tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36256935145324559532024-02-20T18:23:25.363-08:00life-times-twothe life that is - the life that can beJulie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-65535037695979563482013-11-12T12:59:00.000-08:002013-11-12T12:59:33.288-08:00Margins: Limitations or Possibilities?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’ve discovered there are two
ways to look at a margin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A margin can be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boundary</i> - fringe, sideline, edge, or it
can be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">surplus</i> – room, scope,
profit. One definition speaks of limitation, the other of possibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After mulling over these
definitions for a couple of days I saw something beautiful emerge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I saw how Jesus transitioned people from one margin to the other,
from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the fringe</b> of Insignificance to
the place of discovering <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the surplus</b>
of Potential within themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus always gravitated to
the marginalized. One moment He is preaching to thousands on a hillside, the
next, He’s crossing treacherous waters in a small fishing boat in search of a madman
in a cemetery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A read through the Gospels
exposes Jesus constantly searching for the Overlooked, the Unnoticed on the
fringes of communities he travelled through - the lepers, the sex-workers, the
widows, the misplaced, the people struggling with their demons. Jesus
understood their plight - after all, who could identify more with being marginalized
than Jesus himself? His compassion drove him to open blind eyes, release the
oppressed and preach good news to the poor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet for each one, every
single person, the healing encounter with Jesus went beyond merely the physical
aspect of their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus looked into their eyes.
He scanned their souls. He found that place of deepest need – the Need-to-Belong,
the Need-to-be-Valued, and he touched them there. And <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">his touch repositioned them</b> - both in their own thinking, and in
the perceptions of those around them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Encounters with Jesus gave
the Insignificant value, and the Sidelined purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Those encounters allowed each
one to sense their own value and uncover the empowerment that comes from that. These
Anonymous Ones uncovered the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">surplus</b>
of the unlived life within themselves and tapped into it’s potential. For these
Fringe-dwellers their purpose had now been defined, and they were empowered to
move on in life with dignity and influence. Their place of residence shifted
from Obscurity to Significance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Zaccheus grew in spiritual stature
the day he met Jesus; the Samaritan Woman became an ambassador for genuine
love; Bartemaus became a man of vision; a Roman Centurion began winning
spiritual battles; the Tax Collector became a benefactor; the Psychopath became
an evangelist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our mission is to complete
what Jesus started in our world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We should find ourselves
constantly scanning the horizon in search of the Lost, the Forgotten, and the Exiled,
and introduce them to a Jesus encounter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They live in the bewildering
place of fatherlessness, in the insidious place of bullying, in the distressing
place of poverty, in the horrific place of human trafficking, and in the empty
place of fame of fortune. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will find
them at checkouts, mothers’ groups, in jails, in church, over the neighbouring fence,
in our own families. They are all around us, searching for inclusion, and a
purpose for living. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes all</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"> it takes is a cheery
word to the woman cleaning the Rest Room, a coffee date with the new single mum
at school, some time for the old man who lost track of his family years ago, a
welcoming smile to the overweight woman hiding at the back of the room ... it's
not that hard!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">That
search for belonging, that incessant hunger for value is the prompt that has
led us all to Jesus. We were, at one time or another, all lost until we found
Jesus walking towards us with arms outstretched. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He stopped amidst the swirling, stifling, suffocating
crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Who touched me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The woman trembled, bloodied, afraid. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She knelt before the Lord of Ones and whispered her
confession.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And He, who would one day Himself be bloodied <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">for Ones such as this said,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Be healed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg4jrTEveg5OWrgb6dp5SvkiLVauXLHS_kuDAXWzQ9ZgOllgSK08o7YQMqJR56vEmxeI0u9TJoZV_obgJ91jQUyhP6IYbCQSCKigGvotcqM7Rr-vQbFC_0OzKbm3xgj17-fBNsbc3mgQ/s1600/IMG_6351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg4jrTEveg5OWrgb6dp5SvkiLVauXLHS_kuDAXWzQ9ZgOllgSK08o7YQMqJR56vEmxeI0u9TJoZV_obgJ91jQUyhP6IYbCQSCKigGvotcqM7Rr-vQbFC_0OzKbm3xgj17-fBNsbc3mgQ/s200/IMG_6351.JPG" width="200" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He slept through the storm as they crossed the Lake,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">While the Madman waited in turmoil amongst the tombs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Naked, too strong for chains and irons, yet
hopelessly bound,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He ran and fell at the feet of the Lord of Ones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And He who would one day be bound in the place<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">of Ones such as this said,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Be free.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He sat and watched the Rich and Powerful throw in
their coins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Widow came, unnoticed, yet seen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">She gave out of her poverty two small coins of
infinite value.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“She gave her all,” mused the Lord of Ones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And He who left the wealth of Heaven in order to give
His all </span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">for Ones such as this said, </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Be blessed.”</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He stood alone as the crowd hurriedly dispersed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Unclean!” they reviled, and hissed and cowered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Leper knelt before the Lord of Ones and pleaded,
“If you are willing..” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And He who would soon be defiled by the sins <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">of Ones such as this,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reached out and touched, and said,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Be clean.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wait, speck in an ocean, grain of sand on a beach,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bloodied, bound, impoverished, unclean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Overcome by His Presence,
overwhelmed by His Grace, “I come to worship,” I whisper. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And the Lord of Ones who died in my place embraces
me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And draws me in. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">With words that echo across time and eternity <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He whispers back, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“We are one.”</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Julie Cochrane 2013</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">Today Jesus will transition one more soul from the margin of limitation to the margin of possibility. Let's remain alert, on call, so we don't miss the opportunity to partner with him on the journey.</span><br />
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"><i>(Linking in with shelovesmagazine.com)</i></span></div>
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Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-57783105457696796452013-10-13T19:51:00.000-07:002013-10-13T19:54:16.808-07:00Creation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #262626; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPGrpXrxtJBoiGCOphKxLffJxeDFJPGg9brmqss68m3kgOiBWyt6nUmDccg5JRSUXjE0TfoxyQhbVl3P2UHPf9nUBRND1HJkxEWan3R7yo4q8jy93lG9JRGr3pxxqIVxL0a1yRDvu7i0/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPGrpXrxtJBoiGCOphKxLffJxeDFJPGg9brmqss68m3kgOiBWyt6nUmDccg5JRSUXjE0TfoxyQhbVl3P2UHPf9nUBRND1HJkxEWan3R7yo4q8jy93lG9JRGr3pxxqIVxL0a1yRDvu7i0/s400/IMG_1350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-hyphenate-limit-after: 1; -webkit-hyphenate-limit-before: 3; -webkit-hyphens: auto; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 3; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 3;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">Our three grandsons live next door to us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">Each
afternoon the boys drop in, check out our fridge and pantry, then pull out the
Craft Box and get down to some serious creating…. all the while chatting away,
filling me in on their day. I love these times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">Zion
is 7yrs old and lately has been making superhero characters. He draws them and
colours them, and cuts them out. Then he and his two younger brothers tear
around the house and yard playing out imaginary dramas with these characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">I’ve always been fascinated by a child’s insatiable drive to
create.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">
Whether it be drawing superhero figures, building Lego structures, solving
puzzles on their ipads, dancing, playing dress-ups, telling stories… dreaming
and creating is in their DNA. It’s the way Creator God designed them – in His
own image. We are all born with the hunger to create, a drive to craft
something new, something unique.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">I
was reflecting on all this last week when I was hit with this thought:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">If God is Creator, if creating is intrinsic to his immutable
nature, then he must be creating continually. God never stops creating.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">Now,
I know you know that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">I’ve
always known that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">But
this was one of those <i>revelation moments</i> for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">And
it was startling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">What
is God creating today? What did He create yesterday? Another plant species?
Another universe? There must be an infinite amount of things that God has been
creating since … um … well, throughout all of his eternal existence. <i>God has
never stopped creating.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">It’s
impossible for my finite mind to fully comprehend this fact. Who knows what
remarkable creations exist outside our universe, or within it for that matter,
that we just cannot know about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">But one thing I have come to understand is this - that one of
the ways God chooses to create is through people.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"> This is why He created us in His own
image – so we could partner with Him in the process of His creating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">We
are conduits. But not in an impersonal way, rather God delights to see this new
creation of His with my spin on it. My personality, my experiences, my
passions, my choices - it’s a partnership. God sharing Himself with me. Me
sharing Him with the world. I clearly remember being overawed by this fact
throughout my first pregnancy - each day realizing that God’s act of creating
human life was taking place within me, <i>and</i> with my assistance. How
astounding!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">Sometimes we tend to limit our understanding of ‘creative’
people to the painters and sculptors, web designers, musicians, writers and
dancers of this world</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">. But if we look more closely we’ll find creativity driving the
scientist to discover that new vaccine, the detective to solve that crime, the
company manager to build that business, and the mother to turn that house into
a home. Whoever we are, God will use our personality, our passions, our talents
and our choices to express His creative nature through us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #666a76; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 13pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;">God has assimilated His creative self into us.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial;"> What a privilege. What an
inspiration to locate what He is up to in us today, so that we can capture it
and proclaim it to the world around us. Think about that for a moment - God
releasing His creative passion through me today – with my unique spin on it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--></span>Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-38197857006749483202013-10-01T00:22:00.000-07:002013-10-07T21:32:44.727-07:00I Am From Country Towns ...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from country
towns, from main streets lined with shops and restaurants, from neighbours who
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from riding
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keep our collections in, a sandwich and drink in the basket on the handlebars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from family
drives out to the river on hot summer afternoons, from plunging into the
crystal clear, cold depths, from feeling rounded pebbles under my feet, from smelling
wet bark of river trees and freshness of river moss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from
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land-rovers, hunting kittens in barns, milking cows in the dairy, and eating
huge homemade scones with lashings of jam and cream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from walking
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from the
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other’s televisions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from
‘integrity is everything’, from ‘always speak the truth’, from ‘be
faithful in all things’ and from ‘family comes first’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from Family
Christmas lunches with coins in the Christmas pudding, once-a-year roast
chicken and laughs a-plenty. I am from school days of challenges, canes and
rote learning, and from fresh lunches bought at the tuck-shop on our
birthdays.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from freedom
and fun at Teachers’ College.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from the
Jesus Movement, from coffee shop outreaches, guitars and Bibles in the parks
and on campus, Keith Green music and unstoppable passion to see the world saved
for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from coastal
towns, from sandy beaches and surf, tropical islands and yachts and aquamarine
waters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from barbeques, from songs around campfires, from ‘she’ll be right
mate’, 'stone the crows!', 'sheilas and blokes', freedom and opportunity. I am from the Land Downunder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from passion
for family history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from two
grandfathers who fought in world wars, and from two parents who never fought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from loved,
and valued, and respected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from 38
years marriage, with one amazing husband, two fabulous children and five
perfect grandchildren.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from teaching in classrooms, and from pastoring in churches.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from making
mistakes and from gaining wisdom, from messing up and from finding grace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am
from devastation. I am from restoration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from
never-give-up, from life-is-a-journey, from loved-filled-destiny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from
depositing into future generations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">I am from my
Father’s heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Connecting with other writers around the world for "I Am From" stories:</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-28440283429320617422013-08-30T20:10:00.000-07:002013-08-30T20:10:53.908-07:00The Accountant and The Artist<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBPH3gZQsbuY2p20GeikQyVami4pBdqgTSXmXIglWGxXS3079Km3G_7Q98QryhIigAvZq0INPMJq2AK2oep0IhHHCOq9CAJGlRwU-CFHJ2OTUSP6kYl4d1XZgUFbNYIrrtHRaYK8i-mo/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBPH3gZQsbuY2p20GeikQyVami4pBdqgTSXmXIglWGxXS3079Km3G_7Q98QryhIigAvZq0INPMJq2AK2oep0IhHHCOq9CAJGlRwU-CFHJ2OTUSP6kYl4d1XZgUFbNYIrrtHRaYK8i-mo/s400/IMG_0526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> Accountants,
I’ve discovered, tend to be rational, realistic, logical pragmatists. They live
ordered lives based on predictable outcomes that they have reasoned are most
practical and sensible, and the least likely to vary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> Accountants
love numbers, numerical calculations, spreadsheets and budgets. Predictability is their comfort zone. They find great
satisfaction in balancing the figures at the end of the day, and providing a
nest-egg for the end of their life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> The Accountant
loves order. His genius comes to the fore sitting at a desk which is arranged
in orderly fashion with an in-tray and an out-tray, neatly stacked manila
folders and a pen, looking out at filing cabinets conveniently aligned in
alphabetical order along the far, unadorned wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> Accountants pride themselves on being frugal. They waste nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> When faced with the challenge of writing a birthday card for his daughter, even though he loves her dearly, the Accountant will more than likely simply write, "To Jule, love Dad", for the sake of being economical with words. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> The Accountant
is in no danger of becoming a hoarder. He looks at each and every object and
asks, “Do I need this? Will I use this in the near future?” ‘Minimalist’ is a
term that comes to mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> Accountants
are steadfast, reliable people who stick to the rules and are unlikely
to ruffle any feathers. They like to plan ahead and to be prepared for any
eventuality. They do not like surprises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">How do I know
these things?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">My father is an
accountant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> Artists on the
other hand, tend to be imaginative, inventive, creative, idealistic dreamers.
They like to leave options open, to explore all possibilities, to be
spontaneous. Not always content with the status quo, Artists love the challenge
of creating alternative pathways in life, and find great delight in anything
that looks or behaves out-of-the-ordinary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> The Artist
finds various means to express himself<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
it may be through paint on a canvas, words on a page, actions on a stage, or solving
a problem that has presented itself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this
end he looks at every object that comes his way and asks, “What masterpiece is
lying within?” and it’s this addiction to ‘possibility thinking’ that causes
him to throw nothing away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> The Artist is
happiest when he is alone in his ‘creating space’. His studio / study is left
‘unordered’ so that inspiration can flow freely. Artists do not always
appreciate helpful people tidying up for them. It can be challenging for the Artist at times to focus on the practicalities of life, when their creative mind is
otherwise engaged. However, at the end of the day, their genius confounds us
all, when it brings to reality those amazing things the rest of us can merely dream about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">How do I know
these things?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">My husband is
an Artist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> That’s right –
I have both an Accountant and an Artist who feature prominently in my life. My father Colin, and my husband Ross, could not be more different, and I can't imagine life without either one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> Yet, despite
being poles apart personality-wise, they actually have a lot in common. It’s a commonality
that springs from their personal faith in God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"> For as long as
I have known both my father and my husband, their steadfast commitment to Jesus
Christ has been the focus of all they do in life. They have both spent a
lifetime focused on knowing God, and making him known. They ceaselessly use
their gifts and talents to build up their family, the Church, their local
community and beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Together in
their differences they unite to present God’s image to the world - creative yet
immutable, orderly yet unpredictable, faithful yet innovative, absolute yet
infinite. Their indisputable love for, and commitment to, their wives and
children bears witness to the heart of God for his creation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> I have to say I
love both my Accountant and my Artist dearly, and that I am very grateful for the texture both these men bring to my life. I cannot overstate the remarkable contribution each has
made to the personhood of me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> And thinking
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even though they<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> are</i> poles apart in
temperament, there resides within my own (oft-times conflicted) DNA, attributes
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> Furthermore, I've come to see </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">hints of both the Accountant and the Artist</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> finding expression also in my children, and in my grandchildren. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> Or is it the image of God that I see?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-31355183879065542882013-08-16T21:42:00.000-07:002013-08-31T04:28:34.515-07:00Band of Brothers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykjIn-HXUSGOoNGLM1WjKVJEZzvSoJTCRfpazIZ6hZmqpAPdq5SIdcXXAhyphenhyphent8Quhva7JM9SyezPTRBgfk2-2UZn2aeztIlkjfByZfsoFO_4cBdX1C3KwlJHqdg9oIv-jNF1PnggoP-7U/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykjIn-HXUSGOoNGLM1WjKVJEZzvSoJTCRfpazIZ6hZmqpAPdq5SIdcXXAhyphenhyphent8Quhva7JM9SyezPTRBgfk2-2UZn2aeztIlkjfByZfsoFO_4cBdX1C3KwlJHqdg9oIv-jNF1PnggoP-7U/s320/IMG_0188.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys had swords and torches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They'd discovered that once the door to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">the walk-in wardrobe in our bedroom was closed, it made the perfect Dark Cave. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I sat at the computer in my Study just down the hall and listened to the adventure unfolding.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There was thumping and
laughing, squealing and shouting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Deep 'pretend' voices were
scheming and plotting how to rid the world of evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Every now and then this band
of 3 brothers (aka my grandsons) would emerge from the Dark Cave and I’d catch the drift of the
adventure that was underway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I'd smile to myself and keep tapping away at my keyboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In and out of the Dark Cave
they went, over the bed, under the bed, up and down on the bed. Every now and
then they would tear down the hall, and bump and tumble their way down the stairs whooping and declaring war, then they’d
return to the Dark Cave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After a while though I noticed the tone beginning to change. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As they stood in the hallway
I overheard,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Ohhh… why can’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> be the Good Guy?” (Rome, 4 yrs old)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Because we can only have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one</i> Good guy.” (Zion, 7 yrs old)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“But why can’t it be<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> me</i>?” (Rome)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Because we need <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someone</i> to be the Baddie.” (Zion)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“But I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> the Bad Guy!” (Rome)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Alright then, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knoxie</i> can be the Bad Guy!” (Zion)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yah! Yah!” (Knox, 2 and 1/2yrs
old, making sword-swiping noises)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The 2 Good Guys ran into the
Dark Cave and slammed the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Let me in!” (Knox)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Do you know the password?”
(Rome)<br />
“What?” (Knox)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Do you know the password?” (Rome)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What???”(Knox)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Do you know the p-a-s-s-w-o-r-d??”
(Zion and Rome, yelling)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What???” (Knox yelling back)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“D-o<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>y-o-u<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>k-n-o-w
the p-a-s-s-w-o-r-d?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Let me in!!!” (Knox yelling extra loudly)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After this exchange the Dark
Cave door flung open and Zion declared:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I know, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PA</i> can be the Bad Guy!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yeah!” shouted the other two
in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Problem solved, the 3
Good Guys then flew down the stairs in search of Pa yelling:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yah! Yah! Yah!” and swiping their swords
through the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I love being around children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Throughout my teaching
career, motherhood, and now grandmother-hood, I have never ceased
to be amused, and enlightened, by having these little people in my world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They come in different genders, different shapes
and sizes, different talents and abilities, and different personalities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But they all come with their
honesty and unpretentious expectations from life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I love their perceptions of
the world, their curiosity, their unquenchable thirst to know why? how? when?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They are so willing to trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">They have astounding insight
into spiritual truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus loved being around
children too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He must have found it so
refreshing sometimes – like the time his disciples were arguing as to which of
them would get the highest rank in God’s Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">On this occasion, Jesus took
a little child in his arms and said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i> “I’m telling you once and for
all, that unless you return to square one, </i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i> and start over like children, you’re
not even going to get a look at the </i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i> Kingdom, let alone get in. </i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i> Whoever becomes
simple and elemental again, like this child, will </i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i> rank high in God’s kingdom.”
</i>(Matthew 18:2-4 MSG)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Kingdom Life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Simple and elemental.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Trust. Faith. Honesty. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Goodies vs Baddies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pa, with the Band of Brothers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kingdom Life is an adventure</span></td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-92132069258939051202013-07-23T14:04:00.000-07:002013-07-23T14:06:48.549-07:00The Great Basketball Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">We all decided
to go to the park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Ross and I
needed the walk, our three grandsons needed the space to release their energy,
and our daughter and her husband were keen on some exercise. We took a
basketball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">We left the house, crossed the
road and wandered down the pathway into the park while the boys raced ahead and
claimed the basketball court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Then the game
was on!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">When it came to
teams, I think it was basically Joel (son-in-law) against the rest of us
(actually, them - I was the cheer-squad).</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Which was SO
unfair - for the rest of them. Joel stands well over 10ft tall and his wingspan
must be several meters in both directions. AND he broke all the rules .. well,
that's the way this Nanny saw it from the sideline :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">There was a lot
of running, shouting, puffing and panting, and laughing.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Rachel, reliving memories from her High School Basketball days, was amazing with her defence, securing the
ball many times, and landing some outstanding goals! Even Pa managed to impress his
grandsons (and me) with a few awesome shots.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">The boys, Zion,
Rome and Knoxie gave the game 100% and just kept up momentum hounding their dad
for that ball. But he was too fast, too big, too fit. (and maybe a tad
competitive?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">But after a
while, the boys' enthusiasm began to wane. There was less laughter, and tears
of frustration began to emerge. Little Knoxie wandered off to play on the
slide, and few comments like "it's not fair!" and "you
cheated!" began to change the tone of play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">And then the
game changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Joel, after
showing his boys how it <i>should</i> be done, now got alongside them to show
them it <i>could</i> be done. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">They'd experienced enough failure, now it was
time to experience success.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He 'let' them
snatch the ball from him, and lifted them up so they could succeed at throwing
the ball in the goal. It's amazing how the boys responded - suddenly
there was hope!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">A new energy
came from somewhere, and the game regained its enthusiasm with shouts of
"Yesss!!" as ball after after ball landed through the hoop.
Finally light began to fade and it was time to go home for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">As I looked
over my not-so-clear photos later I thought about how much our family
basketball game reflected God's heart when it comes to the game of life.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">God has
specifically designed a life-purpose for each of us, and deposited gifts within
us to help us achieve that goal. He shows us how to play the game, and
comes alongside to help us reach our potential.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He loves to
watch us 'have a go'. Although He doesn't expect us to get it right every time, He
does expect us to develop our gifts and bear fruit from the investment He has
deposited in us.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">He positions us
amongst more experienced people - parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers,
friends - so we can learn from those who have gone before. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">And He places
us amongst peers - our family, the Church - so that we can learn the value
of teamwork, and experience the exhilaration of living for a cause greater
than ourselves.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Family times.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Life lessons</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Purpose.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Success.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuIE87T-qIGENEVyAy0XaXo-oSJgA919sfvsQ4Zj7HSWzfsEmDklO2HznGMljRFjenpSzr_L_AJ71VEFSlcerOwrBld0ZYbeVBZJym7Ja0onmfg0Ii4YDBGLQ5P7pWcACjjpLMLG_R_c/s1484/IMG_9202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuIE87T-qIGENEVyAy0XaXo-oSJgA919sfvsQ4Zj7HSWzfsEmDklO2HznGMljRFjenpSzr_L_AJ71VEFSlcerOwrBld0ZYbeVBZJym7Ja0onmfg0Ii4YDBGLQ5P7pWcACjjpLMLG_R_c/s640/IMG_9202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Stories we have heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother's knee.<br />We're not keeping this to ourselves,<br />we're passing it along to the next generation - <br />God's fame and fortune, the marvellous things He has done."<br />(Psalm 78)</span></td></tr>
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<br />Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-73982375529356956622013-06-13T22:50:00.000-07:002013-06-13T23:25:22.706-07:00To Thelma, from George<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Mark Twain Birthday Book</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that sits amongst my collection of old and treasured books, once belonged to my great grandmother, Ellen Hayward.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This little book proved useful to my great grandmother for remembering birthdays of family and friends, and also for recording family weddings and deaths, and the occasional interesting family event. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Ellen died, her daughter Doris, my grandmother, inherited this little book and added to the record of our family history from her generation. My mother has also added her contributions and handed me the book a few years ago. Likewise, I continue to add to the family record.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cherish this little book. Every now and then I take it off the shelf, make myself comfy on my lounge with a cuppa, and pour over its pages. Reading through the ebb and flow of generations of my family's lives always evokes something deep within me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a sense of belonging, a sense of having been passed the family baton, and a desire to play my part well in running this family race in my generation. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pages of <i>The Mark Twain Birthday Book</i> are now discoloured and stained with age, and some are no longer attached to the binding. Although in places the ink is fading, the beautiful handwriting is still visible, reminding me of an earlier age when life was not so rushed, and penmanship was a valued craft. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slipped in between its pages are yellowed newspaper cuttings. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are records of weddings -<i> </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> "... the bride was given away by her father and wore a white mousseline </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> de soire, trimmed with lace and insertion, and an embroidered tulle veil</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> arranged over a coronet wreath of orange blossoms ..." (19 Sept, 1900)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of births - </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> " HAYWARD - April 20,1906, to the wife of George W. Hayward, Mildura,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Elswick St., a daughter, Thelma Jean." </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of<i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">deaths - </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> "HAYWARD, Ellen, November 3, 1954, widow of the late George W. Hayward,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> mother of... grandmother of ... and great grandmother of ...... and Julie.."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One newspaper clipping dated 1944 relating to my uncle is headed </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"U.S. Awards to Australians", </i>and reads<i> :</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> "</i><i>The War Dept. has announced the award of the Legion of Merit to six </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Australians for exceptionally meritorious conduct".</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amongst this memorabilia there is one very special sheet of notepaper that I delicately open every time and it always moves me to tears. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The edges are frayed in places and the folds deeply imprinted. This page has been opened and closed many times since it was written. There is a poem on the page. Handwritten. The handwriting is beautiful and the author has taken special care in writing each word, spacing them just so. The ink is smudged in places hinting that many tears have fallen on these words over the years.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The poem begins, <i>To Thelma</i> and concludes with <i>from George. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thelma is the daughter born to my great grandmother in 1906, and George is her brother. Thelma was married to Alan and they lived in a little cottage in Leura, in the Blue Mountains, NSW. They loved their little home, 'Birdswood Cottage', with its beautiful garden that they spent hours creating together. Although they had been married for many years they had no children. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thelma's life changed forever the day her beloved Alan died. It seems George was moved deeply by his sister's grief, and put pen to paper and wrote her this beautiful poem.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To Thelma,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> When sunlight brightened your garden,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> With your lover hand in hand,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Came peace and love to this garden,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> In a world that seemed so grand.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Now all alone in this garden</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> As the petals have left the rose,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> The sigh of the wind seems to whisper</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Like the voice of the one you chose.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> You must live again in that garden,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> With flowers so sweet and rare</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Let thoughts be full of its beauty</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> And the love you had to share.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> The birds may be hushed in the garden,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> And the shadows near sunset fall,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> With light and joy at the dawning </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Come memories that are shared by all.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> The birds will awake in your garden, </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> And their melody tune to the breeze.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> His presence will ever be near you,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> In the quiet of the murmuring trees.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> He will come again in the moonlight</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> And gently press your hand,</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> For he's just ahead in the gloaming</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Of that far eternal strand.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> From George</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful - isn't it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And isn't it amazing that lives that were lived generations ago, still reach out and impact those of us who follow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a verse in the Bible that I have memorised.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"When David had served God's purpose in his generation, he fell asleep." </i>(Acts 13:36)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have memorised this verse because I realise that God has given me a purpose in my generation and I want to be sure to fulfil it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day my children will inherit the <i>Mark Twain Birthday Book</i>, and continue to write our family history within its pages.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGeh90Zd4nR77nQq15YZBY1Kj0tH2Vj-Rz9ZbwiTqSA9CCmlIEKZ37f4k4qwUaE3hNEDQ-MPvKBK3_qlACd3qtq7zjIRX59KADwLf3Xx7m8uPk1IwwZjd5dB032zohMnivGiQ3C2fgdM/s1600/IMG_9128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENdJmzfIJU1e9ayuVEU75Ip12S3-u0CtdOqlAqPjwpUiMd5aQAQRa26pweYNClktOZpedoQi0gt6EXfNALqnbpX_Cu0hnO5ldY7JrOhlSrQbcpcftGP6X1w1g58V_kMgpW07bHPJ4xkw/s1600/IMG_9126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> want to be vigilant in sowing good seeds today so that the legacy of my life will be such that their generation, and those following, will enjoy great blessing and be positioned to take all the remarkable opportunities that will arise for them to fulfil <i>their </i>purpose in their own generation. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr20MivmQIVFfZV3VSr4gXPpsIqb5nMceEWoMak4ZhL8sWLWYzyVMxFlj4KlfXAx5G-s9_k1zfVPIKo2yGpgXOzlneRzp8mTAWfAE7qwHJtf4rrePxzsJ2eEmYgB1E7avDcQg6CIsKRI/s1600/IMG_9115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr20MivmQIVFfZV3VSr4gXPpsIqb5nMceEWoMak4ZhL8sWLWYzyVMxFlj4KlfXAx5G-s9_k1zfVPIKo2yGpgXOzlneRzp8mTAWfAE7qwHJtf4rrePxzsJ2eEmYgB1E7avDcQg6CIsKRI/s400/IMG_9115.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Thelma, from George</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENdJmzfIJU1e9ayuVEU75Ip12S3-u0CtdOqlAqPjwpUiMd5aQAQRa26pweYNClktOZpedoQi0gt6EXfNALqnbpX_Cu0hnO5ldY7JrOhlSrQbcpcftGP6X1w1g58V_kMgpW07bHPJ4xkw/s1600/IMG_9126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENdJmzfIJU1e9ayuVEU75Ip12S3-u0CtdOqlAqPjwpUiMd5aQAQRa26pweYNClktOZpedoQi0gt6EXfNALqnbpX_Cu0hnO5ldY7JrOhlSrQbcpcftGP6X1w1g58V_kMgpW07bHPJ4xkw/s400/IMG_9126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Birdswood Cottage' Leura</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHegGoTKewf0prLJKWlyEjeByYXBL23TV3NKIDmw8NxHFMtf2Y4sKWM7O0lQ6ay39F9tTkT1KxJGbvcPhlRzkxG-6ggoUmHJyleH-NjxA7Fi081d376fTRdvnMb3jBUKoDzQuNuKhcNI/s1600/IMG_9127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHegGoTKewf0prLJKWlyEjeByYXBL23TV3NKIDmw8NxHFMtf2Y4sKWM7O0lQ6ay39F9tTkT1KxJGbvcPhlRzkxG-6ggoUmHJyleH-NjxA7Fi081d376fTRdvnMb3jBUKoDzQuNuKhcNI/s400/IMG_9127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thelma and Alan, with my young mother, Enid.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-88723319705649585782013-05-07T13:23:00.001-07:002013-05-07T13:23:40.144-07:00Solitude, Our Long Lost Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IzuyrLddaUh3Ig0Y1HLTKHrUjp_IoMIuMqHcE_Y_sSNPhQR7wTU24lVsgGvyEMX9qCqpxYjgrh8Pttghm3dFG8NelGiUR-VhSP5cdQHnIRqS6vpVUab7G7g77mLLY0o7GolYoEpr_g4/s1600/IMG_7748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3625693514532455953" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IzuyrLddaUh3Ig0Y1HLTKHrUjp_IoMIuMqHcE_Y_sSNPhQR7wTU24lVsgGvyEMX9qCqpxYjgrh8Pttghm3dFG8NelGiUR-VhSP5cdQHnIRqS6vpVUab7G7g77mLLY0o7GolYoEpr_g4/s400/IMG_7748.JPG" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IzuyrLddaUh3Ig0Y1HLTKHrUjp_IoMIuMqHcE_Y_sSNPhQR7wTU24lVsgGvyEMX9qCqpxYjgrh8Pttghm3dFG8NelGiUR-VhSP5cdQHnIRqS6vpVUab7G7g77mLLY0o7GolYoEpr_g4/s1600/IMG_7748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">I have an old suitcase. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It’s </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">battered, but loved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It’s
been with me since the beginning, travelled many roads with me, and it’s the
keeper of my experiences. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It
lives in the attic of my memory, and I visit it often. I can’t resist the invitation to climb those familiar stairs, turn
the key in that old lock, and fossick through bygone days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">I’d
like to take you there today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You've been on my mind.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">I've had a stirring in my spirit these past few days, and I need to find some images, some recollections of the past. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">There’s something I want to show you, snapshots of experience.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Come. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Sit for a while.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Ah,
here’s one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">That’s
me, 18 years old, walking late at night along a foggy street. Those street lamps are glowing like eerie sentinels and it's cold. Winter. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">I’m accompanied only by the sound of my own footsteps. I feel a little nervous being on my own, but not
so much that I hurry. I'm enjoying this aloneness. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Solitude allows me to
contemplate the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Here I am sitting on the deck of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Triple 888</i>,
watching stars blink out their messages in secret code, listening to the gentle,
rhythmic slapping of the sea against the hull. The sea is so vast, the sky so
infinite, and I am just a speck. This experience was such an unexpected and
timely gift. We hardly knew the man but he offered us 3 beautiful days on his
luxurious $4 million boat, complete with captain and hostess, and so we've set
sail around the Whitsunday Islands. I’m loving the isolation. Solitude
refreshes my soul.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">That's me standing at the window of an old mountain cottage staring at all
those incredibly beautiful leaves drifting down, settling on the mossy rocks strewn across the garden. Autumn has always been my favourite season. The sunlight is blinking
through skeleton branches, and I feel its warmth on my face. It’s refreshingly
chilly outside, but so cosy inside. Ross has just got the fire going and it’s
crackling, and hissing. You can see my journal there, on the window seat, and
my hot chocolate on the table sending up smoke signals. This secluded moment of Solitude is offering me time to reflect on decisions that need to be made.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">And
here’s another Autumn, about nine years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">That
gorgeous lake – with the stunning trees lining it, is Lake Okareka, in New
Zealand. Our newly married son Ben and his wife Bec, have organized this
beautiful weekend for the 4 of us. They have moved to NZ to take up Youth
ministry, and they’re keen to have us see their new world. I sit at this window
seat early each morning and bask in the love we have for each other, and find that
my mother heart is beginning to refocus - less on what I have lost, more on
what I have gained. Solitude convinces me that this ‘empty nest’ stage of
life won’t be so bad after all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">This
memory is very old. I'm sitting in a field at night. It was such a clear
night. You can see the moonlight casting shadows around me. And the stars! So
many stars! I once heard someone describe a star-studded sky as being holes in
the floor of Heaven… I love that! I can sense the descending dew dampening my
hair, and I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">can
hear the rustling sounds of grazing cattle. This experience of isolation helps
me re-evaluate my purpose in the scheme of things. Solitude is allowing me to enjoy where I am in life right now and remember that Heaven is my home, and my time on earth is precious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">There’s
many pictures like this one in this old suitcase. It’s 2am and I’ve just made myself a cup of tea. My journal and
Bible are there on the table. This is my favourite time of day. It was hard to
keep this daily appointment at first, but after a while I found I wouldn’t miss
it for the world. My children are young in this season, and I’m teaching fulltime, and this is
the one<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hour every day that I know is
completely mine. This Solitude refreshes my soul, keeps me intimately connected
to Jesus, my source of life. The gospel writer, Luke told me, <i>"At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place"</i>, and again, <i>"Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray"</i>. Jesus understood the value of solitude amidst the constant pressures of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">And
this one … another early morning snapshot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3625693514532455953" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It’s
about 3am, and I’m lying on Rachel’s couch. Wow! What a day it’s been. My
daughter Rachel has just had an emergency caesarian, and my first grandchild
Zion has been born 9 weeks early. I’ve flown down from Qld a couple of days ago.
Rachel’s husband Joel, and I have just returned from the hospital. We were not
allowed to spend time with her because she was so ill. And Zion has been placed
in ICU. Lying on this couch, in the early hours of this morning, alone with all
manner of emotions vying for my attention, there is a moment, a split second,
when a peace, a supernatural peace, washes over me. In that moment I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i> everything is OK. This Solitude silences
the fears and gives me Godly perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Oh.... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Is that the time?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">I
could stay here for hours, but I know you have plans. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Seems we need to close this old suitcase. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Appointments
are calling, people waiting, things to be done...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You’re
probably wondering why I brought you here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Well…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">I've noticed you’ve
been busy lately.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Really</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"> busy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You’ve
been doing so many amazing things - getting through the relentless, mundane, every-day pages of life, planning, solving problems, caring for others, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">meeting challenges, moving mountains ...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">And now you
are spent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You’ve
been giving, chasing, working, doing, doing…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">And
you’re struggling to stay on top of it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You’re
running on empty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Your
soul is weary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><i>You
need a taste of Solitude.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You
need to find an empty street, a boat, an open field, an Autumn window, a comfy couch, an alarm
clock…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You
need Solitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">“I
don’t have the time", you say?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">The good news is - <i>t</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><i>here actually IS time for Solitude.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">There
is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It’s
not <i>that</i> hard ... t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">ry it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Turn
off the laptop, close the lid … and walk away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Leave
the ipod on the table, and walk around the block.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Try
walking from the car into (and around) the shopping centre with the phone
switched off and in your pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Turn
off the TV. Just sit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Find
a park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Schedule
a Saturday to go to the country, or to take the ferry around the harbour, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Keep
the car radio off for a week and drive to work in silence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Say
no (politely) to that invitation, and that request.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Set
that alarm – trust me, that 1 hour, in the middle of the night, when no one else
is vying for your attention, will become addictive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It’s
just a matter of being <i>intentional</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Making
that choice to keep the <i>Inner You</i> healthy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Give yourself time and space to
think, analyse, dream, create, answer the nagging questions, make that
decision, or simply let go of the pressure and relax, refresh, refocus…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">You
will be surprised just how many opportunities there are in your day to catch a slice of solitude!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">Don’t
think of Solitude as a luxury. Consider it a necessity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It's time to live a more balanced life, perhaps become acquainted with more of that unlived life within you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;">It's time to become reacquainted with your old friend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-64782543008907081822013-04-17T03:39:00.000-07:002013-04-17T03:39:15.212-07:00The Masked Crusader<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmIOq8TtwLemZ4lAmUGgJg-2wsttZ94BKvhYq3RiMxf_i_2RxXU7a6CpVpIWWJ1wcZ50aY5mpSefPhRxR9luFYHV9F8AaiAr2cbEmqYpbpkoRFUrn3p_cvWTyuwlJC1-G9o4gE7rKPxA/s1600/masked+knoxie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmIOq8TtwLemZ4lAmUGgJg-2wsttZ94BKvhYq3RiMxf_i_2RxXU7a6CpVpIWWJ1wcZ50aY5mpSefPhRxR9luFYHV9F8AaiAr2cbEmqYpbpkoRFUrn3p_cvWTyuwlJC1-G9o4gE7rKPxA/s400/masked+knoxie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 yr old grandson, Knoxie, came to me and asked for my help. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was trying to put a mask on his face. Knoxie's toybox has all manner of superhero masks, but this wasn't one of them. This morning Knox had found a different kind of mask to wear. </span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was one of those masks you are given on aeroplanes to help you sleep. He had the right idea about placing this mask across his face, but he just couldn't manage to get the elastic bands over his forehead and positioned around the back of his head. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I bent down and helped out.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There you go!" I said as I stood up.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knoxie turned around, poised to walk off down the hall.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You can't <i>walk</i> <i>around</i> with that on Knoxie," I said, You'll bump into something."</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No, Nanny", was his response as he set off down the hall.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It came as no surprise that about 5 seconds later I heard - <i>THUMP!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Followed by - <i>"WAHhhhh...."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Masked Crusader had hit the wall.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found him sitting on the floor in tears, still masked. I picked him up, hugged him and repeated my earlier advice, "Knoxie, you can't walk around with that mask on. You'll bump into something."</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking the mask off his poor little head, I put him down on the floor and looked at the egg that had appeared on his forehead. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still sniffling, he took the mask out of my hand and attempted to put it back on, once again asking my help.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I obliged, repeating the same warning, with added emphasis.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Now don't walk around Knoxie or you'll bump into something <i>again</i>."</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No Nanny," came the reply, again.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Off he went. Before I could stop him he tripped </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">over the pram which was lying in the hall.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this time he cried even louder. One of those <i>I'm seriously hurt </i> cries. I went over and picked him up. My poor little masked crusader cried like his heart would break. He buried his little face (still masked) into my neck and sobbed. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt his pain. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tears welled up in my own eyes ... but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm rather ashamed to say at this point that the tears flowing from my eyes were not the result of empathy. Rather they were caused by a desperate attempt to stifle an incredibly irresistible urge to laugh hysterically. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heartless grandmother.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I removed the mask and examined the damage. Not only did Knoxie have an egg on his forehead, he now had one across his eyebrow to match. And a cut on his eyelid.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to the freezer, I got some ice, put it in a cloth and applied it to his eye. We then sat on the lounge while he calmed down and watched the end of <i>Playschool</i>.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a few minutes, deciding that eating the ice was a better option than holding it on his head, he jumped down from my lap and set off, maskless, to play something else.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So funny, yet so sad.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knoxie wanted so badly to wear that mask and to do all the things the masked action heroes do in the cartoons his big brothers watch on TV.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He just didn't understand what I understood. And he decided not to heed my advice.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He couldn't see the relationship between being masked and the pain which he was bound to experience in the very near future. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His lack of experience and understanding created a lack of foresight. He was setting himself up for failure.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> His noble intentions to save the world were thwarted by his failure to listen to sound advice! Twice.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knoxie, the Masked Crusader, reminded me later in the day of how easy it is for me to be lacking in foresight. It's possible for me to make wrong choices in life simply through lack of knowledge and experience. It's possible to ignore warnings or advice because my desire to reach that goal, to fulfil that dream is more important to me than the preparation of the foundations that will be needed to support it, or of my understanding of the cost involved. How dangerous is it to wander through life wearing a mask of ignorance!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm blessed to have wise friends and family members who are willing to impart into my life from their wealth of experience and knowledge. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what's an even more important source of wisdom to me is the Word of God, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Bible. This provides both the foundation <i>and</i> the framework for every aspect of my life. I'm committed to studying it continually so that I don't make the same mistake Knoxie did - bumping my way through life sustaining unnecessary injuries.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be able to see clearly as I move forward on my crusade through life to save the world!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-997372110966647072013-03-24T15:36:00.001-07:002013-06-14T14:48:21.078-07:00Easter On My Mind<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;">Here's something I wrote with Easter on my mind . . .</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>LORD OF ALL, LORD
OF ONES<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>He stopped amidst
the swirling, stifling, suffocating crowd.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Who touched me?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The woman
trembled, bloodied, afraid. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>She knelt before
the Lord of Ones and whispered her confession.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And He, who would
one day Himself be bloodied <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>for Ones such as
this said,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Be healed.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>He slept through
the storm as they crossed the Lake,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>While the Madman
waited in turmoil amongst the tombs.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Naked, too strong
for chains and irons, yet hopelessly bound,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>He ran and fell
at the feet of the Lord of Ones.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And He who would
one day be bound in the place<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>of Ones such as
this said,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Be free.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>He sat and
watched the Rich and Powerful throw in their coins.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The Widow came,
unnoticed, yet seen. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>She gave out of
her poverty two small coins of infinite value.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“She gave her
all,” mused the Lord of Ones.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And He who left
the wealth of Heaven in order to give His all <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>for Ones such as
this said,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Be blessed.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>He stood alone as
the crowd hurriedly dispersed.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Unclean!” they
reviled, and hissed and cowered.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>The Leper knelt
before the Lord of Ones and pleaded, “If you are willing..” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And He who would
soon be defiled by the sins <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>of Ones such as
this,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Reached out and
touched, and said,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“Be clean.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>I wait, speck in an ocean, grain of sand on a beach,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Bloodied, bound,
impoverished, unclean.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>Overcome by His Presence, overwhelmed by His Grace, “I
come to worship,” I whisper. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And the Lord of
Ones who died in my place embraces me,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And draws me in,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>And in words that
echo across time and eternity whispers back, <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><i>“We are one.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Happy Easter everyone!</o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Julie</o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image created by Ross Cochrane</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image created by Ross Cochrane</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Image created by Ross Cochrane</span></td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-37263424855111351132013-03-16T20:57:00.000-07:002013-03-16T20:57:24.077-07:00The Unlived Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He shuffled up to our table, coffee in one hand, umbrella and newspaper in the other. I noticed his hands were trembling as he placed first the coffee, then the paper and umbrella down on the table. He slowly removed his backpack and put it on the ground. He sat down on the bench seat opposite us, bent over and pulled an aluminium ashtray from his backpack, then carefully positioned it on the table next to his coffee. Next, he reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a cigarette - the kind you roll yourself - and lit it up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I watched him hoping to make eye contact so I could say hello, but he kept his head down as if he was unaware we were there, or he just didn't care. He wore one of those caps that English gentlemen wear pulled down over his long unkempt hair, making it difficult to see his face.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It was Friday morning and Ross and I had headed down to McDonalds for a late breakfast. We were staying in the city for a couple of days and planned to visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship down by Darling Harbour this morning. We proceeded to unwrap our breakfast meal while our mystery table guest unwrapped his newspaper and began reading.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I watched as he puffed away on his cigarette and turned the pages of the paper. His hands were very dirty, his nails long. He wore a gold ring on his third finger.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Hello," I said, but there was no response. Maybe he didn't hear me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I tried again, louder. "Good morning.."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He lifted his head, slowly turned and caught my eye, nodded, and then went back to scanning his newspaper. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The umbrella. I persisted.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Do you think it will rain today?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He looked back at me with bleary grey eyes and said something which I couldn't quite make out. He had a long beard with overgrown moustache which muffled his words. He turned the pages of his paper and pointed to the weather report. Rain was forecast, he said.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And so a conversation of sorts began. We introduced ourselves, and he told us his name was Ron. He lived around the area, was born here in Sydney, at McMahon's Point.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "You know where that is?" Ron asked. No, sorry we didn't.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We respectfully asked if he would like to share our breakfast. He respectfully declined. At first.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I felt incredibly sad for Ron. He looked as though he was probably our age, and I wondered what desperate circumstances had led to his living on the streets, of becoming another "homeless statistic". Had he lost a wife? Children? He had certainly lost direction, hope, and any sense of self-worth. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Finally it was time for us to leave, time for us to visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship. We said goodbye to Ron and walked away from one place of friendship to find another down by the harbour. We spent a long time wandering through the stunning gardens which had been established many years ago as a gesture of friendship between two cultures. The freshness, the beauty, and the peace of this incredibly beautiful place stood in stark contrast to the life of the man with whom we had recently shared a meal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And all the while, I found myself mulling over a statement I had heard someone make just the week before, a statement I had been pondering over ever since:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b><i>"We all have two lives - the one we are living now, </i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> and the unlived life within us."</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>It's a statement about life purpose, about potential.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Over the past week I had been wondering how close the gap between my two lives was. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's actually something I've wondered about many times throughout the years, always striving for greater clarity of my purpose, always challenged to close the gap between what is, and what can be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And now I was wondering how wide that gap was for Ron. It seems to me that gap has become a chasm so deep he probably does not think much beyond surviving today. I prayed that he would begin to search for his purpose in life, and for the One who gave him life. I prayed that he would find the way back to believing in himself. I prayed that he would have the courage to step out into his unlived life.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I know it's not too late for Ron.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I know it's never too late - for any of us.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thinking of you today,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3625693514532455953.post-74266698329346044342013-03-12T23:54:00.000-07:002013-03-16T20:53:19.470-07:00Picasso Pa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Picasso Pa</i> by Zion Brave Bennett</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every parent asks their child the same question when they pick them up after school.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How was school today?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And every child gives one of two answers. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good" or "Boring". That's it. Nothing more. End of story.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Then</i> every parent follows up with a subsequent question.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What did you learn today?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To which every child answers, "Nothing." Full stop. End of discussion.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why we do this is, day after day after day, is something of a mystery. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet we persist.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter asks the same questions of her 6 year old son, and he answers with the same responses.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until yesterday.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday was a day to go down in history.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No sooner had Rachel pulled the car in to the 'Kiss-and-Drop' zone (aka quick pickup lane) outside school, when Zion leapt into the car and blurted out,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Guess what we learnt about today Mum!" She didn't even have to ask THE question.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Picasso!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What?!"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You know, the painter guy, Picasso."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zion then proceeded to enlighten his mother about Picasso's 'Rose period' and his 'Blue period' and other interesting Picasso facts all the way home. He was totally excited about the whole thing, and had even done a Picasso painting himself which is now on display in his classroom.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later, when Rachel and the boys came over for dinner, Zion presented Ross with a portrait of his Pa.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <i>Picasso Pa</i>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ross being an artist himself knows all about Picasso, so dinner conversation tended to centre on the works of Picasso.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel and I smiled at each other. Wow, maybe we have <i>another</i> artist in the family - yes!! Can never have too many creative types in one family I say!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I taped <i>Picasso Pa</i> onto Pa's study door. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I proceeded to check up on Picasso via the internet - thought I'd better keep up with my grandson's education. And as it turned out, I was grateful that I did.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interesting man, unique artwork, can't say I agree too much with his religious or political beliefs, but I did appreciate some comments Picasso had made throughout his life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comments like,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"Every child is an artist. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> The problem is how to remain </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>an artist once he grows up."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"It took me four years to paint like Raphael,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> but a lifetime to paint like a child."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this revelation - a child has the ability to imagine, to wonder, to create, and to express life in such naive freedom. A child is spontaneous, open to new concepts, ready to try new things. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure that's what Jesus was getting at when He said,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"Don't keep children away from me. Don't ever get between </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> them and me. These children are at the very centre of life in</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> the Kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's Kingdom</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." (Mark 10:14-16, MSG)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The simplicity of a child. Openness, receptivity.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Picasso said a couple of other things which also struck a chord.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> "Others have seen what is and asked why.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>I have seen what could be and asked why not." </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"I am always doing that which I cannot do,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> in order to learn how to do it."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this too - Picasso striving to go beyond the expected, to stretch beyond boundaries, to explore possibilities, to uncover more of the potential within himself.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems this belief in himself, and this challenge to climb ever higher was fostered in his childhood . . .</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"When I was a child my mother said to me, 'If you become</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk, you'll</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> be the Pope.' Instead I became a painter, and wound up</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> as Picasso."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parents, grandparents, teachers, leaders what amazing opportunities we have to water seeds of greatness in those entrusted to our care for a season. Great movers and shakers of the future, doing their best to make a positive difference in their generation.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I'm grateful to Picasso.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grateful he fired up my grandson's imagination and inspired him to step outside the box and try something new.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grateful he's encouraged me to keep "doing that which I cannot do in order to learn how to do it."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grateful he's reminded me to keep on watering seeds of greatness into the upcoming generations.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It might also surprise Picasso to know that he reminded me too of the fact that God Himself has planted those seeds of greatness in all of us - and that He loves to help us discover them and use them to make a difference in this world.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_agxGXZ93ut7UBfkdrkrGWD7yvRM59AjlIS8YjhuQVffjej22DCwyWunZRFILrpbrnUr53Lse1TsI-fN0U8mJ7yOL-RDJryV2PSQ7QaL5DUHQiiTmsSBcbqLH7dgUyiDPELvHVrZWr1c/s1600/IMG_7069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_agxGXZ93ut7UBfkdrkrGWD7yvRM59AjlIS8YjhuQVffjej22DCwyWunZRFILrpbrnUr53Lse1TsI-fN0U8mJ7yOL-RDJryV2PSQ7QaL5DUHQiiTmsSBcbqLH7dgUyiDPELvHVrZWr1c/s640/IMG_7069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Picasso Bird</i></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Zion Brave Bennett<br />presently on exhibition at 1JP classroom</span></td></tr>
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<br />Julie Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858356658528252390noreply@blogger.com0