tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13482316297168108682024-03-13T19:42:59.450-07:00IMMEASURABLY MORE (Discipleship Version)Discovering the Truth that sets us freeLIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-55318390869459485222015-04-19T12:38:00.000-07:002015-04-19T12:38:13.588-07:00WE COMPLAIN BECAUSE WE FORGETAn important discipleship issue from <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/">Steven Lee </a>....<br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="content_main_top">
<div class="crumb_line">
</div>
</div>
<br /><div class="article_image_and_abstract">
<div class="article_abstract_image" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="4.13.CC.ComplainWeForget" class="attachment-330x220 wp-post-image" src="http://www.churchleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/4.13.CC.ComplainWeForget-331x221.jpg" /> </div>
<div class="article_abstract_image" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="article_abstract">
“Take a moment and look back on God’s fingerprints all over your life.”<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<div class="article_text_spacer">
</div>
I am stunned every
time I read the story of the Exodus. How can the people of Israel
complain like they do? How could they be so ignorant, so stupid, so
forgetful?<br />
<br />
The God of the universe had just tossed around the most powerful man
on the face of the earth like a toddler with a rag doll. God didn’t just
humble Pharaoh; he broke his spirit and revealed Pharaoh’s impotence. A
slave people and their God left him and his nation in shambles. This
display of power sent vibrations throughout the world, inspiring fear
and awe.<br />
<h2>
The Deadly Disease of Spiritual Amnesia</h2>
Yet Israel’s response to this spectacular deliverance from Egypt is
not mainly praise, worship and whole-hearted trust. Instead, Israel
responds with <em>grumbling</em>—complaining, murmuring, quarreling. “No
water, Moses! Where’s the beef, Moses? I have blisters on my feet,
Moses. Who died and made you boss? Are we there yet, Moses?” Spiritual
amnesia set in quickly and covered the eyes of Israel’s hearts. So soon
had they forgotten God’s gracious and miraculous deliverance?<br />
<br />
This spiritual amnesia—forgetting God’s deliverance and provision—is a
deadly disease. The people of Israel, on the heels of unthinkable
miracles, with their pockets full of Egyptian jewelry, grumble at their
less-than-five-star accommodations in the desert. This wasn’t just
headache-induced grumbling or low-blood-sugar complaining. This was <em>faithlessness</em>. It is the heart that says, “I know better than God. If only he would follow <em>my</em> plan.”<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Why We Complain</h2>
And yet that’s my heart and yours. “Where’s the dinner, honey?
Leftovers again? Where’s the protein? Is that all you got done today?
Can you change the dirty diaper? What’s this sticky stuff on the chair?”
I can be just like the people of Israel. “I know you’ve forgiven all my
sins at the cross, rescued me from eternal conscious torment and given
me everlasting joy in your presence, but all we have for dinner is Ramen
or Cheerios.”<br />
<br />
Grumbling, whining and thanklessness are not ultimately the heart’s
responses to circumstances, but to God. Israel grumbled at their
enslavement, grumbled when Moses came on the scene and still grumbled as
they wandered safely in the wilderness. Their complaining wasn’t rooted
in their scenery, but their heart.<br />
<br />
The same is true for you. A heart of gratitude and thankfulness isn’t
dependent on your bank statement, doctor’s diagnosis or the praise you
receive for a job well done. Thanklessness and grumbling—regardless of
your situation, even your suffering—reflect your heart. They are sin.
Spiritual amnesia is a deadly disease that threatens your faith and your
joy more than any cancer. It penetrates to the core and rots your heart
from within. <br />
<div class="next_previous">
<a href="http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/251416-complain-forget.html/2">Next page »</a> </div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-6574234503529331442015-04-16T17:13:00.002-07:002015-04-16T17:13:55.482-07:007 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH GOD'S VOICE FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE<i>This one is especially for the 3D Pilot Group who are currently reading Dallas Willard's HEARING GOD. - Steve</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ronedmondson.com/2015/04/7-ways-to-distinguish-gods-voice-from-the-circumstances-of-life.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="hearing" class="CToWUd" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEi4leOhMRQrC88T2fYDWYNdHPlLRd-BA_ZfjcgBOhw1jQIvpplU-0hVBtYW2Fi_NkA29jjZQcA4re-sBASLcw0qQbRfGAliZbGo-7NyT7jIjGylS4zSYEqbSqi8LbkVjnPYwrVhaUsXkBYH6fgfC26OxTyf0OI3fxykz6d9SpOLK_2j=s0-d-e1-ft" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ronedmondson.com/">BY RON EDMONDSON </a></div>
<br />
Every believer wants to hear from God.<br />
<br />
<strong>Why would you attempt to follow God closely if you didn’t want to know His voice or hear what He has to say? </strong><br />
<br />
Jesus said, “<em>My sheep know my voice</em>.” (John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1278932356" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">10:27</span></span>)<br />
<br />
That’s especially true in the circumstances of our life. When life is
happening — we want to know: Is this God? Is this what He is telling me
to do? Is God trying to get my attention?<br />
<br />
And, I believe, sometimes life if just happening. It’s not at all
that God isn’t interested or in control. He counts hairs on our head and
stores our tears in a bottle — He cares. But, sometimes life is life.
Things happen. Doors open. Doors close. Jobs are lost. Health changes.
The deal on the house we wanted falls through. We don’t get the
scholarship we hoped we would. Life happens<br />
. <br />
And, yet, I do believe God will use our circumstances to speak to us. He used a burning bush to speak to Moses.<br />
<br />
I wish He’d use one to speak to me sometimes. I think I’d pay attention to that.<br />
<br />
And, I think that’s part of the problem.<br />
<br />
One thing I’ve observed is that we often expect God to speak in the
grandiose voice of God. And, sometimes God speaks that way, but many
times — at least in my life — God is more subtle than that. Often God
speaks through those quiet moments, through other people, and through
ordinary life’s circumstances.<br />
<br />
In a crowded world of noise and life distractions sometimes it’s hard to understand what God is saying. Isn’t it?<br />
<br />
How do we — in the midst of our circumstances — as mixed up and
confusing as they can be — figure out what God could be saying to us?<br />
<br />
First, I have to say this — it begins and ends in a relationship. If
you don’t have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ — start
there. (Read Romans 10:9 and if you have questions, email me.) <br />
But, for those who have a relationship already — which is the
majority of my readers — how do we hear God’s voice through our
circumstances? <br />
<h3>
Here are 7 thoughts on hearing God speak through the circumstances of life:</h3>
<strong>Mirror your circumstances with the truth of God’s Word</strong> <br />
God will never contradict Himself. He will never speak to us — even
through our circumstances — in a way that will contradict His written
word. I hear people at times claim God is telling them to do something
that is in violation with what God has already said. That’s never God.<br />
<br />
<strong>God uses people to confirm His voice</strong><br />
Even in circumstances, in my experience, God often sends people into
our path to confirm His will for our life. People who attempt to follow
God with their life can help us to hear from God. <br />
Every time God has called me to something there have been others to
confirm they are hearing the same calling. I’ve often had to cycle
through the naysayers to hear them, but they are there. I seek out
wisdom of others.<br />
<br />
When we went to plant a church — I thought that’s what God was doing —
the doors certainly kept opening, but one loud voice of God were the
number of people who kept bringing it to my attention unsolicited —
including one prophetic pastor (who claimed to not be a prophet) who
spoke directly to a 10 year old vision of the plant exactly as God had
originally shared it with me. That was my burning bush, but they don’t
come along often. Probably only when you’re as stubborn as I am.<br />
<br />
<strong>Recognize that God operates from a plan</strong> <br />
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the
Lord determines his steps.” Rick Warren has sold millions of books
telling us that we should live our life with a purpose. God’s purpose.<br />
<br />
Looking back over my life, I could never have scripted it, but I see
how God has used me according to an overall plan. He’s used my life
experiences to shape me for where I am <a href="http://today.in/" target="_blank">today.in</a>
church planting He used my business entrepreneurial experience. In
church revitalization, He’s used my business transition experience. God
knows how to use a past for His good.<br />
<br />
<strong>Examine your circumstances in light of God’s overall plan</strong> <br />
When trying to hear from God through the circumstances of life, we
should not try to make a decision on one event or set of circumstances.
Circumstances may or may not be God speaking to us. We should look at
our life over a span of months or years.<br />
<br />
Jeremiah 29:11 indicates that God has a definite plan to proper us
and give us hope, but it would take the people 70 years to get there.
(We often miss that part when celebrating that verse.)<br />
<br />
When we look at our life over time we will be able to see what God
has been doing. When the circumstances of life consistently line up over
time with God’s overall plan it is possible that God is trying to speak
through those circumstances.<br />
<br />
How many times do we have to hear the same thing — or experience the
same circumstances — before we recognize and obey the voice of God?<br />
<br />
Before God called me into ministry the voices speaking into my life
were many. I was available at the time — in between business careers,
there were tons of confirmations and signs, and I had to view my life in
the context of God’s master plan — of what He had been shaping for
years.<br />
<br />
<strong>Don’t allow circumstances to keep you from hearing or obeying God</strong> <br />
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (NIV) “But I will stay on at
Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has
opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” The common sense thing
to do when everyone opposes you would be to leave, but Paul knew the
circumstances were not indicative of God’s will for his life.<br />
<br />
Sometimes our circumstances may look gloomy, but we haven’t heard the
truth of our circumstances until we have heard from God. God has
typically spoken to me clearest during my darkest days — when He has my
closest attention.<br />
<br />
Fear is a great tool of the enemy. The devil can use circumstances
also to lead us away from God. This is where the Scripture and other
people you trust can help you discern.<br />
<br />
<strong>Ask God to show you His perspective on the circumstances</strong> <br />
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV) <br />
As followers of God we will spend our whole life trying to discern
the will of God for our life; listening for His voice. If we desire to
hear from God through our circumstances we must intently listen for the
voice of God.<br />
<br />
Hearing from God is not always easy. When life is coming at us we
cannot seem to understand what is going on, we shouldn’t be afraid to
ask for clarification. We should feel free to ask, “God what did you
mean by that?”<br />
<br />
Many times I think I know what God is saying, but it’s in the seasons
of questioning that I am more intentional to go back to Him for
clarification. I’ve even taken days away to intentionally listen during
the confusing times.<br />
<br />
<strong>Remember: God’s primary desire in speaking is for eternal purposes</strong> <br />
We limit God to this finite world when we fail to remember He is an
infinite God. When we are trying to discern God’s voice through the
circumstances of life we should consider how what is happening around us
fits into God’s eternal plan to save a lost world from destruction and
to mold His children into the image of His Son.<br />
<br />
God’s primary activity will be in these areas of our life. I’ve
always been able to see how God’s specific plan for me lined up with His
desire to invite a world to know Him. If what I sense He is asking me
to do would help people know Him or know Him better it is much easier to
recognize and affirm the voice of God in my circumstances. <br />
<h3>
Hearing from God is critical for the children of God to know God’s will for our life.</h3>
Our mission is to learn how to hear His voice. We must listen
intently and carefully for His voice through the crowd of noises in the
world in which we live. Thankfully God has not given up on us, but is
still speaking to His people today.<br />
<br />
<strong> Are you in a season of trying to hear from God?</strong>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-9786792196811336862015-03-30T15:51:00.000-07:002015-03-30T15:51:49.026-07:00DALLAS WILLARD ON "HEARING GOD"<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sbT1FIFMcTQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-72767149156443081212014-11-24T16:53:00.000-08:002014-11-24T16:53:43.056-08:00THE CHAIRHere is another classic video tool on the topic of total surrender to God.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kQv0TXlpC-Y?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-68109156667358410982014-11-22T02:36:00.002-08:002014-11-22T02:36:36.377-08:00GOD'S CHISELThe 3D folks at Barkeyville--this is a great summary of the purposes of the spiritual disciplines:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3QCkBL2DfVg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-4174919659439383222014-11-22T02:28:00.000-08:002014-11-22T02:28:02.332-08:00THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE OF SECRECYFor my folks in Barkeyville who are doing the 3D Study, here is an excellent video:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0VxyL-5Cvd8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-685851272085048852014-10-27T15:37:00.002-07:002014-10-27T15:37:16.930-07:00ENABLEMENT <div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhWNuteYQxN2bome5LD3caREWdTMEhut5tc6Rh1rZgk1eRP7eXERqY_Eenrlu2gwME6r2j4583UXtQNEXCeB8d4LjWtBmHAydN_8Ls0QVff8JJH6dLb1oaENpxhQVpiikiNIlbiMGH-4V/s1600/spiritual_gifts_dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhWNuteYQxN2bome5LD3caREWdTMEhut5tc6Rh1rZgk1eRP7eXERqY_Eenrlu2gwME6r2j4583UXtQNEXCeB8d4LjWtBmHAydN_8Ls0QVff8JJH6dLb1oaENpxhQVpiikiNIlbiMGH-4V/s1600/spiritual_gifts_dove.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BY STEVE DUNN</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the study of spiritual gifts, we often define them as divine enablements. This is to distinguish them from skills. All persons can be taught the skill of sharing one's faith, i.e., how to do evangelism. In this case, learning precedes acting. The skill is enhanced when it is empowered by the Holy Spirit's presence in the activity.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
An enablement is not learned, it is bestowed. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit and its exercise provides leadership and encouragement to the rest of the Body as all do the work of evangelism. One might say that the spiritual gift itself becomes a part of the new nature of the believer. They cannot help but make disciples because that in particular was what they were redeemed to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or think of teachers. Some people by skill are good teachers--and we learn from them. But some are given the Gift of Teaching and despite what others may consider a lack of skill or a deficit in presentation, we are compelled to learn deep truth when they speak.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>What do you think--read this alongside Ephesians 4 for more insights.</i></div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-26962340290551863522014-10-18T13:42:00.002-07:002014-10-18T13:42:30.980-07:00CASE STUDY - PEOPLE THAT LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
BY STEVE DUNN</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j2Hdk1wmMLrAMfEWvQwPCz6rQwvdV_ohcjLARzJqpx8EgmYLfmWD9ouVSDZQLMS2y9Ah77nW3chXQXU0F1Hg6BpIkyTI3SNRQ09L2C0tB60IiHNHO7TnVPpqqPyAPdgBqtqz5z1W8w1O/s1600/1221_WVpostal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j2Hdk1wmMLrAMfEWvQwPCz6rQwvdV_ohcjLARzJqpx8EgmYLfmWD9ouVSDZQLMS2y9Ah77nW3chXQXU0F1Hg6BpIkyTI3SNRQ09L2C0tB60IiHNHO7TnVPpqqPyAPdgBqtqz5z1W8w1O/s1600/1221_WVpostal.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Many years ago I pastored a church in the Midwest. The church never had a lot of money; but it had dedicated people and a fruitful ministry with a positive impact for Christ in the community. There were five of us on the staff-two full-time and three part-time. The church's slim finances generally meant that we were not overpaid. Three of us had families to support with school age children.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One day, when money was tight, I went to the mailbox. There was a white envelope in it addressed to me. The address label had been computer generated. In the envelope two fifty dollar bills and a note with more computer-generated words. Those words?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
PEOPLE THAT LOVE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My first thought was to be astounded at so much cash being sent in an envelope with no return address. Obviously, some trusting person wanted to be anonymous. I thanked God for the gift and asked him to thank the giver.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Several weeks later another envelope arrived with more cash, again from PEOPLE THAT LOVE. And several weeks later, another.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One day my youth pastor stepped into my office with a white envelope and cash.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"People that love."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"How did you know?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I've had several myself."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some weeks later another staffer came in with the same astounded look.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Those envelopes for almost two years. Later I learned that they had come not only to my church staff, but others in the church family. Altogether easily several thousand dollars--all in white envelopes with computer generated labels, always cash and always signed PEOPLE THAT LOVE.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What prompts such generosity?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think we know.</div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-57467068947256556982014-10-18T13:06:00.001-07:002014-10-18T13:07:50.493-07:003D CLASS CASE STUDY - LEGOS<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BY STEVE DUNN</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you familiar with that
staple of creative children’s toy – the LEGO ® ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basic LEGO building brick looks like
this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7-3EcPid7nqBAhntjFW44LuQWpV2kRjmVK9jdQqdQFRdsUptFq6kWH1sMJpwGkNdG2VOr7amMS-QDhXTljy6tzvnCYdZ7IwvFCTxKeO0MazZZLt_YvOHKs_QUaugDwv8FPutxK01f4IJ/s1600/lego1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7-3EcPid7nqBAhntjFW44LuQWpV2kRjmVK9jdQqdQFRdsUptFq6kWH1sMJpwGkNdG2VOr7amMS-QDhXTljy6tzvnCYdZ7IwvFCTxKeO0MazZZLt_YvOHKs_QUaugDwv8FPutxK01f4IJ/s1600/lego1.jpg" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On a typical brick there
are 4-8 hardened raised circles that serve as the “connectors” to the other
bricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a connector is inserted
into the bottom of the connector of another block, and then connected to
another—structures can be built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
some cases elaborate toys are created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is something wondrous.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCu-nP9EAKLivcOVAb-xMkq6ugW4gh6aS9crjh9iNC1FfpMKRxLbgjWhQBmDsNbydseD6986QjdXsfMO0Sb951-2p4vE8mZ01sUb_C1J1GQtfe9ITsXJL6-BfBROGCxaBWIRCIdT6hY_e/s1600/gg58733653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCu-nP9EAKLivcOVAb-xMkq6ugW4gh6aS9crjh9iNC1FfpMKRxLbgjWhQBmDsNbydseD6986QjdXsfMO0Sb951-2p4vE8mZ01sUb_C1J1GQtfe9ITsXJL6-BfBROGCxaBWIRCIdT6hY_e/s1600/gg58733653.jpg" height="263" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As elaborate as the ultimate construction
may be—a single block with 4-8 blocks is only to able to connect with only 4-8
other raised circles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There can only 4-8
solid connections.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social scientists tell us that most of us,
while having many acquaintances can only have about 4-8 close
relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are relationships
that are intimate enough to be enduring and dependable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where, to use a scriptural metaphor, “we know
as we are known.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it comes to building relationships
that are capable of bringing people to redemption in Christ, what are the
implications for people who have been Christians for more than several years?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvamekwuLCsbChEEO-NEQhCUBATNP2tiHAEry-Jw49ttrUGK7AQsJ-O0YGKEN-7QHRsSNl2ouboKl6Qh7FYQONi1ivuGaWniP-I-Ejj75FLLzGmHNrXRkjTbysaDj6_AgWliEIu6jIe1Y/s1600/LEGO-st-pancras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvamekwuLCsbChEEO-NEQhCUBATNP2tiHAEry-Jw49ttrUGK7AQsJ-O0YGKEN-7QHRsSNl2ouboKl6Qh7FYQONi1ivuGaWniP-I-Ejj75FLLzGmHNrXRkjTbysaDj6_AgWliEIu6jIe1Y/s1600/LEGO-st-pancras.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-68578270957349161112014-09-13T13:21:00.000-07:002014-09-13T13:21:33.139-07:00THE BIG RED TRACTOR<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iVHYXEE1u34?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Francis Chan has created this little video to teach about the relationship of the Church to the Holy Spirit. This especially for my 3D students.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTYeXv6NSf8DRkTvdxXJAdYUiTxUkSaoAhaxgqpDh-9J-uMVMqZ4LgKOzXDI2moHj142RMxv45hrnHSgcd0CmZOcPf6id192-xetXryUSLHZUVD6JIkq0ecAuPGvoFu773CkZ6rmNVZUZ/s1600/Discipleship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTYeXv6NSf8DRkTvdxXJAdYUiTxUkSaoAhaxgqpDh-9J-uMVMqZ4LgKOzXDI2moHj142RMxv45hrnHSgcd0CmZOcPf6id192-xetXryUSLHZUVD6JIkq0ecAuPGvoFu773CkZ6rmNVZUZ/s320/Discipleship.jpg" /></a></div>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-81958187604342186432014-09-12T23:09:00.000-07:002014-09-12T23:09:16.171-07:00WEEK 1 - ZOE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKfqHHy-R1PTyKyurCI1sEdcJ0OugjTEkYDD3UBDaAL-a7BLNA9ZpejarXjePES9Wc5uWg6ksZA4Rg58My1fK2qZrA6XkmRpOTlPU87vamWTAehMBlkk7_JdLDc45KvNCCKb_Cn0UaQ0h/s1600/Discipleship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKfqHHy-R1PTyKyurCI1sEdcJ0OugjTEkYDD3UBDaAL-a7BLNA9ZpejarXjePES9Wc5uWg6ksZA4Rg58My1fK2qZrA6XkmRpOTlPU87vamWTAehMBlkk7_JdLDc45KvNCCKb_Cn0UaQ0h/s1600/Discipleship.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Steve Dunn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In week 1 of Doing Discipleship Daily, we spoke of the tie between discipleship and Jesus' promise recorded in John 10:10 of the abundant life. The Greek word for life in that text is zoe.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Strong's Concordance has this information on the nature and purpose of possessing this zoe-life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<i></i></h2>
zoe { dzo-ay’) Strong's Lexicon: Greek Origin<br />
<br />
Life- the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is anim<br />
- every living soul- of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs
to God, and through Him, <br />
<h2>
<i></i></h2>
zoe { dzo-ay’} <br />
<ol>
<li>
Strong's Lexicon: Greek Origin<br />
-Life<br />
- the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate<br />
- every living soul<br />
-Life<br />
- of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs
to God, and through Him<br />
- life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed,
in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ,
and to last for ever. </li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li> - life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed,
in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ,
and to last for ever. </li>
</ol>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-53275970319982358392014-09-12T23:08:00.000-07:002014-09-12T23:08:31.147-07:00THE ONLY WAY TO PLEASE GOD<i>This post originally appeared in my devotional blog <a href="http://drstevesdevotional.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-07-08T19:40:00-04:00&max-results=7&start=14&by-date=false">THRIVING IN CHRIST </a>June 19, 2012 - Steve</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
BY STEVE DUNN<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i> </i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards
those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> </i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i>
</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Man years ago, as a younger pastor, I stood at the door of the church
and soaked up the "That was a great sermon, pastor" accolades. We all
like affirmation. It is the way God wired us. I had hit a homiletic
home run and was reveling in the "atta-boys'." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But one of my elders waited until all had passed me by and then simply
said, "I perceive you are a people-pleaser." Trust me, that's not a
compliment. Before I could defend myself he said, "You work hard on
your sermons. You really like it when people tell you they like your
efforts. But here's the problem. On every given Sunday there is
someone in your hearing who should not like your sermon. They are in sin
or harboring a sinful attitude and if you are doing God's work, the
truth that you speak should make them uncomfortable, feel guilty, maybe
even angry. If everyone agrees with what you said, you are probably
being disobedient to God as a preacher."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ouch!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the more I thought about, he was right. And since then I have been
very careful that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
are God's words from God's heart, not mine. And if I speak the truth in
love, then I have to accept that the truth is convicting to a person
not living with God's heart. I need to be sure my sermons please God,
not the audience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What pleases God? Truth, obviously. But faith in particular.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have found that some people have a faith and others live by faith.
Some people have a set of beliefs that given them meaning, comfort, and
even a sense of order. Others live by faith -- they simply live in
daily obedience to the will and purposes of God--trusting that His will
is best and that He provides all things needed for those who live by His
will. There is simply no other option in their minds. They never
settle for any lower expectations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The former can often reduce one to a fairly static walk with God, that
never really surrenders to His will because His will rarely is safe and
comfortable. His will takes us out on mission. "A faith" often allows
us to justify inaction because at least we believe the right things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that latter is what Paul meant when he said, "The righteous will live by faith." - Romans 1:17.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrW8ATL22JdVL7C0WnoCo6NztrTb2YTv5P2T_5B3oKnE301EpNvdu3KZ2C3oXaWsddR1iqFl_diPtSufmgT_aQ1zSPRjT9sCyR153ljjfFYoExKiFGRGKqEU5ziusWtRr32I1fhw5o5Sw/s1600/walk-by-faith.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrW8ATL22JdVL7C0WnoCo6NztrTb2YTv5P2T_5B3oKnE301EpNvdu3KZ2C3oXaWsddR1iqFl_diPtSufmgT_aQ1zSPRjT9sCyR153ljjfFYoExKiFGRGKqEU5ziusWtRr32I1fhw5o5Sw/s320/walk-by-faith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anything that doesn't lead you to pleasing God, even at the expense of
displeasing men and making yourself feel uncomfortable, is not faith.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(C) 2012 by Stephen Dunn</div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-78216388046530158842014-09-08T02:12:00.000-07:002014-09-08T02:12:41.529-07:003D - DOING DISCIPLESHIP DAILY<div style="text-align: center;">
BY STEVE DUNN</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In addition to serving as an intentional interim pastor for the Churches of God and an adjunct professor for Winebrenner Seminar, I have a consulting and equipping ministry called BFRIDGEBUILDERS MINISTRIES. We resources for evangelism, discipleship, outreach, leadership and tools for healthy kingdom-focused churches.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Currently we are piloting a new in-depth discipleship development tool called 3D-Doing Discipleship Daily. Thirteen lay persons from the Barkeyville Church of God in western Pennsylvania are helping us with a test pilot for this program and its materials.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although I have designed this as a public blog, we are using it to facilitate their learning experience and to allow them to reflect and comment on what they are learning. The posts related to this are labeled with this symbol.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKfqHHy-R1PTyKyurCI1sEdcJ0OugjTEkYDD3UBDaAL-a7BLNA9ZpejarXjePES9Wc5uWg6ksZA4Rg58My1fK2qZrA6XkmRpOTlPU87vamWTAehMBlkk7_JdLDc45KvNCCKb_Cn0UaQ0h/s1600/Discipleship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKfqHHy-R1PTyKyurCI1sEdcJ0OugjTEkYDD3UBDaAL-a7BLNA9ZpejarXjePES9Wc5uWg6ksZA4Rg58My1fK2qZrA6XkmRpOTlPU87vamWTAehMBlkk7_JdLDc45KvNCCKb_Cn0UaQ0h/s1600/Discipleship.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
You are welcome to read these posts and comment upon them.</div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-30653364067618218542014-07-09T16:37:00.000-07:002014-07-09T16:37:37.940-07:00WHAT WILL KEEP YOU FROM MOVING FORWARD<i>Michael Kelly's most recent post in <a href="http://michaelkelleyministries.com/2014/07/what-will-make-you-cease-moving-forward/">FORWARD PROGRESS</a> is a must read for all of us on a discipleship journey. - STEVE</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
The New Testament calls us to a different kind of ethic – it’s a new
kind of obedience. It’s not one measured in adherence to a code, but an
obedience that’s through and through – not just doing right, but being
right. Not just acting with love, but truly loving. Not just willingly
acting but feeling it as well. But in the middle of all of these
demands, there is one that isn’t quite as exciting:<br />
<br />
Keep going.<br />
<br />
Don’t give up.<br />
<br />
Persevere to the end.<br />
<br />
Or, as Journey might put it, don’t stop believin’:<br />
<br />
<em>“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses
surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily
ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us…”
Hebrews 12:1</em><br />
<br />
<em>“If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us…” 2 Timothy 2:12</em><br />
<br />
<em>“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various
kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4</em><br />
<br />
<em>“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13</em><br />
<br />
During those days, these verses were read largely in the context of
persecuted believers, or in the prediction of persecution to come. Faith
was or would be challenged with loss, and in light of the cost, many
would abandon their confession. They would reject what they believed.
They would give up and stop running the race of faith.<br />
<br />
But I don’t currently live in a persecuted state, and I’m not often
tempted to give up my beliefs based on threats of property seizure,
social loss, or outright violence. Likely, if you’re reading this, you
might not either. But the exhortations to remain in the faith are still
there. It seems like a good time, then, for me (and others who live in
relative freedom like me) to ask the question of our own selves:<br />
If not persecution, what will make us give up our faith?<br />
<br />
You could probably point to many things, so here’s one more to throw
into the mix: materialism. Greed. Prosperity. This is what might make us
give up our faith. To understand why, though, you have to dig in a bit
to the basis of Christianity, and then how prosperity puts a challenge
to it.<br />
Christianity is, from the beginning, a humiliating religion. To come
to Christ, you can be full of all kinds of sin. But the one thing that
you cannot be full of is pride. That’s because the message of the
Christianity is a self-debasing one – you are dead in your sin, and you
can’t ultimately help yourself out of that condition. You are a person
in the worst kind of need.<br />
<br />
Understanding that helps us see why prosperity might be the thing in
prosperous nations of the world that might most make us abandon our
faith. With money comes misplaced security. With money comes misplaced
confidence. With money comes the altered sense of self that makes us
forget or neglect why we came to the cross in the first place.<br />
<br />
Money makes us forget our need of God, and with that forgetfulness comes the abandonment of the gospel.<br />
<br />
So be careful, all of us who are rich. Be careful that your money
does not replace your God. Be careful that your money does not keep you
from believing.LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-89313029395237005742014-04-06T23:41:00.002-07:002014-04-06T23:41:59.609-07:00LOVE IN A PIZZA BOXTim Bistline is the Senior Pastor of the Church of God of Landisville. He has a deep love of Jesus and a heart for discipleship and his family is a great example of the idea of being missional.<i> <a href="http://timbistline.org/">US AND COMPANY</a> </i>is his blog which is followed by718 people. This recent post expresses the heart of what this blog, <i>IMMEASURABLY MORE </i>seeks to communicate to the 21st century church of Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
<header class="entry-header">
<h1 class="entry-title">
<a href="http://timbistline.org/2014/02/21/love-and-a-pizza-box/" rel="bookmark">love and a pizza box</a></h1>
</header>
<div class="entry-content">
<a href="http://timbistlinedotorg.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="photo" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-294" height="300" src="http://timbistlinedotorg.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/photo.jpg?w=225&h=300" width="225" /></a><br />
<br />
BY TIM BISTLINE<br />
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and
all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is
equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and
all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matt. 22:37-40 (NLT)<br />
<br />
My oldest daughter, Emily, spent a week of her Christmas college
break on a mission trip to the Bowery Mission in New York City. Sixteen
young adults went on an urban adventure to love God and love “their
neighbor’s” in the Big Apple. Something amazing happened to my daughter
which solidified the entire purpose of the trip; something so small that
you and I might miss it, but my daughter “caught the God moment” with
both hands and her heart. Here is her story…<br />
<br />
On Tuesday, the team of college students were sent out to an area in
the neighborhood known as Thompson Park to set up a “make-shift” food
market where homeless people could come and shop for fresh food and
produce. Along with the portable market, a food line was set up to
distribute hot food for the taking. It was a cold, damp and rainy
morning<br />
Emily began serving soup in the food line; sandwiches were being served
along with drinks. Other students moved crates of food out of a
delivery truck o keep the portable market shelves filled with food for
those who came to shop. The mission team kept busy despite the outside
conditions growing worse.<br />
Midway through the morning, Emily served a homeless man who was
struggling to communicate with her as to what he wanted; there seemed to
be a language barrier despite her efforts to speak Spanish to the man.
He kept pointing down, looking under the table as if to point at her
feet. She nodded, kept her composure and tried to remain polite but was
confused by his actions and attempts to speak. After a short time, the
man-made his way through the “soup line” and disappeared into the large
crowd that had gathered for the food.<br />
<br />
Time passed. Emily kept serving soup. A light rain turned into a slow
drizzle of showers; more time passed. And then, out of no where, the man
returned to the soup line with an empty pizza box. He made his way
around the table, moving toward Emily; she felt some concern rising up
in her, but did not panic. She did not feel as though he was posing any
kind of threat. After all, he was only caring a pizza box. He stood
beside her, gently pushed her to one side and put the pizza box on the
ground where she had been standing. She watched the man in action; she
began to notice that where she had been standing, a puddle of water had
formed around her feet. She then began to realize that her feet felt
cold and wet. The man motioned for her to step on to the pizza box; she
did and once again, began serving soup. Then it “hit her”… the God
moment.<br />
<br />
In an effort to love and serve God by loving and serving her
“neighbor”, Emily realized that the “neighbor”, with nothing more than
some street smarts and ingenuity, returned a favor of love with the gift
of a pizza box to keep her feet dry. (It is the wisdom on the street…
to survive, you must stay warm and dry and it is very important to take
extra care of the feet.) A simple, small, kind act of love from a
stranger changed the heart of my daughter that day. The power of love
through serving others can make a big difference in our lives and in the
communities in which we live, and change our hearts. Let us ALL learn
to lead with love!<br />
For more info in the Bowery Mission, check out their website… <a href="http://www.bowery.org/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bowery.org</a><br />
</div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-60441911939332660332013-12-27T18:23:00.000-08:002013-12-27T18:24:11.471-08:00JOHN ORTBERG--SEVEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT SPIRITUAL FORMATION<i>In a few weeks I begin teaching a group on "Speaking Into a Life". It's about mentoring some in their spiritual formation. These words from John Ortberg are a good reminder to all of us who presume to take on this task. - STEVE</i><br />
<br />
The phrase "spiritual formation" expresses the most important process in the world. But it also drives me crazy. Although I grew up in the church, I never heard the phrase until I was out of college. Now it's a subject I find myself writing and thinking about a lot. But like all language, the phrase has a way of taking on baggage and barnacles and misunderstandings. So here are a few items I need to get off my chest.<br />
<br />
1. I hate how spiritual formation gets positioned as an optional pursuit for a small special interest group within the church. People think of it as an esoteric activity reserved for introverted Thomas-Merton-reading contemplatives. I hate that. Spiritual formation is for everyone. Just as there is an "outer you" that is being formed and shaped all the time, like it or not, by accident or on purpose, so there is an "inner you." You have a spirit. And it's constantly being shaped and tugged at: by what you hear and watch and say and read and think and experience. Everyone is being spiritually formed all the time. Whether they want to or not. Whether they're Christian or not. The question isn't if someone will sign up for spiritual formation; it's just who and what our spirits will be formed by.<br />
<br />
2. I hate how spiritual formation gets equated with certain restricted methods. So, for example, someone who grew up in a traditional evangelical spiritual context will swap out meeting at Denny's at 6:00 a.m. for inductive Bible study for lectio divina and learning about the difference between meditation and contemplation and engaging in Ignatian exercises. Any technique is just a technique, and always only a shade away from becoming a new legalism. There is no magic formula, just life. Wise method is always needed, in spirituality as in auto mechanics. But the goal is always love. Better to be a loving person without knowing how you got there, than an expert no one can stand to be around.<br />
<br />
3. I hate how easy it is for people to become "champions" of spiritual formation without actually becoming transformed. Sometimes in churches somebody will discover a particular vein of spirituality and seek to recruit others into it, or assume a superior position because they have found certain techniques—but no one actually wants to become like them. I hate it when we forget that the goal is producing truly good people, not becoming experts at certain spiritual activities, or advocates for certain writers.<br />
<br />
4. I hate it when people misunderstand the nature of spiritual disciplines. I read an author recently who wrote that the problem with spiritual disciplines is that they turn transformation into a merely human enterprise; for instance, if you struggle with lust you can simply begin to practice fasting as a way to alter your appetite. That's a little like saying the problem with eating breakfast is that it turns nutrition into a merely human enterprise. If you have become a Pelagian breakfast-eater, the solution isn't to stop eating breakfast. It's to start doing it with the right mind, recognizing my dependence on God's presence and goodness and provision in it. That's as true for fasting as it is for eating.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2013/april-online-only/seven-things-i-hate-about-spiritual-formation.html?start=2">READ MORE</a>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-75339375755063232342013-08-10T11:21:00.000-07:002013-08-10T11:21:02.330-07:00OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOSPEL CAN HINGE ON ONE WORD<i>From <a href="http://michaelkelleyministries.com/2013/07/our-understanding-of-the-gospel-can-hinge-on-one-word/">Michael Kelly</a> comes post that serious disciples need to reflect upon - STEVE</i> <br />
<br />
It’s only 3 letters. A throw away word. The kind of word that appears
countless times in an article. One that we simply write or say or read
without thinking much about it because at its best it simply links what
comes after it to what comes before it. It’s a word that shows up in a
passage of Scripture that beautifully summarizes the gospel message:<br />
<br />
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from
yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them” (Ephesians
2:8-10).<br />
<br />
In these three verses, the word appear three times in this particular
translation, but it’s the appearance in verse 10 that I’d like to call
your attention to. We are newly created in Christ <em>for</em> good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to walk in.<br />
<br />
You find in this passage a holistic treatment of the gospel. That is
we were saved by grace, through faith, for good works. Take any of those
three components away and you have an incomplete message. We are
brought near to God not on the basis of our own merit, but by grace.
Unmerited favor. Undeserved blessing. Completely apart from ourselves,
this grace finds its root in God alone and His great love and mercy. It
is by grace we have been saved.<br />
<br />
And that grace is given to us by faith. Faith is the track upon which
the train of grace rides. It is the avenue by which we are made right
with God. It is through faith alone that anyone at any time is ever made
right with God. As Charles Spurgeon beautifully put it, “Faith is the
silver thread upon which the pearls of grace are to be hung. Break that,
and the pearls lie scattered on the ground.” Faith is the mechanism by
which the gospel ceases to be mere historical fact and actually comes to
rest on a person. It’s the moment when a person ceases to merely <em>know</em> and begins to actually <em>believe.</em><br />
<br />
And then there is the last part. This grace, which comes by faith, is <em>for </em>good
works. It’s a cause and effect kind of thing. Those who experience this
grace are irreversibly changed. They bear the fruit of righteousness
and now love God with their deepest desires. Their souls have been
awakened to true beauty and, like someone who has eaten the richest fare
once, no longer find a cheeseburger from McDonald’s all that satisfying
any more.<br />
<br />
By grace. Through faith. For good works.<br />
<br />
Our understanding of the gospel might turn on any of these words, but
I’m thinking particularly today about the word “for.” We are created <em>for</em> good works; not <em>by</em> good works. This we must understand.<br />
If it’s “for” then we are free. If it’s “by” we are enslaved. If it’s
“for” then grace is the focus. If it’s “by” then performance is the
focus. If it’s “for” then we are unleashed to do that which God has
reborn us to do. If it’s “by” then we are caught on the treadmill of
self-justification.<br />
<br />
Now all that is well and good so long as we not only <em>know</em> we were saved by grace, through faith, and <em>for</em>
good works. We must also truly believe it to be so. For there is
perhaps no other word in all Christianity that might be so quickly
replaced with another as “for” is with “by.”LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-66670509985385837762013-06-06T19:01:00.000-07:002013-06-06T19:01:42.257-07:00TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIFE MATTERS - MARCH 11, 2013</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i> </i> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWQ71coyEiJXehNWq98_jsLvt8nUy8JuTcmND5X3HRwcwp8D9KiIPDfPQMsPWa2xvpPcji9AQFtPftgIH0awmW0S7tnNrTY1aE3QVmM0xW3tDRl33HUYqfWLmP26ct6Y6yz4SiRVasVO-/s1600/jesus_christ_by_monstermarika-d1z826x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWQ71coyEiJXehNWq98_jsLvt8nUy8JuTcmND5X3HRwcwp8D9KiIPDfPQMsPWa2xvpPcji9AQFtPftgIH0awmW0S7tnNrTY1aE3QVmM0xW3tDRl33HUYqfWLmP26ct6Y6yz4SiRVasVO-/s320/jesus_christ_by_monstermarika-d1z826x.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">By Steve Dunn</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Jesus doesn't need us to reduce Him to a poor puny
Jesus just so people can ‘accept’ him. He doesn't want us to accept him, he
wants us to follow him.”</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- David Platt</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We apologize for Jesus too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We de-radicalize him and spin him, so that
people might be willing “friend” him on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want people to like him. We want people to
accept him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We downplay that his neighbors in
Nazareth were offended by him and his family embarrassed by him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We placed pictures of him with children
everywhere but grow uncomfortable with him whip in hand in the Temple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we wipe the blood stains off of our
crosses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We declaw our apologetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want make him into a Republican or a
Democrat depending on our political persuasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We quote his words on love and yet ignore his probing questions. We talk
about His work on the Cross because the suffering is done so we can avoid the
pain of eternal separation from God, but downplay what he taught the night
before with a basin and a towel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to take Jesus seriously and to
tell the people the truth. “ Then he said to them all:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Whoever
wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and
follow me.”</i> – Luke 9.23</span></div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-71310853525917510372013-04-21T17:05:00.002-07:002013-04-21T17:05:50.146-07:00WANTING TO BE LEGOLASJD Blum writes a blog that I read regularly called <a href="http://boyslumber.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/wanting-to-be-legolas-april-21/">A DEVOTED LIFE</a>. Here is his post from today, one I wish I had written.<br />
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: #dddddd 2px solid; color: #555555; padding: 2px 6px 4px;">
“…He
ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the
land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was
that all were brought safely to land.” Acts 27:43b-44</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bilbo_Baggins.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's T..." class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured alignleft" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/78/Bilbo_Baggins.jpg" title="Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's T..." width="217" /></a> </div>
My daughter recently bought the DVD of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobbit" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Hobbit">Hobbit</a> by director <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/peter_jackson" rel="rottentomatoes" target="_blank" title="Peter Jackson">Peter Jackson</a>.
We have subsequently watched it a multitude of times in the last couple
days so my mind has been flooded with images of Middle Earth. I love
epic tales. I have been drawn into all of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.last.fm/music/J.R.R.%2BTolkien" rel="lastfm" target="_blank" title="J.R.R. Tolkien">J.R.R Tolkien</a>’s tales of Middle Earth due to their epic scale.<br />
<br />
The problem with epic tales is that they can skew our expectations of reality.<br />
<br />
We are all part of the most epic plan ever imagined. The wonderful
aspect of this plan is that it does not come from an author’s
imagination but it is real. God’s redemptive plan has been unfolding
throughout history. What story could be greater than the Creator God of
the Universe, the Great I AM, saving His fallen and rebellious creation
from certain destruction? It is a plan of unfathomable dimension and
limitless depth.<br />
<br />
However, this epic plan mostly unfolds in the ordinary. It is
typically carried out in the normal. Every person plays a role in the
greatest story of history when they rise in the morning and either set
their minds on the things of the Spirit or the flesh. We are all living
in the epic whether we know it or not.<br />
<br />
There are the occasional glimpses of the spectacular but the majority
of the time we trudge along in the familiar. I want to participate in
God’s epic plan with grace and courage. I am reminded of a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=132WIdxvgdo">scene </a>in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lord_of_the_rings_the_return_of_the_king" rel="rottentomatoes" target="_blank" title="The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King">Return of the King</a>. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legolas" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Legolas">Legolas</a> slays
an oliphant by effortlessly swinging up its side while agilely dodging
his assailants. After killing the beast he then gracefully slides down
it’s trunk to land lightly upon his feet. That is the sort of
participant in God’s great unfolding story that I want to be.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:War_Oliphaunts.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Mûmakil in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rin..." class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="126" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d7/War_Oliphaunts.jpg/300px-War_Oliphaunts.jpg" title="Mûmakil in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rin..." width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
Mûmakil in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)</div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
However, this is where the imagination and reality clash. Reality is
more like the Apostle Paul’s experience. Directed by God to return to
Rome, he was placed on a ship by his captors. They were caught in a
violent storm for fourteen days where they struggled in vain to hold the
ship together. They had to unload cargo into the raging sea. Able
seamen had to be prevented from abandoning their ship and
responsibilities. They spied an opportunity to run their ship ashore on
a beach of a nearby island. They casted off their anchors, set the
sail, and made for the beach only to strike a reef. The entire party
gets washed ashore amid planks and a myriad of ship debris. They were
undoubtedly covered with sand and the grime of the sea, bruised and
battered. It was not a very graceful exit. It certainly was not an
elegant or agile landing.<br />
That is life.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legolas600ppx.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Orlando Bloom as Legolas in Peter Jackson's li..." class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured alignleft" height="237" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2b/Legolas600ppx.jpg/300px-Legolas600ppx.jpg" title="Orlando Bloom as Legolas in Peter Jackson's li..." width="300" /></a>I
have never really experienced a “Legolas” type moment. Most of my
moments have been more of the ungraceful and awkward type where I have
landed in an inglorious and embarrassing heap. That does not mean that
they were unimportant or not a part of God’s plan.<br />
<br />
We need to be careful about seeking out and participating in only
“Legolas” like moments. They may never happen. I don’t know if I have
ever felt like I had the perfect words to say or write. I can’t
remember ever clearly seeing the path before me so that I could
effortlessly bound forward without the risk of tripping. If we wait for
the perfect conditions to make our leaps of faith, then we may never
jump.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen</strong>. </em> Hebrews 11:1<br />
Our eyes are on another world as we walk through this one. We have
placed our conviction in things that cannot be seen. Our reality is
that we move forward by faith. That means that we may stumble. That
means that we may become part of a group that gets ingloriously washed
ashore. We may pick imperfect words and look foolish. We may not see
the next foothold and appear indecisive. We may be walking along and
trip over the common and fall in an awkward and embarrassing heap.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37752340@N00/6883574813" target="_blank"><img alt="PESUDA ship wreck, Tlell, BC in HDR" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured alignright" height="159" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7059/6883574813_99859f9323_m.jpg" title="PESUDA ship wreck, Tlell, BC in HDR" width="240" /></a>However,
I will risk landing in a clumsy heap over the security of standing on
the sideline of God’s wonderful plan of redemption with my dignity
intact. My dignity is not worth much in comparison to God’s plan. The
opinion of others is insignificant in comparison to the glories of God.
The blessings of a deep and meaningful relationship with God are found
only in the <i>practice</i> of our faith. God will only be found by
those who seek Him through the power of His Spirit. That happens when
we are actually <i>in</i> the epic journey of faith.<br />
<br />
Are you ready to trust in the promises of God and take your
potentially inglorious next<br />
step? We need to remember that every
inglorious step that we take forward leads us to a glory beyond what we
can even comprehend at this time. That glory of our Lord will cause all
the struggles and suffering of this time to fade in an insignificant
memory. Every inglorious step, taken in faith, serves a purpose and is
transformed by the Spirit into glory for our Lord and Savior.<br />
<br />
We must decide which glory we want the most – God’s glory or our own.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: #eeeeee; border: #dddddd 2px solid; color: #555555; padding: 2px 6px 4px;">
PRAYER: Father,
forgive me for so often choosing my glory over yours. Forgive me for
seeking out opportunities where my risks of appearing inglorious can be
managed. Forgive me for not trusting you like I know I should. Father,
help me in my unbelief. Help me to walk by faith and to set my eyes
not on what I see in this world. Help me to set my convictions on the
things that I cannot see. Help me to take the next step of faith,
forgetting myself, for your praise and glory. Amen.</div>
<br />LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-39551669509242050572013-03-06T21:11:00.000-08:002013-03-06T21:11:00.139-08:00WORK AS WORSHIP<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m06DYIAeCtU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-24083147673128374952013-02-05T16:48:00.000-08:002013-02-05T16:48:35.591-08:00BARNA ON THE NEW FACE OF TEMPTATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQHiu5IfgnKitlrXBYtgBejCLLfH3NMZyqs5StzOyxUX2Ft9hYVKOudxQuv7dMoHcbutD0hDvjHotNutzzP9BieRdO6yUIInaU2XIJchPwUq_4ACBW5yp-MPRnVtVAUoHCKfOa6fNyZHe/s1600/6a00d83452d9dd69e2017ee6f030ba970d-500wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQHiu5IfgnKitlrXBYtgBejCLLfH3NMZyqs5StzOyxUX2Ft9hYVKOudxQuv7dMoHcbutD0hDvjHotNutzzP9BieRdO6yUIInaU2XIJchPwUq_4ACBW5yp-MPRnVtVAUoHCKfOa6fNyZHe/s400/6a00d83452d9dd69e2017ee6f030ba970d-500wi.jpg" /></a></div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-59781925364577998442013-01-28T08:56:00.000-08:002013-01-28T08:56:00.141-08:00CHOOSE SABBATH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGErinO5jXXrDpbmkPR41_bfyuqH_N7KMkQPO-Qten_MgpXX_4Rg4yIdzYJoXU-E1-Hj6HDcVynLvzlv0k652pGYgD_y88lyYQ4zoJOSOeST9hrG4doSxjPE3hv1Ci2p0fqYZXa1hZ13hQ/s1600/Sabbath.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGErinO5jXXrDpbmkPR41_bfyuqH_N7KMkQPO-Qten_MgpXX_4Rg4yIdzYJoXU-E1-Hj6HDcVynLvzlv0k652pGYgD_y88lyYQ4zoJOSOeST9hrG4doSxjPE3hv1Ci2p0fqYZXa1hZ13hQ/s320/Sabbath.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am writing this post on my sabbath. To be honest, I found it among my drafts and I really don't remember whether these are my words or I got them from someone. But it's still worth sharing. - STEVE<br />
<br />
Your challenge today is to choose to Sabbath.<br />
Choose to Rest instead of Work.<br />
Choose to Trust instead of Hustle.<br />
Choose to Sip coffee instead of Pound it.<br />
Choose to Talk instead of Tweet.<br />
Choose to Refill instead of Pour out.<br />
Choose to stay in Jammies for as long as possible instead of getting Dressed.<br />
Choose to Sabbath instead of just taking a Day Off.LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-13261405952069005172013-01-26T08:51:00.000-08:002013-01-26T08:51:36.111-08:00HAND RAISING IN CHURCHLet's have a little fun today with Tim Hawkins. I suspect there's a discipleship lesson in there somewhere - or maybe just some holy frivolity. - STEVE<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TK2_ezOBa2A?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-12230901167692695702012-12-20T18:10:00.000-08:002012-12-20T18:10:12.501-08:00JESUS NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY<object width="415" height="335">
<param name="movie" value="http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/flash/player-licensed.swf?510" />
<param name="flashvars" value="&author=WorshipHouse Media&lightcolor=FFFFFF&refbox.linkto=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/19355/To-Be-A-Disciple/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=refbox-link&refbox.color=ffffff&image=http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/worshiphousemedia/resource/images/main/s/mm/bgm/mm/tobeadisciple.jpg&backcolor=000000&plugins=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/flash/refbox.swf&logo.hide=false&aboutlink=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/19355/To-Be-A-Disciple/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=ctxmenu-about&refbox.authorlinkto=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=refbox-author&logo.margin=15&logo.file=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/partnerships/whm/images/videowatermark.png&frontcolor=FFFFFF&screencolor=000000&repeat=none&logo.position=bottom-right&refbox.titlecolor=87BF3D&file=http://ht.salemweb.net/cpd/whm/media/previews/s/mm/bgm/mm/tobeadisciple.mp4&refbox.titlemouseovercolor=7AAD37&abouttext=TO BE A DISCIPLE&logo.linktarget=_self&logo.link=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/19355/To-Be-A-Disciple/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=logo-link&title=TO BE A DISCIPLE" />
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" />
<param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" />
<param name="loop" value="false" />
<param name="quality" value="high" />
<param name="wmode" value="opaque" />
<embed src="http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/flash/player-licensed.swf?510" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="&author=WorshipHouse Media&lightcolor=FFFFFF&refbox.linkto=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/19355/To-Be-A-Disciple/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=refbox-link&refbox.color=ffffff&image=http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/worshiphousemedia/resource/images/main/s/mm/bgm/mm/tobeadisciple.jpg&backcolor=000000&plugins=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/flash/refbox.swf&logo.hide=false&aboutlink=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/19355/To-Be-A-Disciple/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=ctxmenu-about&refbox.authorlinkto=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=refbox-author&logo.margin=15&logo.file=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/partnerships/whm/images/videowatermark.png&frontcolor=FFFFFF&screencolor=000000&repeat=none&logo.position=bottom-right&refbox.titlecolor=87BF3D&file=http://ht.salemweb.net/cpd/whm/media/previews/s/mm/bgm/mm/tobeadisciple.mp4&refbox.titlemouseovercolor=7AAD37&abouttext=TO BE A DISCIPLE&logo.linktarget=_self&logo.link=http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/19355/To-Be-A-Disciple/?utm_source=videoplayer%26utm_medium=embedded%26utm_content=logo-link&title=TO BE A DISCIPLE"allowscriptaccess="always"allowfullscreen="true"loop="false"quality="high"wmode="opaque" width="415" height="335"></embed>
</object>LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1348231629716810868.post-75674660940430182362012-11-27T16:30:00.000-08:002013-08-19T07:25:14.815-07:00DO LESS BETTER<div style="text-align: center;">
by STEVE DUNN</div>
<br />
I have always been a person who seems to seek busyness. I once described myself as a "recovering workaholic" and someone who knew me well quipped, "<i>Relapsed</i> would be more accurate." My schedule generally has been full and I have had several Facebook friends who have said, "Your Facebook page makes me tired." I tend to be optimistic about how much I can accomplish in a day or week, and my assessment would be accurate if days had 28 hours and weeks had nine days.<br />
<br />
There is no Bible verse to proof text this attitude. "Busyness is <i>not</i> next to godliness" unless you are reading<i> 2nd Imaginations </i>in the latest version of the Apocrypha. The outcome of extreme busyness is generally not pretty. Whether you rust out or wear out -<i> out is out.</i><br />
<br />
It's taken two bouts with burnout to get me to give serious attention to my busyness addiction; and even now I need to be vigilant about saying "yes" when I need to say "no". At some point busyness robs you of joy and true productivity. It's hard to be content and fulfilled when you're exhausted. Some things take time and solid attention. Trying to do too much usually erodes quality or sustainability.<br />
<br />
One of the lessons we need to learn to combat this insidious busyness is to claim a new core value:<br />
DO LESS BETTER.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Many of us carry some old tapes that warn against laziness. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop" has been used many a time to provide a verbal kick in the rear to someone. Yet sometimes,<i> idling</i> is needed to get warmed up for the journey.<br />
<br />
Some of have tapes that say "Measure up!" or "Prove yourself!" or "Always Look Busy!" As a result we press on to produce and take our worth in the quantity we produce rather than the quality of what we produce.<br />
<br />
But our self-worth is first tied to who we are. What we do comes next. And in God's scheme of things, quality always trumps quantity. "Whatever you do in word or deed, do it as unto the Lord." (Colossians 3:17)<br />
<br />
Maybe we find greater joy if we attended to doing what we do well and not worry so much about how much we do. White Castle and other mass producing hamburger joints can plow out tons of little meaty sqaures fried in onions, but does anyone seriously think they as good as that turkey you ate at Thanksgiving which cooked for hours before it was served?<br />
<br />
So here is my counsel, especially as you get ready for the insanity that is the pre-Christmas season in America. Do yourself a favor. DO LESS BETTER.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(c) 2012 by Stephen L Dunn</div>
LIFE MATTERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08626883444873516837noreply@blogger.com2