tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46807592732358503622024-02-19T02:29:07.260-05:00BeDevoted.com | REFRESHLeigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-57893925173423230672019-02-12T13:13:00.000-05:002019-02-12T15:30:02.250-05:00The Wife Life: 25th Anniversary Edition<b style="font-family: Comfortaa; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>As we approach our 25th Wedding Anniversary this summer,</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Comfortaa; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> I am reflecting on my marriage journey, </i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Comfortaa; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>spiritually and </i></b><b style="font-family: Comfortaa; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>emotionally.</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Comfortaa; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="font-family: Comfortaa; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">25 years ago</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Status:</i> We were all dreams and little substance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Spiritual:</i> Most of my prayers were about the future, the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">distant future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Emotional</i>: New experiences were not frightening to us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything was new, </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">and we were willing adventurers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>20 years ago</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Status:</i> Now 4 years into marriage, we were a Christian couple who </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">loved our church, </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">our friends and our family and were expecting our </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">first baby. We were on schedule.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Spiritual</i>: My entire focus was on getting God to approve my plans.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Emotional</i>: What do I need to be good at my assignments?</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>15 years ago</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Status</i>: Now married 8 years and expecting our second baby, </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">we were enjoying a </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">smaller and tighter circle of friends. We were </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">very </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">close to one other, and I was very </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">content in my marriage.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Emotional:</i> I had a lot excess energy and ideas. I had grown up </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">some and </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">learned how rewarding giving my whole heart to my family </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">really could be. </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">Somewhat less focused on my needs and more aware </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">of the needs of other people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Spiritual:</i> I prayed and asked the Lord why He never called me to </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">full time ministry </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">when I was an eager child in my hometown </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">church. He said: I am calling you now. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I was age 30, the same age that Jesus began his ministry. </span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10 years ago </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Status</i>: </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now a mother of 3, mostly engaged in my family </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">of 5 and their activities, always planning and coordinating </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">and driving, all along with a super supportive husband. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This wife </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">was very content at home.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Spiritual:</i> My perspective was that I was the most blessed </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">person that I knew. I was </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">often thanking God for my life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Emotional:</i> Strange feelings would wave over me. I could </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">become overwhelmed, </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">almost panicky, but I knew that feeling </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">would come and then go. I was daily fighting </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the fear that other people could really steal my peace, </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">because unfortunately </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">the happiness </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">of my husband and kids determined how happy that I was.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5 years ago</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Status:</i> Pressure mounting. Everyday was about ignoring stress. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Joy was a temporary </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">state of mind. I would cling to it, but </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">it would still slip away. Firstborn child leaving </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for college soon. Grief and depression creeping into our marriage. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We were showing </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">the wear and tear that this season brought. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">We weren't ready. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Spiritual:</i> Always asking for rescue and relief, on my knees </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">often seeking </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">guidance for my whole circle of people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Emotional: </i>My husband and I had a rule that only one parent </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">could come </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">unglued at a time. I needed my turn for a meltdown, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">but my husband was </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">so unhappy. We weren't able to hold each other </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">up as well as we had in other </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">hard seasons. It was now time for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">me to go to work and invest in other people. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I needed to earn some money and have my own life.</span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Current Status</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As parents of one college daughter, one high school daughter </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and one middle school </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">son, we are discussing our options for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">celebrating our Silver Anniversary in </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">Summer 2019. We are </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">currently peaceful </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">with and joyful with and thankful </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">for one another. We are currently looking </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">at our life as a big picture testimony, </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">not as a daily battle. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Spiritual:</i> We want to hear from God. We want to please God. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We now know </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">that we will always serve Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><i>Emotional:</i> There is a solid foundation here and an </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eternal perspective on things. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We have replaced panic attacks with peaceful, </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hopeful conversations about </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">real life options and solutions. We are two individuals </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">who seek the Lord separately </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and then share that growth and strength with the other person. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We are in awe that our kids are almost grown, but we love </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">seeing them become </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">individuals. We do not need to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">live through the kids. We like our life as a couple </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">and really </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">want that love and freedom for each of them. We want to live near </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">them and be present in their everyday lives, if possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">We both agree on that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Each season flows into the next. I am so grateful that the </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">success of our </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">marriage </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">is not based on one test </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">or one perfect day or one terrible month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">Stopping at </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">these five stations on our journey has helped me </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">stretch my legs, get some fresh </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">air and also get my bearings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">The marriage journey is God’s idea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">He </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">designed a </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">construct for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">security and love. It starts with attraction and </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre;">passion and smiling </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and laughing, but it quickly becomes more complex than that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">In all transparency, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know that God chose marriage for me, but he let me choose Dan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was </span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">prayerful and careful; I wanted to choose wisely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">But he let me choose. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">We chose each other really. Dan was careful and prayerful too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was a big commitment, a long term choice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comfortaa";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So far, we have invested </span></span><span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 years of dating + 1 year engaged </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comfortaa"; font-size: 18.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">+ 25 years married. . .a blessed partnership. </span></div>
Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-83329896734002072002019-01-06T01:33:00.000-05:002019-01-06T02:11:45.374-05:00A Vocabulary Lesson<br />
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
<span data-dobid="hdw" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>tol·er·ance</b></span></div>
<span class="lr_dct_ph">[ˈtäl(ə)rəns]</span><br />
the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular
the existence of <b>opinions</b> or <b>behavior </b>that one <b>does not </b>necessarily
<b>agree</b> <b>with</b>. <i> </i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Does not agree with</b>. </i>Hmmm. The definition of tolerance involves disagreeing. If we all agreed, we would not need tolerance. If we all agreed, we would not need discussion. All matters of controversy would be settled before any conversation began. There would be no debate needed. But in the real world, we do need tolerance. We also need to continue to disagree and wrestle with ideas.<br />
<br />
My day job includes analyzing classic literature, editing student essays, and helping young minds find ways to increase their <i>vocabulary</i>. This year, I also have the privilege of teaching an introductory Debate class. In Debate, more frequently than time allows in my sophomore English class, students are required to look at issues from two opposing points of view. Debaters think, write and argue using reasonable yet divergent perspectives. How novel.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Opinions.</b></i><br />
[uh-pin-yuhns]<br />
a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty;<br />
a personal view, attitude or appraisal<br />
<br />
By definition, opinions have a filter; they all have a lens. They are fraught with uncertainty and are based on a person's perspective. Opinions are not to be dismissed, but they are to be weighed and considered for what they really are. They are a person's best judgment. They are not factual. Opinions can be meaningful but should not be given the same weight as truth.<br />
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<i><b>Behavior.</b></i><br />
[bih-heyv-yer]<br />
observable activity<br />
<br />
These observable actions are choices often made as a result of our opinions. Okay, some impulsive people are acting out behaviors that do not seem to be based on any plan or firmly held belief. But for the most part, humans act on what they already believe. This distinction is important because it moves our ideas from our heads outward to our real life decisions. These choices then affect other people.<br />
<br />
So many decisions facing our families, communities, churches, states and nation currently necessitate debate. Questions need to be asked. Widely accepted logic should be able to withstand critique. Decisions need to be cross examined. Listening and <i>then </i>deciding is a good process for humans. Once a decision is made for my side, I am still exercising tolerance. This is an important ingredient to protecting free press and a free society. Making a decision, choosing a behavior or having a firmly held belief does not make me intolerant. I absolutely can disagree with you and still tolerate you. These are not mutually exclusive as the American education system and media has led us to believe.<br />
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Most importantly, as I admonish my high school students, it is possible to care about someone and to disagree with them.<br />
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I do it everyday.<br />
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-69749301327769812632018-10-05T00:32:00.000-04:002019-01-04T00:00:44.647-05:00Watch 'em Grow<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VGf2owc4V3N8bts5BP6YKifFhsrOYD8MHIRuEZcJELxg4rg5wYt90_M28foAjumI89mcnvfVXgBkICdBiEaGcgyadOP0CfqiJOhrGaxLMRXqfebekrE4DOzgSuBO5GJId6Cw_oKn374/s1600/IMG_5894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VGf2owc4V3N8bts5BP6YKifFhsrOYD8MHIRuEZcJELxg4rg5wYt90_M28foAjumI89mcnvfVXgBkICdBiEaGcgyadOP0CfqiJOhrGaxLMRXqfebekrE4DOzgSuBO5GJId6Cw_oKn374/s400/IMG_5894.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Tiny trees on my daily commute</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For several months, I noticed this empty grassy lot surrounded by lovely homes and large trees. It was awaiting a plan. It was green but also bare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I drove to work passing the lot with the sun starting to rise, and I noticed the neat rows of fledgling trees. From my moving car, I could not determine what type of trees had been planted. Will they bear flowers or fruit? How long until I can see growth?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A month later, I noticed that some of the trees were taller than others. Some were fuller; some were greener. They were planted at the same time. They were in the same sunlight and soil. They were receiving the same rain. Yet there were not growing at the same rate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two months passed, then three. And each time I passed that grove of trees I heard this verse in my head: <span class="text 1Cor-3-6" id="en-ESV-28400" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"> <i>I planted, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28400B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28400B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Apollos watered, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28400C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28400C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>but God gave the growth.</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i> <b> </b></i></span><span class="text 1Cor-3-7" id="en-ESV-28401" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><i>So <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28401D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28401D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth</i>.<i> - I Corinthians 3: 6-7</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text 1Cor-3-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text 1Cor-3-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Hmmm. That explains so much. But God gave the growth. This is so relevant to our parenting journey in this season. We are planting. We are even watering. But we absolutely need God to bring the growth if there is to be growth at all. We can watch, and we can pray. We even speak up and share our counsel. But the Holy Spirit is there for them. He is good, and He brings the growth.</span></span></span><br />
<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-3490666022967740512018-07-07T22:51:00.002-04:002019-01-04T00:01:17.062-05:00A year later. . .<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My last post was over a year ago. How is that possible? I can truthfully blame gainful employment. My new full time teaching position has had me reading, lesson prepping, praying and grading the clever writings of my sophomores all year. It was an incredible year of growth and hard work for me, transitioning from part time teaching in my sweet, small world of a homeschool hybrid program to full time teaching high school English all day every day. So to catapult into the present: I could be described as the wife to Dan, mom to one middle schooler, one high schooler and one college student, a teacher to sophomores, a friend who now works full time and doesn't see her friends very often, and a long distance family member to. . .every relative that she has. This verse also describes my life: <i>The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart. Romans 10:8. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But how I have missed writing! I hear monologues in my head as I run errands from the passenger seat as my middle child beauty is now my chauffeur. I see photos in need of captions all around me, as I walk around my neighborhood or Orlando theme parks. Recently, I</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> just feel blessed and thankful and a tad bit teary about it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Okay, the aforementioned feeling is not new. That could be my bio on all of my social media. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">*Leaves to change bio on all social media accounts.*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Glad to be back at the laptop,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LA</span><br />
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-22985821064924855602017-04-11T21:43:00.000-04:002017-04-11T21:43:06.933-04:00Easter Includes PromisesEaster is often associated with promises. I concur that Easter shows a completed circle. Deferred requests leading to specific answers. The end of pain and the beginning of healing. Brokenness replaced with wholeness. Death first. . . then newness of life.<br />
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The end of the God story reveals this: <span style="font-size: small;"><i>And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all
things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are
trustworthy and true.”</i></span><span class="p"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Revelation 21:5</span></span><br />
But do we take God at His Word on this? How do we handle the gap in time between a spoken promise of God and the actual receiving of the promise? Yes, attitude matters. Yes, patience matters. But I never want to lose sight of the prize. God is planning bigger and better than we realize. His plan has two parts: His Word of Promise and the Receiving of that Promise. Let's not miss either part. We lean in to hear him speak.<br />
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We pray things like this: <br />
<i>Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. -Psalm 4:6</i><br />
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His Spirit confirms that we are on the right path.<br />
<span class="text Prov-16-9" id="en-ESV-16850"><i>The heart of man plans his way,</i></span><i><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-16-9">but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> establishes his steps. -</span></span><span class="text Prov-16-9" id="en-ESV-16850">Proverbs 16:9 </span></i><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-16-9"> </span></span> <br />
We will not boast about our great wait-itude or feign humility and possibly miss seeing God do something great for us and through us. <br />
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Read this power promise found in 2 Corinthians 2:9-10:<br />
<i><span class="text 1Cor-2-9" id="en-NIV-28404">However, as it is written:</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="text 1Cor-2-9">“What no eye has seen,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-9">what no ear has heard,</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Cor-2-9">and what no human mind has conceived<sup>"___</sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-2-9">the things God has prepared for those who love him—</span></span></i></div>
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<i> </i><div class="first-line-none top-05">
<i><span class="text 1Cor-2-10" id="en-NIV-28405"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.</span></i></div>
<i><span class="text 1Cor-2-10">The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.</span></i> <br />
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I am so glad that Easter includes promises. I am so glad that we are not being tested and teased by our Father simply to prop up our faith. The process definitely includes patience, but God is not sending us through a spiritual obstacle course. The Resurrection is real. His answers and provision are real. His promises are real. They really become reality in our everyday real life when He speaks them over us.<br />
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<b>Abandoned titles for this post include: </b><br />
<b>Easter Includes Patience </b><br />
<b>Stop quoting Jeremiah 29:11 when I am hurting </b><br />
<b>Jesus died, and now the disciples are really confused. </b>Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-4792863483841907872017-04-10T11:32:00.002-04:002017-04-10T11:32:33.082-04:00Easter Involves Foot Washing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl5BvzobHvx5tSb9vhxNSvGZvY9v8nYBiV5UCgwSiwLy6Ff_-1o3uKAFVkho39kC88ZiMXI9KRM082CAaj_wBxgaNW1kNlyeRuCfn1WGz70idlIPmgln7eGeHhaaEm-JBr1ZkUxtYsAk/s1600/eastercrosseslight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl5BvzobHvx5tSb9vhxNSvGZvY9v8nYBiV5UCgwSiwLy6Ff_-1o3uKAFVkho39kC88ZiMXI9KRM082CAaj_wBxgaNW1kNlyeRuCfn1WGz70idlIPmgln7eGeHhaaEm-JBr1ZkUxtYsAk/s200/eastercrosseslight.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The celebration of Easter is too short. It is not given the time that Christmas is given. It is a low budget film shoot with a hurried production schedule and scaled down sets. But as we know from some beloved independent films, this holiday has the potential for the most heart. Other than the secular traditions that we (hurriedly) keep at Easter time, the celebrations of The Resurrection can seem shallow. How does a repetitious family activity hold the substance of this powerful event? This holy-day involves the discussion of execution and fear and grief. Those are not fun. They are hard to celebrate.<br />
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Yes, Easter also involves the defeat of death and power over the grave. But we feel so traumatized by Jesus' trial, beatings and the crucifixion that we can rarely absorb much more of this event. At Christmas, we are celebrating the miraculous birth of a baby. Babies are fun and easy to discuss with our youngest family members and are unchurched neighbors. At Easter, we are grasping eternity. We are on an emotional roller coaster from Palm Sunday's praise to Good Friday's earthquakes. It is heavy and hard for most of us. This week, I am sharing some ideas, key moments that we can use to celebrate Easter in attainable, meaningful ways. My family will be invited to join me in these activities.<br />
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Easter, you are hard. But you are so good.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>-Foot Washing-</b></span><br />
Peter: Lord, are you going to wash my feet?<br />
Jesus: You do not realize what I am doing, but later you will understand.<br />
Peter: No, you shall never wash my feet.<br />
Jesus: Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.<br />
Peter: Then Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.<br />
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<b>John 13: 6-9</b> </div>
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Six years ago, I taught middle school Bible to a class of uninterested students and was praying about lesson plans that would connect them to the Word. We talked about Peter and his reaction to Jesus in this passage. The students were invited to wash each other's feet. I did not require them to participate, only to be quiet and respectful while others were. One student who did not want to remove their shoes was asked to read the passage from the Bible while we washed each other's feet. Most of those middle school students were moved by watching and participating in this humbling act of service. God softened some hearts, and one student asked that the water be poured on his head and hands like Peter had. <br />
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Notice that Jesus tells Peter that he will understand. . .later. Easter has layers. We can study it and celebrate year and year and still grasp something new. It is important to talk to young children about hard spiritual ideas. It is important to talk to our teenagers and to other adults. We can help each other understand. When we grab a bowl and a towel and wash each other's feet, we experience the humbling ceremony of serving one another. We are softened.<br />
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Sometimes we need to see the bowl of fresh water and feel our own clean feet after they have been washed. Sometimes we need to stop telling Jesus what he can't do in our lives. We need to do things his way today, because we will understand it later.<br />
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Jesus concludes with, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."<br />
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Yes, Lord. We will.<br />
<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-35678821389739328332017-03-22T11:30:00.001-04:002017-03-22T11:35:40.574-04:00Two Hours in Georgia<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDbF7Oe20QD9R9-sk0JyJW60bdW0VLr87ir9plT7B2EyqNasjTXfv46wYrZiJZqOmVSE0JBE2fdgPt7I-02GpGAjQWV7FG9fAyNC4QgOF47ngScowaTRDgZco0dkU44nWq3_D8ti9fO4/s1600/IMG_9026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDbF7Oe20QD9R9-sk0JyJW60bdW0VLr87ir9plT7B2EyqNasjTXfv46wYrZiJZqOmVSE0JBE2fdgPt7I-02GpGAjQWV7FG9fAyNC4QgOF47ngScowaTRDgZco0dkU44nWq3_D8ti9fO4/s400/IMG_9026.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1848- Zion Episcopal Church- Talbotton, Georgia</td></tr>
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It's Spring Break! Our usual packed and productive schedule has been replaced with a week of savoring coffee and conversation. The kids and I caught up with Julia in Pine Mountain, Georgia, where she is completing a gap year at Impact360 Institute. On our way home, I stopped at several beautiful churches to snap a picture. I prayed for our family and our nation as I drove. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of time to take the long way home. The kids were tolerant and patient with me, but I was definitely experiencing this architectural appreciation adventure on my own. <br />
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Winding through beautiful farmland, passing orchards and grazing horses, and praying for the families that work their land while we live in the suburbs of the big city and eat fresh produce everyday, my soul* was refreshed. *The soul is the mind, will and emotions of a person.<br />
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It is easy to panic as we look at conflict and persecution in the communities of our nation. Spending two hours in Georgia calmed me like nothing else I have tried. I could almost hear these congregations singing: Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. (Edward Mote, 1834)<br />
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These three different, but all beautiful, architectural styles of churches reflect the body of Christ. Our worship songs, our buildings, and our dress codes may vary, but the God we serve is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is our Rock, our Cornerstone, and our Foundation. We are His church.<br />
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Isaiah 28:16 : So this is what the Sovereign <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9oBhLjROVu3GPdb6_6uwU5uv7DF8Du31iaiiG7A9bF7IWkh0qzLmulwAjn2IBCery6n6GrJipSz-bDQuinKYYLJnzVFILLBsf1mPMWeuooOpXgSmlDZ-dHx6Kw9WOZOCVVm_rX52mrQ/s1600/IMG_9036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9oBhLjROVu3GPdb6_6uwU5uv7DF8Du31iaiiG7A9bF7IWkh0qzLmulwAjn2IBCery6n6GrJipSz-bDQuinKYYLJnzVFILLBsf1mPMWeuooOpXgSmlDZ-dHx6Kw9WOZOCVVm_rX52mrQ/s320/IMG_9036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Baptist Church - Reynolds, Georgia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2rIIvyEbWWSdzE6juDZoDZDQwIKDirme-t_CTgVP-4R8IU5SwynCyH0zt9uPnB2oyjlJEvi6MlEmyn2wMIc6CsHaLrkC1QCY6y20qlhjsEDaAIKnZWaBlyWhCK28Y53SIVFVlbyg_HA/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2rIIvyEbWWSdzE6juDZoDZDQwIKDirme-t_CTgVP-4R8IU5SwynCyH0zt9uPnB2oyjlJEvi6MlEmyn2wMIc6CsHaLrkC1QCY6y20qlhjsEDaAIKnZWaBlyWhCK28Y53SIVFVlbyg_HA/s320/IMG_9037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reynolds United Methodist Church</td></tr>
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-82312042253526731332016-12-24T00:30:00.001-05:002016-12-24T00:30:28.709-05:00December 24 and 25: Traditionally<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Sf-zLRBn4Q9Kwb5-OeUfZvnkdqIprJwR7YViXEJUGfk3Dtacdog6g54oR489rkC3VK-LBy3nNMipK199eL_1ZJXAWrzQAHR7D8QItvHZ1XNlNBLNYmcCwtop9tmjbeLHwCG89PbgNF0/s1600/IMG_7120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Sf-zLRBn4Q9Kwb5-OeUfZvnkdqIprJwR7YViXEJUGfk3Dtacdog6g54oR489rkC3VK-LBy3nNMipK199eL_1ZJXAWrzQAHR7D8QItvHZ1XNlNBLNYmcCwtop9tmjbeLHwCG89PbgNF0/s320/IMG_7120.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laughlin Christmas Tree 2016</td></tr>
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<b>Laughlin Christmas Traditions</b><br />
1. The house is decked inside and out. Dad's beautiful wooden nativity spotlighted in the front yard.<br />
2. Local Christmas events and Nativity musical shows attended and also driving around town to see Christmas lights. <br />
3. Bubble lights are on the Christmas tree.<br />
4. Group photos taken with everyone in dressy clothes. <br />
5. You may open one Christmas Eve gift from parents and all other gifts not from parents, particularly traditional time to open gifts to and from siblings.<br />
6. Christmas morning gifts from parents for kids are laid out on sofas or chairs that are pre-selected by kids.<br />
7. Christmas gifts opened in a fast paced whirlwind of flying paper and ribbon. <br />
8. Lots of singing around the piano. Songs played by pianists of all ages.<br />
9. Lots of snacks and desserts for all day grazing.<br />
10. Grandchildren enjoying the vintage electric train and other fun games together.<br />
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<b>Crawford Christmas Traditions</b><br />
1. The house is decked inside and out. Cherished vintage lighted nativity stood in the front yard.<br />
2. Grandma and Aunt Polly participating in The Living Christmas Tree at church. 30 years in a row!<br />
3. Visiting pianist son Dan and/or violinist daughter -in -law Janet participate in First Baptist worship service.<br />
4. Group photos often taken, but no particular dress code requirements.<br />
5. You may open one Christmas Eve gift chosen by Grandma. <br />
6. Attending the Christmas Eve service, a silent Lord's Supper, and the Galaxy of Lights display at the Botanical Gardens.<br />
7. Patient, lengthy present opening on Christmas morning. <br />
8. Lots of singing around the piano. Songs played by pianists of all ages.<br />
9. Yummy breakfast served as an intermission during lengthy present opening.<br />
10. Stockings unpacked after all other gifts were opened.<br />
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<b>Combining </b><br />
What fun to combine these traditions lists for our little family. Because we often travel to grandparents' houses for the holidays, we keep both sets of these traditions. . . just alternated every other year. I am eager to see the list of Christmas season traditions that our kids will compile. As our families grow, new ideas are added and new traditions created. One of my favorites from our Florida years has been visiting the decorated lobbies of Disney hotels or to visit the theme parks for which we have annual passes.We pretend to be tourists and soak in the holiday hub bub- crowds and all. The more the merrier. We all five love it. Yes, we love it all. <br />
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No matter what way we celebrate, both Dan and I were taught to make
all of the hype and silliness about the worship of the Lord, to
celebrate His birth. What an amazing gift we have already received. We teach this to our children as well.<br />
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Traditionally, reading the Christmas story from the Bible is not required in our home on Christmas morning,
because we are all learning about this big event on a regular basis. It
is so helpful however to refocus our attention on the Newborn King in big and small ways. It
keeps us joyful instead of stressed. We can then remove the self-centeredness of this gift getting holiday.<br />
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Merry Christmas, Friends and Family,<br />
Leigh Ann<br />
Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-44125889011210616262016-12-23T01:18:00.000-05:002016-12-23T01:18:33.013-05:00December 22 & 23: Heart Change<i>This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after He was raised from the dead. Matthew 20:14</i><br />
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A sincere change of heart<br />
Has found me here today.<br />
The fear I once knew <br />
Was not here to stay.<br />
<br />
A year ago, I could not see<br />
What God had planned<br />
For my heart<br />
Or for me.<br />
<br />
Seeking but not finding,<br />
My nets wanting more.<br />
God's Word ever faithful,<br />
I rowed over to the shore.<br />
<br />
He was waiting for us to arrive.<br />
A smile upon his face.<br />
That beach fire burning bright<br />
For our catch to be placed.<br />
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He was giving us instructions<br />
When we didn't know Him<br />
He was guiding us all along<br />
But we didn't know Him. <br />
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Now safely on the beach, <br />
Resting in His care.<br />
My strong guard is watching,<br />
I know that He's aware.<br />
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"It is the Lord," we all cried out.<br />
I recognize him now.<br />
You know, Lord, that I love you.<br />
My challenge is showing you how. <br />
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LALC<br />
12.23.16<br />
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Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-24701170343569764502016-12-21T16:28:00.003-05:002016-12-21T16:28:42.263-05:00December 20 & 21: Two for One We live 8 and 13 and 16 hours from our family members. We have traveled these miles every year for 22 years to spend face time and stay connected with our loved ones. Our three kids are amazing road trippers. We look forward to the time in the car together: Charlotte writing silly songs about our adventures, Will watching movies and asking for a turn to select the music, and Julia on standby to efficiently assist parents and siblings but preferably reading a book that she can't put down.<br />
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The annual adventure is usually great. The annual planning and packing is usually taxing. Each year, I plan to not be overwhelmed and stressed. Each year, I set aside a packing day, which is really a laundry day. Each year, I start early, but somehow still have things in the dryer the night before we leave. Each year, we always forget someone's something, including but not limited to pajamas, shoes, a jacket, or a toothbrush. Three years in a row, I forgot to pack socks for myself. I eventually gave my mom replacement socks for all of the pairs I had "borrowed." I chose cute pairs that I would be happy to wear if the need arose. <br />
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But my travel conditions are changing. My daughters now pack their own clothes, and Will can pack his own carry on of car entertainment items. We still have to tell our darling Charlotte, now aged 14, that she has over packed. And Will is following in her footsteps by asking to bring large plastic bins of toys surpassing the size and weight limit for the van's storage area. Now, we count chargers for phones and are even taking two cars, because one of our travelers will return to her dorm instead of her room here at our house. (sigh)<br />
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Traveling to be with family during busy holidays is always a trade off. Hectic planning and hurrying to complete local activities and spend time with friends is always rushed. But this pays off when we are all there and settled in for the big celebration. When you stay home alone, your days are not as rushed, but Christmas Day or Easter, traditionally big family events, can be very lonely without the giggles of cousins and crowded couches full of relatives watching movies together. The food prep is simpler, but the menu is not as varied as the one with Granddaddy's special spiced pecans.<br />
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Please do not hear melancholy in this post. The trade off is part of life. We are always choosing. We love to travel to Alabama, Georgia, and finally this year to Texas to see our families. We choose to be close even though we are far away. We choose joy in the holidays spent both with and without the crowd. We choose to celebrate rather than just corroborate our lists. Christmas brings perspective. I will finish the list, and then I will sit and watch and absorb the joy of the season. I will celebrate all that God has given me. <br />
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Psalm 9:1-2 is my heart's simple honest prayer today: I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.<br />
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I missed a post yesterday, so today needs to count as a two for one. I made a choice yesterday to play and be silly with my kids and cousins. Merry Christmas to all! I am so blessed by each one of you reading this. Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-2448517080587735292016-12-19T11:27:00.001-05:002016-12-19T11:27:25.907-05:00December 19: My Good Good FatherI like answers to questions, fruit on trees, and solutions to problems. I don't mind analysis as long as it does not lead to paralysis. This easily carries over to my faith walk. When I pray, I am hoping to see God answer my prayers. When I seek, I expect to find. Today, we shall address the dilemma of a Scrooge spirit at Christmastime.<br />
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Before you dismiss me as a ridiculous optimist, read these verses from Matthew 7. <i>Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! </i><br />
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This is a pep talk from Jesus, encouraging us to ask God for help and for things that we need. He is also modeling how we can treat others. As we Christmas shop for our family members, we first consider what they
are asking for, what that person wants. Sometimes the items on their
minds and on their lists are not good for them or not available. But
often, we give thoughtful gifts as a way to bless that person. We (usually) joyfully give. When Jesus was explaining how the Father perceives our needs and our requests, I thought of my own imperfect perception. Of course I have given gifts in a less than cheerful way, but I strive to get my heart right before I give. Even if the gift was purchased in a begrudging way, I pray for joy before I deliver it to its recipient. Before you dismiss me as a ridiculous idealist, read this concluding verse - Matthew 7:12.<i> So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. </i><br />
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I know that my Heavenly Father gives generously to those who ask. I know that my Heavenly Father even gave up his only Son for me. My relationship and provision requests are easy for Him. I know that I want to bless my children, family and friends at Christmas. I want to give and receive cheerfully. I want to have generous feelings for them as they have them for me. <i><br /></i><br />
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<i> </i>Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-60133088334398863762016-12-18T09:07:00.001-05:002016-12-18T09:07:28.663-05:00December 18: FireI am having such a lovely time studying the Gospels, rereading each writer's own telling of the Christmas story. As I read over each detail of the nativity story, I rediscover the pieces that are wistful or connected, and I notice that certain details are repeated by several writers. I enjoy stopping to investigate them.<br />
I prayed about the verses below. The topic of the Holy Spirit is always complex. Who is he really? The Father and the Son have clear roles and identities. The Holy Spirit is apparently baptizing with <i>fire</i>. What does that mean anyway?<br />
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Read these verses below and then try to find time to read them in context. Think about other references to the Holy Spirit, those describing him as a Counselor and a Comforter. <br />
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Remember John the Baptist, cousin of the Messiah, who preached a message of repentance. He prepared the way for Jesus who then, in turn, left us the Holy Spirit. Put all of this together, and see that three books, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all report that John said this about his Messiah cousin: <br />
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In Matthew, John announced, "<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204">I baptize you with<sup> </sup>water for repentance. </span><span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204">He (Jesus) will baptize you with<sup> </sup>the Holy Spirit and fire."</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224">In Mark, we read: I baptize you with<sup> </sup>water, but he will baptize you with<sup> </sup>the Holy Spirit.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224">And in </span></span><span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224">Luke: </span></span><span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224"><span class="text Luke-3-16" id="en-NIV-25042">I (John the Baptist) baptize you with<sup> </sup>water. But . . .He will baptize you with<sup> </sup>the Holy Spirit and fire.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224"> </span></span><span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224">What does baptism by fire mean to you? Why do you think that the Holy Spirit's realm of influence goes beyond John's? Why do we need water and fire? Let's have lunch and discuss this. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224">I know that we need the Son and Savior Jesus, our direct link to the Father. But Jesus knew that we needed the Holy Spirit, our direct link to His power. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224"><br /></span></span>
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<span class="text Matt-3-11" id="en-NIV-23204"><span class="text Mark-1-8" id="en-NIV-24224"> </span></span> Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-62317613889442113732016-12-17T01:39:00.002-05:002016-12-17T01:40:10.754-05:00December 17: Those who bring good news<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. </i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Romans 10:13-15</i> </span><br />
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These verses guide us step by step through our responsibilities as believers.<br />
Someone is sent by God. <i>We need to be available for obedience and to simply respond. </i><br />
Someone is sent to preach the Good News. <i>Just focus on the message being shared. Tell your news.</i><br />
Someone hears preaching. <i>The Holy Spirit has their attention now.</i><br />
Someone believes.<i> They receive their greatest Christmas gift.</i><br />
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<i>Now they are telling others the good news. And wow, that Scripture is true. Look down; you do have beautiful, beautiful feet. </i><br />
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-29155651834549653902016-12-16T01:08:00.002-05:002016-12-16T01:08:37.219-05:00December 16: LyricsOn the last day before Christmas break, middle schoolers are full of energy. Make up work from this quarter's absences, online reading quizzes and Christmas charades require all of that exuberance. Today, in my class, we played a game where groups were given cards with lines from popular Christmas songs; the groups acted out lines from Christmas songs. The class was asked to guess the lyrics. Students were quickly, accidentally playing Name that Tune instead of my invented version.<br />
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No, we were not looking for the song title. I needed to hear the exact line for which the group was offering clues. <br />
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Dashing through the snow.<br />
Not <i>Jingle Bells.</i><br />
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The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.<br />
Not <i>Away in a Manger.</i><br />
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The lyrics matter. Being specific matters. When we pray, let's pray detailed prayers that honor God and are measurable. I asked God. He answered me. I praise Him and rejoice in the miracle He provided. --------> My faith and the faith of others around me is strengthened. God is glorified. <br />
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<i>For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8</i>Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-85885947346650543842016-12-16T00:33:00.004-05:002016-12-16T00:33:30.790-05:00December 15: When he speaksSo, as amazing as the miracle births of cousins baby John and baby Jesus are, there is more to the story of Zechariah and his faith story. I always think of Zechariah when I know that the Holy Spirit is asking for my silence. As many of my friends and family know about me, I say more than I am ever asked to say on a given subject. Many Words would be my Native American name. My temptation to over explain is a real struggle. Most of my sin life involves my words. James Chapter 3 teaches about taming the tongue. The Holy Spirit has assigned this to me as homework so. many. times.<br />
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Well, I can certainly relate to my amigo Zechariah the priest, who blurted out "How can I be sure of this?" He doubted the miracle message about his barren wife having a baby, and the messenger named Gabriel quickly rebuked him.<br />
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"I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens. . ."<br />
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Today, I want to focus on receiving good news when I hear it. I want to lay aside doubt. I want to listen more and talk less, so that God does not need to require my silence. Remember that the Lord silenced Zechariah only until the baby was born. Then, no restraint was needed. Even "Be still and know that I am God." has a specific purpose and a specific timeline. God is moving. He is breathing life. He is even telling us about it.<br />
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But just like a new baby needs to time to grow and develop, the good work that God is doing in our lives may need that too. <br />
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-1635832555105930472016-12-14T13:50:00.002-05:002016-12-14T13:50:40.318-05:00December 14: Father, Son, and . . .CousinAs Anna did, many faithful Jews were actively looking for the Messiah's arrival. A priest named Zechariah was an expectant believer. He was awaiting the arrival of the majestic King, but he and his wife Elizabeth were also privately praying for a baby of their own. They received a double blessing.<br />
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The Messiah would be a relative, a baby born to Elizabeth's cousin Mary. And their own miracle baby. . .was on the way. As with all Nativity related announcements, an angel was sent to relay the message. <br />
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Listen to the angel's amazing announcement from Luke 1: <i>Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. </i><br />
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I love this entire description. It's every Christian parent's dream for their son. And if your son happens to be the cousin of the Savior, it would be even more important.<br />
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John, the Baptizer, was an answer to prayer for his parents. He lived a consecrated, Holy Spirit filled life. He preached a unique message of repentance and was a revival leader. John was a part of a family that supported their Messiah-cousin on a whole other level. God chose John to <i>prepare the way for the Lord. </i>What an honor to be a part of this family.<br />
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To be continued. . . Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-80666953916774787692016-12-13T00:36:00.001-05:002016-12-13T00:36:13.826-05:00December 13: Poet-In-ResidenceOur poet-in -residence young William wrote some holiday verse that is sure to keep our hearts turned toward the Star of Christmas. Read these couplets, and remember the background of the most festive spelling list a boy could ask for. Enjoy!<br />
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<i>December</i> has Christmas times.<br />
May I share some <i>Christmas</i> rhymes?<br />
God is our <i>Lord</i> and Savior,<br />
And Jesus had the best human behavior.<br />
And is this <i>Savior </i>there the Christ?<br />
2000 years ago on Christmas day, our <i>Messiah</i> came as a prize.<br />
Our next word is <i>Emmanuel.</i><br />
The <i>Bible</i> is the reason that we all are well.<br />
He was born in <i>Bethlehem</i>.<br />
<i>Angels</i> appeared to the shepherds with great news.<br />
The angels told them about Him. <br />
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- William J. Crawford/ 12-12-16<br />
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-83988178614412157242016-12-12T01:30:00.005-05:002016-12-13T00:05:53.566-05:00December 12: All TogetherTen empty Christmas CD cases were found. Every Christmas CD we own had gone missing. As I opened each case to check for the discs, I realized what I had done.<br />
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Last Christmas before our holiday road trip through Alabama, I bought a nice new CD portfolio case that I filled with our favorites, including the family's Christmas music collection. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael W. Smith and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer were safely tucked into the new case. They were never returned to their own individual cases. And a whole year later, I could not find any of them on the day that I wanted to deck my halls with boughs of holly, a tradition usually carried out with loud singing to my favorite Christmas songs. <br />
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Yesterday was a busy day celebrating our December daughter. But in a rare quiet moment, I remembered the portfolio. I rushed to the car, opened the black zipped case and rediscovered the joy of Christmas.<br />
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I found the music of the season. All together. That was the secret: I loved sharing these songs with my family at home, with friends at Christmas parties, with brothers and sisters at church, and with strangers at a concert. What unifying power! They bond us together. Instantly, the familiar lyrics transform us into a choir. The festive tunes and words bring us all together. Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-84594300350696440062016-12-12T00:57:00.003-05:002016-12-12T00:57:20.855-05:00December 11: In Store<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. <u>But store up</u> for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust <u>do not </u>destroy, and where thieves <u>do not</u> break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</span></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Matthew 6:19-21</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What kinds of treasures cannot be stolen? Words, feelings, thoughts, emotions. They are safely tucked within us. Stockpiling tech gifts and gift cards leave us vulnerable to thieves, and we are painfully monitoring our stuff before it decays or is stolen. We are so exposed and stressed trying to protect our pile. There is a better way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Although
initially your mind may hop over to the Wise Men bringing gifts for
Baby Jesus, gifts that far surpass any Target gift registry, stop for a
minute and ponder these thieves. We now deal with the true hazards of
having treasure in current day life: where there is treasure, there is
also someone wanting to take that treasure. We need to stockpile the
good gifts of God's Word. They are hidden in our heart, so that we don't
sin against God. (Psalm 119:11) They are hidden in our heart and cannot be taken from us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (All three had significant meanings that we may explore another time.) These magi, as they were called, were shrewdly asked by Herod to reveal the baby's location so that "he could also worship this new king." Or not. Protecting the baby showed the treasure of their heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Who or what needs your protection from rust and theft? Just tuck these things in your heart, and keep them safe. Store up heavenly treasures. Store up the ideas and plans that God has spoken into your life. There, in your heart, you store Godly treasures, for the day when you need them. </span><br />
Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-61140238832277177802016-12-10T00:05:00.004-05:002016-12-10T00:05:42.489-05:00December 10: In the land of the livingMeet Anna. <br />
<span class="text Luke-2-36" id="en-NIV-25010">"There was also a prophet,
Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old;
she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,</span> <span class="text Luke-2-37" id="en-NIV-25011"><sup class="versenum">37 </sup>and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.</span> <span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup>Coming
up to them (Mary, Joseph, and Jesus) at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about
the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem." (Luke 2)</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012">Anna's paragraph in the Bible is tucked into the Christmas story. She recognized the Messiah when she saw him as a young boy at the temple with his parents. From these few verses, we know so much about her faithfulness. We know that she was a worshiper who fasted and prayed. We know that she was a prophet, which means that she was wisely anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. We know that she was grateful when she saw the holy family. We know that she preached. Wow. She immediately told others about the child. She told those who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.</span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012">Oh Anna. </span><br />
<span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012">We are thankful that you did not lose heart. You prayerfully waited for Israel's rescue, and you were able to meet the young Jesus. What a thrill for you. </span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012">What a thrill for us. </span><span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></span><span class="text Luke-2-38" id="en-NIV-25012"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>We will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13</i></span></span>Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-11342801859740411182016-12-09T21:02:00.004-05:002016-12-09T21:02:31.129-05:00December 9: Immanuel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVshTuJG6BmgzdgSHEIdI38EC4jedWGL_fCCVLTyQCoKNd8oWMDH58mE-YRcpG5bHkcUodv0-lg6h9X233XaJ5eZHOHRj7drFrZ832U9RrHMpmkHCcX8Dr1jIX2YdHVOPxfjRwR-emzEA/s1600/IMG_8104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVshTuJG6BmgzdgSHEIdI38EC4jedWGL_fCCVLTyQCoKNd8oWMDH58mE-YRcpG5bHkcUodv0-lg6h9X233XaJ5eZHOHRj7drFrZ832U9RrHMpmkHCcX8Dr1jIX2YdHVOPxfjRwR-emzEA/s320/IMG_8104.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
-Celebrating Immanuel-<br />After a rough year or a discouraging decade, we find a certain
annual event finds us crazy or leaves us refreshed to start anew in
January.<br />
<br />
It's Christmas.<br />
It arrives right on time, whether we are ready
or not. <br />Immanuel. <br /><br />God with US.<br />
Immanuel is all about the choice of the Humble King to walk with sinners. <br /><br />God WITH us.<br />
Day in and day out. The faithfulness of God. His inexplicable desire to be WITH us. <br /><br />Immanuel is GOD.<br />
GOD is always loving and leading us,<br />
Reminding us that we are not alone.<br />
GOD with us. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Matthew 1:22 and 23: <span class="text Matt-1-22" id="en-NIV-23167">All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:</span> <span class="text Matt-1-23" id="en-NIV-23168">“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)</span></i></span>Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-62552794840619338842016-12-08T01:11:00.003-05:002016-12-08T01:11:45.936-05:00December 8: The Heart of Mary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For our Charlotte on your 14th birthday. . .<br />
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Mary was your age. She was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. To nurture and protect him in her home. So far, this is not connecting at all, huh? Well let's look again.<br />
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What life events of a bright eyed, beautiful, blessed girl such as yourself could compare to that? Well, listen to Mary's own words. Let them be your words too. No matter what you face. Just let God continue to do great things through you. You are already walking with Him, listening to Him, serving Him, and serving the people that He loves. This response of Mary's sounds like your responses. You have the heart of Mary.<br />
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Even after hearing a terrifying announcement, Mary replied, "<i>I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." </i><br />
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Later, she sang a song of praise to God. "<i>My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."</i> That sounds like you too. You stay in a place of worship. You do not miss what God is saying or doing in your life. You have the heart of Mary.<br />
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Happy Birthday to our December girl. <br />
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<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-60572870377737301542016-12-07T01:34:00.001-05:002016-12-07T01:34:45.833-05:00December 7: Message ReceivedNativity scenes consistently feature the same cast of characters. The three leads are Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus laying in a manger. When you expand to the full scene, you also see a couple of shepherds along with their fuzzy friends and three or more magi bearing gifts. And who can forget the glorious announcing angel there as well?<br />
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All of our characters received a specific message, messages addressed to them individually. Something supernatural happened to cause them to travel great distances in order to worship this tiny, homeless baby. While studying these verses this season, I discovered that each of them embarked on this journey only after being told to do so by an angel or in a dream.<br />
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And they all landed at the same place: worshiping an unlikely king in an unlikely place.<br />
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I am praying that I do not miss a single message from the Lord asking for my obedience. I am praying that I do not miss a single command of <i>"Fear Not!</i>" or a definitive reminder that "<i>Nothing is impossible with God." </i>(Luke 1)<br />
<br />Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-34816827849572090382016-12-06T01:19:00.002-05:002016-12-06T01:19:58.905-05:00December 6: Be loud about the right things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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John, the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus. He was loud and odd and shouted "Repent!" to the people that would listen. He was preparing people to meet Jesus. I have been thinking for the past week about this guy. He really is one of my favorite characters in the Gospels.<br />
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John had such a serious job, and he took it seriously too. The burden of the message and his love of the people motivated him to persevere. He is the first preacher to talk about confessing your sins or taking your life in a new direction.<br />
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I often hear loud people with loud opinions and pray for them to stand up for what it is right. I pray for all of that energy and fervor to be about making His name famous. I personally do not want to be known for my boldness. I want to be known for my message. If I need to be loud, may the message still be clear and not get lost in the volume of my voice and the craziness of my outfit or for the unusual food that I eat. <br />
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Listen to how the cousin of Jesus is described in Mark 1:<br />
<i>And John came baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all of the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. </i>Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680759273235850362.post-38644216083584607582016-12-05T01:09:00.000-05:002016-12-05T01:09:20.654-05:00December 5: The gift of sowing<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-155a55de-cd93-5df1-821b-403a7f1474c5" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Another thought on giving from 2 Corinthians 9. . .</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My great grandmother was a seamstress who made beautiful formal gowns, but that is not the type of sowing that 2 Corinthians 9 references. Sowing generously, according to verse 6, automatically results in reaping generously. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These farming terms are not the common household words that they once were. They are most likely tucked away in the same dictionary that holds my sewing vocabulary. Excuse me while I am make a note to sew a button on something soon before I lose the skill altogether. OK. Let’s return to that generous farmer. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That farmer can plan on receiving a generous crop. Whoever sows generously will reap generously. The guy who plants a small garden and sows sparingly should likewise plan on reaping sparingly. Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly. (2 Corinthians 9:6)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It is a simple idea, but it can be hard to live out. Especially when we ourselves are in need. When we are economizing and are living sparingly in most areas, praying to have what we need in the coming days, praying to have enough until the next paycheck arrives, we are careful and thoughtful. It is not our turn to be crazy big flashy givers. That is ok. Instead of feeling accused by this verse, we should try to see how God wants to move us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just where does He want us to land on the issue of giving? If we are currently just giving what we can <i>spare</i>, we need to ask God to transform us into hilarious, cheerful givers. I want the gift of giving, a supernatural Holy Spirit led life. A life that comes with a Matthew 6:3 "my right hand doesn’t know what my left hand is giving to those in need" level of sowing. I want to sow into people and ministries that are planning to plant big fields. In these fields, I can be a generous sower. In those big fields, I will have room to grow as a giver. </span></span></div>
Leigh Ann Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15251941219664462826noreply@blogger.com0