tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285035972024-03-14T01:55:03.116-05:00Occasional Murmuringsof Nicole Seitz, author/illustrator of BEYOND MOLASSES CREEK, THE INHERITANCE OF BEAUTY, SAVING CICADAS, A HUNDRED YEARS OF HAPPINESS, TROUBLE THE WATER, and THE SPIRIT OF SWEETGRASSNicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-29626306878604392872013-11-24T08:17:00.001-05:002013-11-24T08:17:22.959-05:00How to respond to difficult relatives this Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanksgiving is a time for family, but what is family? For many it is your most beloved humans on the earth, the ones you adore and cannot imagine living without. For others, it is a gathering of people who are connected by genetics only, or marriage, or divorce. Black sheep of the family return. Prodigal sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. Joy and love and hugs may abound in some families, but in others, dread or guilt or annoyance may fill the day.<br />
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So what should our response be to this day of unexpected outcome? Let's look at Joseph and how he handled his brothers who had sold him into slavery when he was young.<br />
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Joseph was his father Jacob's favorite. For many of you, you know what this is like. Maybe you're the favorite. Maybe your brother or sister is. The fault lies in Jacob favoring Joseph and letting that be known. To make matters worse, Joseph told his brothers that someday they'd all bow down to him. Not the best choices. No wonder the brothers were mad. But, they didn't have to sell him into slavery, did they?<br />
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Years go by and Joseph has been in Egypt for so long and found favor with God, that now he is the number two man in the country. And there is a famine. The brothers come to Egypt for help and long story short, they come to Joseph, although they don't recognize him. In the end, this family reunion can go one of two ways. Joseph can get revenge on his brothers, or he can forgive them and help them.<br />
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I think he struggled with this. I really do. In fact, he messed with them just a little bit before he told them who he was. The brothers were terrified when they realized they were face to face with the brother they abused. Especially when their father was dead, they thought there was no more reason for Joseph to show them kindness. But here was his response:<br />
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<span class="text Gen-50-15"><em><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.”<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-1522E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></em></span><br />
<span class="text Gen-50-16" id="en-HCSB-1523"><sup class="versenum"><em>...</em></sup></span><br />
<em><span class="text Gen-50-19" id="en-HCSB-1526"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-1526G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Gen-50-20" id="en-HCSB-1527"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-1527H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> </span> </em><span class="text Gen-50-21" id="en-HCSB-1528"><em><sup class="versenum">21 </sup>Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your little ones.”<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-1528I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.</em> Genesis 50:15-19</span><br />
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Joseph responded in comfort and kindness because he saw that God had turned what they had planned for evil and used it for good. He recognized that although they sold him into slavery in Egypt, God used this as a way to get Joseph there. He had a long, hard road in front of him as a slave and prisoner, but eventually, he rose to a position of power with God's help. Joseph saw that God USED the evil of his brothers for GOOD. He didn't cause it, yet he used it.<br />
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So what does this mean for us? Well, none of us may be the number two person in the country. But we've all had some evil done unto us by a loved one, I imagine. And here comes our big family reunion. How are we to respond to these people who have wronged us or others in the family? Should we be kind because they have changed? What if they haven't changed? What if they're just as lousy and miserable as always? What is our response? <br />
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First and most importantly, we must turn to God through Christ Jesus. We must look at our lives, the ups, the downs, all of it, and realize that God is all-powerful. Even those things meant for our harm by people have been used for GOOD by the God who loves us. Yet we may not see the good...yet. We may still be in our long journey. We may not be in our position of power yet. We may still feel like slaves. Yet, our heavenly father has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. And rest assured, he can use your messed up childhood-messed up relationships-, etc, for GOOD. Trust that that can happen. Trust that when our time comes and we look back on our life with the eyes of Heaven, we might see how it all worked for GOOD.<br />
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And then get that goodness started by your actions and attitudes this Thanksgiving. After all, it's a time for family. We cannot keep our brothers from selling us into slavery. All we can do is turn to God, ask him to walk with us and to give us insight into how He is using everything in our lives for good, even the bad stuff...if we'll just trust him and give him the time to complete his plan.<br />
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I pray for you true peace in your heart when your relative gets drunk this Thanksgiving and criticizes you. Or when he/she badmouths someone or cries hysterically just as you're about to serve the meal you've worked a week on. I pray for you peace and an other-worldly understanding that this, too, can be used by God in your story of redemption (and yes, even your nutso relative's). And most of all, I pray you will have true love in your heart for your most unlovable guest around the Thanksgiving table. That in the quiet of your heart, you might actually offer up a prayer of thanks to God that he has put this most unpleasant person in your life. For a reason.<br />
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Trust that there is purpose in it. And respond accordingly in Thanks. One day you might look back and see how this Thanksgiving was a turning point. When you stopped being enslaved by your past and emotions, and began to rise to a place of true power and peace in your own life and in the life of your family.<br />
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<em>We know that all <b>things</b> <b>work</b> <b>together</b> for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.</em> <span class="keywordresultextras"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8:27-29&version=HCSB">Romans 8:27-29</a></span><br />
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<em>I am able to do <b>all</b> <b>things</b> <b>through</b> Him who strengthens me.</em> <span class="keywordresultextras"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4:12-14&version=HCSB">Philippians 4:12-14</a></span><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-15336824761263253922013-11-21T11:14:00.001-05:002013-11-21T11:14:14.274-05:00Written with LoveThis writing journey has been a long, meandering one with highlights and low points, but I'll save those for another post. My biggest highlight up until now has been when Pat Conroy left a voice message for me after reading my letter. Then he blurbed my first published novel, <em>The Spirit of Sweetgrass</em>. But that was my biggest highlight till<strong> now</strong>.<br />
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<strong>On Monday, my 10-year-old daughter finished reading the first book I ever wrote.</strong> No, it wasn't <em>The Spirit of Sweetgrass</em>, it was an unpublished book I wrote just before that. Just for her.<br />
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I began writing a middle grade novel when I was pregnant with my daughter. She was my first child, and I was terribly excited about her. I loved her before she entered my world, and I wanted to do something for her. So I began writing a book, a novel, inspired by the popularity of the Harry Potter series, but with a girl as the heroine, and instead of magic, more of a spiritual twist.<br />
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My character Hannah Bliss was born before my daughter. I'd never written a novel before. Didn't know if I could do it. Didn't know WHAT I was doing. But I finished it. It was bout 33,000 words, a good length for middle grade fiction. I wrote and rewrote it. I decided to see if I could get it published. It didn't go anywhere as I couldn't get an agent, but I learned how to write a query letter. I learned I could finish a book. This was all preparation for my next book, <em>The Spirit of Sweetgrass</em>, which hit me when I was pregnant with my second child, my son.<br />
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My first book in the Hannah Bliss series, <em>Paradise</em>, has been sitting dormant in my computer for the last 10 years. I thought it its purpose was served. It taught me I could write a book. But on Monday, I realized I had underestimated it completely.<br />
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My daughter was talking about science, and it occurred to me that Hannah Bliss loved science, she was also passionate, messy, a good friend, and sometimes misunderstood...like my daughter. I decided maybe now was the time. I figured out how to put the book on my Nook and asked if she wanted to read it. Lately, finally, she loves to read. <br />
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She would go to bed with the Nook, and I would wait anxiously each morning to see what she had thought of the night's reading. "Are you enjoying it?" I would ask. She would nod, and that was pretty much it. But on Monday, she called me from the other room. "I finished it!" she said.<br />
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What you must know about my daughter is that she is very smart, very analytical, and will tell you straight to your face what she thinks, good or bad. I ask her about my paintings sometimes. If she's not enthusiastic, she's usually right, and I go at it again.<br />
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So before I could ask her any questions about Hannah Bliss, she said, "I think you should try to get this published."<br />
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"What?" I wasn't sure I heard her right, so she said it again. <br />
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Then she added, "I had to keep reminding myself that my MOM wrote this."<br />
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I took that as a compliment. From this point, I asked her all kinds of questions about plot, characterization, etc, and she had some honest critique and some encouragement for me. I wrote it all down. "How did you feel when it ended?" I asked her.<br />
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"Like I wanted another book," she said. I thought, maybe she's just being nice to me. <br />
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But then she came in when I was cooking dinner and started coming up with ideas for book two, what would happen with Hannah in the next book, the rest of the series.<br />
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Wow. I think she did like it! She went on to claim that it reminded her of the author of <em>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</em>. <br />
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"C. S. Lewis?" I asked. Dying. Gulp.<br />
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"Yeah, how he writes things that symbolize other things."<br />
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Wow again. I really think she did get it.<br />
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The night for me was a full-circle moment, one I never anticipated. It came upon me with the sweetest surprise. I stood there in my kitchen, remembering her in my tummy. I remembered struggling through that book. I had no idea it was preparing me for a career in novel-writing. No idea it would prepare me to write and publish 6 adult novels. No idea the satisfaction that would come about when my little girl was finally old enough to appreciate the novel just for her. <br />
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<strong>I had written it in love, and apparently, that's the secret ingredient to doing anything worthwhile and long-lasting.</strong><br />
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When I picked her up from school yesterday, my daughter said she had Bible study with some of the 5th grade girls and a mom. They were talking about how some people try hard to get to heaven on their own. My daughter spoke up and said it reminded her of this book her mom wrote. "See, Hannah Bliss tries hard to get to Paradise on her own, but she's not ready. When she gets there, she can't stay. She has to stay here on earth and grow and mature."<br />
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She told me this, and my heart melted. She did get it. My most important reader understood and enjoyed my novel just for her. For a writer, highlights don't get much "higher" than this. <br />
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So I'm waiting any day now for my agent to get back with what she thinks about my latest adult novel. In the meantime, I'm thinking maybe I should dust off Hannah Bliss, and see what adventures she might get into in Book #2. <br />
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Do you have old unpublished books lying under your bed? Might you think about dusting them off and sharing them with someone you love?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-16272596181554765792013-11-14T14:34:00.001-05:002013-11-14T14:34:11.700-05:00Bible Secrets RevealedToday I thought I'd write about how God speaks to those who seek him in the crossroads of life. How this relates to the History Channel's new series, "Bible Secrets Revealed", I hope you'll read on to find out.<br />
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My life has been one of dichotomies, interesting opposites at pivotal points in my life. When I was in my late twenties and trying to choose the direction for my life--I had a good job, car, pets, newly built house, and was looking at marriage--I realized in no easy fashion that my best, the best I could come up with and achieve on my own, was not so great. Was this all there was?<br />
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At the time, my house was in an interesting place. To the right of me, was the backyard of a pastor of a local church. I am a member there now, though I didn't really know the pastor back then. To the left of me was a man whom I would find out later had embezzled a large amount of money and would go to prison for it. <strong>I was there in the middle of good and evil</strong>, so to speak. In my crossroads of life, my choice was crucial. Would I go on pursuing the American dream on my own, or hand over the reins of my life to God and let him guide it all? In the end, I chose God and prayed, "Your will, not mine," and meant it for the first time. I was no longer afraid he'd send me to some far away place and whatever else I was afraid of anymore. I'd come to the end of myself. That decision was, by far, the second greatest one I've ever made in my lifetime.<br />
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My first greatest decision came in college a decade earlier. I did not grow up going to church like my friends did. I did not know the Bible stories. At all. I was given a Bible when I was 6 years old by my father and occasionally read all of the "red" words of Jesus. I slept with the Bible under my pillow when I was afraid. I believed in God, believed in His power, believed in Jesus, yet didn't know His powerful truth for ME, and my life. So when I went off to UNC Chapel Hill in the fall of 1990, I was eager to learn about the Bible. What better place could there be? There were CLASSES on religion, for goodness sake! I signed up for RELI 021 and took it my first semester. It was an Intro to the Old Testament course. Any time I'd spent at all in the Bible so far had been in the New Testament in the "red" words, remember? I was so excited that someone would actually teach me what I didn't know. <br />
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I will never forget the feeling I had in this huge auditorium classroom with a small man up front, the professor, putting up his large slides and teaching me about the Pentateuch and Moses. And then, little by little, he would point out every perceived historical "discrepancy" in the Bible. My emotions were mixed. I was confused. Instead of teaching me about this book and about God, my professor seemed to be pulling it apart at the seams, lifting up some hidden curtain like in Oz, trying to expose a wizard. What I thought I would learn--something to build up my faith in a God I wanted to know--was not at all what was taught. If anything, it seemed to be geared to tear down any faith that already existed.<br />
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<strong>But such is the power of God Almighty... the opposite happened.</strong><br />
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At the same time I had the non-believing professor of religion, I also had a knock at my dorm room door from a woman from Campus Crusade for Christ. Again, this crossroads, this dichotomy at a pivotal point in my life. She began to teach me about the truth of God, about his love for me and about his plan for me. She taught me how everything in the Bible pointed to this risen Christ as my way to salvation. I accepted Christ as my Lord and savior in the Student Union at Chapel Hill. With the eyes of the Holy Spirit in me, I was no longer confused by what I was being taught by my religion professor. Instead, I saw his teachings with new eyes of discernment. It is these same eyes which see him today as a multi-published author and wildly popular scholar of the Bible.<br />
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I received a catalog in the mail recently for The Great Courses videos. I saw one on the Bible and was interested. I started reading and something sounded oh so familiar. Then I looked at the professor. In the pit of me, I knew it was him though it's been more than 20 years since I took his class. I looked him up, and sure enough, he taught at Chapel Hill. Then, last night, I saw him again. It is this reason that I feel the need to write about the power of God to come through even when men try to disprove His truths.<br />
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The History Channel has just begun a new series entitled "Bible Secrets Revealed." I don't know how I stumbled on it last night, but there it was. I began watching. The narrator said something to the effect that all of what we understand of the Bible may now be in question based on new historical evidence. I tuned in. Something was familiar. Some scholars were interviewed, and I wondered about their beliefs, and then my professor appeared. It all made sense now. He has made quite a living trying to dispel the truth of the Gospels. He has studied every nook and cranny, every crevice of the Bible, who wrote it, who didn't write it, who influenced it, what has been translated properly and improperly, and on and on. He is quite the scholar of the Bible. He knows much more than I do about its historical ins and outs and, I'm guessing, can quote much more of it than I can. After all, I only made a C+ in his class.<br />
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But I can tell there is something he has missed. While he was busy trying to find fault with the Bible, he seems to have missed God altogether. This living, breathing book, opens like a treasure box with secret passageways when the Holy Spirit opens them up. God is revealed in his majesty in what is written, and between the words. Letters shift, rearrange and speak to the heart with the sword of simplicity. It is an amazing book, one of mystery and sacred Truth that unlocks parts of the soul one never knew existed.<br />
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Bible Secrets Revealed indeed. Last night I was concerned. I thought, there are thousands of people seeking to know God more, people just like I was, who will turn on the History Channel and watch this program, only to have what little faith they had in God, Jesus, and the Bible chipped at as with a chisel. But then, I remembered. Despite my unbelieving Bible teacher, the Lord spoke His truth to me. What I needed most back then in college, even more than knowing the books of the Bible, was Love and Grace and Forgiveness and Hope, and a living God to walk with me and guide me. That's what I found. So I do not worry for the souls of those who watch the show and are truly seeking God. He will find them. They will find him. And people like my religion professor will continue to publish gobs of books that seem to enlighten seekers, only to lead them down a much different path than the one they thought they set out on. <br />
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But I have discovered the greatest teacher is Jesus himself:<br />
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<em>"If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."</em> Romans 10:9<br />
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He promises believers the Holy Spirit:</div>
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<em>"When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth."</em> John 16:13<br />
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And without this Spirit of truth revealing the Bible, one might easily misunderstand it. Take a look at Matthew 13:<br />
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<span class="text Matt-13-1" id="en-HCSB-23541">The Parable of the Sower</span></h3>
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<em><span class="text Matt-13-1"><span class="chapternum">13 </span>On that day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23541A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-2" id="en-HCSB-23542"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23542B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span></em></div>
<em><span class="text Matt-13-3" id="en-HCSB-23543"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Then He told them many things in parables,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23543C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> saying: <span class="woj">“Consider the sower who went out to sow.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-4" id="en-HCSB-23544"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-5" id="en-HCSB-23545"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-6" id="en-HCSB-23546"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-7" id="en-HCSB-23547"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-8" id="en-HCSB-23548"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup><span class="woj">Still others fell on good ground and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown.</span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23548D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-9" id="en-HCSB-23549"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>Anyone who has ears<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-HCSB-23549a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013&version=HCSB#fen-HCSB-23549a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> should listen!”</span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23549E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></em><br />
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<span class="text Matt-13-10" id="en-HCSB-23550">Why Jesus Used Parables</span></h3>
<span class="text Matt-13-10"><em><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>Then the disciples<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23550F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23550G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></em></span><br />
<em><span class="text Matt-13-11" id="en-HCSB-23551"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>He answered them, <span class="woj">“Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23551H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> but it has not been given to them.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-12" id="en-HCSB-23552"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23552I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-13" id="en-HCSB-23553"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23553J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> and hearing they do not listen or understand.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23553K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-14" id="en-HCSB-23554"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:</span></span></em><br />
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<em><span class="text Matt-13-14"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">You will listen and listen,</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-14"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">yet never understand;</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-14"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">and you will look and look,</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-14"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">yet never perceive.</span></span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23554L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15" id="en-HCSB-23555"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup><span class="ot">For this people’s heart has grown callous;</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">their ears are hard of hearing,</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">and they have shut their eyes;</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">otherwise they might see with their eyes</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">and hear with their ears,</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">understand with their hearts</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">and turn back—</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Matt-13-15"><span class="ot"><span class="woj">and I would cure them.</span></span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23555M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup><sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-HCSB-23555b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013&version=HCSB#fen-HCSB-23555b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup></span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Matt-13-16" id="en-HCSB-23556"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>“But your eyes are blessed<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23556N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> because they do see, and your ears because they do hear!<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23556O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-17" id="en-HCSB-23557"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>For I assure you: Many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.</span><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23557P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span></em></div>
<h3>
<span class="text Matt-13-18" id="en-HCSB-23558">The Parable of the Sower Explained</span></h3>
<em><span class="text Matt-13-18"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>“You, then, listen to the parable of the sower:<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23558Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-19" id="en-HCSB-23559"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>When anyone hears the word<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-HCSB-23559c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013&version=HCSB#fen-HCSB-23559c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23559R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-20" id="en-HCSB-23560"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23560S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-21" id="en-HCSB-23561"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">21 </sup>Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23561T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-22" id="en-HCSB-23562"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23562U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> and the seduction<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-HCSB-23562d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013&version=HCSB#fen-HCSB-23562d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> of wealth<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23562V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-13-23" id="en-HCSB-23563"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times what was sown.”</span></span></em><br />
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<br />
On the blog of my former Old Testament professor, he says he was once a Christian but no longer believes. He is an agnostic. He doesn't think that good will triumph over evil. He doesn't think that God will have the last word. He says that death is the end of the story.<br />
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It makes me wonder if we're reading the same book at all. I do hope he gets to the good part soon.<br />
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______________________________<br />
Postscript: I realize my old professor is only teaching what he believes to be true and although I disagree, I do respect him for that.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-25249041235268405252013-10-31T20:41:00.000-05:002013-10-31T20:41:17.541-05:00Thirsty for More...and Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SLByp7Axb4/UnMBKDbWfmI/AAAAAAAAAxI/GaD4oZcjflA/s1600/059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SLByp7Axb4/UnMBKDbWfmI/AAAAAAAAAxI/GaD4oZcjflA/s320/059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A few weeks ago, I went for a run and came across three things within feet of one another: <strong>a snake, a torn dollar bill, and a water bottle</strong>. I left the snake alone but picked up the water bottle and torn dollar (right). I felt it had symbolism. Being a novelist, I can find symbolism in just about anything, but this, I was sure, meant something. <em>Was I supposed to raise money for water somehow?</em> I pondered and prayed on this. <br />
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<a href="http://www.shellierushingtomlinson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shellierushingtomlinson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/water.jpg" width="213" /></a> A couple weeks later, my good friend Shellie Rushing Tomlinson all the way over in Louisiana posted this photo (left). Shellie and I had not talked about this at all. When she asked me to be a part of her <strong>30 Days of Thankfulness</strong> project to dig two wells in Africa and posted a photo of a water bottle <u>she'd</u> found on <u>her</u> walk, I knew I was in. I sent her my photo, and we marveled at how the Lord had spoken to each of us about the same thing.<br />
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<strong>I've </strong><a href="http://my.ambassadorsforlife.org/campaign/30Days/" target="_blank"><strong>donated to this great cause</strong></a><strong> and hope that you will join me in building these two wells.</strong> Perhaps you can spare $10 to help build a well? If not, maybe you could post and share with your friends. I, for one, often take for granted our clean drinking water. I don't have to walk for miles to get it. I don't get sick after drinking our water. I am blessed here. Perhaps I have something to share so that those in a far away land may be blessed with fresh water as well.<br />
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Thank you for considering joining Shellie, me, and a whole other slew of authors and good folks as we raise the money for clean water.<br />
Nicole<br />
<a href="http://my.ambassadorsforlife.org/campaign/30Days/" target="_blank">You can donate here.</a><br />
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Here's Shellie's post: <a href="http://www.shellierushingtomlinson.com/who-wants-to-be-a-miracle-with-me/">http://www.shellierushingtomlinson.com/who-wants-to-be-a-miracle-with-me/</a><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-75471089352370503002013-10-17T08:20:00.004-05:002013-10-17T08:20:41.991-05:00We are FreeYesterday I experienced something few people ever have the chance to witness. It was along the lines of the feeling one might have when walking upon a flash mob, a well orchestrated and emotional musical experience. Except there was no flash mob.<br />
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I was teaching a class of 1st graders art. We had prayed as we always do, and then I was beginning instruction, telling the class what we would be working on that day. That's when I heard it. A noise. More like a hum. Who was humming? As I spoke, I scanned the classroom and thought I picked out the culprit, a boy, someone who just might be humming during my instruction in order to disrupt me. It happens sometimes. I eyed him and stopped talking. Then I said, "Shhh." The class got quiet. The boy was not humming. Instead, there was a tune, a melody coming from somewhere. We all listened hard and realized there was noise coming from the sanctuary behind our classroom. We all recognized the song about the same time.<br />
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"Shhh," I said again, wanting to forgo my instruction for a moment to listen to the worshipful song. But then someone started singing along, "Je-sus, lamb of God, worthy is your na-a-a-ame..." And then another joined in and another and another, and before I knew it, I was singing God's praises along with my group of first graders. We were all one in this impromptu, unplanned worship experience, and as this one young lady began to belt it out in all the wrong notes, I realized that there, in that little art room, I and the children had been more free than most of the entire world. We experienced true Freedom. <br />
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This morning the government decided to open up for business again. The Land of the Free is business as usual today, and that's good. There are people who died for my right and for the children I teach, that we may worship the Lord and sing his praises whenever we like. I am so grateful for this freedom. But beyond that, I am so thankful for the unbelievable freedom that comes only in knowing Christ. Our little first grade art room "flash mob" musical experience was indeed orchestrated, but not by me or any human being. No person could have come up with anything that good.<br />
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If you'd like to hear the tune we heard and sang, here's a version of "You are My All In All." <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_FtEzxu5J8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_FtEzxu5J8</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-52199799930008943762013-09-28T08:06:00.001-05:002013-09-28T08:06:40.058-05:00The Falseness of FacebookPlease don't get me wrong. I truly enjoy Facebook and getting to see snippets of my friends' lives, photos of their children, funny things that happen in their daily lives. I like to feel connected to people I might not be otherwise if Facebook hadn't come along.<br />
<br />
But something happened this morning that made me realize there are some real problems with this sense of connectedness. An author acquaintance became a Facebook friend a while back. This author passed away last year, and although I wasn't close to her, her death shook me. Today is her birthday. I know because Facebook told me on the top right hand corner of my screen.<br />
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It reminded me again of her passing. This has happened many times before--some friends who have passed away remain on Facebook, their personas still there as if they are alive and well. I decided to check her page today to see who was remembering her as I was. That's when I saw the 'happy birthday's and "blessings and prosperity", etc. Do these Facebook friends not know that she died last year?<br />
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Facebook, as far as I know, has no way of knowing when someone passes away. On one hand, it is nice to remember the person as they were, see their posts, see moments of their lives shared for always. But today I am reminded that I have a false sense of who my hundreds of friends are. Just because I am your FB friend, I do not know what you suffer, think, or have experienced unless you have publicly shared it. And I don't know about you, but a real friend is someone who knows things that you will only share in private.<br />
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For me, I'd like to apologize to all those people I consider "friends" on Facebook, whom I do not take the time to know personally, in person, face to face. I pray I never blindly wish someone well who has passed to the hereafter, simply because Facebook prompted me to buy them a gift from Starbucks or send them an e-greeting. <br />
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I do want to be your friend. I just fear I am not such a good friend on Facebook. I'm much better when I get to know your private heart, face to face, over a real cup of coffee.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-38942044240766697892013-09-16T07:41:00.001-05:002013-09-16T08:21:33.662-05:00On Craving Meat (Or "Where's the Beef?")<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/marbled-meat-thumb12326606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.dreamstime.com/marbled-meat-thumb12326606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm a pesco-vegetarian, which means I eat seafood and dairy but generally skip food from creatures that walk or fly. Occasionally, I'll have a strange dream in which eating meat is involved, but only rarely now, and I never crave it. So when I came across a Biblical passage in Numbers, verse 11, about the Israelites beginning to complain about not having meat, I took notice.<br />
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Since the Israelites had left Egypt and entered the wilderness under Moses' leadership, God had graciously sent manna from heaven that arrived each morning with the dew. This manna has been described as flakes or resembling coriander, or even a resin substance that may taste like honey to children and pastry to adults. It was to be gathered daily and not stored, for if it was kept overnight, it got rancid and filled with worms. Except on the Sabbath. On the day before the Sabbath, the Israelites could collect the manna and save it overnight and it would not spoil. In this way, they did not have to work on the Sabbath. The collected manna was ground and made into cakes with olive oil and boiled. I imagine the Israelites found every single way to prepare it. <br />
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It has been speculated by some scholars that since the Lord was providing this spiritual and physical substance to keep them alive, that the body did not have to eliminate, if you get what I'm saying. I'm not sure if this is the case, but I can imagine that if the body got used to a certain diet, changing it up would mess with the digestive system.<br />
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In Numbers 11:4 it says, "Contemptible people among them<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-4029D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> had a strong craving<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-4029E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> for other food. The Israelites cried again and said, “Who will feed us meat? <span class="text Num-11-5" id="en-HCSB-4030"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>We remember the free fish we ate in Egypt,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-4030F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. </span> <span class="text Num-11-6" id="en-HCSB-4031"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>But now our appetite is gone; there’s nothing to look at but this manna!”"</span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6">Notice that the verse says that the Israelites cried AGAIN. In the verse before this, the Israelites had started to complain about hardships. They had been freed from slavery, but now they were beginning to become dissatisfied with walking through the wilderness with God, trusting him to take them somewhere. The Bible says that the Lord was angry with His people and a blaze began to burn around the camp. This might be a good warning for some, but as you can see, once this grumbling and complaining began, it spread like a virus.</span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6">Now the people were remembering the good food they used to have as slaves and were crying to Moses, which was driving him crazy. Moses appealed to the Lord and basically said he couldn't take their complaints any longer. </span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6">This was the Lord's reply: "<span class="text Num-11-18" id="en-HCSB-4043"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>“Tell the people: Purify yourselves in readiness for tomorrow, and you will eat meat because you cried before the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>: ‘Who will feed us meat? We really had it good in Egypt.’ The <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will give you meat and you will eat. </span> <span class="text Num-11-19" id="en-HCSB-4044"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>You will eat, not for one day, or two days, or five days, or 10 days, or 20 days, </span> <span class="text Num-11-20" id="en-HCSB-4045"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes nauseating to you—because you have rejected the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> who is among you, and cried to Him: ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”</span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20">Yikes. Be careful what you ask for. God soon created a wind that brought quail all around the camp, hovering about three feet off the ground. The people spent a day, night, and a day collecting all of the quail, the least amount being 50 bushels per person. And then they commenced eating the meat. Can you even imagine how years of eating manna which was spiritual and physical food from the Lord had not prepared the body to accept all that meat?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20">You guessed it. The people got sick, very sick from a plague that came along with the meat (if you are of the camp that the people had not defecated in years, you can only imagine), and many died.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20">SO I was thinking about this passage. Something struck me about it. I don't crave the same meat the Israelites did, but perhaps I crave other meat. I looked at my life, and one area in particular (you writers might relate to this), and saw that the Lord has, indeed, provided manna for me for years--spiritual and physical food that he has blessed me with. But how have I handled it? Gratefully always? Or have I at times whined and complained to the Lord that I am now craving more substance? That this manna he has given me is great and all, but now, how about some real meat?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20">And then it occurred to me. Perhaps the "meat" I am craving will not at all suit me or my family. Perhaps I will not be able to digest this "meat" I am so sure I can handle and am ready for. Perhaps, like a baby, I don't have the teeth to deal with this meat yet at all.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"><span class="text Num-11-20">Ouch. Here and now, I repent from my complaints. The Lord has so graciously provided for me my entire life. Who am I to ask him for something that may end up destroying me in the end? I will leave my destiny to him. I will say to God again, "Your will be done, not mine." I will continue to ask him for my "daily bread" and not a drop more lest it spoil. And if and when the Lord determines that I am ready for "meat", I will trust him to provide it when my system is ready to digest it properly. When the meat will be a blessing as the manna has been, sustaining and fortifying, and from God's provision, not from his anger with my complaining heart.</span></span><br />
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Is there anything you've been craving? Philippians 4:6-7 says, "...in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, give your requests to God." I think the thanksgiving part is key. If we are to go before the Lord and begin asking for more in our lives, let us first begin with thanking him for what he has provided so far, for the manna that has sustained us. Perhaps then our hearts will be positioned more humbly, and we might find that our requests change to what He wills, and not to what we prematurely crave or complain about.<br />
<span class="text Num-11-6"></span><br />
<span class="text Num-11-9" id="en-HCSB-4034"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-40597367935089478932013-08-24T13:44:00.000-05:002013-08-24T13:44:53.531-05:00Love is in the StarsI'm reading C.S. Lewis' <em><strong>The Screwtape Letters</strong></em> right now, so that might give you some insight into my thoughts on how, exactly, we might be deceived in our everyday lives. In nearly every chapter, I've discerned something that rings true to me personally and am heeding bits of wisdom hidden within. If you haven't read this fictitious account of a devil's attempt to capture a human soul, it is not as "scary" as it sounds and truly a worthwhile read.<br />
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Back to my thought process. I'm examining my thoughts and intentions, my attitudes and actions lately and although I learn a lot from a man like C.S. Lewis or any number of the current Christian books, it is the Bible that holds the Truth that sustains me. It is only this book that reveals itself deeper each time I read it as if hidden doors lie within.<br />
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This was not always my M.O. Back in the day I was a seeker...of God, certainly, but really of anything and everything. I was disconnected to God and therefore sought connection with any substitute. This could be a person. This could be a group of people. This could even be "the Universe." As I floated through my life on a whim, allowing any and every sign to dictate my day, I was especially fond of the daily horoscope. I'm a Pisces and would find the words written for me (and about 1/12 of the human population) to be very personal. Often, I would allow those words of advice or wisdom to linger in my head. If I were out at night and my horoscope said "Beware of tall dark strangers bearing gifts," I would not accept a drink from a brunette. This is tongue in cheek, but you understand what I mean. I would allow the horoscope or any other sign for that matter, Chinese fortune cookie, shooting star, etc, to alter my reality.<br />
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Years later, my reality has been transformed by the truth of the gospel: that God gave his only son to die for my sins, so that I may have eternal (and abundant life). John 3:16. I am no longer disconnected to God but am connected to him through his Grace and son Jesus. I am still a <em>major</em> work in progress. In fact, I never feel closer to the truth of this gospel of Divine Grace and Mercy than when I am painfully conscious of just how human and fallible I am. I try to earnestly seek God, ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and try not to be swayed by signs and symbols or horoscopes anymore. I try to "test every spirit" by running it through prayer, and God's Holy word. I don't always succeed, yet I try.<br />
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So this morning, I decided to take a quick peek at the horoscopes, my head and heart being far from where I used to be. I haven't looked at them in years, but I no longer fear what they may or may not say. I told myself that yes, the horoscope would seem eerily written for me, but that didn't mean it was MY Truth, and then I turned the page. You know what? <strong>Every single horoscope could have been written for me.</strong> Why? Because every human has the same desires, needs and fears. If someone wanted to deceive swarms of unsuspecting and good-hearted seeking people, they might easily be able to do it as we all truly want direction, and we truly want to hear what we want to hear. That we're loved. That we belong. That good things are possible. I always wanted to "matter" to the Universe, and with the horoscope and other such readings I got that- a sense that I mattered. Turn on the television or the radio, pick up a book, read a blog post. You'll find someone somewhere confirming what you want to hear.<br />
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<strong>Once I had signs and uncertainty. Now, though Christ, I certainly have much more than that. Much more than I deserve and more and more and more to explore.</strong> <br />
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<u>Here are the horoscopes in today's paper in mixed up order. Can you guess which one the Universe wrote just for you?</u><br />
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Put more time and effort into money matters. Look over contracts and make adjustments you feel should be bringing higher returns.<br />
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Avoid hasty decisions or making assumptions without having all the facts. A mistake involving someone you care about can end up being costly. Keep things under control by fulfilling your responsibilities.<br />
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A trip or attending an event will encourage meeting new people and discussions that will get you thinking about your future and your options.<br />
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You may want to make changes to your home or surroundings, but before you jump in, make sure you can afford what you want to do.<br />
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Don't jump to conclusions or take actions in haste. Wait and see what transpires before making a decision. Pampering should be scheduled.<br />
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A change of location or doing something special with someone will bring you closer together. Whether you are single or in a relationship, socializing will enhance your love life.<br />
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Keep the peace. Use charm and take a sophisticated approach to anything you are asked to do. Love will change your life.<br />
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A change in your financial situation is apparent. Look at job offers and fill out applications that can lead to better earnings. Love is in the stars.<br />
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Uncertainty is likely to overcome you, making it difficult to decide what to do next. Take a close look at personal papers and go over your options thoroughly. <br />
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Stick to the truth. You will be caught if you embellish or offer a false excuse. Do your bit when asked for help, or at least offer solutions that are doable. Love is in the stars.<br />
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Approach money matters carefully. If someone pushes you to make a quick decision, back away. You can't buy respect, but you can gain it.<br />
<br />
<u>OK, humans, if I might summarize our horoscope for today:</u><br />
<em>Be cautious when dealing with money or making decisions. Be trustworthy and pamper yourself. Get out and live a little because love is in the stars!</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>:)</em><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-17272582001393199072013-07-20T09:46:00.000-05:002013-07-20T12:07:12.145-05:00Around the World Art Camp 2013<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jAzm1SpeBQ/UeqaXsOAWQI/AAAAAAAAAlU/fYvv-NFyFJ4/s1600/IMG_4081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jAzm1SpeBQ/UeqaXsOAWQI/AAAAAAAAAlU/fYvv-NFyFJ4/s200/IMG_4081.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBSitkceQFU/UeqaudPH4lI/AAAAAAAAAlg/EZ6jl41nELA/s1600/IMG_4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBSitkceQFU/UeqaudPH4lI/AAAAAAAAAlg/EZ6jl41nELA/s200/IMG_4106.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Black Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We just wrapped up our <strong>4th annual Passport Kids Around the World Art Camp</strong>! Twenty kids in rising 2nd-5th grades spent a week exploring different countries through art, music, literature, folklore, architecture, culture, and food.<br />
<br />
<strong>Day 1: Tahiti</strong><br />
Today, we visited this island nation of French Polynesia. We listened to the sounds of Tahitian music while we made our version of Tahitian pearls, <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocarhSYa8uw/Ueqa_vjioEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/WJZVf7Z9DR4/s1600/IMG_4059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocarhSYa8uw/Ueqa_vjioEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/WJZVf7Z9DR4/s200/IMG_4059.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian tattooed banana</td></tr>
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which later became necklaces and pins. Next we tattooed bananas! The kids loved this one. After a snack of dried mangoes, we studied Post-impressionist Paul Gauguin and were inspired to make our own Tahitian Landscapes with oil and chalk pastels. I think they turned out beautifully.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-QMlgNOZxg/Ueqb325syRI/AAAAAAAAAls/Y0nSsCz3gcE/s1600/IMG_4163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-QMlgNOZxg/Ueqb325syRI/AAAAAAAAAls/Y0nSsCz3gcE/s200/IMG_4163.JPG" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek vase</td></tr>
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Day 2: Greece</strong><br />
Today we went to gorgeous Greece. We listened to some music inspired by Greek mythology and spent some time going over the Greek gods and mythology. The kids loved the story of Prince Theseus and the minotaur! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjwdCqefzD0/UeqcNPWNP9I/AAAAAAAAAl0/9RqmCpthju4/s1600/IMG_4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjwdCqefzD0/UeqcNPWNP9I/AAAAAAAAAl0/9RqmCpthju4/s200/IMG_4189.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mythical creature in mosaic frame</td></tr>
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We made our own mosaic frames and while they dried, we explored Greek pottery and made our own Greek vases on Kraft paper using patterns and line designs. After a snack of Greek olives, the kids came up with their own myths and illustrated unique mythical creatures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUEnzwj0x5c/UeqcyZcherI/AAAAAAAAAl8/81IAPRTJ7Mo/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUEnzwj0x5c/UeqcyZcherI/AAAAAAAAAl8/81IAPRTJ7Mo/s200/IMG_4211.JPG" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albrecht Durer-inspired <br />
scratch art engraving</td></tr>
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<strong>Day 3: Germany</strong><br />
Today, we went to Europe and visited Germany. We learned a lot about the history of Germany, including its involvement in World War II as well as the fall of the Berlin Wall. The children were very interested and hands were up all over the place, asking questions. We listened to the beautiful music of Beethoven while we created Albrecht Durer-inspired animal etchings with lots of visual texture. <br />
After a snack of German butter biscuits and gingerbread, we visited the Black Forest and created cuckoo clock collages. I love them!<br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9rl2M0K7iZc/UeqdI8F0LaI/AAAAAAAAAmE/B2unOe-TmLI/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9rl2M0K7iZc/UeqdI8F0LaI/AAAAAAAAAmE/B2unOe-TmLI/s200/IMG_4218.JPG" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo clock collage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUGiLFgj6bE/UeqdhW9F-gI/AAAAAAAAAmM/R-FzWygm3_8/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUGiLFgj6bE/UeqdhW9F-gI/AAAAAAAAAmM/R-FzWygm3_8/s200/IMG_4257.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elijah's cups and Stars of David</td></tr>
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<strong>Day 4: Israel</strong><br />
Learning about the Holocaust yesterday helped us to appreciate the rich history of the nation of Israel, where we visited today. We listened to the sometimes sad but lovely music of Itzhak Perlman while we made our own versions of Elijah's cup used in the Passover feast of Seder. Next we made colorful stars of David, and after a snack of tea biscuits from Israel, we were inspired by the Dead Sea to experiment with watercolor and Kosher salt. It's amazing the visual texture you can create!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1AqdY_XMso/UeqebVC0jOI/AAAAAAAAAmc/zZ6lJdiX1ak/s1600/IMG_4294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1AqdY_XMso/UeqebVC0jOI/AAAAAAAAAmc/zZ6lJdiX1ak/s200/IMG_4294.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique cars in <br />
Old Havana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Day 5: Cuba</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPrk53aIXH0/Ueqd6aWWoXI/AAAAAAAAAmU/_aC9_CZRzms/s1600/IMG_4267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPrk53aIXH0/Ueqd6aWWoXI/AAAAAAAAAmU/_aC9_CZRzms/s200/IMG_4267.JPG" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuban Sugar pots</td></tr>
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Today, we went to the island nation of Cuba, our neighbor just off of Florida. We learned of the Spanish and African influences on this country as well as its history of slavery. Some kids had already heard the name Castro, so we had some interesting conversations about communism and the Cuban missile crisis. You never know what children are ready to understand! While listening to Cuban drums, guitars, and voices, we made our own sugar pots (az'ucar) with flower pots and wooden beads. After a delicious snack of rice and beans, we drew wonderful pictures of 1940s and 50s cars in colorful Old Havana. I love these!<br />
<br />
This camp is truly a labor of love. I love to expose children to other places and other cultures as it whets their appetite for travel, but also creates empathy and understanding that we all share the same amazing Earth. If we begin to think about and pray for other people, we'll begin to care about them. I think that's what it's all about. Not to mention, children's artwork rocks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsgHqfwo4r8/UeqgYPUJG0I/AAAAAAAAAoM/ZziCxwRStuw/s1600/IMG_4087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsgHqfwo4r8/UeqgYPUJG0I/AAAAAAAAAoM/ZziCxwRStuw/s320/IMG_4087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 5</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 4</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian Landscape, rising grade 2</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hG8QBMjq1x4/Ueq8MbWnnjI/AAAAAAAAAuU/0vWBLMuGn0g/s1600/IMG_4097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hG8QBMjq1x4/Ueq8MbWnnjI/AAAAAAAAAuU/0vWBLMuGn0g/s320/IMG_4097.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle-cap necklace with "Tahitian pearl"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6idL7Hblys/Ueq8MbKhMPI/AAAAAAAAAuc/XxE4tIDbmy4/s1600/IMG_4098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6idL7Hblys/Ueq8MbKhMPI/AAAAAAAAAuc/XxE4tIDbmy4/s320/IMG_4098.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tahitian pearl" pin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MggwGosK52k/Ueq8M5FXBLI/AAAAAAAAAuo/gOcjgIby3RU/s1600/IMG_4108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MggwGosK52k/Ueq8M5FXBLI/AAAAAAAAAuo/gOcjgIby3RU/s320/IMG_4108.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tahitian pearl" necklace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lfo3d-1s278/Ueq8NCYe4-I/AAAAAAAAAuw/IjS_VJEP57s/s1600/IMG_4132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lfo3d-1s278/Ueq8NCYe4-I/AAAAAAAAAuw/IjS_VJEP57s/s320/IMG_4132.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tahitian pearls"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1LvU3VydM/Ueq8NEU5XuI/AAAAAAAAAu4/jTRe0qLFhjM/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1LvU3VydM/Ueq8NEU5XuI/AAAAAAAAAu4/jTRe0qLFhjM/s320/IMG_4168.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making cuckoo clock collages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNDwSps0X6E/Ueq8NhpIhAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/9idjJgqAquk/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNDwSps0X6E/Ueq8NhpIhAI/AAAAAAAAAvA/9idjJgqAquk/s320/IMG_4236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albrecht Durer-inspired scratch art animal etchings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7FDpk0_sII/Ueq8N3nT3YI/AAAAAAAAAvE/yK_ymiiSFJE/s1600/IMG_4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7FDpk0_sII/Ueq8N3nT3YI/AAAAAAAAAvE/yK_ymiiSFJE/s320/IMG_4244.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elijah's cups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPq-UWzrSgY/UeqgYXzhPyI/AAAAAAAAAoI/sVaKlQNgOlc/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPq-UWzrSgY/UeqgYXzhPyI/AAAAAAAAAoI/sVaKlQNgOlc/s320/IMG_4101.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wearing her Tahitian pearl necklace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sCVywuRmJE/UeqgYFmpIoI/AAAAAAAAAoE/sMmSeJDCf90/s1600/IMG_4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sCVywuRmJE/UeqgYFmpIoI/AAAAAAAAAoE/sMmSeJDCf90/s320/IMG_4116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek vase, rising grade 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEsPIYGKR5c/UeqgY_LBW9I/AAAAAAAAAoc/tmOrXUDwVzQ/s1600/IMG_4164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEsPIYGKR5c/UeqgY_LBW9I/AAAAAAAAAoc/tmOrXUDwVzQ/s320/IMG_4164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek vases</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfJsBPVknpc/UeqgZMneC3I/AAAAAAAAAog/fLwJznqe-SM/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfJsBPVknpc/UeqgZMneC3I/AAAAAAAAAog/fLwJznqe-SM/s320/IMG_4169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making cuckoo clock collages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVzAFdN2jtw/UeqgZeiabeI/AAAAAAAAAoo/l6Wx8RXx-0U/s1600/IMG_4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aVzAFdN2jtw/UeqgZeiabeI/AAAAAAAAAoo/l6Wx8RXx-0U/s320/IMG_4175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mythical creature in mosaic frame, rising grade 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjHGUvcDrII/UeqgZiLEsNI/AAAAAAAAAow/aOerZIH7rpY/s1600/IMG_4176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjHGUvcDrII/UeqgZiLEsNI/AAAAAAAAAow/aOerZIH7rpY/s320/IMG_4176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mythical creature in mosaic frame, rising grade 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzzL56nOL4I/UeqgaLeklFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/KKNVqgXUlKs/s1600/IMG_4186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzzL56nOL4I/UeqgaLeklFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/KKNVqgXUlKs/s320/IMG_4186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mythical creature in mosaic frame, rising grade 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9HPfEIIAUs/UeqgaUUowNI/AAAAAAAAApE/yvir-hLrkjY/s1600/IMG_4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9HPfEIIAUs/UeqgaUUowNI/AAAAAAAAApE/yvir-hLrkjY/s320/IMG_4193.JPG" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textured animal etching, rising grade 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGH1C8mhAwY/UeqgaxPqVpI/AAAAAAAAApY/ObvYHKR-4Fk/s1600/IMG_4203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGH1C8mhAwY/UeqgaxPqVpI/AAAAAAAAApY/ObvYHKR-4Fk/s320/IMG_4203.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textured animal etching, rising grade 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_N8vvU6gbc/Ueqga4qv7YI/AAAAAAAAApU/aN-3lj6CM_c/s1600/IMG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_N8vvU6gbc/Ueqga4qv7YI/AAAAAAAAApU/aN-3lj6CM_c/s320/IMG_4205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textured animal etching, rising grade 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mTQzWFmORr8/UeqgbV7yX6I/AAAAAAAAApc/MMzXDy1tYTk/s1600/IMG_4210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mTQzWFmORr8/UeqgbV7yX6I/AAAAAAAAApc/MMzXDy1tYTk/s320/IMG_4210.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Textured animal etching, rising grade 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0-6ujd1y9M/UeqgbvaNFYI/AAAAAAAAAps/ay7SNHlC-cM/s1600/IMG_4219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0-6ujd1y9M/UeqgbvaNFYI/AAAAAAAAAps/ay7SNHlC-cM/s320/IMG_4219.JPG" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo Clock collage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeWHoYQCL7E/UeqgcBpxeVI/AAAAAAAAAp0/wbJgEPDZanE/s1600/IMG_4220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aeWHoYQCL7E/UeqgcBpxeVI/AAAAAAAAAp0/wbJgEPDZanE/s320/IMG_4220.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo Clock collage, rising grade 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0vNZ1DVaP8/Ueqgb5Zl1AI/AAAAAAAAApw/GDwbukAq-h4/s1600/IMG_4221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0vNZ1DVaP8/Ueqgb5Zl1AI/AAAAAAAAApw/GDwbukAq-h4/s320/IMG_4221.JPG" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo Clock collage, rising grade 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2c50vqPrEU/UeqgcbsQ-SI/AAAAAAAAAqA/rFpPC42bdBk/s1600/IMG_4222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2c50vqPrEU/UeqgcbsQ-SI/AAAAAAAAAqA/rFpPC42bdBk/s320/IMG_4222.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo Clock collage, rising grade 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9AvZHpNf6w/Ueqgcnq4vQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/gY1ifAEzNgs/s1600/IMG_4226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9AvZHpNf6w/Ueqgcnq4vQI/AAAAAAAAAqI/gY1ifAEzNgs/s320/IMG_4226.JPG" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuckoo Clock collage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UEEqrctuXk/Ueqgc_FSa4I/AAAAAAAAAqU/5cz4aN40azA/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UEEqrctuXk/Ueqgc_FSa4I/AAAAAAAAAqU/5cz4aN40azA/s320/IMG_4243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elijah's cups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFmdTsXmJ-c/UeqgdWSM06I/AAAAAAAAAqc/Lnr6mZq_b8U/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFmdTsXmJ-c/UeqgdWSM06I/AAAAAAAAAqc/Lnr6mZq_b8U/s320/IMG_4252.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stars of David</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfEFsZmQ46Y/UeqgdepeGyI/AAAAAAAAAqg/YOdUC75y6FI/s1600/IMG_4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfEFsZmQ46Y/UeqgdepeGyI/AAAAAAAAAqg/YOdUC75y6FI/s320/IMG_4259.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stars of David and Elijah's cups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3uALBHjgxbg/Ueqgdjj6BDI/AAAAAAAAAqk/euz1IkE4TSU/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3uALBHjgxbg/Ueqgdjj6BDI/AAAAAAAAAqk/euz1IkE4TSU/s320/IMG_4264.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuban sugar pot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmfftsiPF_o/UeqgeKeEFDI/AAAAAAAAAq0/ljq8bzIBSyg/s1600/IMG_4276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmfftsiPF_o/UeqgeKeEFDI/AAAAAAAAAq0/ljq8bzIBSyg/s320/IMG_4276.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuban sugar pot, rising grade 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyP28GsJoTQ/UeqgeipobcI/AAAAAAAAAq4/LKM_nRyAUcY/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyP28GsJoTQ/UeqgeipobcI/AAAAAAAAAq4/LKM_nRyAUcY/s320/IMG_4281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique car in Old Havana, rising grade 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7cZCGCOXL8/Ueqgei4yAeI/AAAAAAAAArA/pCeMRnBSB20/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7cZCGCOXL8/Ueqgei4yAeI/AAAAAAAAArA/pCeMRnBSB20/s320/IMG_4284.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique car in Old Havana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhOKCoI5ZvI/Ueqge9YZwLI/AAAAAAAAArE/HNvRoBO4f_U/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhOKCoI5ZvI/Ueqge9YZwLI/AAAAAAAAArE/HNvRoBO4f_U/s320/IMG_4286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique car in Old Havana, rising grade 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-1752372843080792702013-07-15T16:23:00.000-05:002013-07-15T16:23:01.377-05:00Young Authors and Illustrators camp 2013Last <span style="background-color: white;">month</span>, I held my first Young Authors and Illustrators camp with 20 rising 2nd-6th graders. I think it was a success! The students learned how to manage their time, work under deadline, and complete a major project. Each student wrote their own short story, then planned out their illustrations. By Friday, everyone had written and illustrated their very own book! I compiled them in the computer and am having them printed up now. I cannot wait to get the package and then mail them each their very own book.<br />
<br />
It is never too young to start challenging yourself and making dreams become a reality. Enjoy the photos.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-30812082853163235862013-04-01T11:58:00.000-05:002013-04-01T11:58:30.635-05:00Fear and BoldnessThis morning, the day after Easter, I read the four gospels to compare the resurrection of Jesus and the 40 days that followed before his ascension to heaven. But I was struck by something unexpected--the burial of Jesus, and the courage of a man called Joseph from Arimathea.<br />
<br />
Here are the four accounts of this man:<br />
<br />
Matthew:<br />
<span class="text Matt-27-57"><sup class="versenum">57 </sup>As evening approached, there came <strong>a rich man</strong> from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a <strong>disciple of Jesus</strong>.</span> <span class="text Matt-27-58" id="en-NIV-24188"><sup class="versenum">58 </sup><strong>Going to Pilate, he asked</strong> for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.</span> <span class="text Matt-27-59" id="en-NIV-24189"><sup class="versenum">59 </sup>Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,</span> <span class="text Matt-27-60" id="en-NIV-24190"><sup class="versenum">60 </sup>and placed it <u>in his own new tomb<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24190BM" title="See cross-reference BM">BM</a>)"></sup></u> that he had cut out of the rock.</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-27-60"></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-27-60">Mark:</span><br />
<span class="text Matt-27-60">So as evening approached, <span class="text Mark-15-43" id="en-NIV-24870"><sup class="versenum">43 </sup>Joseph of Arimathea, <strong>a prominent member of the Council</strong>,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24870AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup> who was himself <strong>waiting for the kingdom of God</strong>,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24870AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></sup> <strong>went boldly to Pilate and asked</strong> for Jesus’ body.</span> <span class="text Mark-15-44" id="en-NIV-24871"><sup class="versenum">44 </sup>...</span><span class="text Mark-15-46" id="en-NIV-24873"><sup class="versenum">46 </sup>So <u>Joseph bought some linen cloth</u>, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-27-60"><span class="text Mark-15-46"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-27-60"><span class="text Mark-15-46">Luke:</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-27-60"><span class="text Mark-15-46"><span class="text Luke-23-50"><sup class="versenum">50 </sup>Now there was a man named Joseph, <strong>a member of the Council</strong>, <strong>a good and upright man</strong>,</span> <span class="text Luke-23-51" id="en-NIV-25987"><sup class="versenum">51 </sup>who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was <strong>waiting for the kingdom of God</strong>.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25987B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Luke-23-52" id="en-NIV-25988"><sup class="versenum">52 </sup><strong>Going to Pilate, he asked</strong> for Jesus’ body.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
John: <br />
<span class="text John-19-38"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup>Later, Joseph of Arimathea <strong>asked Pilate</strong> for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was <strong>a disciple of Jesus</strong>, <strong>but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders</strong>.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26864C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.</span> <br />
<br />
If you'll look at the bolded words, you'll see that Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, a prominent member of the Jewish Council, a good and upright man, and a disciple of Jesus, waiting on the kingdom of God. In John, you will see that he <strong>feared</strong> the Jewish leaders and went <strong>secretly</strong> to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus. In Mark, we see that he went <strong>boldly</strong> to Pilate.<br />
<br />
I was struck with that dichotomy.<strong> Fear and boldness</strong>. In spite of his fear, he went boldly. He had so much to lose from an earthly point of view. He was wealthy. He had status as a prominent Council member. When he chose to ask for Jesus' body from Pilate, he knew that he would be found out. He only went in secret so that he could get the body and not be stopped. <br />
<br />
Look at how his wealth and prominence was used by God at this precious time! His wealth was used to buy the linen cloth to wrap Jesus' body. Also, it afforded him his own private tomb in which to bury him. His prominence most likely got the ear of Pilate. Knowing he could lose all of the above, Joseph of Arimathea did what he knew was right in Jesus' name. He boldly asked, knowing he would have to deal with the Jewish Council, and possibly Pilate. I don't know what happened to him...perhaps scholars do. Perhaps he lost his status and wealth. He may have even lost his life, I do not know. Or perhaps nothing bad happened to him at all. I think it may be irrelevant. What is important is that <strong>IN SPITE OF HIS FEAR, HE BOLDLY SPOKE</strong>.<br />
<br />
This speaks to me. Many of us have comfortable lives, comfortable means, maybe even comfortable status within our communities or broader. Are we afraid to boldly speak of Jesus or boldly do what is right in His name in spite of our fear of losing our earthly treasures? Or perhaps, just perhaps, if we step out in faith, love and boldness, will God be willing and able to USE those very things we hold most dear for His purposes?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-66447382437305598992013-03-16T13:03:00.000-05:002013-03-16T23:50:16.756-05:00The Strangest Thing I've Ever Asked<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A. Tomorrow's my birthday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">B. Here’s a strange true story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">C. And an even stranger request. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Years ago, when I finally began
to follow Christ, not just “believe” in him, I sort of made a “deal” with God.
Not recommended, but here goes. I was really wanting a family, but I had to
walk away from the relationship I thought would provide that. I told God that I
had done all I could do with regard to the American Dream, and it wasn’t
working for me. Something was missing. I said to God “Your will, not mine.” And
meant it. “But,” I added, “You know I really want a family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about if by the time I’m (certain age), if
it was not your will for me to have children, how about I adopt?” One year later,
on the day I was to marry the other man, I met my husband. We now have two
amazing children. God has been working in my life like that ever since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so have you ladies ever noticed that although your doctor
says you cannot physically have another child, your biological clock still
ticks and makes you long to have another child? A few years ago, it was so bad,
I couldn’t look at a baby without bawling. And then...God opened the door for
me to teach hundreds of children…and I love them all! An answered prayer. But
lately, that clock has been ticking again, and as today is my last day of “a
certain age”, it reminded me of my “deal with God” from long ago. He did
provide the family, but part of me wonders if we were supposed to adopt
another child. I’ve been praying and said, “Lord, if that is Your will, you’ll have
to basically drop a child on us before my birthday.”
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So last night, my spiritual 8-year-old son says out of the
blue: “What if you had a baby on your birthday?” I couldn’t speak. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then he
said, “I think you should adopt a child.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I gulped and said, “You do?" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then
he said, “Yes. And he’s a boy, and he’s 7 years old, and his name is Gary.” I
think I left my body by this time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then he said: “Just make sure he’s younger
than me.” (!!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now…I have to ask tentatively, in honor of faithfully
knocking on doors and trying to do God’s will, is there a 7-year-old boy named
Gary out there who is looking for a home? Or a mother-to-be who is looking to
place her child? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sweet husband who doesn't suffer from biological clocks, went white last night when I told him what my son said, and is
fairly sure 7-yr -old Gary is a cat at the pound </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Could be. But only God knows…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">_________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">**UPDATE early AM March 17, 2013**</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so perhaps no child dropped on me today, but I did get a call from my daughter when I was out shopping. She was at the park with my husband and called to say they were giving away free puppies. Alas, there was a Cleopatra...but no Gary, so no puppies came home. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, I did bring in my new year in the Word and gained new understanding. <strong>Way back then, when I was going from believer to follower, while I was concerned with adopting a child one day if I was not blessed with my own, God was more concerned with adopting ME into his own family as one of his own children.</strong> How grateful I am that He did, and I can call him "Abba, Father."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<em>"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. </em><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15" id="en-NLT-28093"><em>So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he <strong>adopted</strong> you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”"</em></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><sup>Romans 8: 14-15</sup></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><sup></sup></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And this was such a beautiful truth I ran across, I had to share. Sometimes I don't even know what to pray for. Does that ever happen to you? Good thing the Holy Spirit does and prays on our behalf!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="text Rom-8-26" id="en-NLT-28104">"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-27" id="en-NLT-28105">And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. </span><span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-NLT-28106"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>A</span></span></span><span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="text Rom-8-28">nd we know that God causes everything to work together<sup> </sup>for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. </span><span class="text Rom-8-29" id="en-NLT-28107"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.</span> <span class="text Rom-8-30" id="en-NLT-28108"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory."</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="text Rom-8-30">Romans 8:26-30</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="text Rom-8-30"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-15"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="text Rom-8-30">Actually, read all of Romans 8, it's such a powerful chapter. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8&version=NLT">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8&version=NLT</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-5380683929231449352012-11-09T14:39:00.000-05:002012-11-09T14:39:25.384-05:00Sometimes I'm speechless<strong>Overheard in my 2nd grade art class this week while working on color theory--shades and tints:</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKGPtOmKjH0/UJ1aZpoEUWI/AAAAAAAAAgg/71l6yHQTNCM/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKGPtOmKjH0/UJ1aZpoEUWI/AAAAAAAAAgg/71l6yHQTNCM/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a><u>Little girl to little boy:</u> "Did you know you have an angel? You do. I wonder what your angel looks like."<br />
<br />
<u>Me:</u> speechless as the little boy began to draw angels in his artwork<br />
<br />
<strong>Later that same day in a 1st grade art class while working on color theory--warm and cool colors:</strong><br />
<br />
<u>Little girl singing to herself:</u> "Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so..."<br />
<br />
<u>Me:</u> speechless, rejoicing inside<br />
<br />
<strong>Overheard the day before in a drugstore checkout line</strong>:<br />
<br />
<u>Little girl to her mother:</u> "Look Mom! (Pointing to bottles of 5-Hour Energy on the counter) That's what they had in Jack and Jill (the PG-rated movie starring Adam Sandler)!<br />
<br />
<u>Her mom and me:</u> just speechless<br />
<br />
I am so blessed to work in a place where teaching academics is infused and fueled by the TRUTH. My first and second graders are hearing the TRUTH in school and hopefully, at home. But the world does not serve up truth to our kids. Apparently some advertising execs and others with $$ in their eyes would rather have your child hooked on 5-Hour Energy than the eternal truth of the gospel.<br />
<br />
<em>The truth is, it is up to us to teach our children the TRUTH.</em> Here's what Scripture says about it:<br />
<br />
Deuteronomy 11:13-21<br />
<span class="text Deut-11-13" id="en-NIV-5222">"So if you faithfully obey<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5222V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> the commands I am giving you today—to <strong>love<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5222W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5222X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup></strong>—</span> <span class="text Deut-11-14" id="en-NIV-5223">then I will send rain<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5223Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup> on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5223Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.</span> <span class="text Deut-11-15" id="en-NIV-5224">I will provide grass<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5224AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup> in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.</span><span class="text Deut-11-16" id="en-NIV-5225"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><strong>Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5225AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup></strong></span> <span class="text Deut-11-17" id="en-NIV-5226"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Then the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s anger<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5226AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> will burn against you, and he will shut up<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5226AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup> the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5226AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup> and you will soon perish<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5226AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup> from the good land the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is giving you.</span> <span class="text Deut-11-18" id="en-NIV-5227"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><strong>Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds</strong>; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5227AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Deut-11-19" id="en-NIV-5228"><strong>Teach them to your children,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5228AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup> talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5228AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup></strong></span> <span class="text Deut-11-20" id="en-NIV-5229">Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5229AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Deut-11-21" id="en-NIV-5230"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>so that your days and the days of your children may be many<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5230AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></sup>..."</span><br />
<br />
Matthew 18:10<br />
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-34026184082380799142012-10-31T19:36:00.002-05:002012-10-31T19:50:00.814-05:00Writers and Readers Reach Out 2012<h1 class="entry-title" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; clear: both; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 21px/1.3em "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, "Nimbus Sans L", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<em>Friends and Readers,</em></h1>
<div class="entry-content" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; clear: both; color: #333333; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/24px Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 12px 0px 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em>For those of you who read my latest novel, Beyond Molasses Creek, you know I have a heart for children who are trafficked and forced to work in bondage. But now there's something I...and you...can do about it. One of my best friends in the world also happens to be one of the kindest people on earth. Shellie Rushing Tomlinson has a heart for God and people like I've rarely seen. Being an author, she likes to give back and motivate her readers to do the same. So I am excited to be working with her in the month of November (and possibly more in the future!) to help raise funds for a worthwhile cause. We are called to love our neighbors, whether they are next door, down the road, in the next state or around the world. So, without further adieu, let me pass it along to Miss Shellie! </em></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em>- Nicole Seitz</em></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em>PS. I read Kimberly's book, Passport Through Darkness, and it's one that will clutch your heart and ask you to do more. Please consider donating to this worthy organization that is changing the lives of children who once had no hope.</em></div>
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<span style="color: red;">***Update****Breaking News for Writers and Readers Reach Out
2012***Update***</span><strong>From Shellie:</strong> Before us is a great opportunity to partner with
one another to raise awareness about human trafficking and join together
to raise funds towards their rescue through Kimberly L. Smith's foundation,
<strong>Make Way Partners</strong>. And yet, even as we are set to launch, one
fourth of our population has been impacted by Super storm Sandy and many
areas are still being in distress. Too many people have seen their homes
destroyed and many others have suffered the painful loss of loved ones. The
winds of Sandy have literally caused us to adjust our sails as we respond to the
heartache in our own country. <strong>Writers and Readers Reach Out
2012</strong> is enlarging the vision! </div>
<div>
As you make your donation to <strong>Make Way Partners</strong>, <u>please
consider making a matching donation to relief efforts underway for our neighbors
on the East Coast</u>. We believe strongly that our being mobilized to respond to
the needs of our neighbors at this very moment is no coincidence. We've been
given much, let us give much.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">***End Update***</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<strong>SHELLIE:</strong> It’s that time, y’all! This Nov. 1st we will officially launch our 30 Days of Thankfulness here at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.allthingssouthern.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All Things Southern</a>. Longtime readers will recognize it as our annual humanitarian effort designed to coincide with the Thanksgiving season. So many of you have joined with me in past years to express our gratitude by reaching out to those in need. Remember when we worked with<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.lifetoday.org/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Life Today</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to drill a well in Southern Africa? Even as you read these words that well continues to supply fresh life-sustaining water to an entire village. For that, I thank you once again!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The recipient of this year’s efforts will be<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.makewaypartners.org/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Make Way Partners</a>, an organization that works with individuals, churches and other groups to help prevent and combat the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.kimberlylsmith.com/passport_through_darkness_sample.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignright wp-image-2486" height="300" src="http://shellierushingtomlinson.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/ptd_cover.png?w=192&h=300" style="background-color: transparent; border: currentColor; display: inline; float: right; margin: 4px 0px 12px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="ptd_cover" width="192" /></a>evil of human trafficking and all forms of modern-day oppression. I was in the planning stages of our drive and deeply burdened by what I was learning about human trafficking when I read<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Passport through Darkness</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>by Kimberly L. Smith. I knew immediately that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.makewaypartners.org/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MWP</a>, the organization founded by Kimberly and her husband, was where we needed to focus our attention this holiday season. Make Way Partners works with individuals, churches, and organizations to help prevent and combat the evil of human trafficking and all forms of modern-day oppression. (Download a free chapter of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.kimberlylsmith.com/passport_through_darkness_sample.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Passport Through Darkness</a>.)</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In addition, this will be our second year to partner in our drive with other authors and their respective communities. The goal of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Writers and Readers Reach Out 2012</strong> is to combine our individual platforms and thus multiply our efforts. (Honestly, I’m hoping to start a tsunami of thankfulness and hope!)</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you’ll take the time to read just a few of the real-life stories on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kimberly’s blog</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of women and children who Make Way Partners has rescued from slavery, and for whom they provide long-term care, I believe you’ll want to participate in this beautiful journey of restoration.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Eight years ago, Kimberly began chartering small mission planes to fly her into the war zone of Sudan where U.S. sanctions and Islamic regimes rendered thousands of orphans <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WuvgB6OUI&list=UUIxnf_nQN77rTqWeAI74uyA&index=2&feature=plcp" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">un</b>adoptable</a>. Providing food and opening a first-grade school in a lawless land with no other educational systems, MWP partnered with an indigenous leader to rescue and care for these most vulnerable orphans. Year-by-year, they’ve added a new grade to their school. Now, graduating eighth grade, the orphans of MWP have more education than many current leaders of their nation. It is time to build a high school, making it possible to raise up the next generation of educated Christian leaders who will stop the cycle of violence and slavery.</div>
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Read about a few of these amazing students and the complete high school proposal here:<a href="http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/battle-cry-by-guest-blogger-matt-mcgowen.html" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/battle-cry-by-guest-blogger-matt-mcgowen.html</a></div>
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I’m so excited about the opportunity for us to join this effort! To quote the late Hellen Keller,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.”</em> It feels so right to quote Ms. Keller to the tribes of writers and readers joining with us as it was the power of a word, written in the palm of her hand, that unlocked Ms. Keller’s heart and mind and subsequently impacted untold lives around the world!</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As readers and writers, no one knows the value of education better than we. Let’s dream big and build a high school for the world’s most vulnerable orphans!</strong></div>
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Can we catch this vision together? I think so. In years past, I’ve asked you to donate a certain small dollar amount. This year, I’m respectfully asking you to consider the weight of the subject and the scope of the work being done by Make Way Partners and make your own personal decision about your contribution. What would we be willing to do or give if it were our children and grandchildren being bought and sold?</div>
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You can make your donation online using this donate button. It’s linked to Make Way Partners. In the field that asks where you learned about Make Way Partners, please copy and paste the following label<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WritersandReaders,NicoleSeitz</strong></div>
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<a href="https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/MakeWayPartners/OnlineDonation.html" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" height="49" src="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/donate1.gif?w=150&h=49" style="background-color: transparent; border: currentColor; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="donate" width="150" /></a></div>
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If you prefer to send a check or money order that address is: Make Way Partners, P.O. Box 26367 Birmingham , AL 35260</div>
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In addition to donating, everyone can be of incredible assistance by using the power of social media to spread the news of this drive. When twittering or pinning this drive please use hashtags #WritersandReaders2012 or #WR2012. (My twitter handle is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ShellieT" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">@nicoleseitz</a>)</div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Authors and Bloggers:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong>It’s not too late to join this effort. If you’d like to participate please comment below and contact<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:audreym@makewaypartners.org" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">audreym@makewaypartners.org</a> with your blog site, Facebook page, website address, or any other acknowledgement you would like to use for your readers to track this opportunity.</div>
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<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thirty days of thankfulness. It’s not a long time, but it’s a perfect time to join hands and do something grand, together.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i><a href="http://www.allthingssouthern.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: #743399; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~Shellie Rushing Tomlinson</i></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-34665833729490043892012-08-13T11:22:00.001-05:002012-08-13T12:34:51.428-05:00If Heaven was Like American IdolLast week, we went to see American Idol here in Charleston as a family. It was our first concert together, and I enjoyed the production and the young people who sang their hearts out. I especially loved the range of ages I saw in the audience from 6 to 96!<br />
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So it got me thinking about all those fans. What if I spent more time watching and voting for American Idol than I did with God? What it I felt like I knew Randy and Stephen and J.Lo better than I felt like I knew God--how might that skew my theology and understanding of God and Heaven? So here goes. A quick cartoon.<br />
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<strong>IF GETTING INTO HEAVEN WAS LIKE AUDITIONING FOR AMERICAN IDOL:</strong><br />
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<strong><em>BUT</em></strong></div>
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<strong>IF AUDITIONING FOR AMERICAN IDOL WAS LIKE GETTING INTO HEAVEN:</strong></div>
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<em>“Enter through the narrow gate. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23330J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. </em><span class="text Matt-7-14" id="en-NIV-23331"><span class="woj"><em>But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."</em> - Matthew 7:13-14</span></span></div>
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<em>Many will say to me on that day, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23339T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ </em><span class="text Matt-7-23" id="en-NIV-23340"><span class="woj"><em>Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’</em> - Matthew 7:22</span></span></div>
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<em>“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23338Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>will enter the kingdom of heaven, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23338R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.</em> - Matthew7:21</div>
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So I realize the cartoon is a little goofy (or a lot), but I think it speaks the truth. Whether we like it or not, getting into Heaven is very different than getting on American Idol. The one the world cheers for most tends to get on American Idol, but the one scorned by the world, the one who chooses the narrow gate - Jesus - gets into Heaven. There's nothing "popular" about this. It offends many. It ilicits many "boos" from the crowd.<br />
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But the Bible is clear. Only children of God will enter the gates of Heaven. To God, "family" means everything, and everyone is invited to choose to be a part of that family.<br />
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My son and husband went to the PGA golf tournament this weekend, and when my husband was showing me photos on the PGA web site of Tiger teeing off, he pointed out my son...or who he thought to be my son. Yes, the person did have a white and blue striped shirt on, a hat, and was about the same size as my son. But it wasn't my son. <br />
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"He wasn't wearing sunglasses, was he?" I said. <br />
"I think that's just a shadow." <br />
"And I think that's just a man on his knees." <br />
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Admittedly, I have much better eyesight than my husband, so he did his best, but I said, "That's not my son. I know my son." Then I looked around the photo, saw only the leg and part of the upper body of a boy behind Tiger and said, "THAT is my son." It was obvious. <br />
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"Oh yeah," my husband said. It was easy to recognize our son even with his face covered up. Why? A parent knows his/her child. Intimately. That love relationship is a KNOWing relationship. A parent KNOWs his child and the child KNOWs the parent. How? They spend time together, invest in one another.<br />
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So ask yourself: DO YOU KNOW GOD? The Bible says the way to know God is to know and love his son, Jesus, who died for our sins. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW HIM MORE? There are many places to start. Here's a pretty cool one.<br />
<a href="http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/">http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/</a><br />
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Grab a Bible. Find a loving church that teaches the Bible. Pray every day, never ceasing, or as my grandmother used to say, "Always go First Class!"<br />
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Blessings on your journey!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-88652752453871267212012-08-02T11:51:00.000-05:002012-08-02T11:51:29.595-05:00DO Diligence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes I like being lazy.<br />
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Some of my best memories from this summer are the quiet, lazy moments I've had with my family...lying on the couch doing nothing but watching Sponge Bob with my son...listening to the quiet as I stand outside my daughter's door and watch her sleeping late...sitting still so my cat can purr on my lap and rest. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, we had excitement, went on trips and drove and played hard, went to the movies, gave birthday parties, shopped and swam. But the lazy times--and the fact that I was so conscious of the fact that I was being lazy--are what I'll hold on to when the vigor of school life and teaching kick up again in the next few weeks.<br />
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Sometimes lazy is exactly what you need. Rest. Respite. Deep breaths of nothingness.<br />
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But sometimes, <strong>laziness can become a way of life.</strong> I know, because I used to be very lazy in my former days, and still, I have days when the temptation is there in the form of procrastination. But there is much to do, I know this now, "and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep."<br />
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Lately, I'm learning endurance. Lately, I'm learning that you can't take shortcuts to greatness or great achievements. I'm learning it the hard way, the only way...through enduring. I'll just admit to the world that I'm training again for a big race--bigger than I've ever run. This race is so big, it's God-big for me, and I need a big God to see me through. I just began training two days ago, and although I've run 1.5-3 miles regularly this summer in this amazing heat, things are heating up. I'm waking up early (for me) and being diligent to eat and drink properly, to have the right clothing and shoes, to get my mp3 player loaded and ready. And when I open the door and the humidity is so thick you could spread it like butter, I head out and take step after step because I have to do my due diligence in this training. There are no easy steps. There are no shortcuts. I have to do this right. Knowing this gets me out of bed when the alarm goes off and my head tells me to hit snooze again.<br />
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Why am I training again? After all, I ran my first half-marathon in January. For a non-runner like me, isn't that enough? Isn't it enough to have run a half-marathon and check that off my bucket list? Once upon a time, I would have told you yes. But now, something else has taken over. This learning endurance has changed the way I do things. I don't just like <em>having run</em> the race, I like Running. <br />
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<strong>Meet ED and ING</strong><br />
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I used to spend a lot of time with ED. You know him. He's the guy that tells you what you've done before. How you livED in such and such house that was bigger than the one you're in now. How you lookED much younger ten years ago. How you lovED the way you felt when you were dating your soon-to-be-spouse. How he treatED you differently. Yes, ED can keep you mired in the past. Spending time with ED prompts sighs and oh wells and discontentment with your current situation.<br />
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Alternately, ED can make you feel better about yourself than you really should. ED can promote laziness and cutting corners, if you don't keep an eye on him. I remember several years ago, I was working with my very talented and patient out-of-house editor, Rachelle Gardner. I think we'd come to a sticky spot in a manuscript I was working on, when I felt like I didn't have any choices. I attempted to do the easiest thing to fix said problem when Rachelle saw right through it and set me in my place. Sure, I had published three or four novels at the time and thought I had it going on, but as she put it, <em>You can never rest on your laurels. You have to keep challenging yourself to get better and better.</em> Or something to that effect. At first it felt like a bee sting, but the more I rubbed it, the truer it rang.<br />
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I was quite pleased to have written. I WROTE several novels. Those were the laurels I was resting on. What I've come to understand fully these days it that it doesn't mean a hill of beans what I did in the past. Big deal. The past is where ED lives and where he wants to keep me. <br />
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Now, meet ING. She's young and hip and the future. She has momentum and good ideas. She picks me up and keeps me going. <strong>What matters is what I am doING now.</strong> What am I doing now? I am writING. I am runnING, trainING, lovING, livING, constantly movING forward, growING in my faith, learnING, listenING, waitING, wantING, laughING, blessING, honorING, hopING, expectING good things.<br />
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Who cares if I did all these things in the past? That was then and this is now. <br />
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So how about you? Who were you before? Did you like that person? Yes? No? Did you do things you were proud or ashamed of? What matters is what you DO from this moment on. Are you likING the person you are now? <br />
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I listened to a sermon by <a href="http://www.equipandempower.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=104" target="_blank">Christine Caine</a> not long ago and she said something to this effect:<em> Some people get mired in what God once did in their lives.</em> I've done this. I watched God do mighty things with my marriage, my children, and my career. I told everyone about these things. I couldn't help it. Look what God did! But Caine said something that perked up my ears. <em>She said it is wonderful what God has done in your life, but don't get stuck there. Look around you. <strong>What is God doING now?</strong></em><br />
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I don't know about you, but I want to see God movING in my life all the time. Sometimes, when it seems life has stallED like an old stubborn car, it takes doING the small things again, the diligent things, to start seeING God's presence. Little things that may not seem like much. Reading scripture every day like brushing your teeth. Hugging your children. Smiling at your spouse. Washing the dishes. Cleaning the house. Lacing up your shoes and heading out the door to get some exercise. When ED seems to have deceived you into thinking that God once movED in your life and never will again--don't believe it. Start being diligent in the little things and watch how sometimes the little things are more important than you think.<br />
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<strong>Final Illustration</strong><br />
I've been thinking about this topic for a while, but I read an <a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120801/PC16/120809856/police-say-worker-poured-bleach-into-dialysis-machine&source=RSS" target="_blank">article in the Post and Courier</a> today about a man who was a disgruntled employee at a dialysis clinic in West Columbia. He had been suspended for luring elderly people into the clinic and supplying them with narcotics. Upset that he had been asked to leave the facility, he allegedly sneaked back in that Saturday night and poured bleach into the water tank that was to be used for the dialysis machines. <br />
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<em>"We believe that this individual, with full knowledge and intent to harm or kill these clients coming in for dialysis, that he knew what he was doing and that this would kill the patients who would receive this contaminated water while they underwent dialysis treatment in the clinic," (Sherriff) Metts said.</em><br />
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Apparently there were 20 patients scheduled for treatment on Monday. Twenty lives about to be taken. <br />
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<em>"Thank goodness, his plan failed due to the fact that the technicians, even though they had checked the water on Saturday afternoon after they finished all of their clients for the day and took no clients on Sunday and was going to begin back on Monday, they went through their checks and found the high contamination of the chlorine in the water," Metts said.</em><br />
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Thank goodness, indeed. It seems that God worked in a mighty way that day, sparing the lives of those 20 people and thwarting such an evil plot. And how did he work? Through diligence. The technicians could have cut one little corner and not tested the water. They'd probably done it a thousand times with no issue. But they decided to take the time and do it one more time.<br />
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<strong><em><span class="text 1Tim-4-15" id="en-NIV-29763"><sup>"</sup>Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-4-16" id="en-NIV-29764"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29764AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup> both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:15-16</span></em></strong><br />
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<span class="text 1Tim-4-16">What is it that you are so tired of doing? Did you do something great once and now you're tired and ready to pack it in? Are you not seeing results quickly enough in your diet or exercise, in your prayer life, in your love life, in your walk with God? It doesn't have to be so difficult. The tortoise really does win the race because he moves along diligently and doesn't give up.</span><br />
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<span class="text 1Tim-4-16">I'll remember my own words in a couple days when I set out for my next run in this Lowcountry heat. The old me would have given up long ago, I assure you, but the new me knows I have an all-Powerful God ever-present in my life, livING, and lovING, and coachING me to the finish line.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-65819436300867181472012-06-23T16:42:00.000-05:002012-06-23T17:43:46.969-05:00Around the World in a Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday marked the end of an amazing week of my <strong>Passport Kids: Around the World Art Camp</strong>. The campers were the amazing part. These rising 1st through 4th graders were energetic, eager learners as we explored a different country each day through art, literature, food, music and culture.<br />
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Pull out your passport!<br />
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<strong>Day One: Ghana</strong><br />
Today we jumped head-first into pottery as we created our own<strong> miniature pots</strong> and then painted with watercolors when they were dry. The women in Ghana usually make the pots and put them all in a bonfire to dry. Instead of lighting matches, we used air dry clay and painted on day three. <br />
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Next we created <strong>Adinkra cloths</strong>, or ceremonial fabrics traditionally made by the Asante people. Our versions used carved styrofoam blocks and fabric paint printed on white bandanas. <br />
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Perhaps the big hit of the day was the chocolate! The kids were excited to find out that chococate is made from cocoa beans that grow on a plant. Then they were excited to eat it!<br />
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<strong>Day Two: France</strong><br />
Learning about France was great fun with the kids, and spending a day there in spirit made me want to go there even more in person. <br />
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Next we shared croissants and grapes (it is wine-country), and then learned about artist <strong>Henri Matisse</strong> through a wonderful children's book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Matisse-Color-Anholts-Artists-Children/dp/0764160478/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340399894&sr=1-1&keywords=matisse+the+king+of+color" target="_blank">Matisse: The King of Color</a>. In his latter days, Matisse was bed-ridden and took to cutting out collages of his marvelous, colorful shapes. So we did the same. We also learned about theatrical <strong>mise en scene</strong>, and created our own backdrops for our own stories.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvhuiMARdg8/T-Tk1hUrl0I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/C-UxFvvjl0k/s1600/P1210115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvhuiMARdg8/T-Tk1hUrl0I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/C-UxFvvjl0k/s320/P1210115.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>Day 3: Russia</strong><br />
I visited Russia in 1989 (actually, it was the USSR back then) and shared some of my souvenirs with the kids. It was hard to keep our hands off of the nesting dolls or<strong> matryoshka</strong>, but we did it long enough to paint our own! For those who wanted a little more architectural challenge, they painted watercolor images of <strong>St. Basil's Cathedral</strong> in Red Square.<br />
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Next, we studied artist <strong>Marc Chagall</strong> and his dream-like images, and then made some ourselves using oil pastels to memorialize a special dream. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmV3q8tGn_8/T-Tkj6E-t-I/AAAAAAAAAWI/vPAwzpNlUTU/s1600/P1210086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmV3q8tGn_8/T-Tkj6E-t-I/AAAAAAAAAWI/vPAwzpNlUTU/s320/P1210086.JPG" width="262" /></a>I remember fondly the black bread and white cheese I ate for breakfast every day when I was there long ago, and so our snack for today was as close as I could get...pumpernickel and provolone. The kids couldn't get enough! But the absolute favorite of our day in Russia were the fabulous <strong>Faberge eggs</strong> made from foam eggs and Crayola Model Magic. These are bookshelf-worthy!<br />
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<strong>Day 4: India</strong><br />
In India, we got our groove on, listening to some Indian music, and enjoyed our nan and Major Greys chutney. The kids then traced their hands and created their very own henna tattoos or <strong>Mehndi designs.</strong><br />
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<strong>Day 5: Madagascar</strong><br />
The animals and flora of the island nation Madagascar captivated us today! First we created prints of lemurs and chameleons. <br />
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Next, we painted <strong>Baobab trees</strong>, which look like they are upside down! Last, we painted wooden beads and made necklaces. Now, I'm dying to see Madagascar 3!<br />
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The kids and their work are so inspiring. Below are some more photos to enjoy. <br />
God bless,<br />
Nicole (Mrs. Seitz)<br />
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-89494764648135360242012-06-07T09:57:00.000-05:002012-06-07T09:57:27.343-05:00Have a Little FaithDo you lack faith? Would you like to have faith? Have you ever noticed some people have strong faith while others do not? I'm beginning to understand more and more that FAITH is a GIFT. Not something someone can praise you for, but something you just praise God for.<br />
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When was the last time you were hungry and went empty-handed to a neighbor or stranger to ask for food? Or tired and asked a hotel for a free room because you had nothing to offer in return? It might seem embarrassing, and most of us are thinking we'd never do it. We'd go hungry or sleep in a tent before we asked for charity. Of course, when we were children, we had no problem asking for things. We depended on our parents for all of our needs and asked them for gifts all the time. But something happened as we grew older, didn't it? We became self-sufficient and proud of it and praised for it.<br />
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Just as pride keeps us from accepting charity, it will keep us far away from faith. We must humble ourselves and become child-like again in order to receive the gift of faith. We must be HUMBLE to ASK for things, and our American culture teaches us to have pride not humility, to do things yourself and never, ever ask for handouts. Having a personal relationship with Jesus and God the Father, means becoming totally dependent on God over time, which is completely counter-cultural. Being dependent means being weak in our culture, but the truth is, becoming dependent on God means having access to unbelievable other-worldly <u>strength</u>, uncontainable <u>joy</u>, and true abundant <u>life</u>.<br />
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Pride truly keeps us from God. If you desire to have faith and a relationship with God, humble yourself, admit your pride, and ask for the gift of faith. Yes, it is charity, and in the King James version of the Bible, the "Love is patient, love is kind" verse (1 Corinthians 13) actually replaces the word "love" with "charity". Charity IS love, and faith is a gift of love. You must be willing to ask in order to receive it. You have nothing at all to offer the Creator of the universe except for your praise and worship. You can't DO anything to earn this gift of faith. You simply come with upturned hands to your Father in heaven, empty yourself of pride, and receive in the name of Jesus. <br />
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Does this mean that once we turn to him and learn how to accept God's charity, we now go around asking others for hand-outs and not working hard? Absolutely not. What it means is that we now have strength to work harder and more creatively, to do even more with what we've been given. That with this gift of faith, we actually have something of worth to GIVE to OTHERS. But don't just take my word for it... <br />
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<em></em><span class="woj"><em><br /></em> </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>"[Jesus said] <span class="woj">But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your <strong>faith</strong> should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, <strong>strengthen</strong> your brothers.” Luke 22:32</span></em> <br />
<span class="woj"><em></em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em>"Through <b>faith</b> in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. <b>Faith</b> in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes." Acts 3:15</em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em></em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em>"Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be <b>faith</b>less any longer. Believe!” John 20:27</em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em></em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em>"This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by <b>faith</b>. As the Scriptures say, “It is through <b>faith</b> that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:17</em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em></em></span> <br />
<span class="woj"><em>“You don’t have enough <strong>faith</strong>,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had <strong>faith</strong> even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. ” Matthew 17:20</em></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em>"So if you sinful people know how to give good <strong></strong>to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good <strong>gifts</strong> to those who <strong>ask</strong> him." Matthew 7:11</em><br />
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<em>"Jesus replied, “If you only knew the <strong>gift</strong> God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would <strong>ask</strong> me, and I would give you living water.” John 4:10</em><br />
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<em>“And so I tell you, keep on <strong>ask</strong>ing, and you will <strong>receive</strong> what you <strong>ask</strong> for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:9</em><br />
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<em>"[Jesus said] You haven’t done this before. <strong>Ask</strong>, using my name, and you will <strong>receive</strong>, and you will have abundant <strong>joy</strong>." John 16:24</em></blockquote>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-20389502174233136402012-06-07T08:04:00.000-05:002012-06-07T08:04:19.941-05:00Book Review: Love is Two People Talking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I devoured a book yesterday in one setting, <a href="http://www.eveningpostbooks.com/love-is-two-people-talking/" target="_blank">LOVE IS TWO PEOPLE TALKING</a> by Charles H. Banov MD. Part of what drew me on was the storyline, another, the easy, fluid writing and short nature of the novel, but another part was how this author's gentle soul, faith, and experiences found their way onto the pages of his novel. I literally couldn't put it down and only did so briefly to put my children in bed.<br />
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Sam Geller is an 80-year-old widower who finds he has Parkinson's disease. Narrated through honest eyes that tend to seek out the bright side, Sam slowly comes to terms with the changes of life that this disease presents. Still active and driving, his car keys allow him to continue to work at his pawn shop every day and turn him into a "chick magnet" for the over 70 set. He spends time with good buddies and remains determined to live life as fully as his circumstances will allow.<br />
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When he must finally move into his son's house, he begins to spend time with a 25-year-old granddaughter, Peggy, who lives with Rhett syndrome, a form of severe autism in which she screams often for no reason and cannot handle physical or eye contact with others. The sweetness of the story is that as Sam's disease progresses, he finds a very unexpected blessing in it all. Because of his disease, he and Peggy form this other-worldly unspoken communication, and the love between them deepens.<br />
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I remember giving a writer's seminar at the Charleston main library two years ago, and Dr. Banov attended. The workshop was entitled "Write Your Heart Out," and I shared tips on how to write authentically that story that only we can tell. Dr. Banov told me after that seminar that he was writing this novel loosely inspired by his own experiences with a daughter with Rhett syndrome, and I can remember feeling chills as he did and telling him that this was certainly a story worth telling. I am pleased beyond measure to report that Dr. Banov did indeed write his heart out in this novel. <a href="http://www.eveningpostbooks.com/love-is-two-people-talking/" target="_blank">LOVE IS TWO PEOPLE TALKING</a> is time well spent. It's a novel about fathers and sons, life's challenges and blessings, and learning to communicate in whatever language our loved ones speak. It is an inspiration to read of a man who's Jewish faith and honest check of himself, allow him to rise above pride and ego and disease, to live with joy, no matter what life brings.<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-76899898006621341372012-02-14T11:15:00.000-05:002012-02-14T11:15:34.507-05:00God Speed: Lessons Learned in the Race<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BFBwQE4GLfw/TzqGFIpHFpI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/8rakUNC7eec/s1600/P1190228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BFBwQE4GLfw/TzqGFIpHFpI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/8rakUNC7eec/s200/P1190228.JPG" width="150" yda="true" /></a></div>If you read my post <a href="http://nicoleseitz.blogspot.com/2012/01/keep-running.html">Keep Running</a>, you know I just started running 10 weeks ago as a way to grow closer to Christ and watch him shatter the limitations I've imposed on my life.<br />
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<strong>COMING HOME IS GOOD</strong><br />
Last weekend, this newbie who once could not run a mile, <strong>ran a half-marathon</strong> in Hilton Head Island, SC. I think it's fitting that the race took place in my hometown. For many years, I had a hard time going back there, reconciling the old me with the new me and the complications of relationships and memories. I also had difficulty accepting all the new stores, roads, neighborhoods, etc that cropped up since I left and changed the place I once called "home." But as my feet began to hit the pavement at Jarvis Creek Park, a place that never existed in my growing up there and then continued onto the Crosstown Expressway, a toll-road that seemed to pop up out of nowhere, I realized several things. One, <strong>coming home is good thing</strong>, not always easy, but good. It is good to reconcile the new you vs the old one, as you are truly ONE person. And two, running this race on Hilton Head was no accident. I had prayed about this and God had led me through my training step by step. It's no accident the timing of it all coincided with the Hilton Head race. I've just added one of my best memories ever to a place that carried a mixed bag for me before. <strong>Reconciliation with place and old self by creating new memories there.</strong> Amazing.<br />
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<strong>A LATE START IS BETTER THAN NONE AT ALL</strong><br />
About thirty minutes before the race, my sister-in-law Megan and I thought we should visit the restroom one more time, just in case. The line was long. So long that by the time we got there, we really did have to go which caused us to start the race 2 minutes late. However, my stopwatch was working this time (It didn't in the Charlie Post race), so I could see my accurate time and didn't sweat the small detail of missing the start. And you know what? Sometimes we start the race late, don't we? I have on many occasions in my life. <strong>I think the key is that we start running, no matter if everyone is already way ahead of us.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>SOMEONE MUST PAY THE TOLL</strong><br />
After getting on to the Crosstown, I saw the toll signs up ahead. This is not something we see in Charleston, so it was quite a curiosity. I believe it was $1.50 for cars. At about three miles, I was well into prayer and loving the beauty of the place, the nature, the cloudless sky. So looking at that toll bridge brought this simultaneous thought. <em>Someone must pay the toll.</em> But I have no money, my road-weary mind responded. <em>But I have already paid your toll.</em> Wow. Thank you. Yes, there is a toll and someone must pay it to pass. I am grateful that Christ has paid mine because I certainly don't have enough currency to get to the other side on my own.<br />
<br />
<strong>LEARNING TO ASK</strong><br />
When I first ran two miles with God 10 weeks ago and didn't keel over, I knew I was fully in this. However, running is still not easy for me. There are very difficult days. On a particularly hard run, I will get a bit scared about the long run ahead of me that weekend and ask friends to pray. The first time I did this, I ran like Superwoman. I realized then that I wasn't running on my own, but literally carried by prayer. Now, when I have a long run, I ask everyone, even strangers who offer, to pray for me, because I have learned something more about prayer. <strong>Humbling yourself to ask someone to pray allows them to make a choice and then draws you both closer to God.</strong> Something moves in the heavens when multiple people are coming together in prayer. Something powerful. Running the long runs have taught me to ask for prayer, and I am witness that great things happen when you do. I wonder why I don't apply this concept to other areas of my life. I have had close friends pray for me when I was "running a marathon" to finish a manuscript, and it has worked as well. Wow. <strong>Ask someone to pray for that something that seems impossible for you to do. See what happens.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>UNANSWERED PRAYERS CAN BE A GOOD THING</strong><br />
Normally during I run, I don't drink water. I know, how stupid is that? But I pray for my thirst and hunger to go and it does. For the half-marathon, I decided I wanted to finish this race, not fall over from dehydration, so I decided whenever something was offered to me, I would drink it. This proved to be good and not-so good. The good part was I learned how to do the grab and go, taking a swig of water or Gatorade and tossing the cup without breaking pace or throwing water on anyone. The not-so-good part was at about 4 miles, I felt my bladder rebelling. At about 6 miles, I remember passing a sign that said "Restrooms". Yes, I <em>passed</em> that sign. I had never had to stop running before and was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back on track with my pacing, etc. Boy, did I think about that sign for the next over two miles! I prayed to God something akin to: <em>please let this go away without my wetting myself, or let it just evaporate or return to my body, etc.</em> After a good four miles of this prayer, I knew I had to go and God had not answered it. (Thank goodness, I probably would have keeled over from sickness!) Instead, he brought me back around to that same "Restrooms" sign. I almost heard angels singing. I only lost about a minute with the stop and was able to find my pace again. I am thankful God did not answer that particular prayer in the way I wanted, but he did answer it in the way he saw fit. More to come on this, but know that <strong>sometimes God will force us to take pit stops to rest or recover. We shouldn't fight these so hard and long, but rest in the fact that his timing is perfect and he sees the bigger picture.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>ENVY VS ENCOURAGEMENT</strong><br />
That restroom pit stop let a lot of people in front of me who had been behind. And mind you, I started the race two minutes late. Part of me, the cruddy part, started inwardly groaning that I had lost ground and others were now ahead. But I gripped myself in prayer and instead looked at the face of a gentleman I had easily passed earlier as he now passed me while coming out of the restroom. He was grinning ear to ear, not something people do much in running races. I took pleasure in that smile and smiled myself. Good for him. I started praying again for the people around me, for the man who was limping, for the old woman who was running faster than me. I was swept up in the humanity of it all, pulling for everyone, wanting each of us =to finish this race. And then I saw her. My sister-in-law. She had gained on me when I'd gotten off track. I cheered her on and seeing her pulled me on. I watched her climb the bridge ahead, the one we'd already done on the other side. I knew how hard that bridge was and I prayed and encouraged her, knowing my time would come soon. Putting my thoughts on Megan and others took the thoughts of my own discomfort away. <strong>We have a choice in life, whether to whine about how others are getting ahead or to choose to genuinely be happy that they are achieving their dreams.</strong> I choose the latter. It makes for a much more enjoyable race.<br />
<br />
<strong>THE FINAL STRETCH</strong><br />
A half-marathon is 13.1 miles. I had not run 13.1 miles before. My longest was 11 miles last weekend. I was nervous about running those last two miles. Could I do it? Well, that pit stop was apparently in God's plan for me, because I watched my sister in law for a good while and then suddenly, I was getting closer and closer and at mile 11, caught up with her. We ran side by side for those last two difficult miles silently pulling each other on. I'd run that race alone, but <strong>God gave me a companion in the most difficult stretch</strong>. I am astounded at his timing and will try not to moan so much when my life seems to be full of late starts and pit stops.<br />
<br />
<strong>WHAT DOES A SNAPSHOT SHOW YOU?</strong><br />
There were photographers stationed throughout the race. I don't know about you, but showing full bare legs in winter, no make-up, hair in ponytail and over 2 and a half hours of running are not the best look for me...or anyone. I just got an email with a link to my race photos and well, they're not so flattering. They do, however, show my hand raised in praise and smiling. They show I wasn't falling over. They show me doing my absolute best. They show God was finishing something he started in me 10 weeks ago. And I think they are beautiful. What about you? <strong>If photographers followed you through some of your most difficult challenges, what would the photos show?</strong> Your hand raised in prayer and praise? You doing your absolute best? Scowling or smiling? This is something I will take away from this. There are always cameras lying in wait.<br />
<br />
<strong>IT AIN'T OVER TILL THE RACE IS DONE</strong><br />
In those last two miles running with Megan along the Expressway, a truck came by us with two men picking up the orange cones that had delineated our running lane. We were both thinking it. <em>Is the race over? </em>We looked at our watches. No, the race closes after three hours and we still had time left. We kept running and shook it off. See, even when people seem to be picking up the cones prematurely, your race is not over until it's over. Not until you give it your all and pass that line. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking you're finished when you still have miles to go. <strong>Even after everyone has given up on you, don't stop running until you know you've finished your race.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>THE FINISH LINE</strong> <br />
Megan finished 20 seconds ahead of me. I could see as we rounded the last corner that she put her hands up and smiled in response to someone. I knew, before I even saw them that my children and husband were waiting for me and it helped me run even faster. My son and daughter ran to greet me before the finish line and ran the last few meters with me side by side. What an unexpected joy this was. I can't help but think about this race of life and how someday, when my race is done, loved ones will be waiting for me and help me over that finish line. What a glorious day that will be. <br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>FINAL THOUGHT</strong> <br />
I don't know what's in store yet. I don't know if I'll ever do a full marathon or what races, if any, will be in my future. What I do know is that agreeing to go on this journey of running has been much more than running. So much more. And here I spent my whole life thinking I'm not a runner and that this part of life was closed off to me. <strong>It makes me wonder what other parts of life I have prematurely closed for myself and what amazing blessings might wait for me if I'd just knock on those doors and have the courage to watch God do the impossible through me.</strong> <br />
<br />
God bless your journey. There is more to your life than meets the eye. <strong>There are impossible things you are supposed to be accomplishing with God.</strong> What are they? God only knows. Ask him.<br />
<br />
God speed.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-67341349677167712382012-02-05T15:39:00.000-05:002012-02-05T15:39:18.405-05:00On Broken Relationships<div style="text-align: center;">You see it every day - people who just can't make it work, no matter how hard they try.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8w3CZ2K7u8/Ty7jEwTzdzI/AAAAAAAAAUY/6I7BGYEGU94/s1600/P1190202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8w3CZ2K7u8/Ty7jEwTzdzI/AAAAAAAAAUY/6I7BGYEGU94/s320/P1190202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Relationships that sour, friends or family who split and go their own ways.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGpExcfvqKU/Ty7jM_buPaI/AAAAAAAAAUg/zDzPZK2DEWI/s1600/P1190203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGpExcfvqKU/Ty7jM_buPaI/AAAAAAAAAUg/zDzPZK2DEWI/s320/P1190203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps you have a relationship that comes to mind -- a spouse, a parent, a child, or friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's too complicated to fix, you wouldn't know how, and even if you could, maybe you wouldn't want to...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzSi8uzSbw4/Ty7jSl4D3zI/AAAAAAAAAUo/nYHXYATqB4A/s1600/P1190204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzSi8uzSbw4/Ty7jSl4D3zI/AAAAAAAAAUo/nYHXYATqB4A/s320/P1190204.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perhaps it is God you walked away from long ago. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKrWY-cJwvE/Ty7jX-6cA_I/AAAAAAAAAUw/Z4yIEO2lB64/s1600/P1190205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKrWY-cJwvE/Ty7jX-6cA_I/AAAAAAAAAUw/Z4yIEO2lB64/s320/P1190205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not too late. And nothing is impossible for the God of reconcilation. Talk to him about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Give God permission to begin fixing a riff that continues to split you apart every day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42nj6d6Ux94/Ty7jdiWqPTI/AAAAAAAAAU4/_6orYqc9fsw/s1600/P1190206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42nj6d6Ux94/Ty7jdiWqPTI/AAAAAAAAAU4/_6orYqc9fsw/s320/P1190206.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then watch as he begins to work in the most creative ways...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKCIzENQeTM/Ty7jj7YbCjI/AAAAAAAAAVA/ov7JpTRSoIU/s1600/P1190211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fKCIzENQeTM/Ty7jj7YbCjI/AAAAAAAAAVA/ov7JpTRSoIU/s320/P1190211.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He is able. And willing to heal your broken relationships. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know of which I speak for I have seen it with my own eyes...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-256afgi2rS0/Ty7jqEsvZqI/AAAAAAAAAVI/ZxrIaDwwV_U/s1600/P1190212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-256afgi2rS0/Ty7jqEsvZqI/AAAAAAAAAVI/ZxrIaDwwV_U/s320/P1190212.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...in my own life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 Corinthians 5:16-21</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-26485722950402177692012-01-29T10:46:00.000-05:002012-01-29T10:46:01.195-05:00Keep RunningSeven weeks ago today, I was sitting in church, listening to the pastor speak about how God uses unlikely people to do amazing things. You can see it all throughout the Bible--the young David defeating the giant Goliath, Abraham and Sarah giving birth to a nation in their old age. Often, the more unlikely the person, the greater the victory for God. Where we are weak, he shows his strength "so that no man can boast". It cannot be the person, it must be God. So it got me thinking, <em>what am I highly unlikely to do?</em> <br />
<br />
Something came to mind instantly: <em>run a marathon</em>. <br />
<br />
Huh? What? <br />
<br />
I am the <u>least</u> likely person to ever run a marathon. In sixth grade, I could barely run a mile. If I ever exert myself, I get this knife in the throat sensation, something I've always self-diagnosed as exercise-induced asthma. This has been my limitation my whole life. There are runners and there is me. The two do not mix.<br />
<br />
I talked this over with God and he assured me I can trust him. I do trust him, so I said <em>okay. I cannot do this, but if you want me to, You can.</em> I downloaded a document from Fitness Magazine on how to train for a half-marathon in 8 weeks for beginners. It said if you can run two miles, you can do this.<br />
<br />
I'd never run two miles in my nearly four decades of life.<br />
<br />
That day, I set out on a painful journey where I had to pray for every step, pray for the breath, for the pain in my throat to go away. I felt things jiggling in places I never knew existed. It was excruciating. It was elating, because God brought me through. I told him, "I will take the steps if you will meet me." And he did. When I completed 2 miles in 30 minutes (that's 2 15-minute miles), he said, "You can do this. I got you." And I began my training the next day.<br />
<br />
I have been faithful to take the steps. I have woken up at 5 AM and run in the dark just to get my run in before I had to hop on a plane. I have blessed the houses I passed, prayed for the people I passed. I have been blessed with an old woman on a walker who told me to <strong>Keep Running</strong>. I have been blessed with people who have prayed for my runs because as I tell them, <em>I am not a runner, but God is</em>. I've never experienced such an amazing growth in faith by learning endurance and learning to pray for every step. <br />
<br />
My family used to laugh at my running style, arms rigid so I wouldn't get cramps. If you see me now, you might watch a left hand raise in praise as I am blown away by his faithfulness to me. He has healed my "exercise induced asthma." He has taught me how to breathe. He has taught me self-discipline. When I run, I ask him to take captive my lungs, my heart, my legs, my mind, and he does. It is an awesome ride. Some days are very difficult still, but I am faithful to meet him on the road because he is faithful.<br />
<br />
To make matters more interesting, for the past three weeks of my training, I have been fasting. Normally, I would not mention this private matter, but for these purposes, it illuminates how totally awesome God's work has been. Yes, I gave up caffeine and had to run on water only. I gave up seafood (I don't eat meat), dairy and breads and pastas and wine and all sweets and sweeteners. When I was out of town and all that was served was barbecue, I had to survive on a bag of peanuts, and He ran 8 miles with my body that weekend in Jefferson, TX. Can you imagine how my faith has grown? In doing the Daniel fast, I felt a bit like Daniel. <em>No, I don't need to eat what the king eats, feed us fruits and vegetables and our God will show up and give us strength.</em><br />
<br />
And boy, has he.<br />
<br />
I am not a special person, no more special than you. But I have learned that God wants to do great things though me. And He wants to do them through you, too. He wants us to draw closer to him. He wants us to thirst only for him. When I run, he is my water, he is my bread. I would not trade these hard 7 weeks, running and walking anywhere from 8-28 miles per week, for anything. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, after training for 7 weeks, I ran my first race - 9.4 miles (15K) in the Charlie Post run on Sullivan's Island. I won't go into all the details here, but let me just say that not only did I run that race, but God gave me a running companion I would have never guessed as well -my sister-in-law, Megan. Her plan was to run, walk, run, walk her way to the finish line, and when she caught up to me in the third mile, she stayed with me and my pacing and ran the whole way. I prayed for her the whole way and I was witness to her amazement as she passed each mile marker. We encouraged each other and praised God mile after mile. And though we came in almost last, we finished that race together at a 12:30-mile pace. <br />
<br />
This is only the first race, God-willing, and hopefully a half-marathon is in my very near future. After that, who knows?<br />
<br />
I am learning endurance. I am learning that God will put people in my path at just the right time to encourage me and keep me going in the right direction. I am learning that in running <em>by Him, for Him, through Him, and to His glory</em>, I am running a miracle.<br />
<br />
And I believe in miracles. I have seen many in my lifetime. And I needed to share this with you, for you see, I am still not a runner, but He is. Through me.<br />
<br />
Now tell me, seriously, what are you highly unlikely to do that you have always admired in others but was simply impossible for you? Dare you talk it over with God? It might be an interesting and life-changing journey to begin. God speed.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-80129158357557335962012-01-18T17:16:00.001-05:002012-01-18T17:17:00.990-05:00I Ran Off with the Circus <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393590_10150604591545225_714400224_11426997_1337811969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" nfa="true" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393590_10150604591545225_714400224_11426997_1337811969_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wade Rouse (I'm Not the Biggest Bitch <br />
in This Relationship: Hilarious, Heartwarming Tales <br />
About Man's Best Friend from America's Favorite Humorists) <br />
and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last weekend I ran away to the circus in Jefferson, TX and posted about it on <a href="http://southernauthors.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-ran-off-with-circus.html">A Good Blog is Hard to Find</a>. Hope you hop on over and enjoy!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-52664223009413368232011-09-18T09:16:00.000-05:002011-09-18T09:16:11.654-05:00PassionMy passion flower vine that flourished in the summer sun and winked new blooms at me every day was decimated by caterpillars. This is the one that would reach out and cover everything in it's curly-q arms. It would grab on and not let go. I let it sit there, dead, hoping it would revive, to no avail. So I finally cut it all back, pared, and pared, and trimmed, and sadly left a large heap of barren sticks by the side of the road, remembering its former glory. Days later, as if breathing a sigh of relief, as if saying thank you for cutting off what was dead, my vine started sprouting up and tendrils are beginning to reach out again. What a glorious thing, to see passion beginning to grow again even after the worldly things have tried to kill it off.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28503597.post-85293225200758963422011-09-07T08:46:00.000-05:002011-09-07T08:46:18.420-05:00Bid on this!Last night I was reading Kathy Patrick (Queen of the Pulpwood Queens book clubs) describe the fires that were threatening her quaint town of Jefferson, TX. Apparently, the fires were started by arson, which is hard to fathom. I've been to Jefferson twice for the annual Girlfriend's weekend for the Pulpwood Queens, and the trip always fills my sails. The people of Jefferson are warm and hospitable. I love the B&Bs and restaurants, etc. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9LVi2Rb800/Tmd1OeKC3TI/AAAAAAAAAUM/ymZ5yfhZPLo/s1600/P1170417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9LVi2Rb800/Tmd1OeKC3TI/AAAAAAAAAUM/ymZ5yfhZPLo/s320/P1170417.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I can't stand sitting here in SC, feeling helpless, so I've created a mixed media painting (photo transfer and acrylic on watercolor) of Kathy's beauty salon/book store, "Beauty and the Book". Please bid on this on my FB page (just put a comment stating how much you bid.) As of this morning, the bid is up to $125, but I know we can do better. I will MATCH the highest bid and the money will go to the Jefferson firefighters per Kathy's request. <br />
<br />
I plan on having the artwork framed and shipped to the highest bidder. If you've ever been touched by Jefferson, please make a bid! <br />
<br />
Bid here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Pulpwoodqueen/posts/256574194373694#!/media/set/?set=a.10150791581395612.733261.121816365611">http://www.facebook.com/Pulpwoodqueen/posts/256574194373694#!/media/set/?set=a.10150791581395612.733261.121816365611</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150791581395612.733261.121816365611&type=1"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Copyright 2009 Nicole Seitz</div>Nicole Seitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05231294088226205802noreply@blogger.com0