Sex is Warfare<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1 Corinthians 7:5</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again <b>so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Given our topic for this week's opening luncheon: <i><a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" target="_blank">Making Intimacy a Priority - </a></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">And a subject I've studied in writing, <i><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/7-day-challenge/" target="_blank">The 7 Day Challenge Guidebook, Jump-start your Marriage in a Week</a> ...</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I've realized something I had never considered: If you are married, and you and your husband are not coming together very often, <span style="color: blue;">you are inadvertently giving Satan a wide open door for temptation. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">In <i>This Momentary Marriage</i>, John Piper writes:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><i>A married couple gives a severe blow to the head of that ancient serpent when they aim to give as much sexual satisfaction to each other as possible. Is it not a mark of amazing grace that on top of all the pleasure that the sexual side of marriage brings, it also proves to be a fearsome weapon against our ancient foe? </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><i>Marriage at its exquisite peak of pleasure speaks powerfully the truth of covenant-keeping love between Christ and his church. And that love is the most powerful force in the world. It is not surprising then that Satan's defeat, Christ's glory, and our pleasure should come together in the undefiled marriage bed.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Is this new perspective or what??? Maybe not for you, but it has been for me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">It's been my experience that women use sex as a weapon for getting what they want. Or </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">have a take it or leave it mentality. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">It's rare that I find a woman who craves sex as a man does. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Regardless, sex needs to be on our radar because it's warfare against the enemy. W</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">e, as women, must wake-up and become savvy. S</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">ex in the marriage bed is spiritual warfare against the one [Satan] who desires to kill, steal and destroy our marriages. Sex becomes the blow to the ancient serpent while strengthening the family unit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">More on this subject?</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="213" src="https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11061228_10152993660957651_4687917173332244508_n.jpg?oh=fc020ebe66e04d31d75f1d61be485079&oe=564614E2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brigitte is the one on the right. </td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">If you are local to the Raleigh, NC area, don't miss our luncheon Friday. A brave, courageous Pastor's wife, Brigitte Harrison will speak truth with authenticity on this subject. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">We'll also have panel members: Rey Cooke, Debbie Wilson, and Brigitte Harrison, women representing all ages - willing to take your questions during the workshop hour. </span><a href="http://knowinggodministries.net/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">Click HERE for more.</a><br /><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">My new book, written with Nancy Cobb! There's a whole section on intimacy. The practical suggestions will leave you gasping thinking, </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">"Did I just read that?"</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> Oh girl, with Nancy's help - she BLEW ME away! Prepare to be blown away yourself!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Pre-orders have started!</b></span> You can order your book now through Aug. 28th for a discount + more! </span></span><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/7-day-challenge/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">Click HERE</a><br /><img alt="7 Day Challenge cover" height="320" src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/7-Day-Challenge-cover.jpg" width="240" /><br /><ul>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-28174004257465285342015-08-05T09:52:00.001-04:002015-08-05T09:52:21.727-04:00The God we WANT HIM to be<span style="font-size: large;">(Two Exciting Announcements Below)</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Romans 1:21-22</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.</span><br />
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Because God is <span style="color: purple;"><b>good, kind, merciful, forgiving, loving and long-suffering,</b></span> it becomes easy to think God is a God:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: magenta;">who is tolerant towards whatever our hearts desire and excuses sin </span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta;">who says any world religion is fine as long as you are well-meaning </span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta;">who says love is all that matters - marry and have sex with whomever you like </span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta;">who says all things are permissible as long as you're a good person</span></li>
</ul>
We see this EVERYWHERE: people <i><span style="color: red;">thinking up foolish ideas of what God is like.</span></i> But this is<span style="color: red;"> thinking up a god </span>who meets our individual desires...<br />
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Making Him the god we WANT Him to be... <span style="font-size: large;">not the God Who reveals Himself </span>on the pages of Scripture. As a result, Scripture tells us, minds become dark and confused. What a warning this is for those of us <i>in the church</i> AND <i>outside the church.</i><br />
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The Creator God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God Who sent His Son as the ONLY way to His heaven, <span style="color: purple;"><b>is the same God WHO IS loving, merciful, forgiving, long-suffering and kind.</b></span> <br />
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But He is ALSO:<br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: blue;">the God of wrath; (Romans 2)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">the God who will judge sin; (Romans 2)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">the God who shows his anger from heaven by allowing judgments to fall. (Romans 2)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">The God who will expose and judge our secret lives and thoughts. (Romans 2)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">the God who disciplines those He loves - allowing them to have hard times; (James 1)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">the God allows persecution. Christians aren't promised freedom on this earth - they're promised persecution. (John 15:19)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">the God Who says, "My Spirit will not always strive with man." (Gen 6:1)</span></li>
</ul>
Is this new to you? if so, take time to read the references. <div>
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There's so much erroneous teaching. My new prayer has become, "Lord, protect me from formulating the god the world says you are. Help me to know YOU, with great clarity, the God of the Bible."</div>
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Make sure you have not formulated GOD into a god you want Him to be. <br /><div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Do you KNOW the God of Scripture? </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Ask yourself, </span><i>"Who do I believe God is? Is this the God of Scripture or have I made him into what I WANT him to be?"</i></li>
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<li><span style="color: blue;">Pray </span>-<i> "Help me to know WHO YOU truly are - not who i want you to be."</i></li>
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<li><span style="color: blue;">Over the next week, </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/album/3394774" target="_blank">watch these videos created by Anne Lotz.</a> They're wonderful for your quiet time... And will help you to understand not only the God Who is... but what all the national and international disasters unfolding in the news have in common with the God WHO is.</li>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Coming Soon...</span><br />
<img alt="7 Day Challenge cover" height="400" src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7-Day-Challenge-cover-769x1024.jpg" width="300" /><br />
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Preorders begin soon! Details to follow. <br />
Make sure you're following us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/knowinggodministries" target="_blank">Facebook!</a><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Luncheons are Back!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Save the Date: August 21</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" target="_blank">Registration Open</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a HOT topic this month: <span style="color: magenta;"><i>Intimacy in Marriage </i> </span></span><br />
IF you're married or one day want to be - you will not want to miss this!<br />
Click <a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" target="_blank">HERE </a>for details<br />
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<img height="213" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/10600642_10152253428052651_6985768349562473745_n.jpg?oh=c0a51e88a7cc05225cfbaf67e68630b3&oe=563C563E" width="320" /><br />
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-45906775540793948642015-07-30T10:08:00.003-04:002015-07-30T10:24:38.838-04:0010 Ways to Identify a Woman of Integrity<span style="color: red;">Psalm 15:2-5</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Ps-15-2" id="en-NLT-14066" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-15-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">speaking the truth from sincere hearts.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-15-3" id="en-NLT-14067" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Those who refuse to gossip</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-15-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or harm their neighbors</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-15-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">or speak evil of their friends.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-15-4" id="en-NLT-14068" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Those who despise flagrant sinners,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and honor the faithful followers of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-15-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and keep their promises even when it hurts.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-15-5" id="en-NLT-14069" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Those who lend money without charging interest,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-15-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Ps-15-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Such people will stand firm forever.</span></span><br />
<br />
Would you consider yourself to be a woman of integrity? Until my recently, I would have answered <span style="color: blue;">yes without question. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://tarafurman.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-link-between-decisions-and-integrity.html" target="_blank">In my last post,</a> I shared how my cell phone was stolen this past weekend. (Update below.) It's easy to think I'm a woman of integrity because I don't steal cell phones. But when I study God's Word - I see something a different standard. <br />
<br />
In my quiet time, I'm studying David and the years prior to him becoming king. The decisions David made during these lean, hard years, prepared him for the destiny God had for him. David chose <span style="color: blue;">to make one good decision after another... after another.</span><br />
<br />
But when I look at the integrity behind the decisions David made, I see how we must be careful of the so called "small areas" of life. <span style="color: blue;"> In God's eyes, these <i>small areas </i>are character defining.</span><br />
<br />
Below are a few ways we can "tighten up." They may sound harsh. But until we call things WHAT THEY ARE, and see things the way God sees them, we'll continue to be deceived by our own self-righteousness.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Do you have <b>conviction?</b> When you read the news, do you have God's sense of right and wrong - standing firmly upon it? (It's not always the popular viewpoint.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you base your moral compass</b> on what everyone else says is right or wrong? Or is your moral compass based upon God's standards? </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you tell "white lies" </b>telling yourself it's only a little lie so it really doesn't count?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you do the right thing, all the time, </b>even when no one is looking or when you'll not get any credit?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you ever twist the facts</b> so that it becomes the truth? This way, you can have an appearance of being honest.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you ever emotionally manipulate</b> people to get what you want? (</span><span style="color: purple;">intentionally or unintentionally)</span><span style="color: purple;"> </span>Sometimes this is hard to see in ourselves. But if we <i>really </i>want to be women of integrity, don't fight that small voice in your heart that may be revealing that you're a manipulator. I speak from experience.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you keep your word</b> or because of the rushed world we live in, forget and fail to be a woman of your word? </span>Such examples could include: </li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Telling someone you'll do something, and then fail to carry it out... </li>
<li>Telling someone you'll pray, then forgetting... </li>
<li>Telling someone <i>you want </i>to have lunch or coffee with them, <i>never really intending to do it because of your busy schedule.</i></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you retaliate </b>when someone betrays you unjustly?</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you approach</b> your Christian service (or any for that matter) as an effort done at your convenience? They're lucky to have you, right? So you show up late; prepare the morning of or night before.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you gossip </b>about others but become very critical of others who may be gossiping about you?</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
Very convicting list. I'm GUILTY of some of these. Are you?<br />
<br />
I've been hearing <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"tighten up,"</span> in my heart. Jesus says in Luke 16:10, <i><span style="color: red;">"If you are faithful in the little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities..."</span></i><br />
<br />
If this is a convicting post, be encouraged. An honest self-assessment will ultimately bring freedom... Making you a woman of integrity, not only in the eyes of men, but most importantly, in the eyes of the ONE Who ultimately matters - The Lord God Almighty, Himself!<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px;">"Nothing is more pathetic than having a small character in a big assignment. Many of us don't want to give attention to our character; we just want the big assignment from God." </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">- Henry Blackaby</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">UPDATE</span><br />
Thank you for your prayers, I got my cell phone back! The 19 year old kid made a small series of <span style="color: #351c75;"><b>good decisions</b></span> following his disastrous one. I'm praying he's on his way to becoming a man of integrity. Psalm 25:8, <i style="color: red;">"He shows the proper path to those who go astray." </i>Glory to God!</div>
Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-8469311687395665422015-07-27T10:16:00.001-04:002015-07-27T10:43:56.383-04:00The Link between Decisions and Integrity<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Psalm 26:11</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy.</span><br />
<br />
This past weekend my cell phone was stolen from the hotel room my family and I were staying in. We had been on the beach and had decided to ride bikes to eat lunch. So we went up to the room, got money, I plugged in my phone and then rode bikes to our lunch destination.<br />
<br />
Upon my return an hour later, the phone and the charger were gone. We called the police. Ultimately, a 19 year old kid in housekeeping confessed. He lost his job and was charged with larceny. <br />
<br />
Ouch. <br />
<br />
I can't help but wonder the trail of bad decisions that led up to the brazenness to callously steal. But one thing is for sure: one REALLY bad decision between 2:00 and 2:15pm on a random Saturday, changed the trajectory of this young man's life. <br />
<br />
My heart hurts him. Though angry on Saturday, by Sunday morning, I was reading the Lord's prayer. Jesus tells us to ask for forgiveness of our sins, but to also forgive those who sin against us.<br />
<br />
This young man sinned against me and my family. He violated our safe space. He stole something of great value ($900+). Though insurance will cover some of it, I still have to pay the deductible. I also now have to invest the TIME in replacement, etc. (Time is something I seem to lack these days.) You know the drill. Not fun. Other than email, I'm officially off the grid for a week minimally.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Regardless, I choose to forgive this young man. I want my sins forgiven, so I have no other choice, but to choose to forgive. In this choice, I'm finding myself led to pray for him. I'm praying he'll begin making good decisions. That he'll become a man of integrity. <br />
<br />
He did make the choice to confess - good decision!<br />
He did make the choice to return the phone - another good decision!<br />
He did not return the phone with the sim card in it. The sim card is the computer of the phone. - Bad decision.<br />
<br />
The police have given him 24 hours to return the sim card in order for additional charges not to be filed.<br />
<br />
My prayer today is that <i><span style="color: red;">the Lord will show the proper path to this one who has gone astray. </span></i> (Psalm 25:8) Will you join me in praying?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">It's easy for me to think I'm a woman of integrity because I don't steal cell phones, I haven't killed anyone and I do the right thing MOST of the time.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">But when I study God's Word - I see something a little different. </span>This 19 year old kid and I have more in common than I'd like to think. There's a link between the decisions we make (good or bad; big or small) and our integrity.<br />
<br />
I want to be a woman of integrity. Do you?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next Post: Identifying if we are Women of Integrity</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-23876201872710277972015-07-22T13:50:00.003-04:002015-07-22T13:50:22.344-04:00Trusting God for Provision, Guest: Lindsey Wingo<div class="Body">
<img alt="Image result for pictures of lindsey wingo" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbbjR1kk1dF29GC8oQIGR_iwwR4b2ntqwVrkQWL4gyCYqDZ9z0" /></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Psalm 23:1 (NLV)</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">“The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need.”</span></i> </div>
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I remember my
first lesson about God’s provision and blessing in my life. </div>
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I was in
elementary school and had gotten from my grandmother for getting
good grades on my report card. I already knew what I would purchase with my
well-earned money, and I couldn’t wait to go shopping! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Soon after receiving my
reward, I attended a church service and my heart was pricked as I heard about a
special love offering that would be taken up that night. Even as a child, I felt
the Holy Spirit tell me to give my $30 to the love offering. <span style="color: blue;">I was
torn because I really wanted to use it for myself. </span>But I talked with my parents and decided to give my money to the love offering
instead. </div>
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<div class="Body">
A few weeks later, my mother shared my story with the women’s
Bible study she led. Soon after, I received an anonymous letter in the mail with $30 inside! <span style="color: blue;">At a young age, <span style="font-size: large;">God was teaching me the importance of obeying
His Spirit’s promptings and watching </span>as He poured out His blessings in return.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that I am
older, and a mother myself, I could list countless times when God
provided for my specific needs in powerful and practical ways. </div>
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My mom uses the
illustration of holding everything we have with open palms. The Lord gives, and
the Lord can take away. It all belongs to Him! With this perspective, I am able
to truly live life <i><span style="color: red;">“anxious for nothing”</span></i> (Philippians 4:6). </div>
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When He prompts me
to give, I know it is more blessed to obey. As my husband and I practice
tithing and giving to our local church, as well as other ministries God places
on our hearts, I fully trust that He will be faithful to provide all of our
needs. Ultimately, the greatest provision has already been made in Christ’s
death and resurrection. That is truly all we really need, and it cannot be
taken away from us if we belong to Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have made the
habit of writing in a journal each time the Lord meets specific needs in my
life, answers prayers, and pours out His blessings in ways I haven’t even
thought to ask! As my children grow, I will encourage them to do the same and
will share some of the things written down in my own journals. Just as the
Israelites were encouraged to pause and remember all that God had done for them
and their ancestors, I want to be faithful to do the same for my own family. As
we are faithful to obey, faithful to trust, faithful to remember, and faithful
to pass it on to future generations, God receives the glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As my
four-year-old quoted recently, <i><span style="color: red;">“The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I
need”</span></i> Psalm 23:1 (NLV). May we walk closely with our true Shepherd, ready to
obey, fully trusting Him for our provision. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">About Lindsey</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="133" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11018576_10152696741597651_5346594524032303915_n.jpg?oh=fa23597d2d59606c09e0c70960afd270&oe=56145DDD" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsey was the speaker at our March 2015 Luncheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://missionalmotherhood.com/contributors/lindsey-wingo/" target="_blank">Lindsey Wingo is the Editor-in-chief</a> and founder of the <a href="http://missionalmotherhood.com/" target="_blank">Missional Motherhood blog.</a> She is the wife of Worship Pastor, Ryan Wingo and stay-at-home mother of two sweet girls, Ivey (4) and Ruthie (2), with a little boy on the way! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;">The idea for Missional Motherhood was birthed in her heart after attending KGM's 1st Annual Women’s Conference from which she left with a renewed desire to intentionally pass on the truth of God’s Word to her children, training them up to send them out. It is her prayer and vision that Missional Motherhood would unite mothers from around the globe with the common purpose of raising up a mighty generation of Christ-followers in an increasingly dark world. Lindsey has a passion for women’s ministry and is a firm believer in the power of true sisterhood in Christ! She can also be found writing letters to her girls on her personal blog, </span><a href="http://lindseywingo.blogspot.com/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #743399; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Dear Daughters">“Dear Daughters.”</a></span></div>
Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-64797283328081969092015-07-20T10:07:00.001-04:002015-07-20T11:46:45.392-04:005 Ways to Find Courage to Deal with Giant-Sized Problems<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">1 Samuel 17:32</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">"Don't worry about this Philistine," David told Saul. "I'll go fight him."</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Don't be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You're only a boy, and he's been man of war since his youth."</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: blue;">How in the world did David find the courage to fight a giant? </span></i><br />
<br />
We know the end of the story: without fear, David defeats the giant with a sling and a few stones. Everyone else cowered in fear.<br />
<br />
Last week, I wrote about how David's perspective differed from the other soldiers. No doubt, <u><i>perspective</i></u> was a key component to slaying Goliath. If you missed it, <a href="http://tarafurman.blogspot.com/2015/07/facing-giants-that-overwhelm-you.html" target="_blank">read it here.</a><br />
<br />
So back to my original question: <span style="color: blue;"><i>How did David <b>find the courage</b> to fight a tormenting, taunting giant? </i></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><i><br /></i></span>
<img src="http://allthingsclipart.com/david.and.goliath02.jpg" /><br />
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I'm convinced <span style="color: blue;">David's courage came from remembering </span>how God had helped him in the past.<br />
<br />
David was a shepherd boy who took care of his father's sheep and goats. When a BEAR or LION tried to steal them, David went after the lion and the bear! (Can you imagine? I think I would have cut my losses.) <br />
<br />
But not David. David went after these ferocious animals with such a fearless vengeance, knowing God would be faithful, yet again, to deliver him from <span style="color: purple;"><i>the claws of the bear.</i>.. and the</span><i><span style="color: purple;"> lion.</span> </i> (See 1 Sam. 17:34-37) David KNEW if God had helped him in those situations, CERTAINLY He would be faithful when faced with <i><span style="color: purple;">the mere hands</span></i> <i><span style="color: purple;">of a pagan Philistine.</span></i><br />
<br />
The same is true with us when faced with our giant-sized problems... <span style="color: blue;">WE MUST REMEMBER what God has done for us and how He has helped us in the past.</span><br />
<br />
Personally, when I think back over the past year... even the last six months, I'm in awe at the giant-sized problems God has walked me through. There were days, weeks, and months <span style="color: magenta;"><i>that were really, hard. </i></span> But in every circumstance, God took me by the hand, directed me with His Word and walked me safely through to the other side.<br />
<br />
As I face my current giant-sized problem, why would I fear? Why should you fear? As you think about the giants you are currently facing:<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Remember </span> </span>all God has walked you through or what He has done in answer to prayer. It could have been 20 years ago, 2 years ago or just 20 days ago...</li>
<li><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank Him</span> </span>again for His intervention during those difficult seasons.</li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Trust Him </span>and begin thanking Him for His intervention now.</li>
<li><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cooperate with Him</span> </span>to guide you through. (See Psalm 25:4-5; Psalm 27:11; Psalm 32:8-9)</li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Allow Him</span> to use the current giant to strengthen your faith walk, drawing you ever closer to Jesus.</li>
</ol>
I love what our May luncheon speaker, Kim Powell, said about the giants or hard things that come into her life. <br />
<img height="213" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10501790_10152830136847651_1411925981501620895_n.jpg?oh=8caf34ca5239b3180fd01f8d9f652379&oe=5651FEDA" width="320" /><br />
<br />
She aggressively speaks out loud to her giant, <i>"I'm gonna strap a harness on you and make you draw me closer to Jesus. I'm not afraid of you."</i><br />
<br />
I love it! <br />
<br />
She can aggressively approach her giants because she, like David, REMEMBERS all God has done for her in the past and with bone-deep resolve trusts Him to deal with this <span style="color: blue;"><i>next giant, </i></span>drawing her ever closer to Jesus.<br />
<br />
As we apply the principles found in God's Word, we too can count on God to do the same for us when faced with giant-sized problems.<br />
<br />Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-86656778092911339792015-07-13T14:52:00.002-04:002015-07-13T14:52:33.407-04:00Facing the Giants that Overwhelm You<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">1 Samuel 17:25, 26</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">"...have you seen <i><b>the giant?"</b></i> the men asked. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">David asked the soldiers standing nearby... </span><span style="color: red;">"Who is this </span><i style="color: red;"><b>pagan Philistine </b></i><span style="color: red;">anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?"</span><br />
<br />
In my quiet time, I recently came to the account of <i>David and Goliath. </i> The timing is perfect. God is teaching me afresh how to face the "giants" that threaten to send me into a state of overwhelmed paralysis.<br />
<br />
Giants or impossible situations will often seek to:<br />
<ul>
<li>intimidate us </li>
<li>torment us or</li>
<li>scare us into a paralysis of fearful non-movement - much like Goliath did to Israel's army. </li>
</ul>
The giant's we face can often be so overwhelming, we do nothing. However, <span style="color: blue;">David's perspective has challenged the way I'm approaching the giants in my life.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
In reading 1 Samuel 17, the men from Israel's army describe Goliath as a <i><span style="color: red;">giant. </span></i>But all David saw was <i><span style="color: red;">a pagan Philistine defying the armies of the living God. </span></i> It's as if David and men saw two totally different things. While the men saw a giant, David saw a mortal man defying his big, awesome God.<br />
<br />
What a difference the right perspective makes when we see how big God is. In this season of life, what giants are trying to intimidate you into paralysis?<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Inability to pay the bills giant?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Health issue giant?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Impossible marriage giant?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Inability to have a baby giant?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Prodigal child giant?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Forgiveness of what may seem unforgivable giant?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;">Work issue deadlines that loom like a giant?</span></li>
</ul>
David has inspired me to approach my impossible or giant-sized problems with a different mindset. I've intentionally begun to study (yet again), how BIG God is. <span style="color: blue;">When we study and meditate on how big God is, our giants will loose their power over our emotions and thinking. </span><br />
<br />
Just as David was a child of God, <a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/knowing-god/" target="_blank">when we are child of God</a>, we have:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The Maker, Creator of the Universe on our side - (Romans 8:28)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The Source of wisdom ready to help us. (James 1:5 and 1 Cor 1:30)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The Director ready to guide - if we'll listen. (Psalm 32;8)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The God Who says, "Do not be afraid" comforting us. (2 Timothy 1:7)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The God Who says, "I will supply all your needs," encouraging us. (Phil 4:19)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The God Who says, "I will give you rest," recharging us. (Matt. 11:28-30)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The God Who says, "All things are possible with Me," filling us with faith. (Luke 18:27)</span></li>
</ul>
So whatever giant you may be facing... Don't tell God how big your giant is... <span style="font-size: large;">Tell your giant </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">how BIG your God is.</span><br />
<br />
Yes, say it out loud when fear tries to paralyze you; pray it; believe it and trust God to act on your behalf when facing your giants.<br />
<br />
Next Post: Finding the courage to act on what we believe -Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-35340221973903638482015-07-07T14:08:00.000-04:002015-07-07T14:08:22.873-04:00Does America want God's Blessing?<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Psalm 33:12</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...</span><br />
<br />
In 1776 at our nation's founding, I believe we were a nation <i><span style="color: red;">whose God was the Lord.</span></i> Look no further than the history books, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. In fact, the basic premise of many of our laws were founded upon the <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">principles of Christianity.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">For example:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">The inscription on the top of the Liberty Bell is a Bible verse: Leviticus 25:10 which says, <i><span style="color: red;">“Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.” </span></i> (I just love that!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
<img src="http://blog.facplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/liberty-bell1.jpg" height="320" width="234" /><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">The final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence says, <i>“And for the support of this Declaration, <b>with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,</b> we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<img src="http://blog.larrybodine.com/uploads/image/Declaration%20of%20Independence.jpg" height="320" width="214" /><br />
<br />
However in 2015, I'm not sure we can say that <i><span style="color: red;">as a nation, our God is the Lord.</span></i> Therefore, I sadly do not think the promise of blessing applies to us anymore. <br />
<br />
With <span style="font-size: large;">increasing measure, </span>(seemingly getting worse and worse) God and prayer is pushed:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>out of town meetings; </li>
<li>out of schools; </li>
<li>out of the public forum and certainly </li>
<li>out of politics all in the name of tolerance and political correctness.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Yet we want the blessings of God, whoever "God" may be to you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But let's face it, in politics, media and pop culture as a whole, God's name is politically incorrect. (Unless of course, you're using it in vain. Then it's okay.)</div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">And the Bible? </span> You're looked upon as a kook if you take it seriously. (Trust me, I know this upfront and personal:)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">And the name, Jesus? </span><i><b>The Name</b> given to men by which they must be saved.</i>..(Acts 4:12) <i><b>The Name</b> that is the only way to the Father... </i>(John 14:6). Mention His name and watch how quickly the "<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>you offended me"</i> </b></span>police will attempt to shame you into silence.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">What about our moral compass? </span> The theme of this generation is "to live as we see fit." (Judges 21:25) And to say any behavior is wrong, we are quickly labeled intolerant and judgmental.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">What about our friendship with Israel? </span> The Bible is clear, <i>those who bless Israel will themselves be blessed. </i> (Genesis 12:3) Our friendship with Israel is at an all time low since it's re-founding in 1948. (Very sad to me. I personally think Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister is one of the most courageous men on the planet considering what his job requires each day.)<br />
<br />
Following the 9/11 attacks, I heard Anne Lotz in an interview on CBS This Morning say, <i>"God is a Gentleman. He never insists on being where He's not wanted. However at the same time, He also removes His hand of protection and blessing." </i> (paraphrase)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Does America <i>really </i>want God's blessing? </b></span>The Bible is clear, blessings from the Creator will come when we make Him and only Him, our God. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Be the agent of change in your corner of the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">It starts with one... in your family, in your circle of friends, in your workplace; in your neighborhood, in your community.</span></div>
<br />
May your faith walk multiply, so that one day our nation's God will again be <i><span style="color: red;">the Lord God Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it. </span></i><br />
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-21741471295946920492015-06-24T12:35:00.002-04:002015-06-24T12:35:49.860-04:00Experiencing God in the Midst of Loss, Elizabeth Black<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP85-LZydbarLjLgGSv7rLe-0NJnv9Tc1qXbtNifF7W7QFz2o7Re2UdcqyChMfQGfzvKvnNZrL7p7A8LfheTxv1uoFbVadWI-p45ia6WUqrXED0RYESM6sEKw5i6zCFqKyvd8ERJfia8/s1600/Elizabeth+Black.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgP85-LZydbarLjLgGSv7rLe-0NJnv9Tc1qXbtNifF7W7QFz2o7Re2UdcqyChMfQGfzvKvnNZrL7p7A8LfheTxv1uoFbVadWI-p45ia6WUqrXED0RYESM6sEKw5i6zCFqKyvd8ERJfia8/s200/Elizabeth+Black.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Black,<br />
KGM Team Member<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Matthew 5:4</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><span style="color: red;">“Blessed
are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">My family
recently experienced the loss of my father-in-law. Although, the eternal kingdom gained an
amazing man, this has not made the
grieving process any easier for our family. But the Lord has been so gentle and almost tangibly real as He is carrying
us through this extremely difficult time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">On a day
when I was raw and emotionally spent, the tears fell uncontrollably. I prayed as I cried. And through the tears, the words I had memorized from Matthew 5:4 seemed to say to me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">“I alone am
your comfort”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">He alone is
my Comforter. <span style="color: blue;">I did not need anyone else
to share my tears. He was with me,
wrapping me in His arms. I only needed
Him to be a witness to my sorrow because ultimately, the Lord was the only one
that could give me true reassurance.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">The
definition of comfort is a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or
constraint. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">Because of Jesus dying on
the cross for MY sin, and YOURS, we have been given freedom in Christ. On this side of Heaven it does not
necessarily mean we will have no pain, but it does mean that I have an Advocate, a Mediator, between myself and God, allowing me to draw near to the
Lord. And that brings me immeasurable
COMFORT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><b>“I Am
Jehovah Jir-ah” - The God of Provision</b> - </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">He is my
sole provider</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">Where does
my Help come from? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><span style="color: red;">My Help
comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. </span></span>(Psalm
121:1-2)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">As my
thoughts turned towards the grieving heart of my sweet little 6 year old girl, I
couldn’t help but praise the Lord for providing her with a school that was helping
her through her grieving process in a way the Lord could have
foreseen. The Lord positioned her to be
at a school that would provide so genuinely the love, support and COMFORT she
would be need as she processed the sadness of loosing her beloved
Granddaddy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">He Brings
Peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">The Lord
gives strength to his people;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><span style="color: red;">the Lord
blesses his people with peace. </span>Psalm 29:11</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">As I tears that had built up over the past months seemed to release like a dam being opened, I cried out to the Lord and praised him. </span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times-Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I showered Him with thanksgiving for holding
me and my family through. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times-Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">For His mercies. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">For His full and total understanding in all. </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"> </span></b></span></li>
</ul>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">And</span></b><span style="font-family: Times-Roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">, for allowing me His insight in a time when sadness seemed to be
taking over. </span>He pulled me up and
reminded me of His promises and His Hope. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">Psalm
30:11-12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">You turned
my wailing into dancing;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">you removed
my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">that my
heart may sing your praises and not be silent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><span style="color: red;">Lord my
God, I will praise you forever.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><span style="color: blue;">We serve a God who loves us and wants to be a part
of EVERY aspect of our lives. </span>He wants
us to cry out to Him in our sorrows. He wants us to praise Him in our
victories. He is with us ALWAYS to
comfort, provide, listen and guide. </span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times-Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">Cling to Him today in whatever situation you may be facing. He's waiting for you with arms wide open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpGWAUguQDYST0-hYSeIFoO5tiSCJccI8J6riOcSKkbsfCkZCuHemZyZjaJYHahaR31dgT8sspjJtielXg4MvIGgWZkJ94e0gT3CDnJpp38yYAIX4ULXOsEfO6W-xdRj245NIU-ZCa1Y/s1600/ElizabethBlackBioBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpGWAUguQDYST0-hYSeIFoO5tiSCJccI8J6riOcSKkbsfCkZCuHemZyZjaJYHahaR31dgT8sspjJtielXg4MvIGgWZkJ94e0gT3CDnJpp38yYAIX4ULXOsEfO6W-xdRj245NIU-ZCa1Y/s320/ElizabethBlackBioBox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Are you coming to the:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Breaking up with Perfect </i>Party?!</span><br />
Tuesday, Jul;y 7th<br />
Apex Baptist Church, Apex, NC<br />
<br />
Join Amy Carroll and Friends for the release of her new book, <i>Breaking up with Perfect.</i> It will be a great evening of fun, fellowship, sweets and shopping! <br />
<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1613418328943315/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for more details!<br />
Below is a taste of what you'll read in the book!<br />
<br />
<img height="320" src="https://staticapp.icpsc.com/icp/loadimage.php/mogile/396803/25de752a80390e98ffae000523d5e8cf/image/jpeg?token=d44e78354907a57b642cfb8c13ff2536&" width="209" /><br />
<ul>
<li>“Relationships shatter when we value perfection over people.” (Quote from Chapter 3 of <em>Breaking Up with Perfect)</em></li>
<li>How has perfection ruined relationships in your life? How has God’s work restored relationships in your life (including the one with Himself)?</li>
</ul>
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Don't miss it! Hope to see you there!</div>
Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-50852658973251421292015-06-18T15:54:00.002-04:002015-06-18T15:54:59.406-04:00 When it’s a Fatherless Father’s Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EoBA9CtVxUKJ5l-si3PxekRcDhuAi6OnT__u3FLYos8uq_zpyeNIZJghSruOmnRIIMdAGMWQ9ttvW9Eexd5ZtlrTEYcDnz2NGq73dtxdsZdE2mzoWYiO1FI4xRuEglOwc3PHqmAVAPg/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EoBA9CtVxUKJ5l-si3PxekRcDhuAi6OnT__u3FLYos8uq_zpyeNIZJghSruOmnRIIMdAGMWQ9ttvW9Eexd5ZtlrTEYcDnz2NGq73dtxdsZdE2mzoWYiO1FI4xRuEglOwc3PHqmAVAPg/s640/Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This morning was full of excitement as my children and I prepared gifts for Father’s Day. We enjoyed looking through photos from the past year and laughed hysterically as we reminisced over the stories that went along with the candid moments. But, I can remember not too long ago when Father’s Day was a day I dreaded. For some, Father’s Day is a reminder of an empty place in their life. A gaping hole left by death, divorce, deployment…</div>
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After my divorce, I was the only mom sitting at the table of men when my son’s preschool had “Donuts with Dad.” I went as far as letting my daughter skip school when they had events that revolved around dads to avoid the inevitable awkwardness and emotional rollercoaster that would ensue. I would fight back tears as I snuggled my children to sleep and struggled to answer their questions about why their dad can’t be there. The emotions are still so fresh and raw, I can barely stand to recall them.</div>
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What are we supposed to do with a void that has us questioning our very existence? Such things have caused great people to fall, never to rise again. How do we handle the depth of this sorrow? </div>
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Perhaps you are someone whose earthly father fell short of your expectations; first and foremost, you need to recognize that you are not to blame. You are not responsible for someone else’s actions; however, you are responsible for your response to their actions. Forgiveness is one of the toughest things to tackle, but the most healing for you. Holding onto anger is like drinking poison, hoping the other person will suffer the effects. If your children’s father falls in the same category, this applies as well. One of the greatest gifts you can give to your children is forgiving their father. </div>
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If your children are facing a fatherless Father’s Day, I want to encourage you to not give up! The days are long and hard when you are trying to fill a void you weren’t meant to fill. Reach out to people around you and don’t let pride get in the way of asking for help. I spent years trying to fix everyone else when I finally realized I had to deal with my own issues from divorce before I could help my children. There are so many people out there willing to help, but they just don’t know how. Let them make your family dinner, or take your kids to the park—we were meant to live in community. </div>
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If your family is intact this Father’s Day, I encourage you to look around and find someone in need. Your family can adopt a widow, take her to dinner, or help do chores around the house that are too difficult for her to do on her own. If she has children, she would probably enjoy a distraction from the holiday, so invite them all over, or give them a gift card to the movie theater. Maybe they will find a new tradition through your generosity. I was recently speaking to a widow who has two teenage children and I said, “All you have to do is ask and I will do what I can.” She responded, “I know, but sometimes I don’t want to ask.” She wants nothing more than to have people come alongside her kids and mentor them and be a father figure, but how do you ask for something like that?!</div>
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This Father’s Day, we all need to take a moment to look up and remember that we have a perfect, heavenly father who gave his one and only son so we could spend eternity with Him. He is a Father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. No matter where you have been or what you have done, God is reaching out his arms to you and saying, “Come to me my beautiful darling, there is no flaw in you.”</div>
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Psalm 68:5</div>
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<i>A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,<br />
</i><span class="s1"><i> </i></span><i>is God in his holy dwelling.</i></div>
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John 3:16</div>
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<span class="s2"><b><i><sup>16 </sup></i></b></span><i>For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.</i></div>
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Matthew 19:14</div>
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<span class="s2"><b><i><sup>14 </sup></i></b></span><i>Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”</i></div>
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Matthew 11:28</div>
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<span class="s2"><b><i><sup>28 </sup></i></b></span><i>“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. </i><span class="s2"><b><i><sup>29 </sup></i></b></span><i>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. </i><span class="s2"><b><i><sup>30 </sup></i></b></span><i>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”</i></div>
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Songs of Solomon 4:7</div>
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<i>You are altogether beautiful, my darling;<br />
</i><span class="s1"><i> </i></span><i>there is no flaw in you.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaFYHYVXKeH9MkWiXaFoWvJfwH88Uf47oJD6zc5TlJDrSuiPfUieqxEvDok7NuCIf9hjDiCabzZ_XP_aDzCvNFIOB-e8k-m7ed1rB6lCFwX7nlfMd1_TNFvlRD89Vx0VyjAQm9j9u0zo/s1600/Melissa+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaFYHYVXKeH9MkWiXaFoWvJfwH88Uf47oJD6zc5TlJDrSuiPfUieqxEvDok7NuCIf9hjDiCabzZ_XP_aDzCvNFIOB-e8k-m7ed1rB6lCFwX7nlfMd1_TNFvlRD89Vx0VyjAQm9j9u0zo/s200/Melissa+Headshot.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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I am often accused of not having a filter…I call it being real. I hope that my transparency of life and all of its challenges will help others see that we are not the only ones fighting the fight and we don’t have to do it alone. I am lucky to be married to my best friend and the mother to four rambunctious children. I am trying my hand at being a stay-at-home mom for the first time ever…it is scary, to say the least! I am always up for an adventure and am most comfortable flying by the seat of my pants!</div>
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I enjoy empowering women to take a leap of faith…or giving them a little push!</div>
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Melissa, Co-creator/ Owner of <a href="http://mylifealtered.com/" target="_blank">my life.altered</a></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-83546342087243326342015-06-08T18:52:00.001-04:002015-06-08T18:52:36.165-04:00When Your Husband has No Interest in your Jesus<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><strong style="font-size: x-large;">1 Peter 3:1 </strong>(Amplified) </span>Notice the action verbs</div>
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<span style="color: red;">"When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">to respect,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">defer to,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">revere him - to honor,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">esteem,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">appreciate,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">prize,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">and in the human sense to adore him, that is to admire, praise,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">be devoted to,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">deeply love and</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">enjoy your husband." </span><br />
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What do you do when your husband doesn't want your Jesus?<br />
When he won't go to church?<br />
When he doesn't want to pray with you?<br />
When he's intentionally walking in contradiction to what the Word says?<br />
When he's plain unlovable?<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">Do you preach to him or force him to do what you want him to do?</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Do you guilt him when walking in the door from church?</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;">Do you divorce him?</span><br />
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Absolutely not!</div>
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Your job is to:</div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">Live the Biblical model for wives</span> - which include submission, helping, companionship and sex <span style="color: blue;">without saying a word.</span> Preach to him by loving him through your actions. (Not words)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Pray for him</span> and watch God move in your circumstances!</span></li>
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That's it!</div>
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God's responsibility is heart CHANGE. Heart change does not fall in our job description. <span style="text-align: center;">Nor does anywhere in the Bible does it say <i>wives be submissive to only believing husbands. </i> When unbelieving m</span><span style="text-align: center;">en watch their wife's behavior, this often causes them to have a change of heart and want YOUR Jesus.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">Preaching to him or guilting him is not helpful.</span><br />
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Do not "preach" to him by sending him your favorite online devotions.<br />Do not mother him <b>by forcing him </b>to go to church with you.<br />Do not make him feel guilty when he doesn't go to church with you.<br />Do not force him to pray with you. <ul>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Your responsibility, is to live the Biblical model and pray.</span> That's it!<br />
The Bible tells us our men will <em><span style="color: red;">see the purity and reverence of your lives.</span></em> </div>
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Fewer things are more painful than your man wanting nothing to do with your Jesus. I understand. <a href="https://youtu.be/cZ_2bq7oSco" target="_blank">Watch my story here.</a><br />
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In the Prayer Journal,<i> Growing Stronger Roots, </i>there is a prayer prompt section helping you to know how to pray. <a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/work/growing-stronger-roots-journal/" target="_blank">Click here.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/work/growing-stronger-roots-journal/" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen Shot 2014-01-20 at 10.24.03 PM" height="200" src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-Shot-2014-01-20-at-10.24.03-PM-210x300.png" width="140" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20px;">Our 4th Annual Golf Tournament is only 6 days away!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkISbfdmkvvlLyELjrwhzpfE53x4uV6qbUAxYYk-1CyEccolSsfFyXZ_zGDenQFoHW5D1ulW50cdwtKb6oLwRhB9x3mD5HELvYSjb4EedBRYaSbD-TvOOWe0N1QaaYiE8c5Ck-Or8I54/s1600/KFH_130624-3195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkISbfdmkvvlLyELjrwhzpfE53x4uV6qbUAxYYk-1CyEccolSsfFyXZ_zGDenQFoHW5D1ulW50cdwtKb6oLwRhB9x3mD5HELvYSjb4EedBRYaSbD-TvOOWe0N1QaaYiE8c5Ck-Or8I54/s320/KFH_130624-3195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #ff00aa;">THANK YOU</span> to those who have already contributed door prizes, hole sponsorships and individual sponsorships. We are acknowledging you on our website as we are grateful for your help. Couldn't do this without you. So thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff00aa;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">As we look 10 days out, there are a few practical things we need. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 22px;">Will you help?</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #21689b;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Individual sponsorships: </span></strong></span><strong style="color: #21689b;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">$25 - </span></strong><span style="color: #21689b; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We need 19 people who could donate $25</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="color: #21689b;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></strong><strong style="color: #21689b;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Drinks - </span></strong><strong style="color: #21689b;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Water / sodas </span></strong></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="color: #21689b;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Door Prizes - </span></strong><strong style="color: #21689b;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Gift Certificates to restaurants, stores, gas cards, other golf courses, Oil Changes, Car wash, ANYTHING</span></strong></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #21689b;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Potato Chips or Planters Peanuts - </span></strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Individually wrapped packages </span></span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #21689b;"><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hole Sponsorship: $100 - </span></strong></span><span style="color: #21689b; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We need 2. Great way to advertise your business or organization.</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #21689b; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2 More Golf Teams - </b></span><span style="color: #21689b; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We realize this may be a stretch for some of you, just thought we'd throw it out there! It's a need.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #ff00aa;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you can help, p</b></span></span></span><b style="color: #ff00aa; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">lease email: </b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff00aa;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net%20?subject=I%20can%20help%20with%20Golf!" href="mailto:melody@knowinggodministries.net%20?subject=I%20can%20help%20with%20Golf!" style="color: rgb(33, 104, 155) !important;">melody@knowinggodministries.net </a></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #ff00aa;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff00aa;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>OR</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:tara@knowinggodministries.net%20?subject=I%20can%20help%20with%20Golf!" href="mailto:tara@knowinggodministries.net%20?subject=I%20can%20help%20with%20Golf!" style="color: rgb(33, 104, 155) !important;"><span style="color: #ff00aa;">tara@knowinggodministries.net </span></a></b></span></span></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-57175813808881994682015-06-02T18:33:00.003-04:002015-06-02T18:33:50.014-04:00Decisions Today Impact our Children's Tomorrow<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melody Merritt</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; text-align: left;">“A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman tears her house down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1</span></div>
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Fourteen years ago, my husband
left our home and moved to Canada to live with another woman, leaving me alone to raise our two daughters. Without any money, this stay-at-home wife had to pick up the pieces of life and find a job.<br />
<br />
I was devastated
and angry. I wanted to lash out and hurt
this man. I wanted to get even. But God’s
Word said to let go of the anger, the resentment, the bitterness, and all the
negative emotions that were piling up. <br />
<br />
I
tried, but it was not easy. I found I
couldn’t do it in my strength. As I began to pray and dig deeper into His Word, He met
me. His Truth helped me trust Him and to release the anger and bitterness to Jesus.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
While trudging through that season of life, I realized my young daughters were watching me. I instinctively knew <span style="color: blue;">my decisions each day would impact their
tomorrows. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>I became determined </b>I was going to trust God and live my life
according to His Word. <br />
<br />
There were days
that I didn’t feel like it.<br />
<br />
Slowly as time went on, His Word penetrated my heart and saturated my mind. He changed my
life. He gave me hope when life seemed hopeless. He gave me joy again. <span style="color: blue;">God's Words found in the Bible became my lifeline.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then came the day</span> my oldest daughter asked, <i><span style="color: purple;">“Who is right, you or Dad? Dad says it's okay to live with someone outside of marriage, but you've said it's wrong. Who do I listen to?” </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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I wanted to say something ugly and sarcastic about her Dad,
the situation, and tell her never to listen to him again. But I knew this would just pit us against
each other leaving my daughters to choose sides. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I shot up arrow prayers about how to answer the question, God showed me that His Word is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and
tomorrow. <span style="color: blue;">I wanted to be a mom
who taught my children God’s Truth and lived out this Truth daily in my life. My thinking can change from time to time, but
God’s doesn’t. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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So my answer to my daughter’s question, I said,
<b><i>“Let’s go to God’s Word and see what He says.”</i></b><br />
<br />
God’s Word is
Truth that never changes. <span style="color: blue;">There are
answers in God’s Word for every situation that arises in our lives, the big
issues and the little ones.</span></div>
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Every woman has influence in someone else’s life. Are you going to be a woman who lives her
life according to God’s Truth? Or the world’s ever changing ideas? <br />
<br />
Decide today. Then teach this to the children in your life. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;">“These are not just idle words for you, they are your life.” </span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;">Deuteronomy 32:47</span></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-67348213067391516102015-06-01T12:19:00.001-04:002015-06-01T12:19:16.751-04:00Submission: A Gift for the Strong Woman<div align="left">
<span class="text 1Pet-3-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">1 Peter 3:1-2</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Pet-3-1" id="en-NIV-30426" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Wives, in the same way submit yourselves<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30426A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30426A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to your own husbands<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30426B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30426B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> so that, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Pet-3-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30426C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30426C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> without words by the behavior of their wives, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Pet-3-2" id="en-NIV-30427" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.</span></span></div>
<br />
Submission: a repugnant, repulsive word to most women ... Yet totally misunderstood by a culture that's sadly Biblically illiterate. When understood in Biblical context, submission is empowering. Submission is a gift. <br />
<br />
I personally have found, it takes STRENGTH to submit. It's far easier to insist on having the last word or having my way. But <b>when we insist </b>on our way, the gift goes away.<br />
<br />
Two ways submission is a gift:</div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. A woman no longer takes the consequences of decisions </span>made in the household on herself. She allows her man to lead </span><b style="color: blue;"><i><u>and the consequences fall <span style="font-size: large;">on him.</span></u></i></b><br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span>The consequences of a bad decision (YOU insisted upon) doesn't have to fall on you. On multiple occasions, I have found safety and protection by not insisting on having my way.<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Years ago before learning the power available to me through the gift of submission, I used to insist on things being done MY WAY... (Still battle at times.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But when a decision you insist upon goes bad, <span style="color: blue;">the responsibility falls on you.</span> Let's face it, when you're married, whether you like it or not, we have to answer to our spouses.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
My husband <i><b><span style="color: magenta;">almost always</span></b></i> asks my opinion prior to making big decisions. The majority of the time, he goes with my thoughts. He values what I think. But when he doesn't take my advice, I humbly accept and MOVE ON! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just last week I was tested in this area. He didn't ask my opinion about a major purchase. Deep down, I was a little irritated. But instead of being making a big deal out of the "surprise," I chose to encourage him by thanking him and telling him I trust his decision making abilities for our family.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">We as women have to choose our battles. If we battle EVERYTHING, our opinions become less respected and honored.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">2. The power to win our husband to the Lord</span><i style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;">.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<span class="text 1Pet-3-1" id="en-NIV-30426" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: red;">"so that, if any of them do not believe the word, <i><b>they may be won over<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30426C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30426C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> without words</b> by the behavior of their wives, </i></span></span><span class="text 1Pet-3-2" id="en-NIV-30427" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." </span><span class="text 1Pet-3-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">(</span>1 Peter 3:1-2... bold and italics mine)<br />
<br />
Are you a believer, but your husband is not? <span style="color: blue;">SUBMISSION IS YOUR TICKET to winning his heart to Jesus. G</span>od proved faithful to me in this principle as this has been the case in my life and many others I know.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Submission is a gift to the woman who is strong</span>. Let's face it. It takes strength to:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Keep our mouths closed when we want to let him have it!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">To be gracious when he makes a bad decision.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">To not manipulate with the silent treatment, head games or sex in order to get our way.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">To not pout or sulk when not getting our way.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">To not undermine his authority in front of the children when disagreement arises.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: blue;">Submission is strength and power under the control of the Holy Spirit. </span>Submission, when understood in the context God intended - is an empowering gift to the family unit.</div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-53871072533931548352015-05-28T11:42:00.000-04:002015-05-28T18:20:11.624-04:00Submission's Purpose and A Wife's Job Description<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Ephesians 5:22-23</span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. <i>For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church...</i></span><br />
<br />
Modern day thinking DOES NOT WORK in marriage.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Modern day thinking:*</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Marriage is a 50/50 proposition - </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">You should treat your man as he treats you -</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;">Your man's job is to make you happy -</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #20124d;">God's way of thinking:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">I am 100% responsible for my behavior NOT his.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">We are to love our husbands unconditionally.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">A source of power is readily available to help.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">My joy is not determined by another person.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d;">Doing things God's way is the key to having a joyful life.*</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
God is a God of order. He has an order for the seasons. He has an order for government. He has order for the family. His order for the family is for the husband to be the head of the home.<br />
<br />
Let's look at it like a cooperation:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Husband is the President</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Wife is the Vice President</span><br />
<br />
The Vice President of any (healthy) company is not trying to undermine the President by trying to do the President's job. He/she is trying to do their job with excellence for the common good of the company and share holders.<br />
<br />
The same is true in the home. Never mind his job. FOCUS on your job. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">The Woman's job description in marriage includes:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">1. She submits to his leadership.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">2. She's a helper to him.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">3. She respects him.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">4. She sleeps with him.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">5. She provides companionship.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">6. She's a wise home builder.</span><br />
<br />
We'll be discussing these concepts and more in our online FaceBook group titled, "Submissive Wife Community with Tara." Join us if you haven't already!<br />
<br />
Two people vying for the same position creates a potential disaster. A wise woman once told me, <i><span style="color: blue;">"Two heads make a monster. Submit to his leadership."</span></i><br />
<br />
* Taken from the Politically Incorrect Wife<br />
<a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/work/taras-favorite-marriage-books/" target="_blank">Click HERE for more!</a><br />
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-21317552342115552062015-05-27T11:59:00.002-04:002015-05-27T11:59:18.391-04:00Submission: Defined and the Exceptions<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: 28.7999992370605px;"><strong>Ephesians 5:22-23</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="color: red;">Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></strong></div>
</div>
I can think of no other word in the English language that makes a woman cringe more than the word, <span style="font-size: large;">submission. </span>(Look no further than the women who came out in droves spewing venomous curses at their repulsion of such people "<i>living like this!"</i> prior and just after the shows airing.<br />
<br />
But twenty years ago, I was one of them. So I understand the rage and the anger. <br />
<br />
Little did I know, <span style="color: magenta;">submission would be one of the keys to unlocking joy and peace within my home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Biblical submission is one of the most misunderstood concepts</span> in the Bible. Yet, once you understand it's meaning and purpose, I believe you will think far differently.<br />
<br />
The next 4 posts will be dedicated to Submission! (Maybe more if God brings any other trains of thought to mind!)<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Today: Submission: Defined and it's Exceptions</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Submission: Understanding it's Purpose</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Submission: A Gift</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Submission: Not for the Weak Woman</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Submission: The Power for Change</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Submission defined: </span>voluntarily cooperating with another out of love for God and for the other person."<br />
<br />
God would NEVER throw women under the bus by making her inferior or less than or giving her second class citizenship. Submission is not subservience or being a door mat. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Submission is a choice. </span> It is a choice to cooperate with my husband for the greater good of my family. It is a choice to obey God because He says so. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Submission does not mean</span> I never having an opinion in the decisions being made. Biblical submission means having a say, but doing so respectfully (another concept our group will cover in the coming weeks). <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Submission means choosing to honor </span>God's order in the family and to give my husband that place of authority. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Submission is a choice not to pout</span> or manipulate when I don't get my way.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Submission is a choice to praise my husband's good decisions </span>and to be gracious when he makes bad decisions.<br />
<br />
I'll be honest: <span style="color: purple;">The power to submit in many instances does not come from self-will, but from the overflow of my time with God each day. </span> (More on this in a coming post. But this is a very important concept you need to hear now and often. Truly, THIS is the where the power comes from.)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Submission Examples</span><br />
<br />
If you want to go to the beach on vacation and your husband wants to go to the mountains. <span style="color: blue;">Tell him why you want to go the beach. Respectfully tell him your thoughts.</span> However, after listening to you, if he still insists the on mountains - the mountains it is. <br />
<br />
And no pouting! <br />
<br />
If we insist on our way, however, <span style="color: blue;">we sow contentiousness and reap bitterness and division in the home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">A wise man sees his wife's giftedness in certain areas and defers those responsibility to her.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just <span style="color: blue;">last week</span> while cooking dinner,</span> Tim turned off the burner before the pasta was ready. (My husband is an amazing cook and handles most of the cooking, I hang around to help and for moral support!)<br />
<br />
While he was in and out from cooking chicken on the grill, I told him I had turned the pasta back on because it wasn't ready.<br />
<br />
Tim immediately said, <i>"No, turn it back off." </i><br />
Me: <i>"Why? It's still hard."</i><br />
Tim: <i>"It'll be ready and not overcooked by the time I get everything else ready.</i><br />
<br />
I didn't believe him. Every fiber within me wanted to turn the burner back on. We rarely eat pasta and I LOVE pasta. I wanted to eat GOOD PASTA not hard pasta.<br />
<br />
But then I remembered, I had just been on a show 3 days earlier called, <i>Submissive Wives' Guide to Marriage. </i> I KNEW I had to resist the urge to not have a stand off over PASTA .<br />
<br />
So I resisted from turning the burner back on... <br />
<br />
In the end, Tim was right. The pasta wasn't overcooked, but was cooked perfectly!<br />
<br />
Glad I passed that submission test:)<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Submission Exceptions</span><br />
<br />
There are exceptions to submission. We answer to God first and then to our husbands. <br />
<ol>
<li>Adultery</li>
<li>Abuse</li>
<li>Worship of other gods</li>
<li>Asking you to do something immoral or illegal.</li>
</ol>
If you fall into any of these categories:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Begin by seeking counsel from God. </li>
<li>Prayerfully appeal to your husband. </li>
<li>Seek counsel from a pastor or church leader you can trust... </li>
</ul>
<br />
For our discussions - I will be writing as if YOU DO NOT fall into any of these categories. Again, if you do - I'm begging you - please seek immediate help!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Next Post: Submission: Understanding it's Purpose</span><br /><br />Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-31106630002755751202015-05-21T17:39:00.000-04:002015-05-21T17:39:04.975-04:00New Online Community Following, "Submissive Wives' Guide to Marriage"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<br />
Due to the overwhelming response from the show Sunday night, we're starting an online Facebook community called, <i>Submissive Wives' Community with Tara Furman!</i><br />
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<b>Click on the video or on the link below</b> to learn more about new online community!<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/oQXJERRDDws" target="_blank">Online Community</a><br />
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It's a private group - <span style="color: blue;">but you are invited to access it through the Knowing God Ministries Facebook </span>page. We're keeping it private in order to keep the conversation focused!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/knowinggodministries" target="_blank">Access through KGM Facebook </a><br />
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Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-59554015980206069932015-05-19T11:20:00.000-04:002015-05-19T21:12:17.618-04:00The Most Important Thing to a Man<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Matthew 10:16</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">“I </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">a</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">m sending you out like sheep </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">a</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">mong wolves. Therefore be </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>s</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">shrewd</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>s</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> snakes </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">a</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">nd </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>s</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> innocent </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</b>s</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> doves."</span></span><br />
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<img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/10423698_10152737000097651_7605938042954677814_n.jpg?oh=5e3866ef5482adbf9b046936aa8095c1&oe=55CC80FE&__gda__=1443199479_081fe8ac0f3c18ddac64c91c5d584b74" width="240" /></div>
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During Sunday night's show, <i><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Submissive Wives' Guide to Marriage, </span></b></i>my husband and I sat nervously side by side on our couch.... Almost in a surreal fog. Both phones exploding with texts from loving friends and family members during commercial breaks. Your support during one of the most fragile, insecure, <span style="font-size: large;">yet determined seasons to trust God</span> has been profound. Sweet readers, I truly cannot thank you enough.<br />
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As a result of Sunday Night's show, we have a lot more readers. If you are new to our community, WELCOME! I personally am so glad to have you and <span style="color: #351c75;"><b>encourage you to subscribe!</b></span><br />
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Tim and I were THRILLED with how the show turned out. <span style="color: magenta;">Which by the way, kudos to Kristin and Mark. I'm so proud of them. It took courage to let the world see inside their marriage. Yet Kristin's issues are more normal than not. I admire how Kristin was brave enough to say, <i>"I need help,"</i> and allow the world to watch a different way of thinking brings results in her home.</span><br />
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But here's the thing: <span style="color: blue;">we filmed SO MUCH MORE than was actually shown!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">We filmed scenes that dealt with:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: purple;">Forgiveness - </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Communicating Respect with our words and actions - </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Food being ministry - </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The importance of taking care of yourself for your man - (not always sporting the grunge look)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">How to maintain the power for a lifestyle change, not just a seasonal change.</span></li>
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But in the end, sex sells. <span style="color: blue;">Sex was the hook</span> the casting company wanted to use in hopes of creating buzz for a potential Series. (Boy did they create buzz!)<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">I realize this topic ruffled feathers - in the church and out. </span><br />
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But here's the deal... <span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone in America needs to be advocating for healthy sex within the boundaries of marriage. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">We live in a culture that:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: purple;">Celebrates kinky servitude sex evidenced by women going in DROVES to see <i>50 Shades of Grey. </i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Where pornography revenues exceed that of Google, Amazon, EBay and Yahoo combined.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Where marriage between a man and woman is deteriorating WITHIN the church.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Where marriage is becoming increasingly non-existent outside the church.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Hollywood, TV, and media in general dictates to our children what acceptable sex is.</span></li>
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Look at what God says in His Word: (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Cor-7-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> <i>It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.</i></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Cor-7-2" id="en-NIV-28490" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Cor-7-3" id="en-NIV-28491" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28491B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28491B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and likewise the wife to her husband.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text 1Cor-7-4" id="en-NIV-28492" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Cor-7-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><span class="text 1Cor-7-5" id="en-NIV-28493" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><u>Do not deprive each other </u>except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28493C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28493C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28493D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28493D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will not tempt you<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28493E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28493E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> because of your lack of self-control.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Someone in America needs to be talking about sex INSIDE the boundaries of marriage. </span> In light of our culture and what my children and yours are subjected to - if I'm one of a few lone wolves advocating for what works in marriage, then giddy up! Sign me up!</div>
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Sex is one of the many tools God has gifted to women to help us keep our marriages strong and unified. </div>
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Ask 95% of the male population what the most important thing in the world is to him. If he's honest, <span style="color: blue;">sex is at the top of his list.</span></div>
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So if this is the case, shouldn't we as married women make this one of priorities in marriage??? </div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Bottom line: </span><span style="color: blue;">When we attend to the ONE THING that's important to our men, they will begin attending to the MANY THINGS that are important to us.</span></div>
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I, and MANY others I know, are living proof that the Bible works!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more about my marriage story</span> and how I began this "lifestyle," (still giggle over that word!) </div>
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<img alt="Intimacy With God Workbook" src="http://www.tarafurman.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/intimacywithgodworkbook.jpg" /></div>
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<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, sans-serif !important; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 100; line-height: 21px; margin: 25px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
Intimacy with God: Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time Bible</h3>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding: 0px;">
Foundational 7 week Study: Starting with the basics, this study teaches you how to see, hear, and talk to Jesus in your everyday life and circumstances. KNOWING GOD and knowing about God are two totally different things… </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 11px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/work/2050/" target="_blank">Intimacy with God preview</a></div>
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7473768589657570551.post-40681699239725379302015-05-12T18:06:00.000-04:002015-05-12T18:06:33.419-04:00The 1st Time I Heard God Speaks to Everyday People<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">John 8:47</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">"He who belongs to God hears what God says."</span><br />
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I remember the first time someone told me God speaks to ordinary people.<br />
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The year was 1994. It was my first year in the Singles Bible Study Fellowship class. I asked a friend, "How do the leaders become leaders in BSF?"<br />
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My friend: <i><span style="color: purple;">"God calls them."</span></i><br />
Me: <i><span style="color: purple;">"What do you mean '<b>God calls them?'"</b></span></i><br />
Friend: <span style="color: purple;">"He tells them to do it."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I remember thinking that was one of the weirdest, kookiest things I had ever heard. </span> I wanted to leave and never come back!<br />
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But I didn't leave. I stayed... for 12 years. Ironically, God would <b><i><span style="color: purple;">tell <u>me</u></span></i></b> to leave through Deuteronomy 1:6, <i><span style="color: red;">"You have stayed long enough at this mountain, break camp and advance." </span></i><br />
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I love it when God is <i>THAT </i>direct!<br />
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God speaking/connecting personally with His creation is not weird or kooky. The more I understand Scripture, <span style="color: blue;">the more I understand how personal and intimate God desires to be with each one of us. </span><br />
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EACH ONE OF US. That means:<br />
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<li><span style="color: purple;">The one who has worn a Scarlet Letter like abused, adulterer, divorced, abortionist, etc...</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The one who may have limited Bible knowledge...</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The one who was not raised going to church...</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The one who has major life issues and struggles...</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">The one who may feel so unworthy...*</span></li>
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Now that I know God speaks to the ordinary, everyday people, I can't live without His tender, sweet voice. ESPECIALLY during seasons of difficulty and hardship.<br />
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Do you want to understand more about hearing God speak personally to you? Friday's lunch is for you.<br />
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But in case you can't come to the Luncheon -</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtEFfJQMl11TY862sZS7mMjiW0ox3HkajKm20Wf7NBb7HPZUI1X1VrZqH8sZkD7jqp0LQVawcjIXxp3mCuQEzLD6k56AH5knHUMpkTNSXMIy2rQ3oMxsRiZzbbb9xv4BjsawsILUpnHs/s1600/created-for-purpose-cover%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtEFfJQMl11TY862sZS7mMjiW0ox3HkajKm20Wf7NBb7HPZUI1X1VrZqH8sZkD7jqp0LQVawcjIXxp3mCuQEzLD6k56AH5knHUMpkTNSXMIy2rQ3oMxsRiZzbbb9xv4BjsawsILUpnHs/s1600/created-for-purpose-cover%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><i><a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/resources/" target="_blank">Created for Purpose</a> </i>is great tool for learning more about this subject.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">*Exerts from today were taken from this study.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Luncheon - Friday, May 15th</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 20px;"><em><span style="color: #fa67ba;">Hearing the Voice of God in Your Everyday Life</span></em></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><span style="color: #54a4d9;">Speaker: Kim Powell</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><span style="color: #54a4d9;"><a href="https://www.easyreg.org/cgi-bin/acct/EVYDCJTNIM/displayForm.pl?N8M1I69X_2015" target="_blank">Register HERE</a></span></strong></span></div>
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Luncheon Details: <a href="http://www.tarafurman.com/about-us/iron-sharpens-iron-womens-leadership-league/" target="_blank">click HERE</a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">TV Show Details - Sunday, May 17th </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">New Name: <i><b>Submissive Wives' Guide to Marriage</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">New Date: Sunday, May 17th</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Time: 9:00pm & 11:00pm</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Channel: TLC</span></div>
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My reading this morning was in Joshua 1. Joshua 1:9, <i><span style="color: red;">"Be strong and courageous..." </span></i>Courage is feeling fear, but ignoring it and acting in faith. That's where I'm standing as it relates to this TV show airing Sunday night. <span style="color: magenta;"><b>So grateful Jesus speaks </b></span>to everyday people like me and you!</div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Can you Help?</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Share</b></span><b> <span style="color: #20124d;">the show's premier!</span> </b> Share it on social media. Rally the Body in your corner of the world to watch it. </li>
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<li><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Watch it!</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Comment</b><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><u>during</u> or <u>after</u></b><u> </u></span><b style="font-size: medium;">the show</b></span></span><b style="font-size: medium;"> -</b></span> <span style="color: #741b47; font-size: small;">Twitter and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TLC?fref=ts" target="_blank">TLC Facebook page </a> are HUGE. The TLC website is too.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>PRAY </b></span>- for the show to:</li>
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<li><span style="color: red;">Represent His way of life - that others may want to learn more about it.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Teach His Word - BIG marriage principles are taught</span></li>
<li><span style="color: red;">Be an agent of salvation - </span></li>
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By the way: the 2 BIG Biblical principles that made the show:</div>
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1. Submission - explained and lived out. (Obviously!)</div>
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2. Intimacy in Marriage:)<br />
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Knowing God Ministries and Tara Furmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04819384267880605964noreply@blogger.com3