Hidden Away... The Colossian Series.

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As Fall hints at making an appearance around these parts, (and I'm telling you -- I am HERE for it!) it is time for another installment of our Colossians series!  As you know by now, we take a couple of verses from Colossians at a time, read them in a few different translations, and see what stands out. We've been going through Pauls' letter, verse by verse, and leaving room for the Holy Spirit to speak to us about it all year in this little corner of the interweb!

Today, our text is Colossians 3:3-4! Let's open the Word together!

 {If you're new to this series on the blog, the basic layout of each post in this series includes the text in several translations, a few of my thoughts on the passage, possibly a deeper truth or root word meaning found there and closes with a prayer!}

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COLOSSIANS 3:3-4:
Let's dig in, starting with the full passage from The Passion Translation Bible:

"Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory!" (The Passion Translation)

Wait... what? MY crucifixion? Um... what are we actually talking about here? 

Please tell me that at least some times, you are like me and you forget that you died... you're dead! 

When our flesh wants to rise up --its' first job is to convince us that it's still living...

(and the second is that it we have rights, man!)

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back... -A Five Minute Friday post.

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Hello, sweet readers! It feels like it has been forever! I have been keeping up with our first-ever, year-long, bible series on Colossians but other than that -I have not been sitting in this chair (or --to be honest-- writing in my journal!) much at all lately! But Autumn is almost here and that always means a season of restarting and resetting routines! And that goes along well with our One Word Prompt, so let's go!

This is a Five Minute Friday post... which simply means I set a timer and free-write for five minutes flat on the one-word prompt: BACK

{GO!}

I see the prompt and --yet again... I laugh. This time, however, I realize right away that the laugh is to cover the pull toward tears.  

I see "Back" and I feel the pull backward... 

In this season, in a few areas of our life, we are witnessing and feeling the whole, "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back"... but some days it feels like WAY more than just one step.

I can really pick among many things to focus on but really --the most urgent and back and forth pull is all around my sweet sister and her beloved husband, Jack.  

Many of you may remember that he battled Stage 4 Breast Cancer awhile ago. He lived a full and healthy cancer-free life for several years however we found out a few months back that cancer returned. 

Set Your Mind on Heaven Above... The Colossian Series.

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It's been pretty quiet around here! Obviously, summer hit hard for us in August and I have not been sitting in this chair, typing out all the words much at all lately!  However, it is time for another installment of our Colossians series, and you know I am always down to take a couple of verses from Colossians in a few different translations and see what sticks out. We've been going through Pauls' letter, verse by verse, and leaving room for the Holy Spirit to speak to us about it this year in this little corner of the interweb!

Today, our text is Colossians 3:1-2! Let's open the Word together!

 {If you're new to this series on the blog, the basic layout of each post in this series includes the text in several translations, a few of my thoughts on the passage, possibly a deeper truth or root word meaning found there and closes with a prayer!}

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COLOSSIANS 3:1-2:
Let's dig in, starting with the full passage from The Passion Translation Bible:

"Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm." (The Passion Translation)

So - we have to start with the beginning of verse 1, right? Christ's resurrection is your resurrection too!  Tell me I'm not the only one who forgets this! Take a minute and think over your life --even just the last couple of days, and let yourself wonder what may have gone differently had you remembered this? And then let's just sit with the rest of this portion for a moment: 'Feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.'

Don't Be Bullied by Religion... The Colossian Series.

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Hello there, Sweet Readers! August is already underway and it is time for another installment of our Colossians series, where we go through the letter verse by verse and give room to the Holy Spirit to speak!

Today, our text is Colossians 2:20-23! Let's open the Word together!

{If you're new to this series on the blog, the basic layout of each post in this series includes the text in several translations, a few of my thoughts on the passage, possibly a deeper truth or root word meaning found there and closes with a prayer! 

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COLOSSIANS 2:20-23:
Let's dig in, starting with the full passage from The Passion Translation Bible:

"For you were included in the death of Christ and have died with him to the religious system and powers of this world. Don’t retreat back to being bullied by the standards and opinions of religion— for example, their strict requirements, “You can’t associate with that person!” or, “Don’t eat that!” or, “You can’t touch that!” These are the doctrines of men and corrupt customs that are worthless to help you spiritually. For though they may appear to possess the promise of wisdom in their submission to God through the deprivation of their physical bodies, it is actually nothing more than empty rules rooted in religious rituals!" (The Passion Translation)

I can't say for you --but for me? Yeah... I've most definitely allowed myself to be 'bullied by the standards and opinions of religion.' 

Listen --I've been a believer long enough, and been 'in ministry' long enough, to have sadly more than likely bullied people myself... (somewhat) unaware!  I'm most definitely a Grace girl now and much prefer real, inward motivational change over appearance-based, outward fake behavioral change! 

I do love me some lists though!  And also -- I think if we are honest (and we try to be that around here, for sure!) we also appreciate being able to 'grade' or judge where we are and how we are doing in comparison to other Christians around us!  (What!? Was that too honest? #sorrynotsorry!)

A Random List of Last Fives... -A Five Minute Friday post.

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Another post already? I know... but I accidentally saw the One Word Prompt even though I had no plans of writing again so soon.  Once I saw the word, however, I realized I had just been wanting to do a lighter post --something less heavy and more fun and this will work perfectly! So... let's go!

This is a Five Minute Friday post... which simply means I set a timer and free-write for five minutes flat on the one-word prompt: FIVE

{GO!}

I have been missing those What I Learned link-up posts and how lighthearted and fun they were! Coming out of a long hard season, I wanted to follow Emily P. Freeman's lead and write some lists, so let's see what Last Fives come to mind after hitting the timer...

A Random List of Last Fives...

The Middle Matters... a Five Minute Friday post (and Book review post --because, of course!)

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August? It's already August? If you subscribe to the monthly NewsyLetter then you may have just read about how I feel like we JUST fell into the rhythm of lazy summer days and it's already August? (Not that I'm actually complaining because if you have been around this little corner for long at all, you know Fall is my favorite!)

This is a Five Minute Friday post... which simply means I set a timer and free-write for five minutes flat on the one-word prompt: MIDDLE

{GO!}

I have said it several times: Whenever Lisa-Jo Baker writes something, I'm gonna get my hands and my head and my heart all around it. (And more than likely, I'm gonna share it and tell all my friends to read it, too!) So it was no real surprise to find myself on the Launch Team for her latest book, The Middle Matters. I've been on all of her launch teams to date... I knew that going in this book was different in that it is a collection of essays and they are all based on the Middle --of life, of parenting, of marriage, of --you know, our middles!?

I love Lisa-Jo because she is real... she is honest and open and she just tells it like it is. She is full of grace and love and she makes room at any given table and scooches over on any given couch. Her message rings loud and clear: You are welcome here.  

There is something that is so needed for voices like hers --for hearts like hers-- in our world right now! She is an InCourager (--ya see what I did there?) and a Champion and, gah! We need more people to be people that love well and follow hard after Him (while being Oh So Real about our messy lives!)

I have found myself in the middle of oh so many things right now... 

Cup Your Hands & Position Your Heart... Willing - A Five Minute Friday post.

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Oh, Summer! (Am I right?)

Let's just get to it! This is a Five Minute Friday post... which simply means I set a timer and free-write for five minutes flat on the one-word prompt: WILLING

{GO!}

I'm tempted to just wait... I mean... it's Thursday afternoon and I know a 'new' word will be released tonight. I already wrote two posts this week because --at least for a couple of things-- I'm letting my calendar boss me around.  Honestly - the only reason that is true is that I have felt, shall we say, uninspired as of late.  So while my heart is willing --my flesh is weak and I just haven't set aside time to sit in this chair and tap out words consistently for a while now.

Mostly, I'm totally ok with that.

I've been busy being present in my actual life and

while it is not easy or fun a lot of the time right now,

it is vital and it is a priority and I have no regrets...

well --other than these two:
#1. I miss Y'all tons! ...and

#2. This is how I process.

For real... writing here in this space helps me to unpack the things God has whispered to me along the way and gives me perspective and insight and hope that I may miss if I just try to keep it to myself! So here I sit... willing... and waiting... and remembering how my OneWord for this year is a Do-Over (or Do-Better) word and, My oh My...

Joy is a promise He just
keeps on giving me...