tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57978025729930522412024-03-05T14:51:55.976-05:00radiance from ruinsKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-51488438741515352952014-05-31T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-31T08:00:04.745-04:00Non-Baby-ish Boy Nursery<div style="text-align: center;">
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Next best thing to setting up a traditional nursery.... polyvore!</div>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/baby_boy_nursery/set?.embedder=810302&.svc=copypaste&id=122902049" target="_blank"><img alt="Baby Boy Nursery" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/ngdYyY6uYjJ9D39NXDhag/cid/122902049/id/IotNeDzj4xG1_8kwiPOa4g/size/c600x447.jpg" height="447" title="Baby Boy Nursery" width="600" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/baby_boy_nursery/set?.embedder=810302&.svc=copypaste&id=122902049" target="_blank">Baby Boy Nursery</a> by <a href="http://katiepeters.polyvore.com/?.embedder=810302&.svc=copypaste" target="_blank">katiepeters</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/seagrass_area_rugs/shop?query=seagrass+area+rugs" target="_blank">seagrass area rugs</a></small><br />
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Even before we listed the house, I planned to use and borrow from what we already had as much as possible. I also knew that I wanted versatile pieces that could grow with the child or be moved to other rooms later on. Most of the items in this set are simply placeholders. Feel free to view the sources on polyvore, but don't for a minute think that I spent this kind of $$.</div>
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Sources:</div>
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Black Crib- Garage Sale (spray painted)</div>
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Wooden Dresser- Craigslist (similar)</div>
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Bentwood Rocker- Craigslist</div>
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Brass Lamp- Goodwill (similar)</div>
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Velvet Drapes- Pottery Barn (purchased long ago)</div>
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Jute Rug- RugsUSA (purchased long ago)</div>
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Moroccan Rug- RugsUSA (one of the only new, significant purchases for the room)</div>
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Acrylic Book Ledges- <a href="http://cleardisplays.com/card-display/greeting-card-holder/card-shelves-with-holes-for-hanging/" target="_blank">from here</a> (didn't purchase due to moving)</div>
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Dog Art- painted by my grandmother (this is just a placeholder)</div>
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Letter B- <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=16403909&cm_mmc=CJ-_-Affiliates-_-Polyvore-_-11292048" target="_blank">from here</a> (didn't purchase due to move)</div>
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Crib Sheets- TJMaxx (sewn from a full sheet set)</div>
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Crib Skirt- Burlap with white border (sewn from fabric on hand)</div>
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Blue Bunny Lamp- Wedding Gift</div>
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Changing Pad Cover- Black and white houndstooth (sewn from fabric on hand)</div>
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Stainless Steel Trashcan- Target (hoping it will hold in the smell)</div>
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Books- Target (on the registry) </div>
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Last but not least...</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/99175152/chasing-planes-2-embroidered-fabric?ref=exp_listing" target="_blank">via</a></div>
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Is this not the cutest mobile you've ever seen? Made from felt (with lines sewn on to look like notebook paper) and wire. As much as I would love to plop down $58 and as much as I am sure the craftsmanship justifies it, it is simply not in my budget. So... I will try my hand at making my own. Hopefully I will get around to showing you how it turns out.</div>
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ps. Is it bad etiquette to register for baby books? Have you ever?</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-62286732609763770792014-05-28T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-31T07:59:29.919-04:00So long! Farewell!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAECmqMcXks/U4M2WalcW2I/AAAAAAAAERM/x0eKUHr-BLQ/s1600/Craigslist+Ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAECmqMcXks/U4M2WalcW2I/AAAAAAAAERM/x0eKUHr-BLQ/s1600/Craigslist+Ad.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's looking like we have sold our house!<br />
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In March we finally got it posted online and listed in the local newspaper. After several weeks of no response, we let the newspaper ad expire but continued to bump it to the top of Craigslist. In late April we finally got a call that someone wanted to come see it and a week later they wanted to come again! Now we've signed a contract, passed the important inspections, and are getting ready to pack up.<br />
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I haven't let myself get very excited about the sale for fear that it would fall through. And now that it appears to be a go, I'm feeling a little sad about it too. We love our quiet cul-de-sac and super private back yard. Also, I think there's a certain amount of disappointment in not getting to see our plans for this house come to life. <br />
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There are a few big things we always wanted to do like finishing the basement and making a stone patio outside the basement doors. But at the moment, my mind seems to be focusing on my plans for the nursery/guest room. Imagine that. We didn't have some grand scheme with lots of paint or money, and that was sort of the fun of it for me.... challenging myself to put a room together using mostly what we already have and shopping Craigslist and consignment shops for the rest.<br />
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But interestingly enough, I am totally relaxed about this whole moving-right-before-baby-and-not-getting-to- set-up-a-real-nursery thing. I would follow that with- "knock on wood", but I know the relaxed feeling is not something I have manufactured. It's not coming from me, it's coming from a deeper place of trust and a clearer view of priorities that I can only attribute to the Father.<br />
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I am so thankful for the many family and friends who have offered living quarters, help packing, moving, fixing food for the freezer, hosting a baby shower, etc. The list goes on and on. We are incredibly grateful and pray that we will see the opportunity to help and bless others as they are blessing us.<br />
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Next up... my "would have been" plans for the nursery!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-58482698515377962242014-05-24T10:44:00.002-04:002014-05-26T08:27:04.544-04:00Baby Peters Gender Reveal Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>photo credits to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nlongphotography" target="_blank">N. Long Photography</a></i></div>
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It's a boy! And we're pretty pumped!</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-71588610490124727202013-12-13T15:49:00.001-05:002013-12-13T15:49:20.195-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 10<i>He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord! We have waited for him. Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."</i><br />
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Isaiah 25:8-9<br />
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Does this verse speak of the birth of Christ? The coming of Christ in our hearts? The second coming? I sort of think it's a combination of all three. Read it through three times, each with one of those in mind. Amazing, huh? <br />
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He HAS swallowed up death forever, friends!<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-33216226244636035972013-12-09T12:29:00.000-05:002013-12-13T15:46:15.260-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 9<i>And God said to me, "They're right. They've spoken the truth. I'll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen. I'll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him."</i><br />
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Deuteronomy 18:18<br />
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God had a plan from the very beginning. Sometimes I wonder how. And why. But it's a story- from beginning to end. Like the story of our lives, we can't take out all the mistakes and missteps and expect it to turn out beautiful and reconciled. How could he reconcile someone who doesn't need reconciliation? <br />
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The law only served to show us our weakness, our shame, our guilt before him. And in some small, foggy place in my brain, I think I understand the importance of that as a basis to our regeneration in Christ (on a corporate, worldwide level that spans all time).<br />
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The law set the stage for a completely awesome transformation....<br />
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This is the advent of our Jesus!<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-40213104566982850172013-12-08T17:09:00.002-05:002013-12-08T17:09:49.955-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 8<em>Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple- yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!</em><br />
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Malachi 3:1<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-18419473157667737002013-12-07T16:30:00.000-05:002013-12-08T16:47:20.849-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 7<em>We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried- our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sinds that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him- our sins! He took the punishment and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.</em><br />
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Isaiah 53:3-5<br />
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I think of the countless years that the OT prophets waited and watched for the arrival of their Saviour. I'm sure they had many expectations and hopes for this man, but how many expected this? I love how Jesus constantly blows us out of the water with the unexpected, the unconventional, the absolute unthinkable. From his birth to his life, his death to his resurrection, nothing fit their expectations. We look back now and just want to shake those folks into reality... "Can't you see the bigger picture? The insanely awesome big picture?"<br />
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Yeah... that's how he's working in our lives right now.<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-28498631979832358172013-12-06T13:34:00.000-05:002013-12-07T13:34:44.659-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 6<i>Your throne is God's throne, ever and always; the scepter of your royal rule measures right living. You love the right and hate the wrong. And that is why God, your very own God, poured fragrant oil on your head, marking you out as king from among your dear companions.</i><br />
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Psalm 45:6-7<br />
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Another advent verse from the Old Testament. This scripure is repeated in the New Testament.<br />
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<em>Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.<br /><br />For to which of the angels did God ever say,</em><em>“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?</em><br />
<em>Or again,</em><em>“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?<br />And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,</em><em>“Let all God's angels worship him.”<br />Of the angels he says,</em><em>“He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”<br />But of the Son he says,</em><br />
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<em>“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.<br />You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”</em><br />
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Hebrews 1:1-9<br />
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I love how threads of Christ run so clearly through the Old Testament. When we begin to read it through the lens of Jesus, it becomes one continuous story... rather than a disjointed "before and after".<br />
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This plan... to save us before we even knew we needed saving... incredible!<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-51041638141668382832013-12-05T10:25:00.000-05:002013-12-06T10:29:18.952-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 5<i>Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. </i><br />
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Genesis 28:14<br />
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How are we recipients of this promise to Abraham? By simply believing in him(as Abraham did), God views us as righteous. This glorious day is ushered in by a baby, born in a smelly stable.<br />
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This grace is unimaginable.<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-79789281324980373712013-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:002013-12-06T10:14:01.336-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 4<i>This is the brand new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes- I will put my law within them- write it on their hearts!- and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They'll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I'll forget they ever sinned! God's Decree.</i><br />
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Jeremiah 31:33-34<br />
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I believe this is a very big part of the freedom that God gives us in him- as we grow to know him more personally, he brands his ways on our hearts. No longer must I refer to a mental or physical list of "how to be a Christian". His Spirit stirs change in the obscure corners of my heart, to the point that I hardly notice until I find myself acting or reacting in a very unKatie-like way. <br />
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I believe he comes, grows, and abides in us in much the same way as he came, grew, and left a Comforter here on this earth.... quietly, personally, gently yet powerfully and most of all- undeniably.<br />
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Changed heart, changed world.<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-62628638673227932562013-12-03T08:48:00.000-05:002013-12-06T10:14:13.605-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 3<i>He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God's strength, centered in the majesty of God revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect- peacemaker of the world! </i>Micah 5:4<br />
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Has this day arrived? One obvious part doesn't seem to have, but I wonder... maybe this world <i>is</i> here, maybe it <i>has been</i> since the birth of Jesus... maybe it's a matter of whether we are recognizing it, whether we are looking through the Jesus lens. Maybe <i>this </i>is reality.</div>
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He offers lasting peace!</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-81401923651590066022013-12-02T08:08:00.000-05:002013-12-06T10:14:26.414-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 2better late than never...<br />
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<i>Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.</i> Psalm 51:7</div>
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This is not a typical advent verse, but I love how the writer seems to be looking forward to the salvation Jesus would bring. And I love that we are living in that day he longed for so deeply. It makes me incredibly grateful. At one point in my life it would have made me feel a guilty for not completely seizing the day and living 100% for Christ. It would have motivated me to heartfelt resolutions to do better and would have ended up in disappointment and discouragement at first sign of missing the mark.</div>
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But I'm praising the Lord that he has given me a new heart, one that relaxes and rests in the knowledge of his salvation!</div>
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I want to know him better.</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-91520952218708729272013-12-01T19:20:00.000-05:002013-12-06T10:14:37.499-05:00Celebrating Advent- Day 1<i>But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter— from you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. </i>Micah 5:2<br />
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From the unassuming, the smallest and seemingly weakest of the bunch, comes a leader who gently guides and protects from within, as a member of the community. He'll live among the people...and physically live like them. He will eat what they eat and wear what they wear. He will blend in, in order to minister. He will stoop to lift others up. He won't strive to obtain a position of authority, nor will he rise quickly to a place of power.</div>
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This man sounds interesting.</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-69608746956013648862013-09-02T15:18:00.001-04:002013-09-02T15:30:32.615-04:00The Genesis of Judgement Part 2A couple days after listening to <a href="http://renovatuschurch.com/media.php?pageID=5" target="_blank">that sermon</a>, I ran across this text in Romans 7...<br />
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<em>"The law code started out as an excellent piece of work. What happened, though, was that sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of "forbidden fruit" out of it. The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me."</em><br />
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<em>-Paul, Romans 7: (circa) 8-10</em><br />
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<span class="null">Immediately my thoughts went to Genesis 3 and then to Jonathan Martin's sermon. There seems to be a real connection between The Fall in Genesis 3, playing God by exercising our knowledge of good and evil (a privilege that is ultimately reserved for God), and sin perverting the law by making it a piece of "forbidden fruit". But it feels incredibly foggy, so I'm gonna try to get this down on 'paper' and see if it all makes sense...</span><span class="null"> </span><br />
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Again, reading in Romans 7... <em>"sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of 'forbidden fruit' out of it"</em>. Jonathan Martin's sermon completely testifies to this in the setting of the garden... God's command to Adam and Eve that they can eat of all the trees, except for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, then sin (Satan) finding a way to seduce Eve by tempting her to question the motive behind God's command. That connection is made fairly easily.<br />
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It starts to get really murky when I try to make the connection to Paul's journey, the situation of the early Christians, and then to my own life.<br />
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In Paul's situation, <em>"sin [finding] a way to pervert the command into a temptation and making a piece of 'forbidden fruit' out of it"</em>, would have been that sin crept into his life (as Saul) by tempting him with the idea that he could be like God (knowing good and evil) by keeping all the OT commandments. This led him to pride, self-righteousness, and over-confidence in his ability to judge and mete out 'proper' punishment. <br />
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Could a similar application can be made to the early church and to my own life? When I make Christ's teaching into OT-like commandments, I put myself in a position for my sinful flesh to pervert Christ's commands (promises?!) into a temptation to be like God by thinking I have the ability to know good and evil. I can say from experience this the same effect on me as it had on Saul... pride, self-righteousness, self-sufficiency, harsh criticism and judgement of others, and other generally unChristlike behaviour. <br />
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Self-sufficiency was and is still a biggie for me. If I base my ability to know good and evil on how well I understand or how 'accurately' I interpret a set of commands, the focus is on me. I am unspeakably thankful that God is teaching me to discern good and evil through the person of Jesus and through my growing relationship with Him. It is encouraging and freeing to know that God is the first, last and only accurate authority and also to know that my ability to discern can be trained through practice by the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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So this is me trying to connect the dots. In a lot of ways sounds like a bunch of gibberish (and maybe it is), but on the other hand I can't shake the feeling that it is important and potentially monumental in my spiritual journey. If so, I know the Lord will bring me to a fuller understanding and if not, I trust Him to lead me on to something better.<br />
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ps. I've never really made the connection that one reason (maybe the main reason?!) the OT law 'failed' is because Satan infiltrated it with the same temptation he did in the Garden ("Wanna be like God?"). We certainly can't fault Eve for giving in. Who in their right mind would say "no" to that?! Lol. My understanding has pretty much always stopped at the fact that it's humanly impossible to fulfill the law and that Christ proved that and fulfilled it for me. Which is true for sure, but is maybe only one small corner of the picture.</div>
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I'd love to hear your thoughts... please share!</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-72208083122484964212013-08-26T12:52:00.004-04:002013-08-26T13:01:24.879-04:00The Genesis of Judgement<div style="text-align: left;">
It never ceases to amaze me how God orchestrates a series of little events that work together to deepen my understanding of a topic or answer a question on my heart. Early this summer I started bumbling my way through Bonhoeffer's Ethics. From the outset, he introduced to me a completely new thought- through the fall, man acquired something he was never meant to have, the knowledge of good and evil.</div>
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Let's set the stage from Ethics...</div>
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<em>"Originally man was made in the image of God, but now his likeness to God is a stolen one. As the image of God, man draws his life entirely from his origin in God, but the man who has become like God has forgotten how he was at his origin and has made himself his own creator and judge.</em></div>
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<em>Man as the image of God, draws his life from the origin of God, but the man who has become like God draws his life from his own origin. </em></div>
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<em>In appropriating </em>(hijacking)<em> the origin to himself, man took to himself a secret of God, which proved his undoing. The bible describes this event with the eating of the forbidden fruit. Man now knows good and evil... In knowing good and evil he knows what only the origin, God Himself, can know and ought to know.</em></div>
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<em>To know good and evil is to know oneself as the origin of good and evil, as the origin of an eternal choice and election... Instead of knowing only the God who is good to him and instead of knowing all things in Him, he now knows himself as the origin of good and evil... Instead of knowing himself solely in the reality of being chosen and loved by God, he must now know himself in the possibility of choosing and of being the origin of good and evil. He has become like God, but against God. </em></div>
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<em>Bearing within himself the knowledge of good and evil, man has become judge over God and men, just as he is judge over himself. Knowing of good and evil in disunion with the origin, man begins to reflect upon himself. His life is now his understanding of himself, whereas at the origin it was his knowledge of God."</em></div>
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Say, what?! You mean my ability or desire to judge good and evil is not a good thing? That sounds like crazy talk! Furthermore, have you *ever* heard a preacher blow even the slightest breath in this direction? I certainly haven't. And while that doesn't make it true by default, it certainly makes for some interesting thought... if it is, in fact, true.</div>
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This topic rolled around in my head for a few weeks, stopping every once in awhile but never really gaining any traction. Then out of the blue, a friend posted this on her facebook... </div>
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Her reference to the knowledge of good and evil caught my eye and in no time I was listening to Jonathan Martin link my tendency towards judgment to original sin in <a href="http://renovatuschurch.com/media.php?pageID=5" target="_blank">this sermon</a>. Click on the image above, then select the message from August 11 titled "Playing God". </div>
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If you have the time and inclination, come back and share your thoughts! I'd love to continue this discussion next week!</div>
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<em>"Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right."</em></div>
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<em>Romans 5: 18-19 Msg</em></div>
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-49286429732386682662013-08-17T13:44:00.000-04:002013-08-19T10:07:39.488-04:00Saturday Song<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My dear friend, Kara posted this song on her facebook yesterday and I've had it on replay ever since...in my mind, if not on my computer. I've been reading in Romans for the last couple weeks and this song fits in so well.</div>
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<em>"Where sin runs deep, your grace is more. </em><em>Where grace is found, is where you are. </em></div>
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<em>Where you are Lord, I am free. </em><em>Holiness is Christ in me!"</em></div>
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<em>"Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life-- no longer at sin's every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ's sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection...Never again will death have the last word...You are dead to sin and alive to God. That's what Jesus did!</em></div>
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<em>That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives...Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time-- remember, you've been raised from the dead!-- into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God!</em></div>
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<em>So, since we're out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want?...Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in </em>his<em> freedom!</em></div>
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<em>Now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a suprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin you whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is</em> real life<em>, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master."</em></div>
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selected from Romans 6, as translated by Eugene Peterson in The Message</div>
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Happy weekend, friends!</div>
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-69268555166941402732013-08-10T07:00:00.000-04:002013-08-17T19:37:35.072-04:00Wide Open Spaces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know this looks like a lot of text, but I encourage you to read it *slowly* this morning. I pray it will bless you as it has blessed me!</div>
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"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us- set us right with him, make us fit for him- we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover that <em>at the same moment</em> the has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand- <em>out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory</em>, standing tall and shouting our praise.</div>
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There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expenctancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary- we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit.</div>
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Christ arrives <em>right on time</em> to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were <em>far too weak and rebellious</em> to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatsoever to him.</div>
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<em>Now that we are set right with God</em> by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, <em>there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way.</em> If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrifical death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through <em>Jesus, the Messiah</em>!"</div>
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Romans 5: 1-11, as translated by Eugene Peterson in The Message</div>
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<em>"</em>But me he caught- reached all the way from sky to sea<em>; he pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning...</em>He stood me up on a wide open field<em>; I stood there saved- surprised to be loved! God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him...God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes...What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth...</em>Everyone who runs toward him makes it.<em>"</em></div>
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<em>Psalms 18: 16-19, 20, 24, 30, Msg</em></div>
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Happy weekend, friends!</div>
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-89684329330278371752013-08-09T09:36:00.000-04:002013-08-09T09:43:24.132-04:00Precious MemoriesI just got home from the most incredible week visiting my family! I'm so grateful to my sisters and mom and especially my dad for making the trip possible. They pretty much ironed the whole thing out and then called and told me to pack my bags. It was just what I needed!<br />
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During the first few days in western Kansas, I was able to meet up with a few classmates. A couple of them I had not seen since our graduation eleven years ago! It was super-fun to meet their kids, hold their babies, and catch up a little. Unfortunately, we completely forgot to take a group photo! Bummer.<br />
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I was also able to attend a service at the one and only church of my childhood. The experience was interesting to say the least. It was filled with lots of nostalgia, thoughts of my dear grandmother (who is buried in the church cemetery), self-reflection, and most of all thankfulness for my own unique God-journey.<br />
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Sunday after lunch, we buckled up and headed out to move my sister and her family into their new home in Colorado. In stereotypical kid form, this little munchkin was asking "how long?" before we even got on the highway.<br />
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Monday was a busy day of cleaning and preparing for the arrival of the semi truck and the rest of the week was filled with lots of box-carrying and organizing.<br />
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I can't tell you how much I enjoyed spending time with my nine (yes, nine!) nieces and nephews. Several of the young ones had really started talking since I last saw them and several of the older ones are old enough now to connect on a more mature level. One, I met for the very first time (so sweet!) and we celebrated birthdays for two others while I was there. It really was special! <br />
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Toby (the little guy on my lap above) and I bonded one day on a walk/bike ride. I said, "Toby, I like you!" He replied, "I wike ooo too!" My heart pretty much melted.</div>
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The view in every direction around their new home is absolutely to die for. What I wouldn't give for a daily view of those mountains... and the air... there's something uniquely refreshing about mountain air.<br />
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This trip felt different to me. Perhaps because it had been so long since I'd seen everyone or possibly because I'm finally growing up (ha!). Do you know what I mean when I say that home shines a light on identity in a way that nothing else does? I'm guessing this resonates more the further you live away from your family and childhood home. And I think that this light reveals things that either stir up deep peace or anxious turmoil in the heart. For the first time in a long time (in that setting), I felt deep peace.<br />
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On my last day there, Jillian was in no mood to have her picture taken. Obviously. She said, "I not gonna cheese. I no wanna hm-mile." But the picture below couldn't be any more perfect of Kensey. She is an absolute doll and has a personality to match. I missed those kids the minute I left, even more than the mountain views... which is quite a bit, as you may know.<br />
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Ok, so... funny story to wrap this up. As we are stuck in traffic on the way to Denver, Sara and I are keeping the girls happy by doling out pretzel sticks. All of a sudden, we hear Jillian say, "Ow, ow ow!" and I turn around to find her hunched over in her car seat with her hands up around her face. Just as I realized what had happened, she proceeds to pull a two inch pretzel stick from her right nostril. Her eyes water and she sneezes about five times. Needless to say, Sara and I die laughing. Several minutes later, Sara says, "Hey, ask her where that pretzel is." I turn around and ask Jillian and she opens her mouth, points to her tounge and proudly says, "I ate it. It in my tummy." And the laughter commences again. Hilariousness.<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-36511093152598203462013-07-01T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-01T07:00:09.356-04:00The Curse of the Perfectionist<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-90567591030631987072013-06-28T13:29:00.003-04:002013-06-28T13:38:00.285-04:00Embracing Awkwardness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, so I just went to my first group exercise class ever. That's right. Ever. It was, um, awkward. </div>
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Before going, I decided I wasn't going to have any expectations. And I prayed my heart out that there would be some other out-of-shape, rhythmically-challenged people to make me feel comfortable and told myself that "ya gotta start somewhere". So to recap...</div>
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I haven't exercised in a group since 8th grade PE.</div>
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I haven't exercised regularly for over a year. Bad, bad. But you probably haven't either, so...</div>
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I don't feel super-comfortable in workout clothes. Crazy, I know.</div>
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I can't find a good sports bra to save my life. Don't do it, don't suggest Target or TJMaxx. Don't even think of suggesting Walmart.</div>
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I sweat like a hog. No kidding.</div>
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Do you get any of this?</div>
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Here's the thing... the ladies went out of their way to help me find a spot, get set up and feel comfortable. The one thing I actually did expect (everyone in their own little world, minding their own business), proved to be incorrect more times than I can count on one hand. God showed his grace to me through those ladies this morning. And I know it's grace, because I certainly didn't deserve it. Ha. My laziness deserves to be tied to the front bumper of a truck and forced to run down the road. </div>
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I've avoided gyms and group classes for a long time, thinking that they would just make me feel worse about myself. But here's the thing- on some level, everyone there has the same goal: to feel better about themselves inside and out and be a little healthier. So who cares if it's totally obvious that I can't do the arm movements while also stepping in time? And that's completely hypothetical, of course. </div>
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Anyway, it wasn't that bad (says the oblivious chick in the middle with the white shirt). Seriously though, that girl is my personal exercise hero and I'm not just saying that to be nice. I want to be so ok with my mushy tush and lack of coordination that I just have a good time and burn a few calories. A few hundred calories would be nice, but I'm fine with pretty much anything at this point. </div>
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I'm on a journey to embracing imperfection and you're welcome to come along. Meet me on Monday morning at the Y in SML. lol.</div>
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Have a good weekend!</div>
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-52428331136810860732013-06-24T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-25T08:20:28.416-04:00DIY Spiritual GrowthI recently watched a series of <a href="http://www.makers.com/martha-stewart/" target="_blank">small video clips</a> by the DIY queen herself, Martha Stewart. One comment she made has been resonating in my mind. It goes something like this, "DIY is a big thing. And it's bigger and bigger every year...Take pride in something you can actually make yourself." While I 100% agree with her in the context of which she was speaking (homemaking), there is another context that completely unsettles me.<br />
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Can we (Christians in America) say that our DIY culture has NOT affected the way we view spirituality and spiritual growth?<br />
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We are a nation of dreamers and doers, of second-chances and "try harder". Of "go get 'em" and the "American Dream". We encourage our children and friends to reach for the stars and tell them that nothing is beyond their ability to achieve if they want it bad enough. We are capitalists. We like bigger and better. We use insane amounts of time and money learning how to increase our bottom line and improve... ourselves, our social status, our business, our housing, our retirement plan. The list goes on and on.<br />
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For the most part, this is all fine and dandy. There's a lot to be said for the basic moral qualities of perserverance, hard work and positive thinking. The problem arises when we allow the "5 Step Plan" mentality of improving our finances to impact the way we view our spiritual growth.<br />
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Are you a list-maker? Have you ever written something on a list just so you could cross it off?<br />
Are you over-achiever? "Hey, look at this <strike>photo of professional trim-work</strike> DIY wainscotting! We can knock that out this weekend!" <br />
Are you improvement-addict? Do you have a growing pile of purchased clothing items (ahem, Goodwill), that "just need ________"?<br />
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Again I ask, haven't these traits seeped into the way we view our spiritual journey?<br />
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We want a clear <a href="http://christianity.about.com/od/practicaltools/a/spiritualgrowth.htm" target="_blank">outline for success</a>.<br />
We want <a href="http://www.sbc.net/knowjesus/theplan.asp" target="_blank">immediate results</a>.<br />
We strive to <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2010/01/21-Ways-to-Be-a-Better-Christian.aspx" target="_blank">be better and do better</a>.<br />
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It's not that these articles are incorrect. In fact, many of the items they list are based on scripture. The point is that when we create a "How-To" list of items or a "5 Step Plan", we naturally focus on that list rather than the One on whom that list was created. A list is exactly that, a list. <em>Its power to transform is only as strong as our ability to follow it.</em><br />
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We end up focusing on the principles and our ability to maintain them rather than the Inspiration and the very Source from which these principles get their strength. And I don't know about you, but this only sets me up for failure. It breeds discontent, discouragement and general depression. It has been known to make me self-righteous, hypocritical, proud and unloving. Much like the Children of Israel (and centuries of Christians) who quite possibly interpreted God's law to Moses as commandments rather than promises. Think about that for a second... <em>what if the Ten Commandments are actually God's promises to us?</em> Powerful thought, to say the least. The Children of Israel are a perfect example of what happens when I try to follow <em>any law or set of principles</em> on my own, no matter how NT-oriented.<br />
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In our sincere desire to grow in righteousness, we gravitate towards the same tendencies as the Pharisees. We busy ourselves with works "for the Lord" to the point that we either forget who he is or we fashion him into something very different from who he is. In our solution-oriented, self-sufficient society, we default to the How-To. Because who doesn't love a list of instructions that, when followed to a T, result in a guaranteed outcome? How many of us are going to defend ourselves on Judgement Day with some whiney verbiage about how we followed the instructions?<br />
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I believe that Jesus fulfilled the Law. And not only the letter of the Law, but the heart-principles the Law intended to establish. My only hope of success is in his finished work. He lived it both in heart and in action and since he now lives in me, there is no more striving. There is no more list-making and principle-following. He brought a completely new and different way. One that defies all logic and contradicts every earthly, fleshly system, yet cannot fail because it has already won!<br />
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All good is both inspired by him and carried out by him. <em>It's not me!</em> And there is no limit to the power he has to sanctify and purify me. Because the 5 Step Plan is complete in him, <em>I have the privilege of simply leaning into him each day and getting to know him better</em>. I believe with all my heart, soul, strength, mind that is the very best and only way to live my life in service to him.<br />
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ps. If you know me very well, you know that I have been beating this particular drum for several years. I'm sorry if you are tired of the beat, but I can't help myself. It's where I'm at. It's a topic that reaches to the depths who I am and messes me up in such a way that only God can put it all back together. And I think that's precisely the point. So I won't presume that this message echos as deeply with every single one of you and that's ok. Just find something that does and let it break you so deeply that you are hopeless without the Father.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gracelaced.com/category/grace-laced-mondays/" title="GraceLaced Mondays"><img alt="GraceLaced Mondays" src="http://www.gracelaced.com/uploads/2012/10/GL-Mondays.jpg" style="border: currentColor;" /></a></div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-59163338834251251602013-06-21T10:37:00.000-04:002013-06-21T10:37:32.267-04:00Cilantro Solution + Recipe ReviewDon't you hate when cilantro goes bad before you even get a chance to use it? While googling the best way to store it, I ran across <a href="http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/12215/how-to-keep-cilantro-fresh" target="_blank">this article</a> on vegetablegardener.com. The author experimented with three different storage methods. Here's the winner...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha77yCn0WbCB_G3opgLAcUI2PtufpFb92Ku0HGictrrSyzwrD7PbRjqKkZzw9ZKpv_UYKePbiBb2-HKcbhTZAjJkszRf8J4ca5_Y9g7N6sIBvRq8hng0YSFjRqK5_Ni8s67aIJ_FvfiK4/s1600/9F623E3C-32BD-49F8-A300-A2CD4423C2C9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha77yCn0WbCB_G3opgLAcUI2PtufpFb92Ku0HGictrrSyzwrD7PbRjqKkZzw9ZKpv_UYKePbiBb2-HKcbhTZAjJkszRf8J4ca5_Y9g7N6sIBvRq8hng0YSFjRqK5_Ni8s67aIJ_FvfiK4/s400/9F623E3C-32BD-49F8-A300-A2CD4423C2C9.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Thursday, May 30th</div>
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Just put it down in some water and slip a baggie over it. I didn't take a picture, last week when I used it up (on the recipe below), it looked and smelled just as fresh as the day I put it in the fridge. That's two full weeks and it probably would have lasted longer!</div>
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Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKNyWTO8Uco/UcRfoz2NNpI/AAAAAAAADtk/oHLrW7a83Wc/s1600/chickentaco2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKNyWTO8Uco/UcRfoz2NNpI/AAAAAAAADtk/oHLrW7a83Wc/s400/chickentaco2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://eevanad.blogspot.com/2012/05/crockpot-cilantro-lime-chicken-tacos.html" target="_blank">via</a></div>
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I absolutely loved this recipe! Instead of cooking chicken breast in the crockpot, I used a couple pint jars of diced chicken that my mom helped me can awhile back. I simply mixed the ingredients in a dish and nuked it in the microwave until it was hot, adding the cilantro afterwards. Since we already had some corn tortillas in the fridge, we fried them into semi-hard shells. I diced up tomatoes, shredded lettuce and topped with sour cream and shredded pepper jack cheese. Definitely go for the pepper jack; it makes all the difference, I think. And we love <a href="http://simplemom.net/spanish-rice/?doing_wp_cron=1327531347" target="_blank">this Mexican rice recipe</a>, so I fixed that as a side.</div>
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Have you had any pinterest recipe success lately?</div>
Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-67563195743580110072013-06-16T13:47:00.000-04:002013-06-16T16:15:25.235-04:00That's My Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>reposted from June 2012</em></div>
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One childhood memory
that has impacted me the most is the way my dad reached out and met the needs
of people who were down on their luck. He is an auto mechanic in a small town located on Interstate 70 in western Kansas. It's one of those "blink and you miss it" towns, complete with the stereotypical Dairy Queen restaurant. I can't begin to count the number of times we fed and housed travelers while their car was being repaired.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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There was an
African American woman with a British accent, who I distinctly remember told her
several children to "get in the bloody corner" of our dining room as some kind
of discipline. There was a middle aged man from California who ate lunch with us
one day and told us all about his glittery life as a movie star, which we soon
realized couldn't be so glittery if he had to try so hard to convince us that it
was. Evidently he had been on a set with Demi Moore one time. Needless to say,
my teenage brother was pretty interested. Another time it was a hippie couple
that needed a place to stay. I believe Dad thoroughly investigated their
marital status, consulted Mom regarding the availability of proper sleeping
accomodations on opposite ends of the house and extracted from them the promise
of "no hanky panky". I'm guessing they made good on that promise. The male in
this couple may or may not have been the guy we dubbed "battery guy" and still
talk about to this day. He had some kind of metal extenders in his ears that
made the holes large enough to house AA batteries. Not a common accessory seen
in small town USA.<br />
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Not only did we provide meals and overnight
accomodations to people off the highway, but my dad also literally took in and
helped out drifters that passed through. Who knows exactly what these guys
needed or were looking for, but dad and a couple of his friends didn't hesitate
to find work for transients who crossed their path. A very large fellow by the
name of Evan was around for awhile. Did he have some Native American heritage?
Maybe it was simply that his hair was dark and long. I was pretty young and
don't remember him very clearly. Years later, just before he passed away, he
reached out again to one of my dad's friends. In the end, Dad helped transport
him to his final resting place. One cold winter night when I was about middle
school age, God gave an old clunker of a car just enough "umph" to pull into the
Conoco station in Quinter. Deaver was a brother in the Lord, a pastor with
truely amazing stories of God's provision and power in his life. He told us
about his childhood in inner city San Francisco and how he grew up in and around
his mother's(?) soup kitchen. We sang some gospel songs after supper one night
and I remember he complimented me. At 10 or 11, that made quite an impact. :)
He lived in Oklahoma and once he earned enough money to have his car fixed and
get back home, he was off. But he came back from time to time and I think
people from Quinter traveled down to see him too.<br />
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Lastly, I remember dad
giving rides to random hitchhikers and money or food whenever people asked.
Once while we were on a family vacation, we picked up a hitchhiker couple (maybe
they had a child with them?). They carried several large black trash bags,
which I can only assume held all their possessions. On another vacation, I
remember a man approaching dad while he was pumping gas, telling him that he
"needed money for milk to feed his babies". Now we all know that could have
been and probably was a made up story, but Dad helped him out
anyway.<br />
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There are many more stories that I don't remember clearly enough
to tell and probably many, many more that I don't remember at all. One of the
most amazing things that stands out to me as I recount these memories, is how my
dad reached out to these folks, sometimes at the risk of putting his family in
danger. How many of us would use the worst-case scenario as a reason to pass
right on by? How many people do you know that would invite a complete stranger
(a vagabond, at that) to spend the night in their home? Who in the world would
offer hitchhikers a ride in the same vehicle as their four small
children?<br />
<br />
A man of deep, deep love, wisdom, discernment and faith.
That's who. Someone who understands who he was without the Lord and credits all
he is to his Father. Someone who knows the very person of Jesus and wants
others to know Him too. And someone who desires to live his life guided by the
Holy Spirit.<br />
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That is my father.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11Iy6nEz-NY/TJEu8hLxzWI/AAAAAAAAA8A/krCgF2ZBcwg/s1600/kt286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11Iy6nEz-NY/TJEu8hLxzWI/AAAAAAAAA8A/krCgF2ZBcwg/s640/kt286.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dad and I, September 15th 2007</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-8795247560675479602013-06-14T13:12:00.000-04:002013-06-14T13:12:24.325-04:00Evolution of a Home<div align="center">
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I enjoyed the <a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/06/summer-tour-of-homes-link-party-and.html" target="_blank">Summer Tour of Homes</a> last week on <a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/" target="_blank">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a> so much that it seemed rude not to participate. And as I gathered all these pictures and links, it hit me how many more "in-process" photos there are than "finished". Kinda like life. <strong>So my hope is that this tour inspires you to enjoy the process of creating your home.</strong> Let's relax and enjoy the in-between, friends... in our homes, in our relationships and in our lives!</div>
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Photography Note: My skills obviously don't win any awards. Any advice or resources you can share with this iphone camera owning, free photo software using, novice photographer would be dearly appreciated.</div>
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Survival Tip: Be prepared with sustenance. This is the longest post ever.</div>
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Exterior</div>
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step 1- planted grass, installed driveway</div>
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step 2- <a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-view.html" target="_blank">rocked foundation</a></div>
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step 3- <span id="goog_1259606838"></span><a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2010/06/heading-outside.html" target="_blank">built porch steps</a>,<span id="goog_1259606839"></span> <a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2010/06/we-have-walkway.html" target="_blank">walkway</a></div>
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step 4- <a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2012/06/exterior-evolution.html" target="_blank">landscaped</a></div>
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step 5- need to finish porch trim</div>
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We like to make the job of mowing <em>really </em>worth the effort....which basically means a "before and after" type event every two weeks. Because, why mow when you can bush-hog? Ha.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lM9e2p7LxE/Ubswwrjm83I/AAAAAAAADo0/-UmK9izfFi4/s1600/radiancefromruinshomeexteriorclean.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lM9e2p7LxE/Ubswwrjm83I/AAAAAAAADo0/-UmK9izfFi4/s640/radiancefromruinshomeexteriorclean.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xJrV3VE8yw/Ubs4hxQGP6I/AAAAAAAADpk/vdA-gGtHfvU/s1600/C7503B3A-18F7-438B-867F-4B9035A39579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xJrV3VE8yw/Ubs4hxQGP6I/AAAAAAAADpk/vdA-gGtHfvU/s320/C7503B3A-18F7-438B-867F-4B9035A39579.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAW6Txx63vVir9Wc_GDfyjmFoRf21ZH9eUoJdqnlqKwxvkpwrygNYwTCKBsdghpspCu4nLssXw6tnN6Sf-KVlyFgRz1D1HaFlVLQrXYIRYgtXSxXk_iXNZKp5OyTIHqRNtVWPZitFJDPw/s1600/D84594CE-96D4-4906-BAC7-FD53D5AFE4B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAW6Txx63vVir9Wc_GDfyjmFoRf21ZH9eUoJdqnlqKwxvkpwrygNYwTCKBsdghpspCu4nLssXw6tnN6Sf-KVlyFgRz1D1HaFlVLQrXYIRYgtXSxXk_iXNZKp5OyTIHqRNtVWPZitFJDPw/s320/D84594CE-96D4-4906-BAC7-FD53D5AFE4B3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Previously...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SsM7M6-TXM/T86rcvVT3XI/AAAAAAAACBQ/sJ0f8qGb8aI/s1600/DSC04444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_SsM7M6-TXM/T86rcvVT3XI/AAAAAAAACBQ/sJ0f8qGb8aI/s320/DSC04444.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbL9pSAxTsI/TCoD2-VWByI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Vpe0SoJHeYo/s1600/DSC02982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbL9pSAxTsI/TCoD2-VWByI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Vpe0SoJHeYo/s200/DSC02982.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gB9B25Kvp1E/S9nE2oQjskI/AAAAAAAAAso/vLT1tAkZ_Hc/s1600/DSC02837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gB9B25Kvp1E/S9nE2oQjskI/AAAAAAAAAso/vLT1tAkZ_Hc/s200/DSC02837.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82FVZrufOL4/Sti4YuD_jMI/AAAAAAAAAVM/pSaiu5rsX_U/s1600/DSC02481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82FVZrufOL4/Sti4YuD_jMI/AAAAAAAAAVM/pSaiu5rsX_U/s200/DSC02481.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgoaGLNR2pM/Sti4J1Fu9JI/AAAAAAAAAVE/vG5v6jwAZAg/s1600/DSC02327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgoaGLNR2pM/Sti4J1Fu9JI/AAAAAAAAAVE/vG5v6jwAZAg/s200/DSC02327.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76jlymcMfNk/Sd30AWcT3WI/AAAAAAAAANo/aJVcrem3zRo/s1600/DSC02128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76jlymcMfNk/Sd30AWcT3WI/AAAAAAAAANo/aJVcrem3zRo/s200/DSC02128.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Porch / Entry Doors</div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2009/10/front-door-makeover.html" target="_blank">painted (Sherwin Williams Deep Sea Dive)</a></div>
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stained porch floor </div>
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would love to add some real outdoor furniture ($$!)</div>
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Previously...</div>
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Front Door / Living Room Entry</div>
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added gallery wall, after trying many other things</div>
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need to refinish the brass task lamp (Goodwill)</div>
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need to finish painting frames and insert photos</div>
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would love to add a soft rug in front of bookshelves </div>
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Previously...</div>
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Living Room</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted Sherwin Williams Rare Grey</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2012/01/wrapping-up-2011.html" target="_blank">hung curtains</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
added side table, sewed table skirt</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
sewed pillow covers</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
changed out floor lamp shade</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2012/01/wrapping-up-2011.html" target="_blank">revamped consignment shop lamps</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/06/reupholstered-ottoman-wire-basket.html" target="_blank">recovered ottoman</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
need to paint large frame for behind sofa and order print</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
need to have cream chair reupholstered</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
would love to layer a patterned rug under the coffee table</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
would love to buy/build a sofa table</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just ignore that tobacco basket with the red star ribbon. Christmas-turned-permanent decor...whatever.</div>
</li>
</ul>
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Kitchen</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted (Sherwin Williams Lattice)</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
sewed roman shade</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted consignment shop counter stools</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted chalkboard wall, installed drawer pull upside-down for chalk holder</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
need to reglue the stools</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Where can I find a vintage-looking chalkboard eraser?</div>
</li>
</ul>
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Previously...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TD3XYLmHofY/Ubc4oiRt8vI/AAAAAAAADJc/vFgcKggXbEg/s1600/DSC02662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TD3XYLmHofY/Ubc4oiRt8vI/AAAAAAAADJc/vFgcKggXbEg/s320/DSC02662.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndC_XP8uj8Y/ScJpJ-MIpMI/AAAAAAAAALg/_xOfHakfWZo/s1600/DSC02088a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndC_XP8uj8Y/ScJpJ-MIpMI/AAAAAAAAALg/_xOfHakfWZo/s320/DSC02088a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Dining Room</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2010/05/dining-room-half-done.html" target="_blank">painted (Sherwin Williams Lattice), sewed cafe curtains</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2010/08/finally.html" target="_blank">replaced dining chairs</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
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Previously...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialc5GHsDCYxi63NnvNim24NU3cHCo-Yfqud1xhRFmQtLc7RaYV6B3qFT-tiETuAqbY85EdBI6YgPEik1Cem_Clm5S3UXsxqGZmtONpSweJ_R_VfXHzgEBYwV5XOMGVXAWNFyWjk0e_gQ/s1600/DSC02888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialc5GHsDCYxi63NnvNim24NU3cHCo-Yfqud1xhRFmQtLc7RaYV6B3qFT-tiETuAqbY85EdBI6YgPEik1Cem_Clm5S3UXsxqGZmtONpSweJ_R_VfXHzgEBYwV5XOMGVXAWNFyWjk0e_gQ/s320/DSC02888.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neExOZavBlE/SaL6e3n9iXI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CsncpIdzizw/s1600/DSC01988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neExOZavBlE/SaL6e3n9iXI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CsncpIdzizw/s320/DSC01988.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Side Door/ Mud Room Entry</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2010/04/mud-room-finished.html" target="_blank">installed wooden hooks, stenciled and organized closet</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/05/goodwill-light-redo.html" target="_blank">changed out builder basic light</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
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Previously...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Z27tKUL7w/S8MznvoBj0I/AAAAAAAAArw/a-TOe5gGQQU/s1600/DSC02814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5Z27tKUL7w/S8MznvoBj0I/AAAAAAAAArw/a-TOe5gGQQU/s320/DSC02814.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wB5-Sc-HWdk/S8MzB8cmjhI/AAAAAAAAArA/jucTurjcpPk/s1600/DSC02808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wB5-Sc-HWdk/S8MzB8cmjhI/AAAAAAAAArA/jucTurjcpPk/s320/DSC02808.JPG" width="150" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVhVdwujdo4/S0OLUZbt9XI/AAAAAAAAAeg/Ns5TXNI_hf0/s320/DSC02695.JPG" width="150" /></div>
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Master Bedroom</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
got new furniture (wedding gift from generous in-laws)</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2012/01/wrapping-up-2011.html" target="_blank">painted (Sherwin Williams Lattice)</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-marble-lamps.html" target="_blank">rewired antique marble lamps</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/02/help.html" target="_blank">trimmed and hung Ikea curtains</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/04/around-house.html" target="_blank">sewed lumbar pillow cover</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
hung wedding photo wall gallery</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
hung hats</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
shopped the house for dresser accessories</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted and hung mirror above dresser</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
would like to reupholster slipper chair in neutral, durable outdoor fabric</div>
</li>
</ul>
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Master Bath</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/01/lining-bamboo-shades.html" target="_blank">lined woven shade from Kmart</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted stripes</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
installed Hobby Lobby vanity knobs (gift from my dear mother)</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
added a few accessories </div>
</li>
</ul>
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Previously...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SWtWqGBiBw/TUGsOlsESxI/AAAAAAAABJw/G4bIQ9-jnXQ/s1600/DSC03212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SWtWqGBiBw/TUGsOlsESxI/AAAAAAAABJw/G4bIQ9-jnXQ/s320/DSC03212.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eY4Fzv_eBfQ/Ubc5Q6qt2KI/AAAAAAAADJ8/YIT3cQEjvYI/s1600/DSC02675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eY4Fzv_eBfQ/Ubc5Q6qt2KI/AAAAAAAADJ8/YIT3cQEjvYI/s320/DSC02675.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPoOTwgWgkU/Ubc5L11ji_I/AAAAAAAADJw/KO_nFxBdSso/s1600/DSC02674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPoOTwgWgkU/Ubc5L11ji_I/AAAAAAAADJw/KO_nFxBdSso/s320/DSC02674.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Office</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
contracted local cabinet shop to build the desk system</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/01/lining-bamboo-shades.html" target="_blank">lined woven shades from Kmart</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted (Sherwin Williams Lattice)</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/03/slipcovered-lampshades.html" target="_blank">slipcovered lampshades</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/03/pleated-ikat-valance.html" target="_blank">sewed pleated valance</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
hung gallery wall</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/03/diamond-painted-pinboard.html" target="_blank">painted pin board</a></div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
altered PB loose fit slipcover for Craigslist sofa</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
sewed slipcover for Ikea ottoman</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
added rug</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/03/office-big-reveal.html" target="_blank">details here</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
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Previously...</div>
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Sewing Closet</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
spray painted old sewing table base</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
cut, sanded, and attached wood table top</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
built, painted, and hung pegboard</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
organized using over-the-door shoe holder and white Ikea boxes</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2013/06/office-sewing-closet-reveal-paint-chip.html" target="_blank">details here</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
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Hall Bath</div>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted (Sherwin Williams Conservative Grey)</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
sewed shower curtain from Queen size bed sheet</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
swapped builder basic vanity light with Lowes light spray painted ORB</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
painted consignment store frame with chalkboard paint</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
installed antique shop vanity knobs</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
added birch tree towel hooks</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
made and hung floating shelves</div>
</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
shopped the house for accessories</div>
</li>
</ul>
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Previously...</div>
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Guest Room</div>
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painted Sherwin Williams Anonymous</div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/02/rug-project.html" target="_blank">sewed throw rugs together</a></div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-room-lamp-refresh.html" target="_blank">changed lampshade trim</a></div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/08/rewiring-lamp.html" target="_blank">rewired lamps</a></div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/01/lining-bamboo-shades.html" target="_blank">lined woven shades from Kmart</a></div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2011/06/thrill-of-hunt.html" target="_blank">added consignment shop antlers</a></div>
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<a href="http://radiancefromruins.blogspot.com/2012/08/repurposed-goodwill-find.html" target="_blank">sewed pillow cover from Goodwill needlepoint</a></div>
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installed curtain rods, hung curtains that I had on hand</div>
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need to refinish Gpa's secretary</div>
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always thought I would get around to painting the other two walls</div>
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would love to do something about all the brown, but may not be here long enough to bother with it</div>
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This room collects all sorts of random things and never gets cleaned up until guests are scheduled to come. And you'd never know it, but it's in the process of getting whipped into shape for some dear friends who are coming in July.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxYjZQV2u8U/UbtFpqAh-1I/AAAAAAAADsE/2wJRJrjQDzI/s1600/AC3CA2FF-A513-4616-8104-0DBE5F38F51D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wxYjZQV2u8U/UbtFpqAh-1I/AAAAAAAADsE/2wJRJrjQDzI/s640/AC3CA2FF-A513-4616-8104-0DBE5F38F51D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Previously...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e3pJtOdhdE/UD5IeKY-zNI/AAAAAAAACEc/Vg29LGwrfHI/s1600/DSC04708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2e3pJtOdhdE/UD5IeKY-zNI/AAAAAAAACEc/Vg29LGwrfHI/s320/DSC04708.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCgvzJ661KE/TWfbRUdQ1zI/AAAAAAAABQw/7y_vW0e6VSI/s1600/DSC03271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCgvzJ661KE/TWfbRUdQ1zI/AAAAAAAABQw/7y_vW0e6VSI/s320/DSC03271.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong>Ok, tell me... what is in-process at your house or in your life that you are "enjoying" right now?</strong> Note the strategically placed quotation marks. Here goes mine... I'm "enjoying" feeling a bit purposeless in life right now. Is that TMI? I'm also "enjoying" the rustic-ness of our front porch. Ha.</div>
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But in all seriousness... Enjoy your weekend!</div>
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<a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/06/summer-tour-of-homes-link-party-and.html#more" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Pz4fetfZ_Y/UbtOf1PgweI/AAAAAAAADsU/C6J7cvTsmw8/s320/Summer-Link-Party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5797802572993052241.post-16770380897939744562013-06-12T13:14:00.000-04:002013-06-12T13:14:34.726-04:00Reupholstered Ottoman + Wire Basket Solution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After coming up short on some yummy olive green velvet, I decided to use b/w gingham on this little stool. It's the first real reupholstering I've ever done, so who knows how long it will last. But it was fairly easy to do. I simply removed the black needlepoint cover (and the zebra print slipcover that had been covering it for years) and used the slipcover as a pattern to cut the top piece and the banding. I attached one length of welting and the banding to the top. After fitting it on and stapling it tight all the way around, I stapled the second piece of welting along the bottom edge and sprayed it with a couple coats of Scotchguard. </div>
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My fingers are crossed that Lloyd won't upchuck on it anytime soon. But the record's not good. He seems to use it as a method of marking his territory on anything new or different in this place. Nice.</div>
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After / Before</div>
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This huge wire basket has been in the basement for a few years. Since we moved here, I've never quite known what to do with it since it would probably scratch whatever wood surface it sat on. In a moment of pure genius (yes, genius:), it hit me I could wrap the bottom with twine. Twine is seriously one of the best things ever invented. Here it is in all its glory...</div>
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ps. Hey, there's the missing domino.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChamYFJklzg/UbinvVsDWyI/AAAAAAAADgY/1kfWsJp11EE/s1600/17A6E7D0-09EE-4817-B862-C46ED971F668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChamYFJklzg/UbinvVsDWyI/AAAAAAAADgY/1kfWsJp11EE/s320/17A6E7D0-09EE-4817-B862-C46ED971F668.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Lnyp8IeMyo/UbipcOlpvTI/AAAAAAAADgo/UIuBbZzs3-w/s1600/AB4F5B91-048F-4D3A-8F9D-B38F57C48296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Lnyp8IeMyo/UbipcOlpvTI/AAAAAAAADgo/UIuBbZzs3-w/s320/AB4F5B91-048F-4D3A-8F9D-B38F57C48296.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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Now, off you go. Find something to wrap with twine.</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04753601457427774123noreply@blogger.com1