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| CONFESS, not JUSTIFY your sin! |
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"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his Word is not in us." -1 John 1:8-10 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." -2 Tim 4:3&4 "Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." " -Genesis 3:12&13
The justification: “I don’t have to submit to my husband because he doesn’t deserve my respect & he doesn’t live up to his end of “loving his wife” as Christ loved the church.” The truth: “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won over by the conduct of their wives.” –1 Peter 3:1 “…let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” -Ephesians 5:33 The justification: “ I have mood swings because I am bipolar/manic depressive OR I am PMSing.” The truth: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” -Proverbs 25:28 “You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” –Isaiah 26:3 The justification: “ I have a violent temper and do these wrong things because I have ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity disorder).” The truth: “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” -James 1:20&21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident…hatred…outbursts of wrath...dissensions…” –Galatians 5:20&21 The justification: “I was born homosexual therefore my behavior is ok.” The truth: “For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which is due.” -Romans 1:26-27 “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” -Leviticus 20:13 The justification: “I’m extremely obese because it’s genetic, and I can’t help it.” (Note: I know there are people with medical reasons for such like a thyroid problem, but I am speaking of those who overeat and won’t exercise, then use this as an excuse). The truth: “…put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive foods.” -Proverbs 23:2&3 “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing…” -Proverbs 13:4 The justification: “It’s ok I don’t pay all my taxes, because the government are crooks anyways!” The truth: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…For because of this you also pay taxes…Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due…” –Romans 13:1, 6 & 7 “…Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” –Matt 22:21 I tell ya, we are living in a time of ear tickling and doctrines of demons like never before. I won’t tickle your ears. Here’s the thing: If we keep making excuses for our actions and not confessing them as sin, then we will NOT stop sinning. We need to accept responsibility, instead of using a label we have had spoken over us or using the blame game as an excuse to continue on in our sinful behaviors. I am not denying the reality of certain conditions, but I AM saying that God is NOT a liar and I believe His word, and that there is NEVER an excuse for sin. Do you think it’s going to hold water on judgment day when you come before Almighty God and tell Him you couldn’t help being nasty to people due to PMS? Pshaw! Get real! God is bigger than PMS, bipolar/manic depression, ADHD/ADD, generational curses and so on. The sooner we stop making excuses and start to take responsibility for our actions, the sooner we will be set free in that area of struggle in our life. I could make up a million excuses for my anger/temper, but what would that profit me? The Bible has lots to say about people who are quick to anger. I choose to say, “Ya know what? It doesn’t matter if I have this due to generational curses or things from my past, or my stressful situations; No more excuses. Lord, I confess that I have sinned and blew it again when I flew off the handle and poured out my wrath. Please forgive me and cleanse me and bring victory in my life over this. In Jesus’ name.” Stop justifying your sin and start confessing it, so that you can be set free! If we make excuses and continue to look just like the world, do you think we are being lights in a dark place? Accept responsibility and get accountable and watch what the Lord will do in your life! Labels, medical conditions, generational curses be darned! Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world! Walk in the Spirit and you will NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh. But fruit has to first have the seed be planted then fertilized and watered before it appears. So it is with the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in its fullness in our lives. Don’t grow discouraged when it doesn’t happen overnight, just keep watering, fertilizing, confessing, and keep getting back up when you fall! If you want the victory, it’s yours through Jesus Christ! Sin is sin, period. |
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Cheryl |
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July 15, 2008 at 10:35am |
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Amen lady! I confess I am thrilled the curtain in the Holy of Holies was torn from the top-to-the-bottom so we may enter into sweet fellowship one-on-one with our God...thank you Jesus for being the spotless lamb for me.....
xoxo |
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| hey, i just gave you yer thousandth star |
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| lol Amen. And if anyone has an "excuse" for a rotten attitude, it would be you, and yet you are an inspiration! Praise God for that! You shine like a light in the midst of dark times in your life, and I love you so much. |
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| lol Thanks, Billy Ray! I didn't even notice. :D |
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My dearly beloved Lara:
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” -Proverbs 25:28
The truth is that Solomon had no understanding of the righteousness which is of God: for according to his judgment he himself was a city broken down without walls; and how could one broken, fix? Here is the truth beloved Lara: for since the time of Solomon, the eternal body of God has grown transformationally through refinements (learning experiences). Thus: God (who rules over all spirits) is able to exalt that which he has abased: for it is God (the Maker) which works in you (directing your making) both to will and to do fo his good pleasure. |
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| Nicholas, you are waaaaaaaaay too smart for me. LOL but this is the closest I have come to grasping what you are saying. Yeah, Solomon had the wisdom, but obviously forsook using it later on. |
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| Wow. No more excuses. The most powerful words are when they are not our own, but our Heavenly Fathers. This blog was so convicting, God wasnt kidding when He said the scriptures are as a double edged sword! And you explained each of them so well. Good job! |
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"It is what it is." As we like to say down here in the south. Sin is sin. Call it what you want, a disease, a sickness, a habit, a problem, a tendency, whatever it is still sin. |
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Good Word Sister!!!We are all born in sin and only justified through the blood of Jesus and His loving forgiveness!
I do confess one thing but not a sin I think your really COOL!!!
God Bless,
Bro. |
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Charity, thanks. I am preaching to me, but I already decided a few months back to forget reasons, causes and excuses and just to accept it as sin, confess it and ask God to purge it. I learned a while after blogging to be careful what I blogged about! lol cuz I would get tested in it, but I am practicing this myself. Bro Todd, right. you got my drift. Doyle, lol. I think you are cool too! I am a cool dork. lol |
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| Beloved Lara: This is what I have been given (it's not mine, but God's); and this wisdom of God is within us all; yet it is like deep water and needs to be drawn out. Solomon only revealed to us that which God revealed to him during his lifetime. And concerning his many wives and concubines and so forth, This is that which he was inspired to partake of, by his Maker, which not only was to benefit his spiritual growth, but also was to benefit his wives and concubines: for it was a perceived blessing to know the king and minister to his needs; and by this Solomon learned of the snare to his soul (the thorn in his flesh). |
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| Nicolas bro: I TOTALLY get ya, praise God! lol |
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Cheryl |
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July 15, 2008 at 11:07am |
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| As we walk through the fire we are refined.....the refining process is hot in the beginning, of course, we are in fire, but just like as we cook in our oven and pre-heat the oven, this process has a pre-heating spot, then it is slowly turned up until it reaches a point that the wheat and chaff are gone and the purity remains...you shine God's purity my beloved friend! xoxo |
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| Cheryl {blush}, I want to more. i dont feel worthy of that compliment, but praise God for it all the same! |
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| Dearest Lara, I TOO have been in the Same area of bio, but that has changed. cuz if I am going to live for Christ and be a light, be His feet, His hands and His mouth, my mind needs to be transformed Everyday into His image. Yes, I have a temper too that isn't waht is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Then the unforgivness. Jesus has reminded me that if I conTinueously ask for His Holy will to be done, He will Honor that. You are His child and His adopted Daughter, and he chose you you didn't choose Him. I have to keep reminding myself of that ALL the time. The only thing Solomon asked for that God Honored, was that he would have wisdom and a discerning heart. We pray in Jesus' Name And Will, he will hear and answer, because he loves More we could ever love ourselves. Before Saul was changed to Paul, something had to take place. That was his temporary blindness. |
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Sukkar |
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July 15, 2008 at 11:23am |
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| Be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer...and in doing, the conviction will come and true repentance! Because the Word is sharper than any double edged sword dividing even the spirit from the soul...Thanks Lara! This is a great word...such wisdom, and I needed knocked of my high horse!!! |
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| MsSuga (sweet thang-lol) Don't we all need to be knocked off our high horses, eh? But it's a good place to be when we are laying on the ground. Then God can do His thang. |
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| Self justification is playing with fire. Great message here, Lara! |
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| Mike, thanks. I know I am preaching an unpopular message, but I dont care anymore about being popular. I gotta tell it like it is. I answer to God. |
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If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Lara~Awesome and truly Meat of the Word. Thank You for Your {Christ's} Ministry. |
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(((((((((((Lara Nell)))))))) my sweet sis, you sure came back from vacation on fire, AMEN!!!!!!!!
I am a sinner saved by grace, Lord, break me down.....and build me back into who YOU would have me be! Take me apart and do away with every part of me that is displeasing.....I have no excuses. Amen! |
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Truth is Truth ! Bible is Bible ! 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame. This scripture reveals a key to turning from sin.............waking up to the righteousness that God freely gives in the New Birth ! (not a works thing, but a waking to thing)
God Bless You......................................... |
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Excellentay...  because the Spirit of the resurrected Christ within us reveals, convicts us and overcomes that which is already 'dead in Christ and alive unto our God and Father'... we are convicted of our natural tendency to justify, blame, attempt to earn love, do dead works and..................
Thank You Lord for the parts of the body which are seen by those in need of seeing... for those who are called to speak that which YOU bring forth with life and it more abundantly! |
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Angel, yeah, I totally love that particular scripture where Jesus says, "Neither do I condemn you..". And yes, He told her to sin no more. and I am glad that you see this blog is not to condemn anyone, but to awaken them so that they can have more of the abundant life. Cindy Lou, it all comes down to love, don't it? We can never justify any unloving behavior. None of us have valid excuses. If we have Holy Spirit, then we got it made. :D Paul, Amen. You said it, bro! HolySpiritwithin, yes, exactly! and we mustn't harden our hearts from the truth, so that God can transform us. Thanks for your comments! Love ya'll! |
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Hey I just gave you your 1014th star. It's extra Dorky. This is an awsome post. It pulled the cover on a couple of my favorite rationalizations.
Blessings,
David |
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| I think you've hit the nail right on the head Lara. If people confessed sin as being sin, and not just that I've got a little problem, they just might be convicted enough to not do it anymore. |
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My favorite dork, Dave, yeah, we all have done it and some still do, and I just am like we need to stop it already! Ppl are not gonna want what we have if we don't really have it! Steve, right, bro! |
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Nathan |
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July 15, 2008 at 4:46pm |
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| Great Blog, you should check out p4cm.com, watch the poet Blair Wingo's poem No More Excuses!!! |
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Go Girl friend
No compromizing or covering up or just plan old lying, a sin is a sin own up to it and confess it to the Father. |
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Nathan, "watch"? Ppl like me on dial up cringe when we hear that word cuz we can't watch anything unless we have a few hours to download (hense tieing up the phone line-LOL). but I am sure there's gotta be the lyrics to the poem? lol Here's hoping! Let me know. Thanks for reading! Makelly, I knew you would like the "presentation". :D thanks for reading it! |
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| excuses excuses excuses..... ugh my brain can come up with an excuse in a instant.... confessing.... now that takes work sometimes... but the pay off is ohhh so sweet =0) Thanks Lara... loved the blog! |
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| LL...awesome blog lady! I love how you speak the truth and keep it real. |
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Livewire...lol. I almost made one tonight, and did for a moment in my mind, as to why I snapped at hubby. My excuse? "Well it's hot in here and I am tired." Balogna! I recognized it right away as a big fat EXCUSE! Charlie (the big C), thank you! |
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Deb |
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July 15, 2008 at 7:09pm |
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| Oh Amen Lara, Amen. I couldn't agree with you more. You have hit the nail right on the head. Excellent blog! |
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Amen!
Confess and repent, ask God for help! |
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| Amen! I am done making excuses. Thank you for an awesome post. |
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| amen i believe every little and big word u wrote on there i loved ur story and the trueness of it and u are awesome and we dont need to make excuses cuz all it does it make a big line of sins that are not accounted for yet and haven't been confessed and repented of and that it will soon be too heavy to carry so those who just make excuses u need to stop it cuz u are not going anywhere with it and plus ur displeasing the lord ur god and u need to come clean with him and be set free or else u belong to satan for eternity if u haven't accepted the lord god into ur life already and dont confess and repent of ur sins and believe that the lord ur god paid for your punishment on the cross which he died for the whole worlds sins and ur's and everybodys so stop living in sin and being lost and deceited and blinded to the truth of christ jesus amen amen amen and well also u need to start a personal relationship and walk with the lord ur god and he loves u so much so what do u have to lose and what do u have to gain by not letting christ jesus be apart of ur life huh???????????????????????not good honey and u need to stop the pretending to be a fellow believer and a fellow christian and follower of christ jesus that is just way too wrong to be doing that kind of thing and to be pretending and to not even have christ jesus in u at all man and women u gotta get out of ur evil self and become pure and clean in the lord ur god who loves u very very very much and wants u to become a child of god and apart of jesus's family which is being a child of god and in god's family which means christ jesus's family amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen amen |
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Deb & Victorious, Amen! Jennifer, lol. I still catch myself; I think it's like anything; practice makes perfect! lol We's all in this together! Rebekah, lol. You are blunter than me, honey! :-) Love you.
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| | Hope no one minds... but I sense I am to add this prayer:
Thank You Father... for the power of conviction... and for the victory over our sin nature that You give us daily through the works done in our behalf by/through Your Son... and for the awareness we can receive Your will for us by faith ... faith in who You reveal YourSelf to be and Your promises/power made alive to us through Your Son, empowered through the new birth experience You bring into Being as the grace it is. Bless You for revealing to us we can come to You ... and rest in You and Your will for us with a knowing... it is not by our might, our power... but by Your Spirit we are convicted and abide in You and Your will. Thank You for revealing Your truth to us, for revealing to us Your unconditional love... that we cannot earn Your love... nor can it be destroyed... and through that love... and the unfolding of Your eternal plan for us... we walk together as one body in spirit and truth... justified by our faith in You and Your righteousness and the unveiling of Your glorious plan daily. Bless You we can rest in the knowing... there is no condemnation for those who are 'hid in Christ' through You.... and the fulfillment of Your glorious plan.... and that we receive our portion in it with joy, peace, truth, holiness ... all You offer because it is Your will for such to come to fruition!
Thank You for sending Your Son... who being the initiator and completer of our faith... reveals to us YOUR truth experientially.... causing us to live it as our own. Thank You for showing us the contrast between the carnal nature and Your nature... and for giving us the desires to be conformed to the image of Your son, for the desire to bring you honor and the family of God... and for the desires to release all to You, that would hinder us from being who YOU create us to be in relationship to You and all of life... in time and eternity.
Father thank You for showing us we are powerless to change our natures outside of listening to You... surrendering to You and Your plan... embracing Your wisdom... power within, acknowleding the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit... a portion of our inheritance made known through the new birth experience. Thank You for the gift of faith, Your faith... whereby we truly are rich in faith... and Your overcoming power. Bless You for Your offer of a spirit of humility... imparted as we take off the old nature to put on the nature of Christ... we bless You for the cloak of humility which is ours to wear with the power You offer through it.... a power which manifests Your glorious plan.
Bless You for the hope which is within us... that YOU keep alive through the power imparted in the new birth experience... that You are able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before the Presence of Your Glory with exceeding joy ... To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and ever... we receive all through faith in You and Your gospel and the gospel of Your son ... who came, was sent in Your name... the name of Jesus... Messiah... God our Saviour... Thank You for waking us to You and Your truth... Your overcoming power... Your voice... You, Father, dad...... and Your glorious plan for Your family. May Your glory rise up for all to see and experience ... in this present age and the ages to come. Amen and Amen.
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| CONFESS, not JUSTIFY your sin! Amen..great blog |
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| Wonderful blog, my dear friend!! Confession brings deliverance! |
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HolySpiritWithin, thank you very much for adding that, my beautiful charismatic! lol ;) Marcella, Amen! Thanks. Coreena, thanks! Yes, it totally does! |
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Lara,
Hey there! So I just read some of your blog and was reminded of times where I would try to justify my sin and not confess it. Usually it was just between me and God, because I didnt want people to know, but I kept saying to God that it was for a certain reason. He has taught me that this was the totally wrong thing to do, and that I am supposed to not just confess my sin.....but walk away from it! Which also means, leave it alone, don't give in, and don't open up the door to sin in your life! Thanks for your blog!
Jeremy
"the young whipper snapper" |
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| i will add another a-men to this!!!!!!!! |
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Jeremy, seems to me God and I have had similar conversations quite a few times! lol Thanks for reading. I've missed ya! Pastor Tim, AMEN! :) You better; you're a pastor! hehe. Just kidding. :P |
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Emy |
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July 18, 2008 at 1:43pm |
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"If we keep making excuses for our actions and not confessing them as sin, then we will NOT stop sinning."
That is SOOO True!!!(= Go, Lara:) |
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| And the choir stands and sings "Amennn, Amennnn, Amennnnnn, amen, amen!" |
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| Cindy Lou, now I've got this picture of this awesome black choir with the cool robes singing this! lol |
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Lara, this one ROCKED!!!!!!!! Awesome, simply awesome! Do you know how hard it is to convict yourself? I'll tell you, I have a bag full of apathy that hides under my bed, some mornings when I step out of bed it grabs onto my ankles and I have to drag it around with me all day, apathy is a heavy little monster, so like you said, those days when I know I am draggin apathy around I have to convict myself, pray for forgiveness, ask for a renewal of spirit and accept it, oh yeah and get off my duff and get movin....This blog speaks to me. I love it!
Ps. How do you like the pic I left ya.... Oh Oh Oh OOH, The right stuff! |
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