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 <title>Tempted But In Touch? Hurt or Healing?</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=720</link>
<description><![CDATA[I have been a bit insane lately....ok, stop snickering those of you who know that is a daily issue for me.  <br />
<br />
Plunging into His Word has been a literal statement.  My daily reading has always been My Utmost for His Highest since I got serious about walking with the Lord.  Last summer my girlfriend introduced me to Sarah Young's book, Jesus Calling and it has become part of my daily diet.  <br />
<br />
In the fall my friends asked if I would do another online study, so we tackled Beth Moore's Esther.  For the Encouragement EXTREME Event we wrote a 40 day devotional guide and it has bumped into the 40 day Bible study we are currently doing with my church.  <br />
<br />
As these scriptures and lessons have overlapped, the intersections have caused me to stop, look both ways and proceed with caution.  It's funny how you can speed right through your alone time with God and rush onto to the next to-do on your list.  But lately, I've let my foot off the gas because I don't want to miss a thing.<br />
<br />
This past year God's Word, more than ever before in my life, has become a roadmap.  Unfortunately, I have not always taken the most direct route.  But here I stand today, with my feet camped out in Luke.<br />
<br />
The church Bible study took us to Luke chapter 4 to dig into temptation.  It pointed out that there are certain facts about it:<br />
<br />
Temptation comes in our weaknesses.<br />
Temptation can come when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.<br />
Temptation can come when we are fulfilling God's will.<br />
Satan knows where to tempt us.<br />
The most powerful temptations are those that involve good things.<br />
<br />
The main point is to shift your focus from the temptation or problem and zero in on the solution; getting in touch with God & His Word.<br />
<br />
Our EXTREME devo expanded on the woman in chapter 8 of Luke who touched the hem of His garment for healing.  Once healed, she could no longer go unnoticed.  The question was asked, "Do people notice you because of your hurt or His healing?<br />
<br />
We all have past hurts.  The temptation is to linger there because we argue that maybe negative attention is better than none at all.<br />
<br />
So those temptations are still within reach and they are easy to grab on to when the hurts come.  <br />
<br />
The intersection of these lessons made me stop, look both directions and pause.  The folks behind me may be honking their horns screaming, 'get going grandma!' but I think I'll linger here a moment.  <br />
<br />
His healing touch is guiding me further and further away from temptation.  Think I'll proceed with caution.  <br />
]]></description>
 <category>In His Grip</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=720</comments>
 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:00:47 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Stiff-necked People</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=717</link>
<description><![CDATA[My friend encouraged me to read Exodus 33 because she said it was Rocking Her World.  I had a God-stop at verse 5.<br />
<br />
"For the Lord had said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites, 'You are a stiff-necked people.  If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you.  Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.' "<br />
<br />
It was the second time within two verses that He used this phrase, stiff-necked.  I remembered reading that term in Acts when Stephen was answering the Sanhedrin, but never really realized who came up with the term.  It was God.<br />
<br />
The first time, of the 19 times it is mentioned was in Exodus 32:9 and it's bookended in Acts with the stoning of Stephen.<br />
<br />
So what does this term really mean?  In Hebrew the word is 'qaseh' which means hard, harsh, difficult, stubborn, obstinate.<br />
<br />
I had to stop right there and ask a tough question:<br />
<br />
Does God ever use that term for me?<br />
<br />
There have been times I have been soft and moldable in His hands, but many times I have stood hard and unbending.  I think of a two-year old who folds their arms in defiance and says, "No!"  But really it is more severe than that.   <br />
<br />
That two-year old can still be trained and taught.  Their little life is still soft like a sponge, soaking up what is right and what is wrong.<br />
<br />
We, however, have decided what we want to believe and what we don't.  What we want to trust and what we don't.  What we want to hear and what we don't.  And quite frankly we stand rigid and stiff when God calls us to face something hard.  <br />
<br />
Am I stiff-necked?  Even just a little?  Am I stubborn at times?  Am I hard or difficult or obstinate in any area of my life?<br />
<br />
The consequences to being stiff-necked are unimaginable.  God will leave us alone.  He will let us stand firm all alone.  <br />
<br />
Once you've had the touch of His hand make an impression on your heart, you will never want to be without His fingerprints again!<br />
<br />
Proverbs 29:1 NIV<br />
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy.<br />
<br />
Lord, soften my hard, obstinate ways to make me moldable in Your arms.  In Jesus' name, amen.]]></description>
 <category>In His Grip</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=717</comments>
 <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:18:08 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Relationships Are Hard</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=714</link>
<description><![CDATA[We are just coming off of the study of Esther, where it touted, "It's tough being a woman."  <br />
<br />
Life is tough and relationships are hard!  <br />
<br />
i will admit, i stink at them! As wife, mom, child, friend, or coworker, i have missed the mark.  <br />
<br />
Some moments during a relationship seem flawless, but most don't.  <br />
<br />
Most of the time someone feels let down, ignored, hurt, forgotten, lonely, ____________ fill in the blank.  And 9 times out of 10, it is that woman in the mirror who has dropped the ball....again.<br />
<br />
Honestly, it's exhausting.  And so my tendency is to retreat or run.  The little recording in my head says, "Really?  It's not enough? - Okee, dokee then, i'll just slip over here and disappear."<br />
<br />
In the old days those times of disappearing would lead to disaster.  These days i still retreat, it is just spent a little differently.  i rise a little earlier and go to my spot.  Mine is at the end of the couch next to the end table.  i flip the footrest up and recline, then i reach for my favorite hiding place ~ God's Word.  <br />
<br />
i know, i know some of you are saying, "Oh, here she goes again.  She is going to tell us how it will all be better if we just read His Word."<br />
<br />
Trust me, that is NOT what i'm saying.  <br />
<br />
Your relationships may still stink.  Your finances may still be in the red.  Your job may still be gone.  Life may still suck lemons!  But here is the truth.<br />
<br />
When i spend time in His Word, the focus shifts from Poor me to Powerful God.  That shift is CRITICAL!  It points my thoughts in the right direction.  <br />
<br />
Suddenly the little i that captured my mind turns to the big I AM.<br />
<br />
Instead of seeing how much i've messed up, i see how much He has restored.<br />
<br />
Instead of viewing my inadequacies, He highlights His Sufficiency.<br />
<br />
Instead of reliving my failures, He plays back His victories.<br />
<br />
Instead of feeling like i've let others down, He reveals that i never held them up.<br />
<br />
Instead of falling apart, He holds me together.<br />
<br />
It is the place where i find the Center.  In the still quiet moments, no longer listening to the lies swirling in my head, but reading unchangeable Truth, Peace emerges.<br />
<br />
i say emerges because it's been there all along. My little i has just blocked the flow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
]]></description>
 <category>In His Grip</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=714</comments>
 <pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:29:55 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Nine - With Full Authority (the final day)</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=711</link>
<description><![CDATA[Can you believe it?  This is it, the end of another study!  In the categories to the right you'll see this and the Breaking Free study.  So if you missed any part of Esther, or you want to begin one of these, you can always go back and read the thoughts of this crazy lady ;o).  <br />
<br />
There is something so fulfilling about finishing something!  What is something in your life that gave you a sense of accomplishment?  What did you see through to the end?<br />
<br />
Here we are enjoying this grand finale, when Beth says:<br />
<br />
The Jews in the early first century did what most religious people do <i><b>when they lack a fresh work of God</b></i>.  They turned to legalism.<br />
<br />
Legalism - focusing on the rules ignoring the relationship<br />
<br />
I love Beth's insight on this ~ without a FRESH WORK OF GOD in our lives, we will get stale, focusing on rules.<br />
<br />
This study has opened my eyes to the very real truth that God is at work ALL THE TIME!  He hasn't missed you.  He sees what is going on!  He knows how that job loss will impact you and those you love.  He understands how being left by your spouse causes you to doubt yourself everyday.  He heard your cry when you got the diagnosis.<br />
<br />
Open your hands and let go of your grip on life.  We hang on so tightly to what we know, what we think, what we understand that we think anything else must be a mistake!  Maybe I didn't hear Him correctly.  <br />
<br />
Think about the constant twists and turns this story of Esther has taken?  In the beginning, she was an unknown!  The king and queen had the world by the tale.  Then one by one the pieces began to shift.  Did you notice that nothing, NOTHING happened immediately?  NOTHING!  There were days that were slammed packed with stuff, but Esther and her story didn't go from "<b>orphan to ordained</b>" overnight.<br />
<br />
One of my favorite quotes from this study is this:<br />
<br />
"Maybe God allows 'Hamans' to come along so we'll quit being so at home here."<br />
<br />
Throughout this entire study, if you and I had been in charge of the story, we might have ended it before it even begun!  We might have said, "Well, she is an orphan, but at least she has a nice home with her cousin.  Why do we want to rock the boat and send her off to be in the middle of that harem?  Or maybe we would have stopped when she got to be queen with "and they lived happily ever after."  You can be sure, we would not have chosen any of the hard times that happened throughout this story!<br />
<br />
We like the road of least resistance!  We want things to be smooth and consistent and when they aren't we feel somehow that life is out of control.  My friend, that is not the case at all.  <br />
<br />
God wants us to lose control knowing that He's got it.  He wants us to be uncomfortable with ho-hum lives.  He has much to accomplish and it can't be done sitting in our pajamas on the couch!<br />
<br />
Let's remember what shape the Jews were in when the little orphan girl came on the scene.  They had been carried into exile from Jerusalem years earlier.  They had become so accustom to their surroundings that it didn't even seem foreign anymore.  If felt familiar, comfy, even friendly.  <br />
<br />
Some might say they had 'made the best of a bad situation.'  But God had bigger plans.  Plans that could not possibly happen if everything remained the same.  There had to be some scary moments, some tense times, some nail-biting times for God to move the circumstances so drastically that everything got turned upside down!<br />
<br />
Maybe now you can see why He has allowed a Haman in your life.  Do you think that your world turned upside down could be a good thing?  <br />
<br />
When the divine presence of the Holy Spirit resides in your temple, you can be sure that God has much bigger plans.  At times you may feel lonely and forsaken, but open your grip; you are on a road from <b>Orphan to Ordained</b>!<br />
<br />
I have so enjoyed this ride with you!  My biggest take-away value from this study is to THINK BIG!  We serve a big God who can do all things.  He has never been limited by our inabilities!  God's plans rock my world!<br />
<br />
What have you savored most about the journey?]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=711</comments>
 <pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:45:21 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Nine - These Days Were Called Purim</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=708</link>
<description><![CDATA[What a difference a day makes!  Whew! Our new friends who stopped by two days ago made my head spin.  My iPhone kept dinging, telling me a new comment had just been delivered.  Carnival was fun! Now I'm afraid I might have scared away all of our first time visitors yesterday with my realness.  <br />
<br />
My friend Carol said, "Luann, you have to stop wondering if your site is effective based on the comments.  God uses your obedience."<br />
<br />
And so today we crack open the Esther study and hear those words from Beth, "Life goes on, whether we want it to or not."<br />
<br />
Have you ever wished you could just hit the pause button on life and really soak in a moment?  There are a few I would like to hold on to, what about you? <br />
<br />
Some of those classic moments like when my children or grandchildren said something so cute and priceless or maybe they just had that "look" - you know what I'm talking about, that little 3 year old face that cocked gently to the right with big eyes smiling up at you - yea, that one.  And for a moment you said, "Wow, I hope I remember this forever."<br />
<br />
Today we realize that God allowed this book of Esther to remain a staple in His scripture so we would REMEMBER that God remembers His people even when they forget about Him.<br />
<br />
Beth points out, "Getting the credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing."<br />
<br />
Esther and Mordecai really are not the heroes of this story.  No, God is.  He delivered them even though they had blended into the society and were really unrecognizable in the day-to-day happenings of their country.<br />
<br />
I wonder if we could be accused of the same thing?  Do we blend in with the scenery?  Could someone spot us as a child of God?  Not because we wear our dresses to the floor or our sleeves to the wrists, but because His light shines in us and through us in the everyday mundane things of life?  <br />
<br />
She challenged us to think today about holidays and why we celebrate them.  The levitical feasts of the Old Testament versus holidays like Purim and Hanukah, might be this:<br />
<br />
Some were prescribed by God to bless man;<br />
Others were prescribed by man to bless God.<br />
<br />
What holiday, feast or tradition do I celebrate that blesses God?<br />
<br />
I loved hearing about Anne Rice, the former atheist novelist, who wrote:<br />
<br />
"The mystery of the survival of the Jews....It was this mystery that drew me back to God.  It set in motion the idea that there may in fact be God.  And when that happened there grew in me for whatever reason an immense desire to return to the banquet table."<br />
<br />
Has God revealed Himself to you?  He has to me.  When my chin starts to drag, He lifts it by showing Himself in a beautiful sunrise.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.luannprater.com/media/2/20091117-small sunrise 11-17-09.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
He shows Himself everyday, if we open our eyes to see Him. <br />
 <br />
My prayer is that just like Anne Rice described, an immense desire will grow in me and all who have wandered away, to return to the banquet table.<br />
<br />
Are you one of His children?  You can be.  If you click these words, <a href="http://www.proverbs31.org/doyouknowJesus/doYouKnowJesus.php">DO YOU KNOW HIM</a>?  you'll find your way to a personal relationship with Jesus.<br />
<br />
How fitting that Beth pointed out today the 3-sided triangle that depicts divine providence in our lives. <br />
<br />
I SUPPLIED FOR YOU -         Ephesians 1:11     He works out everything<br />
I WORK IN YOU -                 Philippians 2:13   According to His purpose<br />
I WORK FOR YOUR GOOD -  Romans 8:28        In all things, God works for our good<br />
<br />
God moves heaven and earth and allows every move of your life, for your good.<br />
Universally, personally and beneficially God is at work.  <br />
<br />
If you peeked into my life yesterday you may have had different emotions.  You may think, what in the world is she doing speaking and writing for God!  Or you may have wanted to pat my head and think to yourself, poor, poor soul.  <br />
<br />
It seems upside down.<br />
<br />
No coincidences in life.  <br />
<br />
I'm sure Esther wondered at times, what in the world, Lord!  But in the end, God turned their world upside down to give them the best.<br />
<br />
I love My Story because it has God's fingerprints all over it, the good, the bad and the ugly.<br />
<br />
Will you let Him touch yours?<br />
<br />
]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=708</comments>
 <pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:06:42 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Nine - An Annual Remembrance</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=705</link>
<description><![CDATA[Wow!  Yesterday was a blast!  We had so many friends stop by to share their favorite celebration food and comments. Our winner on this site for the Encouragement Cafe latte coffee mug & t-shirt is listed at the end of today, with a challenge. Don't be discouraged if it wasn't you, you may have one on the <a href="http://www.EncouragementCafe.com">Encouragement Cafe</a> site!  Check it out.<br />
<br />
One friend asked what mine was and I guess if I could relive a moment in time it would be coming home to my mom's famous "wacky cake with Aunt Wilma's icing." More on this in a minute and I'll dig out the recipe and leave it for you tomorrow. <br />
<br />
Ok, let's get into today's lesson from Beth Moore's study of Esther.  Did you LOVE the story of the little girl with the missing hand?  What an inspiration!  She reminded us that:<br />
<br />
Esther shows that ordinary events are never coincidental in the lives of God's people.<br />
<br />
Turnarounds in your life - have you noticed them? Did you read Psalm 30:1-3 and 11-12?<br />
<br />
This nugget jumped out:<br />
We need to go out of our way to remember the wonderful works God has done in our own lives.<br />
<br />
My day of celebration is December 6th.  It will be forever burned in my memory as the day I made the decision to follow hard after Christ.  I had known about Him my entire life, but had never really consulted Him for direction.  <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The 700 Club</b><br />
<embed src="http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/GW141v3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="348"><br />
<br />
Mom is in a nursing home now with Alzheimer's.  But I remember when she made us wacky cake with Aunt Wilma's icing for our birthdays.  We thought it was because it was so incredibly moist and special and from scratch.  She told me when I was grown, it was because we couldn't afford a box mix.<br />
<br />
Today, I will celebrate my parents who were not perfect, yet they opened the door to the One who turned my life around.  What turnaround has God given you?<br />
<br />
Mary Boswell, you are our winner from yesterday's giveaway.  Mary, I challenge you and the ladies who are sharing this moment to remember your turnaround with a special celebration.<br />
<br />
Don't be discouraged ladies, you may have won on our other site, <a href="http://www.EncouragementCafe.com">Encouragement Cafe</a>!  ]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=705</comments>
 <pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:26:45 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Nine - A Day For Presents</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=703</link>
<description><![CDATA[Woo Hoo!  I love God's timing.  If you are visiting us today because you are enjoying the <a href="http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/">Proverbs 31 Carnival,with my sweet friend Suzie Eller</a>, <i>WELCOME</i>!!<br />
<br />
We are in the final throws here of Beth Moore's Esther study and "as God would have it" today is all about the PRESENTS!<br />
<br />
So if you leave a comment you will be entered into a drawing for an Encouragement Cafe latte mug and t-shirt!  And if you jump over to the Encouragement Cafe site and leave a comment you just might win again!<br />
<br />
Today we are celebrating with the Jews who were allowed to defend themselves against certain destruction.  The fought back and with the divine intervention of an Almighty God, they overcame amazing odds...and won!<br />
<br />
Beth asked a fun question on this day:<br />
<br />
What is your favorite menu for a celebration?  I'd love to hear yours!<br />
<br />
I must tell you the final page for today is the one that gripped my tears and yanked them out of my eyes.<br />
<br />
When she described lot, portion and favor, basically saying, "The way your life has worked out.  Amid the chaos and crisis, the threats and doubt, God caused my life to work out.  Instead of falling apart, the lines of my life have fallen together!"<br />
<br />
So the Jews took a day to rest after the fighting and celebrate.<br />
<br />
I wonder how long it has been since you've taken a day to rest and celebrate with the One who fights for us, who 'works out' our life?<br />
<br />
The tears for me fell when I read this:<br />
<br />
Here you are, Beloved, Satan tried to destroy you along your life's path, but clearly, he didn't get his way.  You're still standing, aren't you?  Instead of falling apart, your lines are all starting to fall together.  Piece by piece.  Glimpse by glance.<br />
<br />
So today, I celebrate life and I long to share it with you.  Please leave your comment and maybe you'll receive our special gift; a latte mug and t-shirt from <a href="http://www.EncouragementCafe.com">Encouragement Cafe.</a>  But even if you don't win that gift, I pray that God will shower you today with the knowledge that your life is 'falling together.'<br />
<br />
<br />
<http://www.wendyblight.com/> <a href="http://www.wendyblight.com/">Wendy Blight</a> is giving away a copy of the One<br />
Year Chronological Bible and her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The<br />
Transforming Power of God's Story.<br />
<http://www.sharibraendel.blogspot.com/> <br />
<http://www.sharibraendel.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.sharibraendel.blogspot.com/">Shari Braendel</a> is givng away 3<br />
beautiful jewelry pieces to begin a spring wardrobe with! One for a Glamour<br />
Girl, one for a Movie Star and one for a Rock Star!<br />
<br />
<http://www.miccacampbell.com/> <a href="http://www.miccacampbell.com/">Micca Campbell</a> is giving away her book An<br />
Untroubled Heart, and a cute clutch purse for those fun summer evenings!<br />
<br />
<http://www.blogger.com/www.Whitneycapps.blogspot.com> <br />
<http://www.whitneycapps.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.whitneycapps.blogspot.com/">Whitney Capps</a> is giving away a $30<br />
Francesca's Gift card, redeemable at www.francescascollections.com<br />
<br />
<http://www.melaniechitwood.com/> <a href="http://www.melaniechitwood.com/">Melanie Chitwood</a> is giving away One<br />
marriage conference call (see her blog for details) and her new book What a<br />
Wife Needs from Her Husband.<br />
<br />
<http://www.lynncowell.com/> <a href="http://www.lynncowell.com/">Lynn Cowel</a>l is giving away a prize for mom and<br />
a prize for a teen girl in her life - the 3 book series B.A.B.E. series by<br />
Andrea Stephens (Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally Significant) for<br />
the teen and for Mom a $10 gift card to Starbucks along with Lynn's CD<br />
"Building a Bridge to Your Child's Heart".<br />
<br />
<http://www.blogger.com/www.KarenEhman.com> <br />
<http://www.karenehman.com/> <a href="http://www.karenehman.com/">Karen Ehman</a> is giving away a Winter White<br />
Basket that includes Skin Milk body wash, a white loofah, Winter White<br />
Citrus Bath & Body Works products, white lily linen and room sprays, white<br />
hot cocoa, a white mug and white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Along with<br />
it, a copy of her book on celebrations entitled Homespun Memories for the<br />
Heart: More Than 200 Ideas to Make Unforgettable Moments.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/">Suzie Eller</a> <http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/>  is giving away a webcam!<br />
<br />
<http://www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com/">Zoe Elmore</a> is giving away a journal, a<br />
copy of My Heart's Cry by Anne Graham Lotz and a piece of jewelry Zoe style!<br />
<br />
<http://www.charlenekidd.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.charlenekidd.blogspot.com/">Charlene Kidd</a> is giving away a<br />
$20.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a copy of Karen Ehman's book: A Life That<br />
Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others.<br />
<br />
<http://www.traciemiles.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.traciemiles.blogspot.com">Tracie Miles</a> is giving away her CD<br />
"Overcoming Stress with Extraordinary Faith" and a Soulmates Slipper with<br />
Christian Notepad and Pen.<br />
<br />
<http://www.rachelolsen.com/> <a href="http://www.rachelolsen.com/">Rachel Olsen</a> is giving away Bread for Life":<br />
a hardback copy of The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year by<br />
Eugene Peterson (which you can read this along with her this year) and the<br />
Williams-Sonoma Muffins cookbook.<br />
<br />
<http://www.wendypope.org/> <a href="http://www.wendypope.org/">Wendy Pope </a> <http://www.wendypope.org/>  is<br />
giving away a copy of her book Out of the Mouths of Babes and her CD Yes,<br />
No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.luannprater.com">Luann Prater</a> <http://www.luannprater.com/>   <http://www.luannprater.com/> &<br />
<a href="http://www.EncouragementCafe.com">www.EncouragementCafe.com</a> are giving away an Encouragement Cafe mug and<br />
t-shirt at both sites!<br />
<br />
<http://www.leannrice.com/> <br />
<http://www.leannrice.com/> <a href="http://www.leannrice.com/">LeAnn Rice</a> is giving away a copy of her<br />
cookbook Sharing Grace: Recipes- Family Traditions-Gift ideas and a<br />
Starbucks gift card.<br />
<br />
<http://www.susannescheppmann.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.susannescheppmann.blogspot.com/">Susanne Scheppmann</a> is giving<br />
away her Birds in My Mustard Tree Bible Study with an I-tunes gift card.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.reneeswope.com/">Renee Swope</a> <http://www.reneeswope.com/>  is giving away Lysa TerKeurst's<br />
"Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" 6 week DVD set and a copy of<br />
Renee's message "Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt" on DVD. <br />
<br />
<http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/> <a href="http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/">Lysa TerKeurst</a> is giving away a Mom's Book<br />
Club gift pack including 4 copies of Lysa's book, Am I Messing Up My Kids?<br />
and a 30-minute Q&A conference call with Lysa.<br />
<br />
<http://www.vanwalton.blogspot.com/> <a href="http://www.vanwalton.blogspot.com/">Van Walton</a> is giving away her DVD for<br />
children - From the Pound to the Palace <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.glynniswhitwer.com/">Glynnis Whitwer</a> <http://www.glynniswhitwer.com/>  is giving away her book<br />
work@home: A Practical Guide for Woman Who Want to Work from Home and a<br />
French Country Wire Silverware Basket<br />
<br />
<http://www.shereads.org/> <br />
<a href="http://www.shereads.org/">She Reads</a> is giving away two novels, Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish and<br />
Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll, and chocolate, courtesy of the authors.<br />
They will tell the story of how their writing brought them together - a love<br />
story, quite literally, fit for a novel!<br />
<br />
<http://www.radrevolution.org/> <a href="http://www.radrevolution.org/">RadRevolution</a> Our ministry to teen girls is<br />
giving away a copy of Do the Hard Thing along with a RadRev t-shirt!ur <br />
]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=703</comments>
 <pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:09:55 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Nine - No Plunder</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=701</link>
<description><![CDATA[Today if you're visiting because you jumped over from my sweet friend <a href="http://www.rachelolsen.blogspot.com">Rachel's </a>blog, WELCOME!  <br />
<br />
We are in the 9th week of Beth Moore's - Esther study.  Rachel asked us to write about ANY aspect of LOVE and today's lesson ties in perfectly!  <br />
<br />
"The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder." Esther 9:15<br />
<br />
Now you may be wondering, what in the world have I stumbled on to here!  How can putting 300 men to death have anything to do with love?<br />
<br />
This entire Esther study has focused on watching God move in unexpected ways to save those He loves.  He allowed tragedy, created opportunities, permitted injustice, offered hope, provided relief, empowered the unlikely, all to bring victory to His loved children. He is passionate about His children.  <br />
<br />
Have you ever searched for love and felt let down?  Sometimes we may wonder if 'the good old days' held something better or easier.  Finding love and happiness seemed effortless in the era of our parents, or grandparents or the movies about Pleasantville.  Love can feel like jello in your fingers, the harder you grasp the more it slips away.<br />
<br />
The word God is never mentioned in the book of Esther but His fingerprints are everywhere!  The divine happenings that occur can only be explained by a God who had a plan.<br />
  <br />
So on this day of the study, the Jews were given the ability to defend themselves from slaughter, but they declined to take any of their enemies 'stuff,' even though they had an edict order that said they could.  The reason? It was their opportunity to show God their love and respect for Him. They realized that they had been saved from certain annihilation and now they had the chance to honor God by living their love for Him.  <br />
<br />
Everyday God allows circumstances in our lives.  We often look at them and wonder, "God, do you see me down here?  Have you forgotten about me?  Do you even hear my prayers?  Why are you letting this happen?"<br />
<br />
He sees you. He knows what is going on. Don't believe for a second that you have been abandoned. His love never fails.  He has a plan for you. It doesn't look AT ALL like what you expected!  He knew about the trouble you had coming long before you did.  He warned us that Satan is never going to let us rest, so in this world we will have trouble.<br />
<br />
But He also promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.  God<b> is</b> love.  He is the definition of the word we so loosely toss around.  We use the term as a verb, "I love this ice cream," yet when you are His child, He moves heaven and earth and circumstances to show you He is love.   <br />
<br />
You have the right to plunder and take things into your own hands. Believe that God is at work in your life.  You cannot possibly figure out His plan.  It involves more than you can see.  Instead of worry, try worship.  Love Him back today.  Give Him thanks for rescuing you even before you see how He is going to do it! <br />
<br />
Watch God move in unexpected ways to save you.  He may allow tragedy, create opportunities, permit injustice, offer hope, provide relief, empower the unlikely, all to bring victory to you, His loved child. He is passionate about His children <br />
<br />
<br />
]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=701</comments>
 <pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:30:32 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Eight - A Time of Happiness</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=696</link>
<description><![CDATA[Ok, this is probably wrong on my part, but can I just say -<br />
<br />
It was refreshing to hear Beth Moore say she has the same struggles we do???????<br />
<br />
On page 193 she said:<br />
<br />
Keith and I have a good marriage, but we still have fights.  I still get my feelings hurt.  Brood over something he said.  Wonder if he'll always love me.  We have terrifically serious and demanding extended family problems.  Our lives also collide regularly with several close loved ones who battle mental illness.  At times I feel stressed beyond human capacity and other times profoundly lonely.  Sometimes I feel so frustrated I could scream and other times so ill-tempered I could panic.  And those are only the things I feel free to tell you. The far more challenging conditions are too private to share.<br />
<br />
WELL, SLAP MY MY BACK AND CALL ME GIDDY!<br />
<br />
No, I'm not giddy that she has struggles, I am thankful that she was 'real' enough to let us peek under the hood of her life!  Here is a woman who's face is plastered all over the shelves of LifeWay.  Who pops up on the internet smiling from ear-to-ear.  Who visits Israel to do video lessons that are life-changing....and yet, she has her moments.<br />
<br />
That should tell us all that everyone struggles.  Even those who appear to have it all together.  If you have ever thought, 'if only' I could get my act together things would be better ~ even when you're act gets together, you will have your moments.<br />
<br />
Her challenge to us was 'life is hard'  - but - we all have windows of happiness!  And when we do <br />
<br />
TAKE IT AND RUN!!!!!!<br />
<br />
Happiness means 'lightness' - woo hoo!  No darkness!<br />
<br />
We are women and FEELINGS are important to us.  So when God gives us the joy and tops it off with happiness too, CELEBRATE!<br />
<br />
LOVED THIS LINE:<br />
<br />
Times of happiness are glimpses of heaven until we get there.<br />
<br />
Mourning   turned to    Happiness<br />
Fasting      turned to    Joy<br />
Weeping    turned to    Gladness<br />
Wailing      turned to    Honor<br />
<br />
God reversed every negative into a positive for Esther's people.  He will do the same for you and me.<br />
<br />
What 'reversal' would you like to see God do in your life?  Did you write the four words down that best describe your circumstances right now?  What words would describe a reversal to you?<br />
<br />
The Jews did nothing to earn it.  Neither do we.  Wait and watch for it.  <br />
<br />
And when it comes<br />
<br />
CELEBRATE!]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=696</comments>
 <pubDate>Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:52:04 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Esther - Week Eight - Royal Garments</title>
 <link>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=694</link>
<description><![CDATA["Holy to the Lord" - were the words inscribed on the plate worn on the forehead of the priests.  Everyone coming at you would see it!  <br />
<br />
We just finished a WOW weekend with God at the Encouragement EXTREME Event, or as some lovingly called E3.  Carol spoke on Friday night about the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed.  The take-away value from that talk for me was "she could no longer go unnoticed."<br />
<br />
I wonder how many of us blend into the scenery?  When the Holy Spirit takes us residency in our lives, we should never look or act the same!  Others should be able to spot us as if we were wearing that plate on our head; not because we are thumping a Bible and preaching; not because we act holier-than-thou; no, when God plants His Spirit in us, Peace should ooze out!  His touch is recognizable!  <br />
<br />
Isn't that a cool vision that Beth gives us today?  Satan's goons see us clearly marked as God's children because of our robes of righteousness.  <br />
<br />
Loved this line:  A servant of God is no secular priest in God's estimation. His devotion to God's will automatically sets him apart from the common to the sacred.<br />
<br />
Do you feel common or sacred?  I must admit many days I feel common.  I even wonder, "God, what on earth are you doing with a girl like me?"  And He whispers to my heart, "That scarlet thread that runs through my Word, is present in your royal garment.  I have called you, Luann Prater, to be mine, Holy and chosen.  My Son paid the price and His blood covers over every FEELING you may have of inadequacy."<br />
<br />
I want to be dressed to reflect the glorious royal priesthood, even when my feelings tell me I'm not!  Let's stay in the King's presence and let Him light up our face so others may recognize the family resemblance. ]]></description>
 <category>Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman</category>
<comments>http://www.luannprater.comindex.php?itemid=694</comments>
 <pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:24:56 -0600</pubDate>
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