tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232170278770662052024-03-05T11:37:38.585-08:00SusieSusiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-37842488463553315502011-02-24T07:12:00.000-08:002011-02-24T07:21:33.484-08:00Amazing<div>that God wants to do</div><div>in </div><div>and</div><div>through</div><div>me</div><div>(and you)</div><div>more than we can even </div><div><i>imagine.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">What does that look like?</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Think about it for a sec.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">If God were to </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">let loose</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">and do <i>in </i>you</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">and <i>through</i> you</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">beyond </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">what you can even imagine . . .</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">what would that entail?</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">"Now to him </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">who is able to do</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">mmeasurably</span> </span>more</i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">than all we ask or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>imagine,</b></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">according to his power</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">that is at work within us. . . . "</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Ephesians 3:20 NIV)</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">So</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">what's holding Him back</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">from doing just that?</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Ask Him.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Susie</span></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-92065461039955646252010-06-18T17:31:00.000-07:002010-06-18T17:34:52.060-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b>Girls in the Sisterhood!</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>I have a friend who is offering</b></div><div><b>to give</b></div><div><b>a one-year subscription</b></div><div><b>to a teen girl</b></div><div><b>who can't afford</b></div><div><b>to purchase</b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">SUSIE Magazine.</span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><b>So take this invitation seriously.</b></div><div><b>And if you truly can't afford</b></div><div><b>the subscription </b></div><div><b>($23 a year for 12 issues),</b></div><div><b>let me know.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>E-mail me at:</b></div><div><b>susie@susiemag.com</b></div><div><b>and label your e-mail</b></div><div><b>I NEED HELP!</b></div><div><b>and give me your name</b></div><div><b>and complete address.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>You have to promise to </b></div><div><b>send her a thank-you note!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I'll get you connected.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Love,</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Susie</span></b></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-80511443608447074142010-06-06T12:06:00.000-07:002010-06-06T12:19:27.079-07:00<b>Obie Shellenberger . . .</b><div><b>16 lbs. of mini-Schnauzer fur</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Disassembled my cell phone—</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">took the back off, popped out the battery</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"></span>and had the memory card on the floor.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Had to get a new $100 phone.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">16 lbs. of gray fur</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">ate my blue-inked return address stamper</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">and inked himself, the carpet and the couch</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">BLUE.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Had to get a new $21 return address stamper.</span> </b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>16 lbs. of gray fur</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>jumped up on the table and chewed my GREEN Sharpie pen</b></span></div><div><b>dragging green ink across the carpet.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Had to shell out $110 to the carpet cleaners.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>How can 16 lbs. of gray fur</b></div><div><b>cause so much commotion?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Just when I think he's learned . . .</b></div><div><b>I find his bottle of eye drops demolished</b></div><div><b>and I</b></div><div><b>shell out another $15</b></div><div><b>for a new bottle.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>When I <i>know</i> he's exhausted</b></div><div><b>and has settled down for a 2-hour nap . . .</b></div><div><b>I come upstairs</b></div><div><b>to find that he has</b></div><div><b>ripped his doggie bed and shredded it to pieces</b></div><div><b>scattering stuffing all over the living room.</b></div><div><b>And I buy another one for $10 at Walgreens.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><i>Sigh.</i></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I can't help but think</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>of a girl—</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>just 5 feet and 3 inches</b></span></div><div><b>and at just the time she should know better,</b></div><div><b>she feels</b></div><div><b>some anger</b></div><div><b>or jealousy</b></div><div><b>tunnel right through her heart</b></div><div><b>and out of her mouth.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>But You, God . . .</b></div><div><b>You just keep on loving me</b></div><div><b>no matter</b></div><div><b>how many things I shred</b></div><div><b>or</b></div><div><b>how much stuff I break.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I should have it down by now.</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><i>Shouldn't I?</i></span></b></div><div><b>But just the time I think I do,</b></div><div><b>I end up seeking Your forgiveness</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>so grateful</b></div><div><b>that You keep no records</b></div><div><b>and Your love is constant.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Thanks for never giving up on me.</b></div><div><b>Help me to be the kind of master </b></div><div><b>to Obie</b></div><div><b>that You are to me.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Your <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">servant,</span></b></div><div><b>Susie</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-9957629456733366712010-05-22T19:01:00.000-07:002010-05-22T19:09:47.317-07:00saturday, may 22, 2010<div><br /></div><div>i walked at the park today</div><div>and the wind was so strong</div><div>here in colorado springs</div><div>i thought for a moment</div><div>that it might</div><div>blow all 16 lbs. of </div><div>my furry four-footed little friend, obie, </div><div>all the way to his grandparents house</div><div>in okc.</div><div><br /></div><div>i choked and coughed</div><div>through the wind</div><div>as pollen soared</div><div>and stung my throat</div><div><br /></div><div>but little obie seemed oblivious</div><div>to the difficulty</div><div><br /></div><div>he chased a great dane</div><div>caught a frisbee</div><div>made friends with a st. bernard</div><div>and </div><div>sniffed a golden retriever</div><div><br /></div><div>i was miserable</div><div>sneezing</div><div>swollen eyes</div><div>and ready to leave</div><div>after 30 minutes</div><div><br /></div><div>the invisibles in the air—</div><div>the ragweed pollution</div><div>the dust</div><div>and everything that allergies are made of</div><div>wore me down</div><div><br /></div><div>Lord,</div><div>make me more and more aware</div><div>of the other invisibles in life—</div><div>the small things</div><div>that trip me up</div><div>knock me down</div><div>and keep me from becoming all You dream for me</div><div><br /></div><div>help me, like obie, to plow through</div><div>any obstacle</div><div>and find the joy</div><div>simply in <i>being</i> </div><div>content</div><div>to just walk with my Master</div><div><br /></div><div>i love You, Father.</div><div>—susie </div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-57011668762278767312010-05-10T16:30:00.001-07:002010-05-10T16:37:51.889-07:00<b>Girls in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Sisterhood!</span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>Am thinking about Gideon today.</b></div><div><b>From the Old Testament.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>He was a nobody.</b></div><div><b>But God chose Gideon to lead the Lord's army</b></div><div><b>against the enemy.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The enemy far outnumbered Gideon's little home-made army.</b></div><div><b>And God began whittling away at Gideon's army.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>He couldn't figure it out.</b></div><div><b><i>Don't You want me to win, Lord?</i></b></div><div><b>he must have thought.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>"The battle is Mine," said God Almighty.</b></div><div><b>"Trust Me."</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>God downsized the army three times</b></div><div><b>until there only 300 men left to fight against the giant army of enemies.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Gideon trusted.</b></div><div><b>And God confused the enemies, until they began to fight each other</b></div><div><b>and lost the battle.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Gideon won with only 300 men.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Wow.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>God really <i>does</i> know what He's doing!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Perhaps He's downsizing some areas in your life.</b></div><div><b>Friends.</b></div><div><b>Money.</b></div><div><b>A job.</b></div><div><b>Those things that make you feel secure.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Though you may never understand . . .</b></div><div><b>can you trust <i>without </i>understanding?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The mark of a mature Christian is to</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">accept God's ways</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>without having to understand them.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>Let me know your thoughts.</b></div><div><b>Love,</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Susie Shellenberger</span></b></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-53288576494056109052010-05-02T19:25:00.000-07:002010-05-02T19:30:34.249-07:00Sunday, May 3, 2009Hi, Girls in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Sisterhood!</span><div><br /></div><div>It's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">snaining</span> today.</div><div>My own word for snow + rain.</div><div>Not quite snow,</div><div>but more than rain.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">snain.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></div><div>Feel like doing something constructive?</div><div>How about improving your</div><div>physical</div><div>mental</div><div>emotional</div><div>financial</div><div>and </div><div>spiritual</div><div>aspects of your life?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Sound like something you'd like to try?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If so . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>You're going to LOVE</div><div>the 30-day challenge</div><div>in the June issue of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">USIE Mag.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The June issue just came out,</div><div>so you'll be getting it soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>After you read through the challenge—</div><div>drop me a line and let me know what you think about it, OK?</div><div><br /></div><div>Too tough?</div><div>Too easy?</div><div>Not interested?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know what's going on with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">YOU!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>And I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">promise</span> to start writing more regularly</div><div>on here again!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love you!</div><div>Susie Shellenberger</div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-51889721720948501832010-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:002010-01-19T13:44:09.212-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Girls in the SISTERHOOD:</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>I have a few things I want you to know about!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>• The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">early bird discount</span> for our "Never the Same" missions trip will expire at the end of January, so you need to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">get your application in!</span> We're going to Antigua, Guatemala June 28-July 11, 2010. And we always need leaders. So if one of your parents wants to come, great! You can download the student application AND the leader application at: neverthesamemissions.com</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>• A precious woman in my Sunday school class has offered to purchase a one-year subscription to <i>SUSIE Magazine</i> for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">a teen girl</span> who can't afford it. If this is you, send me your name and complete mailing address at: susie@susiemag.com and label it: I NEED THE MAG. (Please only do this if you really can't afford the subscription. If you can afford it but just don't want to spend the money, this isn't for you.)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>• You have an entire year to save up for our <i>SUSIE Magazine</i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">Mom/Daughter Cruise. </span>It's Feb. 17-21, 2011. We'll depart from Miami and hit two ports: Key West, FL and Cozumel, Mexico (both known for swimming with the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">dolphins</span>). I'll give more information on this later. But please talk to your mom, grandma, aunt and any other fun females you want to bring on this amazing cruise!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Are you reading the Bible?</b></div><div><b>Are you praying?</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">What's God doing in your life?</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I love you and want to know!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Susie Shellenberger</span></b></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-80351630183042566322010-01-05T18:39:00.000-08:002010-01-05T19:05:56.141-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Hi, Girls!</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>I want to continue this line of thought:</div><div>I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>s God really good?</b></span></div><div>Or are we just swallowing that simply</div><div>because the Psalmist tells us so in </div><div>Psalm 145?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you haven't read the past two blog</div><div>entries, please do so, or you may </div><div>feel a little lost with where this is going.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my last entry, I asked:</div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">Why doesn’t God remove temptation, obliterate the devil, destroy the demons? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here are two reasons: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><b><u>First:</u></b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26). </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; ">Therefore, because He's sovereign, </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; ">He gave us a certain measure of sovereignty, as well. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; ">In other words . . . He didn’t create us as robots.</span><br />He allows us to make our own daily choices.He won't force us into His ways.<br />He won't <b>MAKE </b>us live according to His Word.</p><p class="MsoNormal">He allows us the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>freedom of choice.</b></span><br />And many times, the choices we make<br />bring hurt to ourselves.<br />So to shake our fist at <b>GOD</b><br />and say, "How come, God?"<br />is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>unfair.</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; "> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><b><u>Second:</u></b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> <b>Not only did God make you in His image </b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; ">and give you a certain degree of sovereignty, </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; ">but God made you for a purpose—</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; ">and that's intimacy. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">God the Father desires that we love Him.<br />And because true love demands a choice,<br />He won't force Himself upon us<br />but will give an alternative to us.<br />The alternative is evil.<br />The alternative is sin and self.<br />So if I choose to ignore God and say,<br />"I don't want to develop intimacy with You.<br />I want to live for myself and call my own shots."<br />Then the only alternative I have<br />is in the direction of evil.<br />And God will allow me that liberty.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah<br />said that it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>only because of God's mercies</b></span><br />that we're not <b>ALL</b> consumed (Lamentations 3:22).</p><p class="MsoNormal">Really, every one of us should have been consumed<br />a long time ago. It's only because of God's goodness<br />and mercy that we're alive today!<br />This is true spiritually <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">and</span></b> literally.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Think about it:</b><br />The air we breathe is composed in<br />nitrogen<br />oxygen<br />and a few assorted gasses.<br />If the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>oxygen content</b></span> was a mere 2% higher,<br />the world would catch fire and we'd all burn!<br />If the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>nitrogen content</b></span> was 2% higher,<br />we'd all be poisoned and die immediately.<br />Who keeps the atmosphere in such perfect balance?<br /><b>God.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Yet we've all rebelled against Him.<br />We've all sinned against Him<br />But He is good and merciful to every one of us.<br />He's slow to anger<br />gracious<br />full of mercy and<br />lets us continue on and on and on<br />until we finally come to the place<br />where we finally bow<br />in repentance and give our lives to Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">The question isn’t, “Why is there evil?”</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><b>The question is, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">“Why is God so good?”</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>He really <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: Palatino, serif; font-size: 19px; ">is </span>good!</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thoughts?</p><p class="MsoNormal">You are loved!<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Susie Shellenberger</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Palatino, serif;font-size:6;color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-6135666141990248502010-01-02T16:20:00.000-08:002010-01-02T16:45:15.623-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Hi, Girls!</b></span><div><br /></div><div>It's been a while since I've posted, </div><div>but I want to continue this thought</div><div>on <b>God's goodness.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Do you believe God is good simply </div><div>because</div><div>the</div><div>Psalmist tells us so</div><div>in Psalm 145:9?</div><div>Or has your knowledge</div><div>of His goodness</div><div>become more intimate?</div><div><br /></div><div>There was an evangelist named Charles Templeton—</div><div>who was extremely popular and used mightly of God</div><div>way back in the 1950s.</div><div><br /></div><div>After years of amazing ministry</div><div>and seeing God move in peoples' lives,</div><div>he simply walked away from his faith</div><div>and became an agnostic.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I looked at the world," he said</div><div>"and it doesn't seem to me that it spoke</div><div>of a God who could be described as </div><div><i>father.</i> It seems to be a universe</div><div>indifferent to man and to all</div><div>of God's creatures."</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>In other words . . .</b></span></div><div>If God is so good, why is there so much</div><div>suffering and evil and horror in the world?</div><div><br /></div><div>Why are babies born deformed?</div><div>Why do people rape and kill?</div><div>Why are thousands starving to death each day?</div><div><i>Is God really good?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>This is a question that haunts humanity.</div><div><b>Is God good?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>What do we say to our friends when they're</div><div>honestly asking this question?</div><div><br /></div><div>And what's the word for <i>ourselves</i></div><div>when WE struggle with tragedy and difficulty?</div><div><br /></div><div>Girls, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>whenever we have questions</b></span> about the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>character of God, </b></span></div><div>we need to look to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>Jesus</b></span> for the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>answers.</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>When we look at Jesus, we see that He freely </div><div>acknowledged the problem of pain</div><div>and the existence of evil.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," He taught us to pray</div><div>(Matthew 6:13).</div><div><br /></div><div>"In this world, you <b>will</b> have tribulation," He said (John 16:33).</div><div><br /></div><div>"There <i>will</i> be trouble; you're <i>going</i> to have problems."</div><div><br /></div><div>Charles Templeton (the former evangelist) asked,</div><div>"Why is God doing this?"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>But his question was misdirected.</b></span></div><div>God is <b>NOT </b>the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)</div><div><br /></div><div>Man brings harm upon himself when he rebels against God,</div><div>when he ignores the ways and Word of God,</div><div>and when he violates the commands of God. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why, then, doesn't God obliterate the devil,</div><div>destroy the demons,</div><div>remove temptation?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll stop here. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>I'm going to give two answers to this question</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>on Wednesday, Jan. 6.</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>But first, I want some feedback from you.</div><div>How does this hit you?</div><div><br /></div><div>You are loved!</div><div>Susie Shellenberger</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> <i> </i></span></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-76466047870711503182009-12-05T21:07:00.000-08:002009-12-05T21:17:20.416-08:00<b>Is God <i>really</i> good?</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>"The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made" </div><div>(Psalm 145:9 NIV).</div><div><br /></div><div>Do we believe that simply because the Psalmist says it's so?</div><div>Do we simply take it on blind faith that God is good?</div><div>What do we say to people who honestly question </div><div>whether God is good?</div><div>And what's the word for our own hearts </div><div>when WE go through tragedy<b><img src="/img/blank.gif" alt="Bold" border="0" class="gl_bold" /></b></div><div>and difficulty?</div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever we have questions</div><div>about the character or nature of God,</div><div>we need to look at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>Jesus</b></span></div><div>to find answers and solutions</div><div>for the problems and difficulties.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we look at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>Jesus,</b></span></div><div>we see that He freely acknowledged</div><div>the problem of pain</div><div>and the existence of evil.</div><div><br /></div><div>"In this world, you shall have tribulation,"</div><div>He said in John 16:33.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus not only acknowledged evil and pain,</div><div>but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>He confronted them.</b></span></div><div>Sailing across the Sea of Galilee,</div><div>He was resting in the boat</div><div>when a storm suddenly arose that</div><div>beat the boat around.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Master! We're dying!"</div><div>His disciples cried.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Peace. Be still," </div><div>Jesus said to the storm. (Mark 4:39)</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Greek language,</div><div>the command is literally</div><div><b>"Be muzzled."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's the same command Jesus used</div><div>when talking to people who were possessed with demons.</div><div><br /></div><div>This tells us that when a typhoon strikes</div><div>or an earthquake hits,</div><div>they're not necessarily acts of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, the apostle Paul tells us in John 12:31 </div><div>that satan is currently the prince of this world.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to stop here and wait for your thoughts.</div><div>Think this through and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>share your hearts</b></span> with me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll come back in a few days and post some more.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love you, Girls!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Susie Shellenberger</b></span></div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-71682090821083855592009-12-03T12:14:00.000-08:002009-12-03T12:22:00.413-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b>Hey, Girls!</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>I'm helping a friend (Steve Russo) film </b></div><div><b>a teen T.V. special this Saturday, </b></div><div><b>and we need some teens to call in!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>This means <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">YOU!</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>It'll be a fun call-in show with lots</b></div><div><b>of extra features.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>It won't AIR this weekend; </b></div><div><b>it's being <i>filmed</i> this weekend.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">What can you call in about?</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Anything from A to Z.</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Questions about guys,</b></div><div><b>a problem at school,</b></div><div><b>something you don't understand about God,</b></div><div><b>how to handle an eating disorder,</b></div><div><b>a friend who's cutting,</b></div><div><b>how to choose a college,</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">ANYTHING</span> you have a question about</b></div><div><b>is what you can call in with!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The number I'm giving you is toll-free . . .</b></div><div><b>so it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">won't cost</span> you anything.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">888-465-6595</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, serif;font-size:100%;color:#000080;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">But the time to call in is very specific:</span></b></span></span></div><div><b>We need you to call between <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">10 and 11 a.m.</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">mountain time.</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I can't wait!</b></div><div><b>This is my chance to finally get to hear your <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">voice</span></b></div><div><b>instead of simply reading your words.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>So write the number down NOW</b></div><div><b>and stick it somewhere you can find it quickly!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); ">888-465-6595</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I love you, Girls!</b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Susie Shellenberger</span></b></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-6442115393931179162009-11-28T16:05:00.000-08:002009-11-28T16:13:44.458-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>SUSIE Magazine </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b>hit Barnes & Noble</b></span></span><div><b>stores across the nation on </b><b>Nov. 24.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>We <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">double-dog dare you </span>to go to one of the stores</b></div><div><b>and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">take a pix of yourself holding the magazine</span></b></div><div><b>by the rack it's on and send it to us!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">We'll post it!</span></b></div><div><b>Send to:</b></div><div><b>susie@susiemag.com</b></div><div><b>and label your e-mail THE MAG & ME B&N</b></div><div><b>and include your first name, age, city and state</b></div><div><b>and PHOTO.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>You'll find it on a side rack that says</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>"Customer Favorites."</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>You can ALSO find it at</b></div><div><b>Krogers, Cub Foods and King Soopers</b></div><div><b>grocery stores.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The same <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">double-dog dare</span></b></div><div><b>goes for these stores as well!</b></div><div><b>Just change your e-mail label to:</b></div><div><b>THE MAG & ME KS (King Soopers) </b></div><div><b>or CF (Cub Foods) or K (Krogers),</b></div><div><b>so we'll know which place you're</b></div><div><b>posing for the photo with the mag.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Love you!</span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Susie Shellenberger</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-36815340904507634522009-11-06T17:15:00.000-08:002009-11-06T17:19:36.798-08:00<!--StartFragment--><span style="color:#3A5998;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><b><i>SUSIE</i> <i>Magazine</i></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><b><span style="color:#444444;"> </span></b></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span></span><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Big News!</b></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b> ENJOY FREE MEMBERSHIP!</b></span> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">If you've visited www.susiemag.com, </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">you’ve probably noticed we’ve been offering the features of </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">the </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>online global sisterhood</b></span></span><span style="color:#333333;"> at no cost. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">Sadly, we can’t keep giving this precious commodity away. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">At the end of <b>November</b> SUSIEMag.com will no longer provide </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">a full membership to anyone and everyone. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">But we </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>are</b> </span></span><span style="color:#333333;">extending a </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">F</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">REE ONE-YEAR PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP</span></span><span style="color:#333333;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">to existing members (people who have a subscription to the printed magazine).</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">It's a <b>“Thank You”</b> for helping us grow SUSIEMag.com. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;">And if you haven’t joined, you still have time to become a member </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#003300;"><b>FOR FREE</b></span></span><span style="color:#333333;"> if you act now! </span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size:13.0px"><span style="color:#333333;"> Here are the future membership <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b>options:</b></span><br /><br /><br />1. Basic Membership: Free. Participate in some forums and create a basic profile.<br /><br />2. Premium Membership: $13. Full access to the entire site which includes: electronic version of the print magazine, online video devotions with Susie Shellenberger, full profile features, all forums, friend groups, webinars, and so much more.<br /><br />3. Full Membership: $23. Subscribe to the print version of SUSIE Magazine, and a Premium Membership of the Online Sisterhood is included. All you have to do is visit SUSIEmag.com to set up your profile.<br /><br /><br />If you love the </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><b>Sisterhood,</b></span></span><span style="color:#333333;"> invite others...tell your friends. You’ll be their BFF for saving them a few bucks, and we would LOVE to see thousands of sisters get a </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><b>FREE ONE-YEAR PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP!</b></span></span><span style="color:#333333;"> But DON’T WAIT!</span></span></span></span> <!--EndFragment--> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">We love you!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Susie Shellenberger</span></span></span></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-46777669567992748052009-10-29T15:37:00.000-07:002009-10-29T21:44:02.621-07:00Hey, Girls in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Sisterhood!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></div><div>Let's chat some more about prayer. </div><div>There's something really awesome I want you </div><div>to think about.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's found in Daniel chapter 10.</div><div>This is way after the lion's den escapade.</div><div>And after his three best friends </div><div>were thrown into the fiery furnace.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book of Daniel is almost finished</div><div>at this point—just two more chapters.</div><div><br /></div><div>But in chapter 10:4, we see Daniel beginning</div><div>to pray and fast for his people in Jerusalem.</div><div><br /></div><div>You see, Daniel had been taken captive</div><div>several years before and is living in Persia.</div><div>(That's modern-day Iran.) </div><div><br /></div><div>But his homeland is Jerusalem. And he's deeply</div><div>burdened for his friends and family back home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of you have experienced such a burden,</div><div>haven't you? Your heart sometimes breaks for</div><div>your loved ones that you want to help.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're told in the Book of Ezra (1:1) that King</div><div>Cyrus gave permission for all the captives to</div><div>leave and go back to their homes.</div><div><br /></div><div>So why is Daniel still in Persia?</div><div>Why hasn't he left and gone back home?</div><div>Why is he still in a heathen court?</div><div>Hmmm.</div><div>Must be because God has made it crystal-clear</div><div>to him that there's still a job for Daniel to do.</div><div>So Daniel remains faithful to God and stays in</div><div>this heathen land.</div><div><br /></div><div>But we see in verse 4 that he's praying fervently</div><div>for his people in Jerusalem.</div><div><br /></div><div>He's been fasting for more than three weeks.</div><div>He's eaten very little food—probably rice and </div><div>some bread and juice to sustain him—and the scripture</div><div>says, "I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over."</div><div><br /></div><div>In other words, probably no cologne, no nice soaps,</div><div>no hair gel. None of the extras. This shows me Daniel's</div><div>attitude: "It's not about me. How I look right now isn't</div><div>important. What IS important is that I lift my people</div><div>in prayer."</div><div><br /></div><div>What commitment, huh?!</div><div><br /></div><div>And THEN through the rest of the chapter we get to</div><div>eavesdrop on a conversation Daniel has with an angel!</div><div><br /></div><div>And I <b>love</b> the message this angel gives him.</div><div>"Daniel, I know you've been praying for 24 days now.</div><div>Maybe you thought your prayers hadn't gotten through.</div><div>But actually, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">as soon as you uttered the first word </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">on the first day of your prayer and fast vigil, </span>your prayer</div><div>got God's attention. It didn't take 24 days to get through,</div><div>Daniel. He heard it immediately."</div><div><br /></div><div>Cool, huh?</div><div>Sometimes we <i>think</i> it takes forever for God to hear</div><div>our prayers. But He actually hears them <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">as soon as we pray!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></div><div>OK.</div><div>But it gets even <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">more </span>exciting!</div><div><br /></div><div>The angel tells Daniel that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">at the very moment</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">he first began this prayer vigil, </span>his prayer reached</div><div>God and God dispatched this very angel</div><div>to give Daniel an important message.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Really?</b></div><div>If God dispatched the angel </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">as soon as Daniel prayed, </span></div><div>why has nothing happened for 24 days?</div><div>Sheesh!</div><div>That's a long time to keep praying, huh?</div><div><br /></div><div>If you'll keep eavesdropping on the conversation, </div><div>you'll discover the answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Daniel, I was SENT HERE TO YOU as soon</div><div>as you prayed. God didn't delay. But wow,</div><div>Daniel, you don't have a clue what's going</div><div>on in the heavenlies!</div><div><br /></div><div>"I was on my way to you so I could give</div><div>you God's response, and suddenly I got</div><div>caught up in a fierce battle with the demon</div><div>who hovers over the whole country of Persia!</div><div><br /></div><div>"Daniel! It was such intense spiritual warfare</div><div>that God had to dispatch the angel Michael to</div><div>come relieve me from the fight so I could get</div><div>here to you!"</div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the book of Daniel (chapters 11-12)</div><div>is the message from God about things that will</div><div>take place in the end times.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>But . . . did you get it?</b></div><div>Sometimes we wonder why God hasn't answered</div><div>us yet . . . but we have no clue how much spiritual</div><div>warfare is happening on our behalf.</div><div><br /></div><div>Daniel had no idea that God had already dispatched</div><div>an angel on his behalf, but he continued to faithfully pray.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">What if he'd stopped praying?</span></div><div>I think the angel would have simply continued his battle.</div><div>But because of Daniel's ferventness in prayer . . .</div><div>because he kept praying and praying and praying,</div><div>God intervened again and dispatched Michael</div><div>to intervene in the spiritual battle so Daniel</div><div>could get the message God wanted him to have!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Don't grow weary in praying.</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">God always answers your prayers.</span></div><div>Not always in your timing.</div><div>Not always the way you want Him to.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">But your prayers are always answered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></div><div>We simply have no clue what's really</div><div>happening in the heavenlies.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love you, Girls!</div><div>Susie Shellenberger</div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-27169401609139824072009-10-21T13:48:00.000-07:002009-10-21T13:49:58.136-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxXieLPJJKE28fckgy_juINdkWM-MO4C-Q4L5w8SfsW71a6uvkItX0UznMQC2rmo0Hqib4AWhHQCG8-Za2xYkLaPAVovVi6R43TrOWAYG8V-WJZAxabpBlJ92GOKhyphenhyphenPVz4e5Bz_HCZM0T/s1600-h/IMG_0067.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxXieLPJJKE28fckgy_juINdkWM-MO4C-Q4L5w8SfsW71a6uvkItX0UznMQC2rmo0Hqib4AWhHQCG8-Za2xYkLaPAVovVi6R43TrOWAYG8V-WJZAxabpBlJ92GOKhyphenhyphenPVz4e5Bz_HCZM0T/s400/IMG_0067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395158172010598978" /></a>SUSIE Mag interns, Lindsey Rodman and Katie Hargrave (with Obie) at Susie's house working on the magazine.Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-17948204979765234112009-10-20T18:40:00.000-07:002009-10-20T18:50:02.401-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Hey, Girls in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sisterhood!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I want to remind you of how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">important </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">your prayers are to God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Do you realize that as soon as you utter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">His name, </span>you're walking right into </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the Throne room of the Kingdom of heaven?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">He doesn't use call-forwarding.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">He doesn't need caller-I.D.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And His line is never busy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">As soon as you say His name,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">His attention </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">is acutely focused</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">ON YOU!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">God will <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">always </span>answer your prayers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">It may not be in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">time</span> you want them answered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And it may not be the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">way </span>you want them answered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">But He ALWAYS answers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sometimes His answer is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">yes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Sometimes His answer is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">no.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Sometimes His answer is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">not yet.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">But He always answers!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Let me know your thoughts on this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I'm not finished.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">But I want to give you some time</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">to chew on this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Then I'll be back in a few days</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">to share something really</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">exciting </span>from God's Word</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">prayer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">I love you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Susie</span></span></div><div>PS: If you haven't yet signed up for</div><div>the online global sisterhood . . .</div><div>DO IT NOW!</div><div>Go to susiemag.com and get</div><div>signed in and start communicating</div><div>with teen girls from around the world.</div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-48284014812873886852009-10-11T12:21:00.000-07:002009-10-11T12:26:38.379-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Hi, Girls!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">I hope you're enjoying the online sisterhood.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Will you help me <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">pray </span>about something?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I need my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">sisterhood</span> to join me in asking God</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">to send me a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">mom</span> of one of our readers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">who would volunteer her time </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">to monitor our <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">sisterhood</span> postings.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">See, I don't want anyone to be able to put something</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">on there that could negatively influence another reader.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">But because I have to crank out the magazine,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I don't have time to monitor it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">So I'd love to find a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">mom</span> of one of our readers—</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">someone with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">really high standards—</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">someone with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">high morality</span> whom I can <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">trust</span>—</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not to let anything go online that I wouldn't approve.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">So please help me <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">pray</span>, OK?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I knew I could count on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">sisterhood</span>!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I love you, Girls!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Susie Shellenberger,</span> Editor</span></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-61188379912787386422009-10-04T19:29:00.000-07:002009-10-04T19:31:50.865-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Hey, Girls!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">It's here. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">online global sisterhood</span> is now launching.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Have you signed up yet?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">If you haven't, go to</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">susiemag.com</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and get signed in NOW.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">It's a ton of fun.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And if you're on Facebook,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">ask <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Obie Shellenberger</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">to be your friend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">He has his own FB page now.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Love you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Susie Shellenberger</span></span></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-70886146680496797982009-10-01T13:32:00.000-07:002009-10-01T13:47:57.711-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiDnRydeGKAXapsdcJ3eIzsjQhjFfsphzmbMIA_aFLo0C2IYFtI_ovdWOFNJQNYzCqMy21aK3O2nnYW0Oho51FMuiLxpbZ6qyBl6be66xR-AFGNVnLMxrcAWRiSgeBuVtWma4Z-AJ5jYr/s1600-h/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387734540431204066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiDnRydeGKAXapsdcJ3eIzsjQhjFfsphzmbMIA_aFLo0C2IYFtI_ovdWOFNJQNYzCqMy21aK3O2nnYW0Oho51FMuiLxpbZ6qyBl6be66xR-AFGNVnLMxrcAWRiSgeBuVtWma4Z-AJ5jYr/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_BFG13PusY_LnMRyB-hKSnHQq2270CCIfQBcnAIeegRy3h_Nu3RUL7ASsLiG4lvdO5-FvYHNZwQdN_ikHlTuM_rdLwQ_ersebtjdcbmMq33Zha5_5pkMIg_gs5h6m6-exgQwpCKh_3iF/s1600-h/IMG_0066.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387734074577924802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_BFG13PusY_LnMRyB-hKSnHQq2270CCIfQBcnAIeegRy3h_Nu3RUL7ASsLiG4lvdO5-FvYHNZwQdN_ikHlTuM_rdLwQ_ersebtjdcbmMq33Zha5_5pkMIg_gs5h6m6-exgQwpCKh_3iF/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Hey, Girls!</div><br /><div>I want to introduce my new interns to you: Lindsey Rodman from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Katie Hargrave from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas. They’re really excited about helping me take SUSIE Magazine from 40 pages to 80 pages and into stores, so they’ve hit the ground running with new articles and stuff you’ll enjoy.What they’re MOST excited about, though, is YOU! That’s right. They love teen girls and want to connect with you in a “big sis” type of way. So welcome them aboard and help me introduce them to your friends.</div><br /><br /><div>Love you!</div><br /><br /><div>Susie Shellenberger</div></div></div></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-81808875674138166322009-09-22T15:21:00.000-07:002009-09-22T15:23:13.913-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"But these things I plan</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">won't happen right away.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Slowly,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">steadily,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">surely,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the time approaches</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">when the vision <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">will be fulfilled.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">If it seems sow,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">do not despair,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">for these things will surely come to pass.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Just be patient!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">They will not be overdue a single day!"</span></span></div><div>(Habakkuk 2:3 The Living Bible)</div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-4480495950993449772009-09-16T11:50:00.000-07:002009-09-16T11:53:33.246-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"We are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">pressed</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">every side</span> by troubles,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">not</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> crushed and broken.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">We are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">perplexed</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">because</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">we don't know why things happen as they do,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">don't give up</span> and quit.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">We are hunted down,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">God never abandons</span> us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">We get knocked down,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">get up</span> again</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">keep going</span>"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(2 Corinthians 4:8-9 The Living Bible).</span></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-24236625697535937632009-09-09T13:32:00.000-07:002009-09-09T13:39:57.283-07:00Hi, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Girls!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div>Some of you are asking about the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">online global sisterhood</span></span> and when it will begin.</div><div>We really wanted it to launch in September . . .</div><div>but it looks like it will be October.</div><div><br /></div><div>We <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">do</span> have some of the new "skin" up on our Web site:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">susiemag.com</span></span></div><div>but it's just taking a while to get the sisterhood all put together.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">amazing,</span></span> though.</div><div>I just finished a three-hour photo shoot for it today.</div><div>You'll get some video-devotions from me,</div><div>a column from Obie,</div><div>a bunch of new stuff,</div><div>and best of all—</div><div>you'll be able to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">interact with the sisterhood:</span></span></div><div>other girls around the world who are also</div><div>plugged into <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">SUSIE Magazine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>We're creating something really cool—</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">a symbol—</span></span></div><div>that we'll print inside the magazine.</div><div>And you'll hold it up to your computer</div><div>camera</div><div>and it will immediately take you inside.</div><div>It's hard for me to explain,</div><div>because I'm so tech illiterate,</div><div>but it really IS <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">cool!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And if you don't have a camera</div><div>on your computer,</div><div>you'll still be able to make it work.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you have friends who haven't yet subscribed</div><div>to the printed magazine,</div><div>please get them signed up quickly!</div><div><br /></div><div>This would be a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">great b-day gift</span></span></div><div>for you to give your friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love you, Girls!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Susie Shellenberger</span></span></div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-5426877054475969912009-09-02T20:32:00.000-07:002009-09-02T20:58:58.311-07:00<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>I've <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">LOVED </span>your responses on the two questions:<div>1. What's your wall of protection around your life?</div><div>2. Is there anything in your life that needs a "holy destruction" as described in Deuteronomy chapter 3.</div><div><br /></div><div>The foundation for a solid wall of protection</div><div>around your life</div><div>is, of course, a strong</div><div>growing</div><div>intimate </div><div>relationship with Jesus Christ.</div><div>Your parents can also provide a strong wall of protection—</div><div>and some of you mentioned that.</div><div>Youth group,</div><div>Bible study,</div><div>and</div><div>church</div><div>are also great sources that provide</div><div>a strong wall of protection.</div><div>But the wall begins</div><div>with our relationship</div><div>with Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now about that "holy destruction"</div><div>we talked about. . . .</div><div><br /></div><div>We read a sobering story</div><div>about a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">holy destruction </span></span></div><div>gone bad</div><div>in 1 Samuel 15.</div><div>It went bad</div><div>because Saul only halfheartedly</div><div>attempted the holy destruction.</div><div>He didn't carry it through</div><div>with 100%.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the recap:</div><div>God spoke to Saul through Samuel the prophet saying,</div><div>"Destroy the Amalekites—</div><div>the people who snuck up behind you</div><div>and attacked your weakest</div><div>and most feeble when you were</div><div>wandering in the wilderness." </div><div>(See Deuteronomy 25:18 for that part of the story).</div><div>"Make sure you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">destroy </span></div><div>every man,</div><div>woman,</div><div>child</div><div>and</div><div>beast.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Leave nothing behind."</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>So Saul gathered 200,000 footmen</div><div>from Israel</div><div>and 10,000 footmen</div><div>from Judah,</div><div>marched on the Amalekites</div><div>and utterly destroyed them . . .</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">all except for one.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>He kept Agag, king of the Amalekites,</div><div>along with some sheep.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Saul returned victorious to Israel,</div><div>he saw the prophet Samuel in the distance.</div><div>"Blessed be the name of the Lord!" Saul said.</div><div>"I have obeyed all of His commandments!"</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"Really?"</span></span> Samuel said.</div><div>"Then how come I hear the sound of sheep bleating."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh. Well . . . uh . . . we saved the best of the sheep</div><div>and the oxen </div><div>to bring back as a sacrifice to Jehovah!" Saul declared.</div><div><br /></div><div>Samuel looked at Saul and said,</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"To obey is better than sacrifice.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Rebellion is as bad as witchcraft and idolatry.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And who's he?"</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>(Wow. Rebellion—disobeying God—is as bad as</div><div>witchcraft and idolatry? Rebellion—disobeying God—</div><div>is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">serious</span> stuff!)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"And who's he?" Samuel asked.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>"This is Agag, king of the Amalekites. </div><div>I brought him back as a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">trophy,</span></span>" Saul answered.</div><div><br /></div><div>Samuel grabbed a sword and hacked Agag into pieces</div><div>right there on the spot,</div><div>threw down the sword in utter disgust</div><div>and said, </div><div>"Saul! You have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">disobeyed.</span></span></div><div>No longer will you be king—neither you, </div><div>nor your descendants.</div><div>The kingdom is taken from you."</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i>Pretty harsh,</i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> you may be thinking.</span><br /></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"></span></p><span><span>Saul was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">rationalizing.</span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">He was trying to make wrong make sense. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span>We do the same thing, don't we?</span></span></div><div><span><span>Instead of completing a holy destructionwith 100% effort . . . </span></span></div><div><span><span>we only half-heartedly take a whack at it.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i>But I can make it make sense! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i></i></span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i>Surely God wouldn’t want me to destroy the BEST sheep!</i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> </span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"></span></span></i></span><p></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px; ">God doesn’t always make sense. </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">He's the One who says:</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">• The Last shall be First.</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">• Wanna be great? Learn to Serve!</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">You see, it's not our job to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">understand </span></span>God.</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Our job is to simply OBEY Him.</span></span></span></i></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">OK, maybe I can understand the need to kill the animals, but what’s wrong with bringing Agag back as a trophy to march in the victory parade?</span></span></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">At the very end of 1 Samuel, and in the first chapter of 2 Samuel, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">we see Saul 20 yrs later on Mount Gilboa fighting the Philistines. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">Wounded in battle, he heard the voice of his attacker behind him.</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> “Who are you?” Saul cried out.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> “I am an Amalekite,” came the answer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> GASP!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">You see, the period between the time Saul brought Agag back until the time he talked to Samuel was probably less than a week, but in that time, Agag must have escaped and fathered a son.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">Now, 20 years later, he appears and attacks Saul.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">We <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">THINK</span> we have sin under control, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">but whenever we keep a little trophy hanging around </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">to show how powerful we are, we’re playing with fire.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">“R-rated movies used to be a problem” you may say. “Romance novels used to be a problem. Drinking used to be a problem. But I have it under control now. No need to block it completely out of my life. I can turn it off, stop doing it, whenever I want. Partying? I can handle it."<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Watch out!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;">You are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> as strong as you think you are.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;">When God says, "This needs to be destroyed"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">DESTROY IT!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Palatino">That’s why a Father who loves you says, “Destroy completely every Amalekite. If something is wrong, if something is tempting, if something is pulling on you carnally, if something is attacking you from behind, annihilate it. Don’t play around with the Amalekites, because if you leave even one, he’ll come back and get you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;">I'm asking the question again, Girls:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Is there anything in your life that needs</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">a holy destruction?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Love you!<br /></p></div><div>Susie Shellenberger</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-30143549112476932142009-08-29T08:50:00.000-07:002009-08-29T09:22:23.141-07:00I'm reading in the Old Testament Book of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Deuteronomy.</span></span><div>I'm intrigued with chapter three.</div><div>God has told the children of Israel</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(I like to call them "the world's largest backpacking group")</span></span></div><div>to destroy certain cities, kings and people.</div><div>As you know . . .</div><div>before Christ came </div><div>and paid for evil </div><div>with His death,</div><div>God often dealt with evil</div><div>by obliteration.</div><div>(Remember the world in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Noah's day?</span></span></div><div>And <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sodom and Gomorrah?</span></span></div><div>God dealt with the evil</div><div>by obliterating it</div><div>with death.</div><div>A clean wipe-out.)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Back to Deuteronomy chapter three.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>God is instructing the children of Israel</div><div>to deal with those who </div><div>defiantly</div><div>and</div><div>willfully</div><div>oppose Him</div><div>by wiping them out.</div><div><br /></div><div>"So God, our God, also handed Og king of Bashan</div><div>over to us—Og and all his people—</div><div>and we utterly crushed them" (Deuteronomy 3:3 The Message).</div><div><br /></div><div>And we read a little further . . .</div><div>"There were also numerous unwalled villages.</div><div>We totally destroyed them—a holy destruction" (Deuteronomy 3:4 The Message).</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow.</div><div>A couple of strong things to notice here:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">1. unwalled villages</span></div><div>If a village didn't have a strong wall</div><div>to surround it</div><div>and protect it,</div><div>the city and its people</div><div>were an easy target.</div><div><br /></div><div>We need a strong wall of protection</div><div>around our lives!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">2. a holy destruction</span></div><div>Are there some things in your life that need</div><div>a holy destruction?</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out Deuteronomy 3:11. </div><div>Catch this description of King Og's bed:</div><div>"His bed, made of iron, was over thirteen feet long and six wide."</div><div><br /></div><div>Why do you suppose</div><div>God wanted a description of a king's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">bed</span> in the Bible?</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe God wants us to know</div><div>that the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">quality</span> of stuff we have</div><div>doesn't matter—</div><div>if it's evil . . .</div><div>or if it's causing us to do evil things . . .</div><div>He wants to perform</div><div>a</div><div>holy</div><div>destruction.</div><div><br /></div><div>You see, God doesn't want ANYTHING</div><div>to come between us and Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>And if it does?</div><div>We need a holy destruction.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a few questions for you:<br /></div><div>First . . .</div><div>about unwalled cities that were easily destroyed.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">—Do you have a wall of protection surrounding your life?</span></div><div>If you don't, you'll be an easy target for Satan.</div><div>If you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">do</span> have a wall or protection surrounding </div><div>your life, tell me about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Second . . .</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; ">—Is there anything in your life</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">that needs a holy destruction?</span></div><div>Would you be willing to ask God?</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">prayer </span></span>to get you started:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Dear Jesus,<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Is there anything in my life that's not<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>right with You?<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Anything I'm connected with <br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>that needs a holy destruction?<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>If so, Jesus,<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>will You bring it to my mind?<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Help me think of it.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>When You show it to me,<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'll destroy it<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>in obedience to You.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In Your name I pray,</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Amen.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>How do you know if something</div><div>needs to be destroyed?</div><div>Well . . .</div><div>if that "something" is in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">disobedience to God</span></span></div><div>or</div><div>if that "something" is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">pulling you away from God,</span></span></div><div>those</div><div>are </div><div>signs that they need to be destroyed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll write more later.</div><div>But first I want to hear your answer to these two questions:</div><div>Again:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; ">—Do you have a wall of protection surrounding your life?</span><br /></div><div> and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; ">—Is there anything in your life</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; ">that needs a holy destruction?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">You are loved!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Susie</span></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223217027877066205.post-1639896825789556772009-08-24T07:46:00.000-07:002009-08-24T08:02:03.571-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">What Does God's Voice Sound Like?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Let's look at 1 Kings 19:11-3. </div><div>The Old Testament prophet Elijah</div><div>had just defeated</div><div>450 prophets of Baal.</div><div>The evil queen Jezebel was after him,</div><div>so he fled for his life.</div><div><br /></div><div>He'd experirenced a great victory,</div><div>but now he was hiding in the mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div>While he was there . . .</div><div>God spoke.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And as Elijah stood there the Lord passed by,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">it was such a terrible blast </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">that the rocks were torn loose,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lord</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the wind.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">After the wind,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">there was an earthquake,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lord</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">earthquake.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And after the earthquake,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">there was a fire,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">but</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">lord</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">was</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">fire.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And after the fire,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">there was the sound of a gentle whisper.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">When Elijah heard it,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">he wrapped his face in his scarf</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and went out</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and stood at the entrance of the cave."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">(1 Kings 19:11-13 The Living Bible)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Elijah knew God's voice was in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">whisper</span>.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>It wasn't in the tornado,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>the earthquake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>or the fire.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>It was in the whisper.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">How well do you know the voice of God?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Do you know it so well</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">that above the screams and cheers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">at a football game,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">you'll hear His voice</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">in the whisper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">if He chooses to speak to you?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">How can I learn God's voice?</span></span></div><div>By spending time with him.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>When your best friend calls,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>she doesn't have to identify herself.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>You know it's her as soon as you hear the first utterance of her voice.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>You've spent enough time with her,</div><div>you just know.</div><div><br /></div><div>It works the same way with God.</div><div>The more you talk with Him,</div><div>the more time you spend together,</div><div>the more you read His letter to you,</div><div>the easier it becomes to hear His voice.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you're heading into school . . .</div><div>think about all the times</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">God may want to speak to you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>It may be in the middle of a teacher's lecture.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>Or in a crowded hallway heading to the next class.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div>Or by your computer as you work on home-school lessons.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">When He speaks, will you hear His voice?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Get to know the voice of God!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Love you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Susie </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12481259846195036284noreply@blogger.com34