A Spirit of Unity

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May the God

who gives endurance and encouragement

give you a spirit of unity among yourselves

as you follow Christ Jesus,

Roman 15:5

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A team functions fully when the members are of one mind.

This is especially true in marriages and church fellowships.

The best way to be unified is for each person to be following the Leader

and keeping his/her eyes focused on the Leader at all times.

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The Lord grants us endurance

to walk by faith each day

and fills our hearts with love

for each other along the way.

Wendy/2015

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I love my husband, family and church best by loving God with all my heart, mind, and soul first.

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Blessings as you follow Christ first and foremost ~ Wendy

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Can you think of another verse or quote that promotes unity in a family or other group setting?

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New Blog Announcement and Invitation

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Trust in the Lord’s power

to provide a way

for we’re at our strongest

when we kneel down to pray

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Wendy/2015

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My main blog has moved to http://www.wendylmacdonald.com

It’s a big scary step for me,

but my blog was running out of space,

and I know there’s so much more I’d like to do.

The new blog looks much like my old one,

and I’ve moved all my old posts over to it.

I’d love it if you came and checked it out.

Leave a comment so I know you were there and can visit you back.

Blessings ~ Wendy

The Conquering Prince

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Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

Romans 11:33

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The Conquering Prince

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The ancient Mystery

eternal – without start or end

Incomprehensible

a Triune of Love

our God – our Savior – our Friend

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The only Creator

who simply spoke to form the starry host

Unfathomable

a holy Trinity

the Father – the Son – the Holy Ghost

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The only Redeemer

whose shed blood our salvation has won

Propitiation

the spotless Lamb

Alpha – Omega – God’s only Son

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The conquering Prince

who shall return on lightning steed

Substitutionary

the risen One

who claims for bride – all who have believed.

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Wendy/2013

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As Christmas approaches,

 may we ponder, as Mary did,

on the things that we’ve been told

 about our Messiah and soon returning King.

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Happy Thanksgiving to my dear American  friends!

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Thanksgiving Blessings ~ Wendy

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I Call on You

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I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;

give ear to me and hear my prayer.

Show the wonder of your great love,

you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

Psalm 17:6-8

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I Call on You

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When my heart beats

a rhythm of fear

I pray that your Spirit

would draw me near

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For your Love sings faith

 your touch gives hope

 leading me to help

so I may cope

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For to suffer alone

is no path to Light

I need call on You

in the dark of my night.

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Wendy/2013

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This week I am feeling thankful for a praying husband.

What are you thankful for?

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Apple of His Eye Blessings ~ Wendy

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Window to Heaven

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“…the people living in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”  

From that time on Jesus began to preach,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:16

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Window to Heaven

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Make me a crystal

near to your heart

reflecting

refracting

your Light into art

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Make me a window

under your throne

a portal

a signpost

to lead others home

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Make me a rainbow

and worthy to be

a vision

a lantern

so others may see.

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Wendy/2013

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I noticed that the sunlight was shining through the prism onto our wall one morning…

Without the presence of light

the crystal is just a piece of glass.

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This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5

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Delightful Blessings ~ Wendy

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Temporary Treasure

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“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

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Temporary Treasure

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When earth’s gold has dulled

and rust has entered my abode

I’m once again drawn to my Lord

to dwell upon the truth He’s told

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For all the dusty treasures here

are just temporary props

upon a stage deemed kindling sticks

a mere background for all He’s taught

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So I take comfort and delight

in remembrance of this fact

that the only gift I’ll keep for good

 is his love when Christ comes back.

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Wendy/2013

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Death, decay, and destruction are the hallmarks of life on our earth. It is the reality of what occurs daily on our beautiful blue, green, and brown planet.

I was reminded recently that no matter how safe we think we are, and no matter how careful we are to save and spend wisely, there is always the potential for unforeseen disaster.

Ian and I had planned a special get away for our first trip alone since having our children. It was not to be extravagant – but it was something to look forward to. We cut back here and there and he worked some overtime. I have postponed upgrading my camera etc. in order to make ends meet.

Within a week of our planned trip we discovered that a member of our household made some poor choices that cost us our trip and more. We won’t be going this year.

At first I was in shock; but, praise God I rallied quickly and prayed that He would use it for good. I was absolutely not interested in allowing Satan the opportunity to make a wedge in our close-knit family.

Since this prayer, and the  flowing of peace into my heart , I can already see that He has, indeed, used it for good.

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What kind of god can use what the enemy intended for harm – for good?

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Our God can! 

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Heart in the right place blessings ~ Wendy

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Her Healing Faith

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She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Matthew 9:21

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Her Healing Faith

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For twelve long years – shunned

for a wound that would not heal

When the Word in flesh walked her way

what else, but hope, to feel?

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She did the unthinkable

 Untouchable she’d so long been

Her humble and trembling hand

 tentatively touched his hem – unseen

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He knew not only her hearts cry

plus years of tears in plea

but also each line and crease of her palm

 acquainted with her intimately

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While others denied it was them

who dared to touch his cloak

She fell trembling at his feet

 emboldened by healing she spoke

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Jesus needed no answer

for he knew before she’d tell

His desire was to give her blessing

upon her faith that made her well.

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Wendy/2013

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Have you ever experienced the healing hand of the Lord in a way that let you know it was definitely from him and definitely in response to your faith? Here is a link to a post where I shared about an answer to a personal prayer of my own twelve years in waiting…

Healing Blessings ~ Wendy

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Dear Healer of hearts and broken bones,

Help us to believe that You are able to do anything. May we come to You humbly and with faith that whatever the answer You give to our prayers is – it is enough. You are all that we need.

Amen

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Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

Matthew 9:22

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A Temple of Truth

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Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

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A Temple of Truth

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Her prayer’s passion is not to be

a whitewashed tomb that others see

nor a temporal temple that’s fading fast

or a clapboard chapel not made to last

The sinner’s song that she doth sing

is Amazing Grace before her King

Her heart’s altar is washed with red –

the color that her dear Savior bled

Her deepest desire is that she’d grow

so like her Lord that it would show

within her eyes and upon her lips

to draw others nigh his precious gift

Not a closed down church with empty pews

But a heart overflowing with Good News

To any and all that are brought her way

that she’d be a temple of his Spirit each day.

Wendy/2013

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I’m not very good at attending church in a stoic fashion.

My eyes tend to well up with tears during praise and worship time,

and my cheeks burn with guilt when a sermon touches my heart.

 It is so hard not to shout out with joy when I remember that I am saved

and that He has no plans of abandoning the project he’s begun in me.

  My life before walking with Christ was, to put it bluntly–stupid.

Faith is real and personal to me.

 I didn’t inherit it from my non-church parents.

It’s not a game.

  I’m in it for keeps and have lost some old friends

and have been abandoned by some family members.

Jesus is my all in all.

 I love much, because I’ve been forgiven much.

Temple of Truth Blessings ~ Wendy

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Dear Living Lord,

I have no regrets to have lost my old life and, now, to be found in You.

 My heart beats because of your healing hand upon me.

Shine through the cracks of my old shattered life

and be glorified in this temple of your making.

Love from one alive in You.

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I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

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No parking in the past ~ because you’ll be towed away by discouragement.

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