tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85308582309578684842024-03-05T15:33:47.650+02:00The Warrior and the FlowerI'm Aliyah, or Lauren (I have two names) and as a writer, and published author, I enjoy the cathartic process of simply hearing my own thoughts and expressions. This blog is my reflection on life, feeling and just general truth. I write when I have something to say, and have found blogging healing and connecting. This is my truth shelter, a place for speaking and listening. Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-9933579482581178202023-05-26T18:14:00.006+02:002023-05-26T18:15:48.508+02:00FMF - We owe it to Ourselves <p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Writing with the Five Minute Friday community this week, the word prompt is "owe!" Here I go...</span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfNmUwT8YVbEUvONhbNh6uDjWSBE5ouQkYg3rNReuNtOD5kdSFnilzAOY8KmU3dU-oLvn0dh_iaLS1Y5M0_n5aQqVxf1eVs7psydR353pYRfN3VF61isfT2MaCpCHkTb-Vy1IoDrWOYPUySOG0QXOXTjRI8yyYMPxeNBK9_mLWzAKCuDPQv5z7oXZfQ/s600/Lauren%20Jacobs%2024072021%20-%20Stacy%20van%20Zyl%20Photography%20(46).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfNmUwT8YVbEUvONhbNh6uDjWSBE5ouQkYg3rNReuNtOD5kdSFnilzAOY8KmU3dU-oLvn0dh_iaLS1Y5M0_n5aQqVxf1eVs7psydR353pYRfN3VF61isfT2MaCpCHkTb-Vy1IoDrWOYPUySOG0QXOXTjRI8yyYMPxeNBK9_mLWzAKCuDPQv5z7oXZfQ/w640-h640/Lauren%20Jacobs%2024072021%20-%20Stacy%20van%20Zyl%20Photography%20(46).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been thinking for a while, about a book project I completed some time ago. I prayed about it and left it. Knowing it was a very unique project and would definitely need a publisher who could believe in it, and have a vision of belief, if it was to be published. What I have also faced is how the opinions of others have impacted my own thoughts, and the kindness of Yeshua has come in to those places and let me know I am not to believe or listen to the thoughts of others. This has been a journey. A deeply personal one. To those who know me and have read my books, I have been successful from a publishing perspective. And have won awards and written best - sellers, but I don't write traditional things or even books that fit into moulds. It's the best part of my writing, and also one that makes life a little difficult when it comes to publishing. Publishers always want to make money and play it safe. But here's the thing... for some time it has been impressed on my heart to move forward with this project that has been in the background for a number of years. SO I pushed the button and submitted. Say a prayer for me, and may God's will be done...</span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Stop!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Linking with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2023/05/25/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-owe/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> </i> </span><br /></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-72595085944357193502023-03-24T17:37:00.000+02:002023-03-24T17:37:14.395+02:00Not Following the Crowd - FMF<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <i>My Five Minute Friday Post this week, setting the timer for 5 minutes and writing on the word follow... </i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPt7lSQvQ54N_yubIkxjN3RWTAefSX1BVlHFeIPMVDz4ErzZS2aHFjrEo-GorFC-PcVPVIrNk73ICUo_6s9TBw7f713yZYeYecucSlnp7WyfokDRb-45PVDFD5g28mPMT3xEvLazPcDetVTl3yLSAjy2BuyI0n-814lVNYHK0df1tDNFWMZxEq6R-cA/s4092/walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4092" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPt7lSQvQ54N_yubIkxjN3RWTAefSX1BVlHFeIPMVDz4ErzZS2aHFjrEo-GorFC-PcVPVIrNk73ICUo_6s9TBw7f713yZYeYecucSlnp7WyfokDRb-45PVDFD5g28mPMT3xEvLazPcDetVTl3yLSAjy2BuyI0n-814lVNYHK0df1tDNFWMZxEq6R-cA/w470-h640/walking.jpg" width="470" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i>When I saw the word for today, I breathed out in a sense of peace. It certainly seemed to be right up my street, and exactly where I have been this past week, at least with something new I have been thinking, feeling and dreaming of doing.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In this world of ours, we often think we have to do something in the same way as someone else, or worse still, we think <i>we shouldn't do something</i> because someone else is "already" doing it. I know I've got caught out in that way of thinking before. The enemy of my soul has lied to me countless times, making me think I shouldn't do the very thing God has placed in my heart, because what could I offer. What could I say that would be different. I've recognised this trick and learnt that many other people I know, struggle with the same thing.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But this lie is not truth!</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each of us are unique. And the things we dream of doing are God - breathed, beautiful and deep. Over the past month I have been sensing a hobby brewing.. a desire, to create a sports podcast for women. I got caught a little in over - thinking it, but no ways! I feel immense freedom and joy in dreaming about what I'd want to be talking about. So I am really excited about setting on this new journey of sport podcasting, because I'm following the leading of God, and there's nothing better!</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>STOP!</b></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sharing over with the community at <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2023/03/23/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-follow/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a><b> </b> </span></span></span><br /></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-74220874260140651482023-03-06T16:11:00.003+02:002023-03-06T20:58:36.873+02:00The Power of Vashti<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It was an
opulent world, the one she lived in. Defined as the best home in the land, it
was also the most dangerous. A place of law and everything in its place,
including her. Vashti the queen was taught to know her place. But was that
place her rightful place? Is the place we’ve been taught to “know,” the right
place for us as well? Or is it a place of “don’t step out of place or you’ll be
expelled?”</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E2kyUs59GcZ5t0Vxsh8MA3-mJROynMwkypl7Y-yMeqW_FbiLpMbegJ8xOvRkE6zFNt_YD43ctPWsxW0AIlbSDw8bfOIsgQ_1U6AdTDeZ2JA71GovgZ5r6nTDNBWgvK9yaaGwvGWxEQRwwH298iloa5H3pVXgem9PzzugBbcbltCCbzIPuw0VFVzTIA/s745/AdobeStock_163590835.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="745" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4E2kyUs59GcZ5t0Vxsh8MA3-mJROynMwkypl7Y-yMeqW_FbiLpMbegJ8xOvRkE6zFNt_YD43ctPWsxW0AIlbSDw8bfOIsgQ_1U6AdTDeZ2JA71GovgZ5r6nTDNBWgvK9yaaGwvGWxEQRwwH298iloa5H3pVXgem9PzzugBbcbltCCbzIPuw0VFVzTIA/w640-h472/AdobeStock_163590835.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;">Xerxes the
strong Persian king desired his wife to appear before drunk men, so he could <i>show
</i>her to the people in the same way he had <i>shown </i>his prized
possessions to the visiting nations. His wife, fresh from birthing his son and
heir, was ordered to present herself as merely a possession before people who
would perversely stare at her form. Suggested by scholars, that Vashti was to
appear naked wearing only the royal crown, this would have been a rather
dangerous situation among drunk men don’t you think? Although a queen of the
strongest nation in the world, Vashti had little power, except she did have
personal power. She could not control the court, or the world she lived in, but
she could control her choices. She could raise her voice; she could summon all
the courage she possessed and say no to being used as nothing but a possession
or a form. And she did just that.</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We know
nothing about Vashti’s history, the rabbi’s call her vain and idolatrous,
history cannot find her and so if we consider how little we know about her,
perhaps we can decide on her character based on this one moment. A moment found
in the first chapter of the book of her successor Esther.</span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Vashti is
vilified in theology, but for what exactly? For refusing to be accosted, abused
or misused? For exercising personal power and the right for every woman to say
no when ordered to do something that goes against their character? We are a
Vashti when we say no to abuse, when we say “no that makes me uncomfortable,”
or “no I am not going to sleep with you.” We are Vashti when we stand on the
sidewalk and protest against abuse, we are Vashti when we refuse to be judged
by the food we eat or the figures we possess. <i>We are her in so many ways and
that’s a good thing. </i></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The
centuries old gate keepers of theology disliked Vashti because the gate keepers
were all men, interpreting scripture based on their understanding and
suspicion, hatred even, of strong women. Yet, theirs is the same laughable but
sad behaviour of Xerxes and his court. Xerxes enraged with her rebellious
behaviour and flat out refusal of his order, turns to one of his officials and asks
what is to be done to the queen? Memucan answers and says “Vashti the queen has
not only wronged the king but all the officials (royal representatives) and all
the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. <sup> </sup>For
the queen’s conduct will become known to all women, causing them to look on
their husbands with contempt (disrespect), since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus
commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.” </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Gasp! Certainly,
because Vashti exercised her God given right to say no, this has placed the most
horrific fear in the hearts of the mighty men of Persia. Think about it, they
fear a female uprising, an awakening among women, and this awakening would
disrupt the very fabric of the Persian existence. We could laugh at it, if
it were not so sad and so familiar. This new law enforced upon Vashti’s refusal
to be misused, now further restricted a woman’s personal power to choose what
is best for her and her life. <i>Patriarchy will rule and reign, period.</i>
This diabolical plan to silence the voice of women through law, fear, false
doctrine, people, governments, and so many more outlets is not something new.
It is something we are all too familiar with. Which is why we need a nation of
Vashti women, right here, right now and we need a nation of Mordechai men. As
much as we look lovingly at our matriarch Esther and admire her boldness to go
before the king, we can forget that initially Esther wanted to remain silent.
Yet it was her cousin Mordechai who insisted that she a woman, use her voice to
change the course of a nation and a people, forever. </span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;">When Esther
decided to use her voice, it took courage. Courage to go when unsummoned and
Vashti held courage in her heart when she refused despite being summoned.
Either way, it was the power of the female voice that could be heard louder
than the dishes at the intimate dinner, or the drunkenness at a mass gathering.
And it will be our voices refusing to be silent, that will be heard the
loudest, it’s time to be a Vashti, <i>for such a time as this.<br /><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>These are my Purim thoughts this year - Happy Purim!</i></span></span><br /></span></span></span> </span></p>
<p></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-5287894559195583362023-02-03T23:01:00.000+02:002023-02-03T23:01:22.282+02:00FMF - Ignoring Stars <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I have not done a Five Minute Friday Post in a long time, so I am happily joining in this week to write for five minutes without thinking, editing or revising, timer set..... let's go!</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRIJTJY6XZffZLo0-imWVhn2qghcdMOBdrnFkcbs1uC8LPXujWCr9MTLZgkYLBbjlFU1NnFuIYsVQoxK9uTSZfw-wGikMhXajE6Hb6w6rv1CujVUZU09vWVNgidPDnqdSentRf222KkU0BhzOHViDcLW_JAgMWwrWHY5iQ2_65MWgztQc3Amv8BJ32Q/s6000/nichiiro-ttTlKs0R5ho-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="3991" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRIJTJY6XZffZLo0-imWVhn2qghcdMOBdrnFkcbs1uC8LPXujWCr9MTLZgkYLBbjlFU1NnFuIYsVQoxK9uTSZfw-wGikMhXajE6Hb6w6rv1CujVUZU09vWVNgidPDnqdSentRf222KkU0BhzOHViDcLW_JAgMWwrWHY5iQ2_65MWgztQc3Amv8BJ32Q/w266-h400/nichiiro-ttTlKs0R5ho-unsplash.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> <br /></i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nick Jonas got a star on the walk of fame. Sometimes, celebrities and their "wins," dominate the news and it seems as though they are always winning. It can be hard to ignore that. We live such ordinary lives, the rest of us, or so it seems. We are world apart from their lives, so can we ignore what they do? I believe we can, and should probably. The trap of comparison steals joy and let's face it, life isn't a lot of ups, it's filled with many downs too.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have been thinking for some time, about Leonardo da Vinci's words, some of his diary scrawlings, and his words tumble off the page, he wrote them, <i>"have I done anything at all?" </i>Even Leonardo wondered if his life mattered. And while he enjoyed some patronage during his life, he fell in to somewhat of obscurity until 500 years after his death, when a rare painting was discovered of him and society gathered around his work and his memory once again.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">It can be hard to ignore the spinning world that seems to move so very fast, forgetting all of us ordinary people. But we are not lost or forgotten. Ours is not a star to be left on a side walk, we are called heavenward, to an eternal legacy, to a star that shines brightly in the universe, for all to see. We are not ignored, neither is our impact, it is Heaven bought and that's the only star that really matters....</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="color: #444444;">STOP!</span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="color: #444444;">Linking with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a></span><br /></b></i></span></span></div>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-45798271973901731392023-01-31T22:12:00.002+02:002023-02-03T23:01:30.583+02:00These Girls in Blue <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_sYxQcpHe1NoQCTlIGA6rDqizIrp6csokozm3SOQPtJb-bVOrIOf0AUiea6hvkM3vylmT2sLWw_mRtoJa8oKofHK6yOheKNNVVQgTshPle9q12l3Fy-RqY-ThADPWSvNs0avg-lDhBkkZCevLiuLf2wArLpxFZ_hk1hDd5oQCUy8i4_7nPV9qc8_5A/s1078/WCIMage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1078" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_sYxQcpHe1NoQCTlIGA6rDqizIrp6csokozm3SOQPtJb-bVOrIOf0AUiea6hvkM3vylmT2sLWw_mRtoJa8oKofHK6yOheKNNVVQgTshPle9q12l3Fy-RqY-ThADPWSvNs0avg-lDhBkkZCevLiuLf2wArLpxFZ_hk1hDd5oQCUy8i4_7nPV9qc8_5A/w640-h412/WCIMage.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">These girls
in blue, waited on the side-lines, their faces lit with joy. Not only because
they watched their team mates batting with excellence, but because they knew it
was their time. Their time to win. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
The first time a female cricket team from India would lift a world cup trophy.<br />
The final runs were scored. India won, beating England in a seriously
convincing win.</span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">These young
girls, all under – 19, laughed and hugged. It was pure joy to watch them. <br />
Do they realise what they have achieved? I don’t think so.<br />
Not yet. Not now. But some day they will. </span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I taught
Indians English when they came to South Africa. Not cricket players of course,
but nurses and midwives, many male, but mostly female. I spent hours with them
and heard many stories, and learnt much about their culture. Patriarchy is
still so much the backbone of India and its society. So is class, and honour,
child marriage, discrimination, honour killings, gendercide and lack of
opportunities for girls. </span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">These
young girls from India, are our very first world cup under 19 winners, but more
than that, their faces, their lives and their stories, can and will inspire
Indian girls to dream.</span></i></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Shafali
Verma was sensational at captaining her under – 19 squad and we will see her
soon, as she joins the international team for the upcoming Women’s T20 World
Cup. But Shafali’s story, is one that should be a lesson. She grew up in a
suburb in India where girls were not encouraged to play outside, let alone play
cricket. Shafali however, was determined to pursue her love for cricket, she
cut her hair and disguised herself as a boy to play the sport. Her parents were
jeered at and neighbours called them all sorts of names when they said their
daughter was going to play cricket. Her father was a huge cricket fan and coached
her, supporting her skills until eventually she was noticed and made her
first-class debut at only 14 years of age. She is still criticised for being
“too aggressive as a batter” in women’s cricket (really!) But she’s here, and
she’s a woman of inspiration. To say the least.</span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">In an
interview after the win, one of the young female players spoke in her mother
tongue, she was clear in her words, “<i>my father died when I was very young,
my mother is a farmer and farmed to help me have a better life, she sacrificed
so much to help me get here today.”</i></span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Anyone who
understands the culture in India, will understand that this mama didn’t own a
farm and boss labourers around, they would understand that she was the
labourer, a single mother, who kept her daughter. Worked hard to give her a
life others would have fought against. </span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Child
marriage.<br />
Abuse, exploitation, violence,<br />
female discrimination,<br />
rape.<br />
It’s part of the ongoing discrimination that many organisations and individuals
are fighting against. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvkdYvSMrrmiu5VN1URoepm5tpA9vL8jFW5upfkx0Ii4JPWpoW7bfU4Xgkv9AH9LXF3s10ccBvIS6c8F5UhxYUqx9aFusaqN7gIi-cMu2-hpjIVblVCmp6c07LlanBmMlFxbvTsZAs8gNkGej01HUqtpDdILUjGIxoz2EPpwE4kN9FpEU42QOC6D6AA/s5184/india%20ww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvkdYvSMrrmiu5VN1URoepm5tpA9vL8jFW5upfkx0Ii4JPWpoW7bfU4Xgkv9AH9LXF3s10ccBvIS6c8F5UhxYUqx9aFusaqN7gIi-cMu2-hpjIVblVCmp6c07LlanBmMlFxbvTsZAs8gNkGej01HUqtpDdILUjGIxoz2EPpwE4kN9FpEU42QOC6D6AA/w640-h426/india%20ww.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">By winning
the world cup and sharing their truths, these young girls are showing us, the
world, their nation and society – that discrimination is unjust. Dreams are
attainable. Girls matter, and girls should be free from discrimination and
inequality. </span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">By winning
the world cup, we have heard the stories of supportive fathers and uncles who
nurtured, cheered and coached their daughters to achieve greatness. These are
the types of fathers who change the world for good. These are the types of
fathers who are needed, desperately in our world. </span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">By winning
the world cup, these incredible girls have shown us the resilience of India’s
next generation of women, throwing off the shackles of discrimination and
inequality. I am inspired by them, but also as I sat on the edge of my couch
watching them I saw their humility, their dedication to team work and their
respectful attitudes and gentle presence. They <i>are our</i> daughters too and
I am sending them all the love in the world. Thank you daughters of India for
being bravely you, and for the mama’s and papa’s who believed in their
daughters, <i>ji. </i></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i>I interviewed Jill Mcelya Founder of the Invisible Girl Project focusing on fighting gendercide in India, she speaks about the discrimination facing girls in India, here's a link to our conversation: <a href="https://iono.fm/e/873140" target="_blank">The Invisible Girl Project</a> <br /></i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-66730623389454777462021-07-28T15:38:00.002+02:002023-02-03T23:01:42.657+02:00Finally, a New Home!<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoSIZHHVMlKagXxDB2z67JpT2xtkXg8Iig2uYqNWtZJKuyOm2NJFMAdGlKlBXTHkcLST75XjIeDRbClJDtEZ08so4D6QkQXL4WJLkkT_CnQ_mcOy9rohXI521V3Ez0iKe2QW7yfZXt5Ir/s2048/tablemountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoSIZHHVMlKagXxDB2z67JpT2xtkXg8Iig2uYqNWtZJKuyOm2NJFMAdGlKlBXTHkcLST75XjIeDRbClJDtEZ08so4D6QkQXL4WJLkkT_CnQ_mcOy9rohXI521V3Ez0iKe2QW7yfZXt5Ir/w640-h360/tablemountain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #073763;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">Seven years ago, I started praying for a new home. The crazy thing is, we don't often think much about timing when it comes to moving or finding a home, as much as we consider timing when it comes to many other things, like our purpose or calling. But somehow, God never released us into a new home until this month. All these many years later. If there's one thing I know, it's that sometimes the things our Father decides to do, defies logic and understanding. But that's the beauty of faith. <i>It suspends meaning. And as people of faith, we forfeit control by allowing there to be no understanding in situations which call for it. Or we risk attaching the wrong meaning to our situations. <br /></i></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;">Moving has been a deep journey. Ten years of living in one home almost placed us in a comfort zone, which wasn't very comfortable at all. We lived in a close complex, sadly one of the needs within South Africa, is the need to be safe. So we are often found living in security villages, which put you in close contact with your neighbours and if your neigbours aren't very nice, well, you are basically in hell. Our story. We had a restraining order against our downstairs neighbours (thankfully they moved away eventually), we were physically attacked by another neighbour and basically routinely victimised because lawlessness, selfish and evil heartedness prevailed within our security village and we refused to bow our knee to it.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>Fast forward..</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;">As I sit in the quiet solitude of a large home, with its high ceilings, in a beautiful suburb in a neighbourhood where the neighbours greet, and help one another, where the birds never stop chirping and the cool breeze blows from the sea, I feel released, and blessed. The years of living in that home, have taken its toll on my soul. Of that I have become aware. Yet in the 4 weeks of finally settling in to a new home, a new space and a new rhythm, I've learnt a lot. And I have truly come home. We moved back to the neighbourhood I grew up in, with the beautiful familiar sights and sounds. Our beloved Table Mountain can be seen from our home and it never fails to mesmerise me. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>Ive learnt about yearning and pulling. </i>The reality of feeling a pull towards "coming back home." We always knew this was where we would be, we felt it spiritually. And God made it happen. When you feel a deep spiritual something indescribable pulling you towards something, it's because there's destiny written all over it. The invisible string that connected us towards this pulling, brought us home.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>God can do in 1 day, what could take you many years. </i>Eighteen months ago, we drove around in this very suburb (and it's a small suburb), almost like spies looking at the houses. In this very suburb we prayed, "Father release a home to us right here." We had complete belief in the Goodness of His Heart. The absolute conviction that He is a good Father. In March, we received a call from a family member who never knew we wanted to move. They were moving, thought of us, and offered us the opportunity to rent the home they were vacating. <i>Where? In the neighbourhood we prayed in. </i>There are no coincidences.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"> <i>A comfort zone is fear based. </i>Even though we were desperate for the move, we were afraid at times. And almost risked giving up the blessings that waited for us on the other side. When we defaulted in to seeing things with our natural eyes, we risked almost giving up what was intended for us. This is such a HUGE lesson! One I am still pondering deeply. Thankfully, Yahweh knew our humanness and never let us slip, going ahead and doing wonders. His peace guided us like a very strong light, it never moved or failed, never left us, or let us down. We are here, because He was guiding the whole process. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>When we are blessed, others are blessed. </i>Friends have been joining with us in prayer for many years. We had shared with a small number of friends about our hardships and our desire to move. They were our prayer warriors, and our voices of encouragement. Because of their love and prayers, we are here as well. And now our home, is their home too. Our blessings, help them know God is still good and they can trust Him for their own dreams. Deeper still, we've shared meals and conversations around our dining room table with more friends and family in a single month then we usually have before. That's because this space is a home. And we want to share it with the ones we love. A few months back, someone I know was praying for us and saw a picture of people coming in to our home who needed a touch of love and peace. She told me she saw many people refreshed as we welcomed them in. These words are unfolding. Naturally and without hesitation.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>It's a journey. </i>We look around and feel the gratitude, it's deep because we know what we went through to get here. Yet, for me personally I also know how my body has held the score of the years of trauma we lived through in an environment which felt unsafe emotionally, and mentally. No, we weren't living in a dangerous neighbourhood, in fact it's one of the most upmarket neighbourhoods in the Cape. But it is oppressed and depraved, and the richer people are, the more they demand licentious right, to everything and anything. I'm taking the time to heal, knowing that everything - light, sound, environment, and people all effect our cells. Since moving, there are mornings and afternoons I've felt the Holy Spirit beckon me to lean in deeply, in to the silence that charaterises the environment where we live. Leaning in to this silence, has meant realising I am safe. As a child, my home was never silent, there was always fighting. My brain was always scanning for danger. It was the same where we used to live, people were always gossiping, or complaining, arguing or intimidating others. Your brain scans for clues of fear. Now, God is showing me that's no longer the reality, there is a silence that is calming. I am safe. Of this, I am still learning.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So we are settling. And it's beautiful. </span><br /></span></span></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-68543010849268434712021-01-29T18:06:00.000+02:002021-01-29T18:06:11.723+02:00A Multi - Faceted Design <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <b>Writing with Five Minute Friday this week! GO!</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwIqbUC8lNUrgjbzsIr1P5inlch-yGAxT7xnoVPcQsaTUM9glZecpxJN2W6RLn9mpxHwlrogOQzZXmRAHc0lJNIwMdHyxWr5XUxOt8fqNf-KakIJnqbwsWqrmgO1Wjc8uZ59BbvyWw9kO/s640/dess.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwIqbUC8lNUrgjbzsIr1P5inlch-yGAxT7xnoVPcQsaTUM9glZecpxJN2W6RLn9mpxHwlrogOQzZXmRAHc0lJNIwMdHyxWr5XUxOt8fqNf-KakIJnqbwsWqrmgO1Wjc8uZ59BbvyWw9kO/w400-h400/dess.PNG" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b>Everyone has their own unique design.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A way of living, a way of being, our personalities and giftings shaping our purposes and destiny. Some of those ways and some of our giftings come to us slowly slowly. They awaken at certain times, like a long stretching and a smiling after a good nights sleep. I used to think, I'd always know my purpose and my clear path ahead, if I knew my giftings. There's truth in this to be sure. My writing gene was etched in to me and began awakening when I was just 5 years old. My speaking gift and my calling to be a radio presenter and public speaker, well that was a gift I don't think I ever had, <i>until I had to have it.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was content with the write life, and earnestly wanting to grow as a writer. Until, I was nudged forward by God to speak. I had a fear of public speaking and prayed I would never have to speak in public. Yet, it was where God wanted me to be. He weaned me, nurtured me and helped me forward. It's not about the sound of our voice, or even the words we speak - it's the sheer belief I needed. The belief to know this was where I was called to be. This gift and calling, gradually awakening. Possibly there in childhood, but very dormant and unawakened. It's the Most High who nurtures our giftings, and teaches us what they are - giving us gifts incrementally throughout our lives. And who knows - what gift we will find within ourselves tomorrow? Or which gift we may discover we have even now, they might be the ones we grapple with, or don't think we have...! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i><b>STOP!</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Linking Up with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2021/01/28/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-design/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> <br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><b></b></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-63321105089299298072021-01-15T23:41:00.001+02:002023-02-03T23:01:53.490+02:00FMF - View From the Porch <div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Joining with Five minute Friday, for a therapeutic 5 minutes of free writing from the heart...</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4M8DgnuhrKbqivIT3LD7nCorQANZO7TIR-7OlgCAQVhyphenhyphenV7J5-tnfNvO9PG-KNHSN-qhWr4_6dEXeOeN9Njaburlk2uNWxx2ytLOUYY6PlxO3Usy-Yb45lU06s-tAZbReEwAxFvxIo9D7/s1080/porch.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4M8DgnuhrKbqivIT3LD7nCorQANZO7TIR-7OlgCAQVhyphenhyphenV7J5-tnfNvO9PG-KNHSN-qhWr4_6dEXeOeN9Njaburlk2uNWxx2ytLOUYY6PlxO3Usy-Yb45lU06s-tAZbReEwAxFvxIo9D7/w400-h400/porch.PNG" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b><br />I remember reading the posts, humorous as they were.<b> </b>Tread in to 2021 lightly, look around, and don't touch anything because who knows what we will get. Now two weeks in, our humour has turned into prophecy, <i>almost. </i></span><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i>While driving home from the store today, I was thinking about the way we usually enter a new year.</span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">By this time, people are hustling and setting those goals, working hard, planning for their dreams. It's a time to think fresh thoughts and dream new dreams and yet so much of what we face looks so much like yesteryear. I paused to pray with my weary heart, the same things tumbling over one another. My concerns for my friends, my family, concerned for my self. Always praying for safety and health. And turning to God with all these thoughts, what of today and tomorrow and these fears. The weariness of it all.</span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is no voice booming down from heaven, no scripture or phone call. There's just a simple sense of Abba drawing near. Just sitting in the now beside me. Bigger than me, so I am comforted in the arms of a Giant. This discomfort remains somewhat, but these questions are safe, extended in the arms of a Giant God. Just here. With me. Looking out on to my horizon, to understand the view from my inner porch. Just here,with me....</span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>STOP!</b></span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Linking with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2021/01/14/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-fresh/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday </a></span></span></span> </b></p></div>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-51379994244777288092021-01-13T23:03:00.001+02:002023-02-03T23:02:13.995+02:00Eep was the Heroine I needed to See<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv_YqKkQy-kucQalXAcXQ0gednZhlwbmQHFyuvC9Q2gmudbvwEUYSNwaAlIZZCLkQRjsWAHyU3SN9AddtdwpWP4hKmnCBBDdniVftC9TAIl5PAyraXJvbHc2ogaUBcjHoQeolkJPnw8zM/s940/11111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="940" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv_YqKkQy-kucQalXAcXQ0gednZhlwbmQHFyuvC9Q2gmudbvwEUYSNwaAlIZZCLkQRjsWAHyU3SN9AddtdwpWP4hKmnCBBDdniVftC9TAIl5PAyraXJvbHc2ogaUBcjHoQeolkJPnw8zM/w400-h209/11111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;">If I followed a timeline of new release films, I'd say I came late to the party when it came to watching <i>The Croods when it first released back in 2013.<br /></i></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking back, I don't think I came late at all, I don't think I would have been able to comprehend the message I needed to understand, all those year ago. So I watched The Croods just this month, the first one and than the second one. I was struck with an important message about womanhood and matriarchy as I followed the journey of this family. If you haven't yet watched the film, sorry for the spoilers, but maybe you need some of this insight before watching these films.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Croods family is the last "cave" family left in the known world and the way they survive the truly prehistoric, dangerous world they live in, is to stay in their dark, empty black cave. The family has survived for the most part, because of Grug the very strong caveman father whose sole mission on earth is to take care of his family. Undoubtedly Grug's strength is so necessary in this world they inhabit, but his strength is completely born out of fear. His wife Ugga is strong, so is Gran, and Sandy the baby of the family. Thunk the son is a actually very much a modern day teenage boy, who complies with his father, is lazy, and will eventually (in the second film), become addicted to the window (something we'd understand to be an ancient TV). And then there's Eep! </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">She's the oldest sibling, with her fiery red hair and tiger skin halter dress, she's filled with the wonder and desire to step out of the cave, in to the unknown. Her father calls it curiosity, in essence it's independence and wonder outside of fear. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone of us have experienced the pull of independence within our teenage years. Those years felt full of pushing and pulling, as our parents still tried to reign us in but we yearned to fly. But For Eep there's more. It's not just the pull of teenage years, Eep is the foil for her father Grug. In fact, Eeps curiosity saves the family as the continents shift and the world as they known it changes. Eep pushes her family to think differently, and eventually she leads them to a boy she meets named Guy. He's advanced in thought, and ideas, he's very much a modern guy (excuse the pun). But in opposition, Eep is filled with both inner and outward strength. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">She's the heroine I needed to see when I was young, the one millennial girls never grew up seeing. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">She saves the day and saves the guy, in this poignant scene I cannot get enough of. Her holding Guy with her one hand and a rope in her other as they dangle across a bottomless hole about to be murdered by a monster. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While the patriarch has dominated the scene, it is not another male who will become the protagonist of survival, it's a woman, it's Eep. She is the future, and she is the rightful leader. Everything points to this, her father has to learn to see it.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the second Croods film, the wives and daughters led by Gran - who loves talking about the tribe of warrior women she used to lead, ultimately save <i>all </i>the men. This is not a way of saying women do not need men, it's a way of saying, we have to be who we were created to be. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some women are born to be leaders in various capacities, and some men are needed as leaders as well. It's about learning to work together, and being humble enough to accept that female leadership is Divinely Ordained and historically rejected. And perhaps the bigger narrative in the Croods is the one beneath the surface in the first film but glaringly obvious in the second, matriarchy is needed within this world. When it is not given space, it will grow regardless, and when it grows it will be a holy force for Life. The empowerment of women to be who and what they were created to be, should be coupled with teaching men how to live with that empowerment and to see it as a force for the goodness of this earth.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With fresh heroines like Eep, our daughters are witnessing what it means to be fully yourself, (I love how happy she is when Guy calls her heavy - a truth we need to internalize that beauty standards are shaped by culture and exposure). These were not the kinds of heroines I saw growing up, and perhaps it shaped my generation's thinking of what it meant to date, and what kind of guy we were all looking for. This is changing (yes please!) and it needs to. The world is changing, our generation is changing and the divine calling for the next generation will be a different one. God is trusting us to model; equality, togetherness and co - rulership on this earth. Grugg is needed, but so too more than ever, is Epp...</span></span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><i> </i><br /></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-70987859592824420552020-12-18T18:07:00.000+02:002023-02-03T23:02:01.092+02:00FMF - Not Letting Go <div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Five Minute Friday - Sharing my heart and thoughts in 5 minutes, writing on the world "conclude," go!</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b> </b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZwxiBNEcXyhHlnz-0Vd1t0WHuBQWObx-fZ3fYaQwOz5bH6vTZkl8JWYomYVSjwi3mK43P4uxCa_2Rnj_Du_14wle1PQVDw5WSKWH35mg4PpTKt0x5UMBE9xzn6zw_OGOnycetAjSaKHA/s1280/let.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZwxiBNEcXyhHlnz-0Vd1t0WHuBQWObx-fZ3fYaQwOz5bH6vTZkl8JWYomYVSjwi3mK43P4uxCa_2Rnj_Du_14wle1PQVDw5WSKWH35mg4PpTKt0x5UMBE9xzn6zw_OGOnycetAjSaKHA/w400-h400/let.PNG" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /> </b><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;">As we conclude the year 2020, I found I held inside a sense of fear. It's become normal for people to say "it's been a bad year," or "it's been a year!" And I get that, it has. Covid was suddenly around, it was among us, with us and continues to take many lives in its wake. South Africa had one of the worst lockdowns in the world, back in March. Looking back, I'm so grateful for it, though initially I was fearful. </span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;">But personally, I felt as though I was falling apart when lock down began. </span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;">I suddenly had to face trauma I had carried with me from 2019, that I had subconsciously numbed through work, new opportunities and day to day living. I ignored the gnawing sadness that had entered the new year with me. Lock down was used by God to help me face this. I grew a lot, so much in fact that I am a whole lot stronger. A lot has changed inside of me and I have been able to see parts of myself that I could not see before because I was "hidden" behind things I wouldn't face.</span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;">SO as 2021 approaches, it feels unknown. Not because of Covid, but because of the good things this year gave me and I've been afraid to let go of that. Yet, over the past week in times of prayer, the fear has slipped away. The changes and the inner growth cannot be taken away. God has good in store, there are new seasonal beginnings, but God has them all and HE never stops working on us, when we walk hand in hand with Him. <br /></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>STOP!</b></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>I feel incredibly grateful this year, that God has done amazing things for many people I love and care about. I've seen that the work He has done has been inwardly and that's a precious gift. What are you grateful for today? </i></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2020/12/17/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-conclude/" target="_blank">Linking with Five Minute Friday</a> </i></span></span><b> </b></p></div>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-46278551624565091402020-12-04T17:32:00.006+02:002020-12-04T17:34:36.199+02:00Friendship and Connection<p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Have Missed taking part in the <i>Five Minute Friday </i>posts!</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>So writing today for five minutes on the prompt "present." Go!</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b></b></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlA4bfuu6l81391t1d5fmB6errvG7yJ88Ux7tYHbrJ6U9OaBtNMuovO9ZnePYDTLSgVVauw4RCV9zh20WTyTJTJdUILlvpkRJ9YTcl6y_QmI71jZhS1KhgsvArOR21cncIHUNhcpXthRb4/s1080/26E5BE61-D920-4A51-A7EC-6D93368C12DD.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlA4bfuu6l81391t1d5fmB6errvG7yJ88Ux7tYHbrJ6U9OaBtNMuovO9ZnePYDTLSgVVauw4RCV9zh20WTyTJTJdUILlvpkRJ9YTcl6y_QmI71jZhS1KhgsvArOR21cncIHUNhcpXthRb4/w400-h400/26E5BE61-D920-4A51-A7EC-6D93368C12DD.PNG" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #660000;">I've struggled with the meaning of friendships over the years. Wondering if I could put my finger on what my needs are, and what I want to be for others. I know I am deeply loyal and faithful, I care, love blessing my friends and holding space for them. I believe in sitting on the couch, letting your friend cry and loving them in the mess of it all. I believe in connecting, I'm not superficial or surface. I can't be, it's just not me. I'm not intense or crazy, and I only allow a handful of people to be called <i>friend. </i></span></span></span></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><span><span>Inevitably though, people claim to look for friendship, but cannot commit to connecting. We as a society, have become afraid of connection. So people stay surface - level. They don't impart the gift of connection, which is my definition of friendship.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><span><span><i>Even </i>as I pen these words, I'm struck by a deep revelation. My word for the year - given to me by God - is "connection."</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Let me tell you, when I got this word at the beginning of 2020, I was kinda confused. I had no context or words, no frame of reference for the word connection. Now, some 10 months later in a Covid world, I have so much context for the word connection. I'm also now aware that my friendships have to come with connection. If they don't, I struggle with it and that's okay too. It is our presence and our ability to go deeper than the surface that can cause a friend to become more than an acquaintance, I believe this is where true friendship begins....<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><span><span><span><b>STOP!</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Linking with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2020/12/03/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-present/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a><b> </b></span></span><b><span> </span><br /></b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><i> </i></span></span> <br /></b></span></span></span></p><p><b><br /></b></p>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-15979630385363579042019-09-21T00:04:00.004+02:002019-09-21T00:05:01.464+02:00I've Been Challenged - FMF<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>My Five Minute Friday Check - In! <i>Go.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The passed few months I've been challenged. At first I just started struggling to cope and feeling easily overwhelmed and tired. A trip to my doctor and she diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue. We had a frank chat about my life and she booked me off for a week. That week was truly a blessing, although it was hard at first. I'm intuitive by nature and I live very consciously, especially of my own feelings and thoughts. That week, I asked God to simply hold me, and not to give up on me. It was a simple and honest prayer. And I allowed my heart to lead. When my soul was telling me to rest, I rested. When it felt angry, I allowed myself the freedom to feel the intensity of it. I stopped stuffing feelings away and started paying attention, not surviving as we all do, when we have to routinely go to work, do our chores and our duties. I started paying attention. To myself. One of the biggest challenges has been realising that my own burn out is not caused by being overworked, or having too much to do, it's cause by my own internal desires to be the best I can be at everything. That perfectionist voice, keeps us from resting inside. No matter how many pockets of peace one takes, there comes a cloud, a voice always saying "get it right." I'm a lot better, but I'm still being challenged. Still figuring this out, still struggling at times. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Stop!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Linking with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/09/19/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-challenge/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-63991790888093167172019-07-19T18:17:00.001+02:002019-07-19T18:20:11.626+02:00I Dared to Draw Near - Five Minute Friday<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Five Minute Friday! Writing on the prompt "distant." </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Distant. </i>Far in the distance, the curtain blows softly with the wind. I draw near, sandals on my dusty feet, across the floor of the wilderness to where we have been temporarily banished. Far from the promised land, the place promised to our ancestors. I draw near, <i>slowly</i>, will God see me?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The curtain still blows as I slip gently through the alley of tents watching the tabernacle in the distance, the place where God dwells. If He is so Holy and so Mighty, so Loving, yet so filled with justice and mercy, surely He will see me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I pause at the place I saw from across the space of landscape. Here I am, <i>hineni. </i>Moses stands at the left of the curtain, his grey beard curling against his chin, his kind, focused eyes stare at me. "Moses our leader," I start filled with conviction, "my father died in the wilderness for his own sin, and he had no sons only daughters. We do not believe he should die and have his name wiped out forever just because he had no sons, give us the land promised to our ancestors, the land of inheritance so we might raise our families there."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Moses pauses and whispers. I cannot hear his words, but I am used to seeing him mumbling, talking to God at every second of every hour of the day. He nods, sparkling eyes as he looks at me, the daughter of Zelophehad. "Yes," he proclaims, "God says yes..."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>STOP!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wrote this while thinking and reflecting on Numbers, where the daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses and ask God to give them an inheritance. The beauty of the original Hebrew words used int his passage expresses the delight of Yahweh, as His daughters ask Him for an eternal law to be passed. He says yes to their request and history actually changes because they dared to speak up!<b> </b>Our God is waiting for His daughters to speak up, not for themselves but for others so that the world as we know it and history itself will be forever changed, granting greater freedom to many.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/07/18/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-distant/" target="_blank">I dared to Draw Near - FMF</a> </span></span></div>
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Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-27365518934646777032019-06-08T17:04:00.000+02:002019-06-08T17:04:11.423+02:00Acting to Change Unreasonable Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCYx0mlEJhyphenhyphenJoGTgj_ze5R5rm7mfvYLS81rKXbmxXTkREEnuKkQyKBoPhINjFhtQ3RAJNRdOXSqxS03G1uI3ed2mRvOK2PBv27uNVXRGVn-Po3rmVwofviE6oY82E0M6b9hCzBr2H2fkl/s1600/Change.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCYx0mlEJhyphenhyphenJoGTgj_ze5R5rm7mfvYLS81rKXbmxXTkREEnuKkQyKBoPhINjFhtQ3RAJNRdOXSqxS03G1uI3ed2mRvOK2PBv27uNVXRGVn-Po3rmVwofviE6oY82E0M6b9hCzBr2H2fkl/s400/Change.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More recently God has been speaking to me from the precious beatitudes,
encouraging me through the words of Matthew 5 verse 9 which reads “<i>blessed are the peace makers for they will all be called children of God.” (NIV) </i>While
reading this verse a month ago, I kept on seeing the word change maker
in my mind instead of peace maker, so I prayerfully dug deep in to the
words found here. I discovered that the Greek word here for peace maker,
is a word that means to make or do something, it’s an action, expressed
as something tangible and active. While the word for peace, goes back
to the holistic Hebrew word “shalom,” which is deeper than just peace,
it means wholeness, welfare, prosperity, harmony, complete, and the
biblical idea of peace is not the absence of war, as we imagine it to
be. In fact, you cannot be a peacemaker without stepping in to conflict
at times.....</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is a Challenging and Inspiring Post I wrote over at Lisa van Engens Blog, this week! Click the link to read the rest of the article. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://lisavanengen.com/2019/06/06/acting-to-change-unreasonable-things/" target="_blank">Acting to Change Unreasonable Things</a> </span></span></div>
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Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-20382777014438488852019-06-07T23:44:00.000+02:002019-06-07T23:57:36.345+02:00I Turn Inwardly and Ask<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Five Minute Friday Post! Writing today on the writing prompt <i>well </i>for 5 minutes of unedited, free thinking and flowing writing! Here goes!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is well with my soul. </span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I imagine singing in a wooden pew among a gathering of like minded believers. Place my hand on my heart and sing about my soul, <i>it is well. </i>Yet, is it? I turn inward and ask her, how are you actually doing today?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She smiles back, thank you for asking. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I pause in the moment, with myself, real and open. How are you doing? That makes my innermost being smile, thank you for checking in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Slightly tired, sensing Gods goodness and Love. Exhausted in some ways, but eager for rest and peace. Imagining a retreat, lying in green fields and listening to sheep. These imaginings make my soul complete. So inwardly she answers me. I am slightly tired but hopeful, held upright because of Loves Grace. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>STOP!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Linking up with <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2019/06/06/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-well/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And <a href="https://velvetashes.com/celebrating-the-milestones-alone-the-grove-parenting/" target="_blank">The Grove</a><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> </b> </span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-65321656619318843092019-06-03T00:09:00.000+02:002019-06-03T00:12:19.492+02:00Rhythm's Different Design <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">A new rhythm. I found this truth swimming up to my
brain and in to my conscious mind. Planted there by God as something of an
answer, comfort and direction. I’ve had to learn to swim now that the current’s
changed. I’ve had to adapt to new rhythms, as shifts happen in my life. Taking
on a new radio show, and learning to fill in new paperwork each week (taking
hours at a time), being consistent to post my show to social media, and prepare
my guests and notes. It was hard not to get lost beneath the sheer weight of
it, and the shift. Growing pains, as I learned through the struggle with my
overworked and overwhelmed emotions. Work shadowing older presenters, learning
from their talents and giftings, their years of experience, all the while praying
<i>God make me a sponge, let me soak and learn. </i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">I’m blessed to stand here, with no previous experience
in radio, this door opened with such Divine Force, I prayed for weeks and then
stepped through it. A blessed stepping. Only to discover once I had stepped,
that something inside of me was well prepared and ready, eager and waiting. A
part of me was already awake, though I had not consciously perceived it, born to
use the microphone across the frequency waves to make a lasting change, to be a
voice, even a small one.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">Still, finding a new rhythm, has challenged me deep in
my core. Pressures of life demand that we have many responsibilities and priorities.
A week ago, I was led by The Holy Spirit at 1am to be still and journal. So
journal I did. The sacred moments of connecting with ink and paper, the sound
of gentle writing on paper thin, the moment where truth gems pour from the soul
on to the paper. Right there, meeting my heart on white pages, such joy. <i>Meaningful</i>, the Holy Spirit led me to
write, <i>what is meaningful to you? </i>It’s
the very question we ask ourselves with happiness, what is meaningful enough to
say yes to, and what is meaningful enough to say no to. I sat wading through
the water of thought and conversation with God, in to the open lake of
discovery. I am still struggling with the amount of paperwork and pressure to
complete these tasks on top of ministry tasks that overtake me daily, yet within
the grind that sometimes wearies me, I am more aware of what is meaningful, so
I am not spreading myself out too thinly. And I miss this space, this blog space.
My personal quiet space of white space where I can share small parts of my
heart in whispers that feel safe. I hope to climb back in to that white space,
because this is what’s meaningful. And I hope with clasped hands held out in
prayer that I will see such light and hope come from this radio show, testimonies
of changed lives and deeper hope. Hope against all Hope. </span></span></span></span></div>
Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-85449057576878908772018-06-22T20:00:00.003+02:002019-06-07T23:54:21.631+02:00The Ocean of Emotion - FMF <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Five Minute Friday, this weeks prompt is "ocean," (totally love this prompt!) Go!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgund0TCX1P6zzG-UJ0_bfooftNVNCZDOo2d3w0jALg_RsgBkeRPiNyojfbrV9Ty-pPr0XUypExI_fRlUhM61FP9GbK_Qc4WrJYdYFoql6QFrsYkKfoDo330TKFWH3tZl2dxO6WkfxMSK1w/s1600/IMG_7973.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgund0TCX1P6zzG-UJ0_bfooftNVNCZDOo2d3w0jALg_RsgBkeRPiNyojfbrV9Ty-pPr0XUypExI_fRlUhM61FP9GbK_Qc4WrJYdYFoql6QFrsYkKfoDo330TKFWH3tZl2dxO6WkfxMSK1w/s400/IMG_7973.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I struggle beneath the weight of emotion. Sometimes these emotions are anger, or anxiety, other times it's just a profound sense of hopeless or joy. Emotions are oceans and in a single drop of the ocean is a plethora of different things, but each thing has life. Life is everywhere, it's all around me, most of all it's within me, Life and this Life was manifest to give me sure abundant Life. In every emotion, there can be life, as it reveals something different beneath the surface.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've grown aware of the fact that even anxiety is a way of communication. It's our heart saying something, it's our soul pointing to a real fear or thought or belief. Last week I was struck by fear at the thought of standing up in front of strangers and speaking on a unique idea I was nurturing. The fear left my chest tight. When I paused and prayed, inquiring of God as to my own emotion, He showed me what I was really facing. I wasn't scared of the speech or the people (I actually ended up really enjoying myself!), I was still dealing with pain from the way someone close to me had treated me a month ago. The pain translated in to a belief that said "people don't like you, they gonna pretend with you." This was part of the message I received from the month old argument. When I was finally able to realise that, I could go to that internal place with God and I could see life, oceans of life. Believing our Father has only our good at Heart means we can overcome the waves that overwhelm us if we but journey on a rugged ship to that place with Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>STOP!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Linking with <span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://fiveminutefriday.com/2018/06/21/fmf-link-up-ocean/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a></span></b></span></div>
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Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-33265375317636606372018-04-25T23:28:00.002+02:002019-06-07T23:54:28.898+02:00W.HO. - She was a Survivor and a Rebel<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">W.H.O is a series I do on my blog, where I highlight certain women from history who have made an impact on me. Most of them are unheard of or were immensely popular in their day, but have faded in to obscurity. It is my conviction that the her-stories of this world are more celebrated and told. So today I would like to introduce you to someone who is super fascinating and personally, very inspiring.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This past week, on the 19th of April the "world" remembers the tragic, but truly brave Warsaw Ghetto uprising during the second world war. Hitler and the Nazi's had built Jewish ghetto's throughout Poland from as early as 1939. Jewish ghetto's were formed to keep the Jewish people segregated from what was considered the pure "Aryan," chosen race of non - Jews, so that both Jews and non - Jews would not mingle, intermarry or even liase with one another. The warsaw ghetto was home to almost half a million Jews, who were imprisoned in an area that was 1.3 miles big! People died of starvation, malnutrition, and disease. Dozens of people were forced to live in single rooms together and the German army ran the ghetto like a prison. People were shot, abused and anyone who exercised sympathy towards the Jewish people were routinely killed along with their families. The Warsaw Ghetto was hell. Eventually in 1942, the Germans instituted what was called "the final solution." A diabolical plan to settle Jews in to concentration camps and eventually, kill them all. They vacated thousands of people from the Warsaw ghetto, and moved them to secret concentration camps. Seventy thousand people remained in the Ghetto, until certain people started hearing about the gassing of their families in concentration camps. Knowing their fate was sealed and not wanting to go down without a fight, a number of Jewish women and men formed an underground resistance group within the Ghetto. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The resistance acquired arms, grenades and used the sewer system in the ghetto as bunkers. They distributed leaflets to their Jewish brethren and they armed themselves with the "chutzpah" to fight the Germans, even if it cost them their lives. As the sun rose on the 19th of April over the dirty, grey, dilapidated buildings in the Warsaw Ghetto, a german commander tried to lead his troops in to the ghetto to export the remaining Jews to the death camps. Shoots fired out, rifles bit the air, grenades blew dust and concrete everywhere and the resistance began firing at the Germans. Shocked and aghast, Germans soldiers were wounded and some were killed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the founding members and high commander of the Jewish resistance group was a dark haired, Polish activist Zivia Lubetkin. She was the only female leader of the resistance group and she shot at the Germans with fearlessness. She protected the people under her and led them through the sewers and bunkers as they fought and held off the Germans for close to 3 weeks. The Germans were shocked at how long they Jews who were scantily armed and physically weak, could hold them off for so long. With woudned pride and bitter hatred, the commander ordered his men to smoke out the sewers and to blow up the buildings one by one. More then 7000 people were killed, over 57000 were taken to concentration camps, but Zivia and 9 others in the movement escaped through a tunnel and continued her resistance activities outside of Warsaw. One of the other commanders of the resistance movement was Yitzhak Zuckerman, a man who worked as an activist alongside Zivia since their youth. The two of them eventually married and became operatives, helping smuggle European Jews in to Israel (which was then called Mandate Palestine). Together, Zivia and Yitzhak and their fellow resistance members, established and built a Kibbutz in Northern Israel with a museum dedicated to the story of the Warsaw Ghetto resistance members. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Zivia's life story really inspires me. To stand up against a highly established army of bloodthirsty Hitler soldiers armed with small pistols and vastly outnumbered, reminds me of the biblical stories in the book of Judges. When I first took my husband to the Holocaust Center in Cape Town, it was the pictures and the stories of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising that really had his interest. <i>"Do you think we would have resisted?"</i> he asked me. <i>I would like to think so</i>. Zivia fought for the rights and freedom of others, and she worked to this end alongside a man who shared the same values for justice and activism. That's rare and something worth noting. They also stayed married until they both passed away, but both left behind a legacy that has gone down in the history books. The warsaw Ghetto Uprising was the largest Jewish uprising within the Hitler war, and it inspired large number of youth outside of Warsaw, to do the same. Yitzhak himself said that <i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><i>this was a war of less than a thousand people against a mighty army and no one doubted how it was likely to turn out." </i>Zivia and her resistance group knew the outcome would probably not be in their favour, but they stood up and did something about their situation. They did not go quietly like lambs to the slaughter, they fought for a greater reality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As if the story couldn't get any better, their grand daughter Roni Zuckerman became the very first female fighter pilot in the Israeli Defense Force, 17 years ago. You go girl! Their fighting spirit lives on, passed from generation to generation. This is the legacy of those who stand up to free others, the kind of legacy and spirit we can pass on to those of our family members, our children, grandchildren, godchildren and spiritual children. May it be so! I'm grateful for the legacy of Zivia and for what she did, she continues to inspire, even today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></span>Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-61253510353070120452018-04-04T22:41:00.000+02:002018-04-04T22:41:23.913+02:00The Promised Pain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">I’ve been in pain for a while, dealing with the confusion
of life and the anger that comes through disappointments and grief. Days can be
hard, some days are easier then others. But pain, it’s real. No one can share
another hearts pain, only a single heart knows its own suffering, its own
lament and its experiences. That leads to emotional exhaustion sometimes and
its heavy. And its lonely.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">This week I was tired of the lonely and decided to
bravely mention to someone (on a surface level), that I was hurting inside. I
got the response I expected to get. I got the Christian response, the believers
response, the how – to response that modern day first world, comfortable
Christianity has taught its followers to do. And do it well, that they do. It
begins with “oh I’m so sorry you going through this. I’ll pray for you, just
trust in Jesus.” Cue the eye roll right here.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">I push the pause button on this response and on my own
life to logically evaluate the situation. Am I trusting in the Saviour to guide
my every step… absolutely! Am I still a sold out Jesus Freak that spends
copious amounts of time clinging to His robe… you better believe it! Have I let
go… never. Have I stayed the course… my ships rudder knows no other course then
Yeshua. Am I a mature believer, God has told me so. And am I faithful in the
suffering… I still try to be. Am I still ministering Gods Holy Word with awe
and Spirit filled truth… absolutely. Am I wholehearted like Caleb was in the
wilderness… yes and amen. I have no other life outside of the Messiah. So am I
still trusting, of course I am. So stop telling me to trust God, because you
have no idea how hard it is to trust the Invisible Most High, when you’re in a
cave of darkness.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">This response from “well meaning,” believers has
become what we expect from Christians, that’s a sad fact but it’s true. I’ve
personally found more space for pain outside of religious circles, then I have
inside those circles. And I believe that this comes down to two realities,
firstly modern-day Christianity in general, has trained us to be first world in
our mindset. IN many cultures we have been taught to avoid pain and suffering, or
growth through heartache and sorrow, instead we are taught to have our best
life now. Or to pray and claim blessings from the sky, to pray the Jabez prayer
(which interestingly enough was rooted in pain by the way but no one teaches
you that!), or to pop a pill and forget the pain. My mom works for a medical
doctor and she tells me there are more people on prescription drugs then ever
before. Everyone is trying to numb the pain, instead of facing it. We’ve become
societies of people who are fearful to deal with our disappointments, our
failures, our broken dreams, our crisis of faith or our wounded souls. We’ve been
trained through media, television, our books and sadly from the pulpit, to
believe that the Christian life will bring no suffering only releasing of
blessing. We’ve been taught to steer clear of the pain of life and pursue everything
in our own strength, with optimal outcome of riches, status, followers and
happiness. But happiness has never come to those who pursued such a lifestyle.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">Secondly, what our responses to pain teach us is
merely that we are uncomfortable with the pain of others. People treat
emotional pain in others like a disease. Years ago there were billboards signs
up on the side of the road here in South Africa which read “if you touch someone
with HIV you will not get AIDS.” You see people were so afraid of getting the
virus they were isolating family members and friendships, going so far as to not
eat from the same dish or shake their hand. I cannot help but feel Christians
treat their spiritual family in the same manner. The only reason we give quick
answers like “trust Jesus,” is because deep down that person feels helpless in
the face of pain. When we become comfortable with our pain, we become open to
other people’s experiences of pain. As a therapist I was forced to face the
fears I carried of hurting people. I will be the first to admit that when I started
seeing trauma patients in 2009, I was petrified of pain. I felt inadequate to
deal with the brokenness of this world. But it was only once I faced my own,
did I become comfortable with pain and with the fact that I didn’t have the
answers for hurting people. I didn’t have the answers for people who lost their
children in car accidents, or for the woman whose husband was having an affair.
Or for the family who lost a son at 18 years old. I still don’t, but all I now
understand we have to do, is practice what I’ve now come to call hugging and
holding presence.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">I don’t have a disease because I’m broken, so don’t apologise
for my pain. Rather, be present, be quiet and really try be a God fragrance.
Hug if someone wants it or needs it, don’t be stoic and hold your tongue while
being present. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">Our response to pain is in opposition to the biblical,
Middle Eastern view of suffering. When suffering, David screamed and shouted,
wept and beat his breast with truths like “God why have you forsaken me!” or “why
do the wicked prosper and I waste away!” He never hid anything from the
Almighty and because he was so real and transparent with his emotional pains,
with his disappointments and confusion, God met David every time. That’s why
his Psalms would change from psalms of lament to momentary hope. Research tells
us that psalms of Lament make up for 30% of the psalms, yet none of them are
used frequently in Church liturgy. Lamenting and being present in pain are large
parts of the individual and communal experience in the Old Testament. When the
people of God went in to exile, the prophet Jeremiah wrote the book of
Lamentations. Pain is present throughout the biblical narratives and the
expression of that pain is something to learn from.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="line-height: 107%;">I feel we have begun to ignore the promise of pain
which will come in different ways and forms to people because we are all
mortal, frail and deeply complex emotionally, spiritually and mentally. We
weren’t promised smooth sailing, but we were promised smooth landing. Our
future is secure in Yeshua, our faith steady, our victory will come and there
is hope this side of eternity. We become active in that hope when we can be
real with our own pain, creating safe spaces and being a safe space for another
to rest and find comfort. Enough with the answers, enough with the clichés, its
hurts even more when someone looks down at you for your brokenness, or when
someone speaks to you in a way that makes you feel like a baby believer who has
lost faith. Elijah waited a long time by a small brook with heartache and
depression. Moses walked 40 years with a heart filled of mourning and
disappointment. Yeshua wept and bled tears of blood, pleading for the coming
suffering to pass. David clung to wet rocks in a cave, alone, broken hearted
and afraid. Paul faced discouragement and confusion when locked away in a
prison cell, unable to go on those fruitful mission trips that had defined his
life. Mary’s soul was crushed and her pain unbearable when she watched her innocent
son crucified as a criminal, yet he was innocent. Their pains were not a result
of sin or lack of trust, these pains came because it was part of life. So the
next time someone you know is broken, hurting, confused, angry, anxious or
depressed, don’t given an easy answer, evaluate your motives and learn there is
no problem in feeling pain. </span></span></span></span></div>
Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-35883494449338500652018-03-09T23:41:00.002+02:002019-06-07T23:54:47.536+02:00Pushing Against it - FMF<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Five Minute Friday writing. Go!</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95c961GO74Ob8PwQaropCNeqmmbFanuYR3VyBZ1SwLBptP5tCREgFNRcH5dD53pkogcpwsrorMHlz9HvAm9IyxIm3Rr6vXu5s6G1Gkdnar8ZH9O_8CO0Ida4H64DsYOQn8kKe7IxpFcxe/s1600/pexels-photo-866858.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95c961GO74Ob8PwQaropCNeqmmbFanuYR3VyBZ1SwLBptP5tCREgFNRcH5dD53pkogcpwsrorMHlz9HvAm9IyxIm3Rr6vXu5s6G1Gkdnar8ZH9O_8CO0Ida4H64DsYOQn8kKe7IxpFcxe/s400/pexels-photo-866858.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">I'm tired and as I say the words vapour escapes my soul as I confess the words. Tired of fighting my own fear, fed up with the sudden chaos and thoughts about my own calling as a writer. I've laid it down just to feel it snap at my heels again. A simple article used to take me a few hours and now, days go by and I add only paragraph or a single sentence.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">I know these accusations at my writing may be part from the enemy, or maybe even part from me. Dissapointments and arrows have been flung at me the past few months, so maybe it's natural to feel this way and struggle to wipe the residue from this mind. I've laid it down, forgiven, let go, but still I'm not left with others opinions, but now I'm left with my own. And that is not even my own, the enemy seems to be using these past nasties against me. Not good enough. But how can that be, when this is who Father created me to be! I just want to overcome because I'm tired of living defeated in this area. And the truth is, it's a choice that I know, but to push against such thoughts with turbulent might, it's tiresome. All I can do here is pray and say "Abba please deliver me!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>STOP!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Linking with <a href="http://fiveminutefriday.com/2018/03/08/fmf-link-up-tired/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> </b></span></span><br />
<br />Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-60734813031212732782018-03-05T16:12:00.000+02:002018-03-05T16:12:12.593+02:00When I Looked at You <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjRoaXQ7wP4tc9wvCVGUcd6UhBfe1n72BmD3lwtqqQgJuyPfyF53RlTS-BDBRx6UZPQTFNqGb1X-A6t1_2tv_coe2yx-Nk830kQabD3L9B3QMY8uzzwNOf25JHHEno1IPvjs2pRS-n4pr/s1600/IMG_7046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjRoaXQ7wP4tc9wvCVGUcd6UhBfe1n72BmD3lwtqqQgJuyPfyF53RlTS-BDBRx6UZPQTFNqGb1X-A6t1_2tv_coe2yx-Nk830kQabD3L9B3QMY8uzzwNOf25JHHEno1IPvjs2pRS-n4pr/s400/IMG_7046.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16 years ago on a Tuesday, I woke up, rubbed my sleepy eyes and dressed for school. I dont remember much about the classes, all I remember was thinking about the dance club I was going to on Friday night with my friends and the guy I liked. Life was normal and empty. Until Bible period, back when they still allowed religious education in school. A youth pastor came and preached a message of challenge and truth. I broke, the Holy Spirit moved my heart and I saw myself as I was, an unclean sinner. I stood up when he made the altar call. Confessed my Saviour Jesus and felt the weight of my dirt covered body in its sin. I wept. All I could do way say the name Jesus over and over again. 13:30.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The class ended, I dried my eyes, changed. I wondered through the hall to my next class and felt radically different and almost out of place. God is good. I walked in to my computer class, 3 of my class mates and my teacher were Christians. As they entered the class I told them " I got saved!" And they started shouted and praising God, I was filled with uncontainable, unnameable joy. The teacher chided us for being so loud, "Teacher," my one friend said, "she got saved!" He excused us from the class and we went to stand in the passage. Revival worship broke out as 4 girls danced in the hall. Two of them had been praying for me, before I even got saved, they would become instrumental in my life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day, it was the entire matric class bible period. A dark haired man with a goatie shared about God and an unsaved friend pulled me along to go speak with him. I was still trying to find my way now that I was saved. I didnt know what I was suppose to it. She spoke to him and he invited us to a cell group meeting that night. I went, she stopped going. That guy became my mentor for 3 years. Just God. He was sold out, passionate and on fire, through his life and passion for God, I learnt hunger and identity. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I left my old life behind, little by little. I lost all my friends and gave up the guy I was casually seeing. But the love, and depth, the Feeling of God, the Touch of God, the Love of God it was more than enough. Five months later I wore a cross on my head to my matric dance (prom), and two of my athiest friends I kept loving after I got saved, they smiled when I walked in. They grabbed me with a big hug and someone took a photo. That photo I treasure, for the fearlessness I had in continuing to speak Gods love in a way that still left people loving me. My words were offensive with truth, but my heart not. I was brave enough to wear my faith out in the open, not just among the religious or the saved. I was tough enough to lose the friends I loved, surrendered enough to break music cd's that God convicted me of. I was somehow weak but strong enough in Christ to let go of the hand of a man I had secretly liked for months and somehow managed to snag. I was tall enough within to believe that no matter what happened God had a plan. My future felt secure. My life felt mapped. I was still a mess inside, still wounded, broken and fleshly, that's the journey. The journey towards holiness and sanctification, the letting go of endless things. The pursuit of Yeshua and His Beautiful call. A walk that began when a Relentless, Loving, Compassionate powerful God pursued me, and never gave up on me. I'm so grateful, still in awe and ever more committed than before. Thank You Yeshua!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span class="text Ezek-16-8" id="en-NIV-20771">"when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and you became mine."</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span class="text Ezek-16-8" id="en-NIV-20771"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ezekiel 16:8 </span></span></span></i></div>
Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-12455763603742017532018-02-23T20:20:00.001+02:002019-06-07T23:54:47.444+02:00There's Beauty Here - FMF<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Five Minute Friday. Go!</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeGxGxDv1Ungp5pJMDd1pa9Olh5MtKcEFhO7_q3Q75sJiCsozBDYf5TRl9UzEsvpD7Lh2OWJr7scxmjdzUuJ6ix9tUGV3gsHoShij_ddLnNrRrojrCKBXFNEb1BGM6ByNiVXqoRvHAI33/s1600/cc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeGxGxDv1Ungp5pJMDd1pa9Olh5MtKcEFhO7_q3Q75sJiCsozBDYf5TRl9UzEsvpD7Lh2OWJr7scxmjdzUuJ6ix9tUGV3gsHoShij_ddLnNrRrojrCKBXFNEb1BGM6ByNiVXqoRvHAI33/s640/cc.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Good Shepherd, He leads. Walks. Stops to stare at the birds over head and the magnificent glint of silver in the pools at the waters edge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Us. Looking ahead, isn't there a mountain to climb somewhere. A place to walk through? A place to make it through. Looking back towards where He stands, still resting with a smile and hands behind His back. I think He knows something. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Come on, Come on! I hear myself and us both saying. Come here, he says calmly. Sigh. There's no hurry for the Good Shepherd. But isnt there a mountain to climb, uncomfortable feelings to get rid of and life to live. This is life, He smiles, now joined at the pool.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He takes my hand (and the hands of all who would allow Him to enter their heart in to a slow rest). I peer down to where He gazes, water ripples dance across tiny stones and a brown bed beneath see through water, struck by beauty. This life, He muses, is lived here. Not on the top of the mountain at the end of anxiety, or hustle, or lifes tugging hurriedness. Life is here, in the clearing where water runs and the Shepherd sits and gazes. Here, right here in rest. A walk, not a gallop or a run, but a walk encompassed by the Hebrew word <i>halacha. </i>For every woman and man of God had their <i>halacha </i>with God, not a run, but a walk. So let's walk Good Shepherd, Good Father of us all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Linking with <a href="http://fiveminutefriday.com/2018/02/22/fmf-link-up-beauty/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hey I'm writing today over at Off the Page, about a gold rimmed book I met at 6 years old and how it changed my life.... Join me! <a href="https://offthepage.com/2018/02/23/the-gold-tipped-book/" target="_blank">The Gold - Tipped Book </a> </span></span></div>
Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-4526448996497944972018-02-16T19:22:00.000+02:002019-06-07T23:54:47.568+02:00For a While - FMF<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Five Minute Friday writing Prompt, 5 minutes Unedited! Go!</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxBl3GL2TleKdd_t2n7HEn3olzkCeqObMhncpz6Yls9JKoeB6Z-mZwLL441VVgivrnUPtU9cZsEJGlyNBz_KKQ_VTXqTabPv6WGQNJE3DwoTHXnkf7dDdCSap35tUdM_-dJLyyqeMrb7c/s1600/IMG_6838.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxBl3GL2TleKdd_t2n7HEn3olzkCeqObMhncpz6Yls9JKoeB6Z-mZwLL441VVgivrnUPtU9cZsEJGlyNBz_KKQ_VTXqTabPv6WGQNJE3DwoTHXnkf7dDdCSap35tUdM_-dJLyyqeMrb7c/s640/IMG_6838.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've had more "why's over the past few months than I have for a long time. Why's that happen from deep within, from disappointment, heartache, crisis and dashed hopes or dreams. In my why's and waiting, I've noticed how often we approach God with a "search engine," mentality. We expect quick answers and yes, no realities and oh how I wish that was the case sometimes! Yet, I'm learning through my current wilderness season, that waiting's and why's can open a pathway where God's voice really does become clearer, and His answers and words are not always yes or no about what seems to be, our foremost questions of mind. But His answers are truth and the truth really does set us free. Sometimes Father's truth and the words He tells us seem to be bad tasting medicine in our mouths, because in that moment it's not really what we want to hear, but we learn that the bad tasting stuff is often the most effective. Through the why's, I'm also learning deeply in a very real way, that community can be pretty uplifting. I'm also comforted by the reality that we received 5 different calls this week from different families asking us for guidance on their current seasons of "why." Gosh, their questions and feelings mirror our own right now. So instead of giving advice, we simply sit together, even over the phone and tell each other <i>"hey, I don't know what you should do, or why this is, but I'm your friend, you can lean on me, let's just be together in this." </i>God is with us and He will never leave us, of this I am sure, and when the why, turns to "oh that's why," then we will at last understand or maybe we will have become stronger through the journey...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Linking with <a href="http://fiveminutefriday.com/2018/02/15/fmf-link-up-why/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a> </b></span></span></div>
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<br />Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-2129618110415381592018-01-19T23:48:00.000+02:002019-06-07T23:54:47.506+02:00Dreaming - FMF <b>Five Minute Friday Writing, 5 minutes, unedited! GO!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQECz22ibROK866uWZyhYdGt3nZnOqIu1r9sg4mmXFjUoc5RP7WlP_x1vZmC1THAhg97ym1t06Bt3KFQSvSPjeDHVJ1m1nIIeucgua6aVc630PSksiHgMSgHIW_pevYGoCm-AvNvd7yyH5/s1600/pexels-photo-135230.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQECz22ibROK866uWZyhYdGt3nZnOqIu1r9sg4mmXFjUoc5RP7WlP_x1vZmC1THAhg97ym1t06Bt3KFQSvSPjeDHVJ1m1nIIeucgua6aVc630PSksiHgMSgHIW_pevYGoCm-AvNvd7yyH5/s640/pexels-photo-135230.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the passed two days I've had the lyrics from Tangled stuck in my head. The part where she goes in to the Snuggly Duckling and finally implores them all to find their humanity and help her live her lifelong dream. Then a great song busts out and I'm left thinking about the man with the hook who wants to be a concert pianist. It goes like this;</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>I've always yearned to be a concert pianist<br />
Can'tcha see me on the stage performin' Mozart?<br />
Tickling the ivories 'til they gleam?<br />
Yep, I'd rather be called deadly<br />
For my killer show-tune medley<br />
Thank you!<br />
'Cause way down deep inside<br />
I've got a dream."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I get excited talking about dreams even though I'm currently meandering through a dry season of deciphering my own God - dreams which somehow seem to be in a drought. However, dreams are important, they are visions, glimpses in to our hearts, pieces of our purpose and our passion. They are sign posts, keys to unlock doors of destiny. Most of all I truly believe that when we walk with God He places amazing dreams within us, just so we can find ourselves. One thing I've learned about dreams though, is that they are intentional, they seem more beautiful, ethereal and wispy when we are dreaming them, but the intentional hard wok can some times make the dreams seem, not so wispy. But to get out of the boat, and to allow ourselves the joy and the hardwork of dreaming, I think that's one of the beautiful things that makes life worth living. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Linking with Five Minute Friday</span></span></span></div>
Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530858230957868484.post-67878254428137256732018-01-05T17:38:00.002+02:002019-06-07T23:54:47.630+02:00It's not gonna go that Way - FMF<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Five Minute Friday - Yey! 2018! First one for the year, writing on the word "motivate!" Let's Go!</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrl8au8kSAjGi4KTGNDkuJkwlUnqUKlLZwQlALLEsslfIqdPU2v5ZoDGFrDn9_7J8o33CqdtoXfVXurbL8T5_k7Q5F4WgnWCmTDMWEVpYIK8a8lJC38wRTnwHi7as_09QRANGf8_oi0Bd/s1600/pexels-photo-51187.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrl8au8kSAjGi4KTGNDkuJkwlUnqUKlLZwQlALLEsslfIqdPU2v5ZoDGFrDn9_7J8o33CqdtoXfVXurbL8T5_k7Q5F4WgnWCmTDMWEVpYIK8a8lJC38wRTnwHi7as_09QRANGf8_oi0Bd/s640/pexels-photo-51187.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm not a fan of new years resolutions, I've never made them and I never will I believe. But I did feel excited to enter in to the new year, I continually felt Abba Father tell me that it would be a year of incredibly good things. I was motivated, focussed and ready to begin, then we adopted kittens!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>In November 2016, my beautiful cat of 16 years old passed away, it was a really hard time and it took an entire year to heal that space. I started thinking about that space in my heart the one that feels like a cat shaped hole. And then our local animal shelter was having a kitten adoption day and we went to look. Long story short, we adopted 2 great 10 week old brothers, but it's been challenging. Really like having babies in our home, and yes I've cried, not ashamed to admit that. And thought how am I going to stay focussed, moticated and able to study this year (I'm going back to school!!) with this. And then God..... that's like me saying and then God stepped in to all my tears and fears. He led me around the Bible and then to Moses leading his father - in - laws sheep through the wilderness. God whispered hey "Abel, the patriarchs, Moses, Jacob and his sons, they all cared for animals and it taught them to be leaders who serve me, and who can lead people. When you can love an animal, you can better the world." </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God is so good! My home feels a lot more complete with them here, and I'm learning a lot, a whole lot! Life isn't always going to go dead smooth as you'd like it to go, but I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to, because how would we ever learn and how would we ever be partnering deeper with God, to better this broken world! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OH my gosh, when I looked at my blog I realised the very last post I wrote was about wanting a cat! I didn't get those kittens on the farm, praise God that He knew better! But hey seems He was preparing my heart all along, wow! Here's that short post:<span style="color: #0c343d;"> <span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://setapartwarrior.blogspot.co.za/2017/11/this-familiar-fear-fmf.html" target="_blank">This Familiar Fear</a><b> </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Linking this week with <span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> <a href="http://fiveminutefriday.com/2018/01/04/fmf-link-up-motivate/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday</a></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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Aliyahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05107296563674183419noreply@blogger.com2