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Faith Filled Friday

3/22/2012

55 Comments

 
I'm so glad you are here! I hope during your visit you get a glimpse of God's heart for we become what we are gazing at. I want to be a blessing to you so I've made these Resources available to you and have the Missional blog tab for practical ideas of how to live on mission right where you are. 

Currently I am writing my way through Judges sharing glimpses of God's heart and character for a weekday devotional. To check out the entire series so far head on over the the Judges Devotional.   
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In 2008, Austin and I led a missions trip to Russia. Asher turned 1 while we were there. It was the first time going overseas with a child and awesome to see how God provided everything we needed for him. Transportation, formula, diapers, baby food, even a pack and play and baby toys. God sure does care about even the details.

But while we were there I had a run in with a guy yelling in a girls face at the bus stop. Hmm, I guess before I go on I should tell you a little bit about me. I tend to be pretty bold. An amazing thing God did in my heart since growing up I was super duper shy and completely controlled by fear. But when I gave my life to Christ, the ever present fear was gone and was replaced by boldness. There are still times I get nervous and fearful but in general I am pretty bold. Then combine that with a desire to be stealthy (thanks to Alias) and a desire to sneak into countries to tell people about Jesus top secret style. 

Ok, now that you're all prepped, here's the scene. This guy in work out pants and kinda tough looking is yelling at this girl. He's angry, hands flailing. She's trembling. I have Asher on my hip and am wearing a skirt. The white skirt in the picture actually. I watch the guy, wondering if he's going to get violent. He keeps getting closer and closer to her and I just can't not do anything any longer. I yell, "HEY! GET AWAY FROM HER..." I yelled some other stuff too but can't remember what. He stopped and turned to look at me, stunned. Maybe it was that I was speaking a different language or maybe it was because I had a baby on my hip. Basically, I think I just freaked him out and he turned and said one last thing to the girl and walked away. 

That was crazy. I probably shouldn't have done that. Though I'm not totally sure what I should have done. But really I think I had a little bit too much confidence in my abilities to put this guy in place. Maybe if I knew karate or something my confidence would have been a little bit more well placed. (And to my defense, Austin was with me so I kinda thought if anything did happen I couldn't get myself out of, he could beat the guy up after I did.)

I think Samson was a bit like this. A little too confident in his abilities.
"Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied." He said, "If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I'll become as weak as any other man." So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads. Delilah then said to Samson, "Until now, you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied." He replied, "If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric [on the loom] and tighten it with the pin, I'll become as weak as any other man." So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric and tightened it with the pin. Again she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric. Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man."  Judges 16:10-17

It's was almost as if Samson was toying with Delilah, telling her all these fake ways his strength would be taken. It's like he thought he couldn't be broken, a little too confident. What an example that no matter how strong you think you are if you remain in temptation it will take you somewhere you don't want to go. Everyone has a breaking point.

And then there's pshyco Delilah. When I read this I can't stop thinking about how crazy she is. She's like my three year old in a grown up body. She is putting her husband in harms way yet plays the victim as though he is the one who has betrayed her. She is actually accusing him of being a jerk to her as she's trying to serve up his head on a platter. Talk about blame-shifting.

But even in these crazy characters we see the glory of God. What grace that He opens our eyes to the reality that we need Him. Because if we live life as though we really can do it all apart from Him, then we are going to miss the very purpose we were created for. What grace to lower our blame-shifting finger and help us recognize our own need. 

Thank you Lord! Please help us see more and more how great and awesome You are and how much we really do need You to live a life pleasing to You.
If you've enjoyed this post will you share it? (The buttons at the bottom of the post make it super easy.) 
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Faith Filled Friday Blog Hop

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, devotionals, ministry as well as art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage and more if they tie into or display the the Lord somehow. 

So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. I just humbly ask that you please let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Faith Filled Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community. Thanks!   

Sorry Linky Tools has been down all day yesterday and  today (?). I hope it gets back up soon. Meanwhile hope ya'll get to visit the blogs linked up.


I'm linking up with Spiritual Sundays  
55 Comments
Gail link
3/22/2012 03:12:31 pm

Your situation in Russia is interesting and I love the colorful domes in your pictures. Maybe God used you to stop some violence that day.
You also have some interesting insights on the story of Samson. Thanks for hosting the Faith Filled Friday hop. You don't say, but I hope it's OK that I post my whole week's worth of posts. Please let me know if I should only post one devotion. Thanks.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 03:52:18 am

I love that you link them all up Gail. :) Your devotionals are a blessing to many and I am grateful to offer the opportunity for more to read them. :)

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Jessie Gunderson link
3/22/2012 03:24:47 pm

Oh I love the pictures too! Thanks for hosting. Your heart shows in everything you do.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 03:54:47 am

Thanks Jessie. And great site, I love your pictures. (Love the horse breathing on the window shot a ton!)

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peggy aplSEEDS link
3/22/2012 03:37:48 pm

it's great how you put your reflections about real life situations in your bible study post. it makes it come alive all the more. and i love those pictures. i hope to see Russia one day!

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Laura link
3/23/2012 03:58:24 am

What a compliment. Thank you!
The buildings there are so interesting. This building used to be/maybe still is a church. Everything in Russia is super... hmm... how do you say without offending Russians... gray and concrete like. Homes, buildings, everything is very drab except the churches. And that is so fascinating really b/c they wanted the churches to show that God is beautiful and that is why they put so much effort into making them the most beautiful thing in Russia. A very loud example of people using their building and design skills to display the glory of God. Much like you my friend with your great artwork.

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Rina Peru link
3/22/2012 04:01:52 pm

That's the first huge lesson that God taught me, Laura, taking away everything that made me self-sufficient so I would not be so self-confident relying on my own strengths and abilities BUT on His strength and grace and to draw my confidence only from Him.

Those are beautiful pictures of you in Russia, looking pretty in your white skirt :).

Rina

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Laura link
3/23/2012 03:59:36 am

And your journey sounds like it was a very hard but worthy it one from what I've read. I'm so grateful you share. :)

And thanks.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:02:37 am

Wow Shari, your words are so encouraging. A very deep thank you.

And genius post on Loud.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:06:13 am

uh... So somehow I relied above your comment... my technical abilities are sub part to say the least. I don't know how to delete that comment and am pretty sure you wouldn't be notified of a rely if I don't paste it here. So, I look like a total dork posting this again here... but hey, nothing that I'm not already use to. lol

So here's what I said:
Wow Shari, your words are so encouraging. A very deep thank you.
And genius post on Loud.

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Shari Miller link
3/24/2012 04:36:53 am

Hi Laura-I got your reply. It made me smile. Thank you!

Shari Miller link
3/22/2012 04:50:22 pm

How wonderful it was that you were able to go there, and that God took care of all the details! I loved your pictures. The buildings were so ornate and beautiful. Thank you for reminding us that we need to be totally dependent on Him. Thank you also for your kindness when you comment on our blog posts. Your words of incouragement mean so much!

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:19:08 am

Oh my...
read above and have a good laugh... :)

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Joe Pote link
3/22/2012 09:10:53 pm

That passage has always struck me odd, too. Reading it makes me want to yell a warning to Samson, "Dude! Are you completely blind? Every time you tell her something, she betrays you, and you're going to now tell her something that leaves you completely vulnerable?"

Then I realize that we all do the same thing in less physical ways, just as you've pointed out. Temptation comes and we expose our strength...it comes from another angle and we expose another strength...yet we remain in temptation's way, allowing Satan to test our strength from different angles, until he finds our weakness.

...just as stupid as Samson with Delilah...

Thanks for posting!

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:23:14 am

Yes! Well said Joe!!
Forces me to think about what situations I am letting myself stay in.

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Joan link
3/22/2012 09:49:08 pm

I can't help but wonder what the guy thought. :) I'm glad he left the young woman alone. You reached out to someone in need and God took care of the rest.

Blessings,
Joan

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:26:26 am

I know! Me too. And the girl and the other 20 people watching. lol!

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James Clouse link
3/23/2012 12:02:51 am

Great post. I look forward to reading your posts more in the future.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:30:12 am

Thanks.

And whoa! Awesome post! I love this, "Do you know that in the legal sense, the word witness means "telling what you have seen and heard with consuming passion." It is from the Greek word "martus" which is where we get our word for martyr. We should be delighted and ecstatic on telling the word of God, and go so far as dying to do it. God told us to be witnesses to people. Through our actions, our words, our ways."

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Shari Lynne @ Faith Filled Food for Moms and Grandmothers link
3/23/2012 12:08:03 am

Hi Laura,
Beautiful pics! God is so amazing to provide all that you needed for little Asher! He loves our babies that's for sure! Thanks for letting me link up..Blessings to you!

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Salina link
3/23/2012 12:11:34 am

Thanks Laura. I always find myself wondering why Samson continued this line of conversation. It was obvious that Delilah was intending to betray him. They say love is blind, but really?? It's like you said...if we remain in temptation we will do crazy things.

I also loved your pics of Russia...maybe it's time to pick up those karate lessons? :-)

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:38:17 am

Hi Salina,
Sorry for all the replies. My computer... well, it's falling apart and doing strange things.
Anyway, you're totally right about karate lessons. :)

Laura link
3/23/2012 04:32:54 am

Thanks Shari, When there is buildings like that, it sure makes a beautiful picture easy to take. :)
And thanks for linking up, the honor is mine.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:36:44 am

Shari, I replied but my computer is freaking out on me and put it below. Sorry.

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JoAnne Potter link
3/23/2012 12:14:08 am

Funny how, after we've done something, we think "Now how it the world did that happen?" That kind of stuff is always going to happen, though. I really think that the only way to find some confidence in our unrehearsed actions is to get to close to Christ that our reactions become His will.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:56:40 am

JoAnne, what a great point! So often it isn't till after the fact that we think about it. And so true about how walking with Jesus, relying on Him and we will get to see His life and heart come out of us. Our only hope really. :)

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Abby link
3/23/2012 12:15:28 am

First of all, way to go with the guy at the bus stop & being bold. I know it might not have been the wisest thing, but it made me smile nonetheless at flaunting your righteous sass at this...guy. And I totally agree with you about Delilah, oh my, where does she get off, but then, where does he get off giving in? Its always a sad story to me and I'm like, 'no, no Samson, don't say it, no!!!!' He re-defines Achilles heel...I hope she felt sorry, but I don't think she did....

thanks for sharing, serving and making me smile, friend!

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:54:16 am

Righteous sass. Love it! lol. Just love it! And thanks for making me smile (well, laugh but trying to hold it in so I don't seem crazy to the people sitting my me in the coffee shop.)

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David Rupert link
3/23/2012 01:13:37 am

Samson had his head twisted on so backwards. He was gifted and had so much promises....wasted. Kind of like me.

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Joe Pote link
3/23/2012 01:29:20 am

Yes, Samson had some serious issues. He exhibited such tremendous strength...and yet we remember him most for his weakness.

I guess we should remember Samson, though, for how he was used of God to accomplish His purpose.

I'm having trouble, though, David, understanding why you would see yourself as wasting gifts. I've been reading your blog posts just long enough to know you are both very gifted...and used of God.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:52:02 am

I totally agree with Joe. You have a gifted mind and from what I see you are using it for God's glory. We are blessed by that.

Though we all are insufficient without Christ. So clinging to the cross with you friend.

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Catherine link
3/23/2012 01:45:11 am

Hi Laura. Just thought I'd pop over and have a look at your blog, and then I saw you Moscow pictures - how funny - we usually live in Russia, although we're back in the UK at the moment on home leave.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:47:39 am

That is so awesome!!
I hope your time in the UK is all you need it to be.
Thanks for linking up!

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kelli link
3/23/2012 02:05:16 am

This post was awesome!
You really revealed a lot about yourself here, and I found myself laughing out loud at your crazy story!
Thanks for sharing . . . and for the reminder of the futility of all our 'self-sufficiency'.

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Laura link
3/23/2012 04:15:55 am

Thanks Kelli!! And thanks for thinking it was funny. I sure did. I just kept laughing at how crazy I was and my friend Angi was over and probably thought I was truly crazy. So, at least someone else is laughing with me. :)
And I just love love love your description. Every time I read that I just think, "So awesome!" I love that the Lord blesses us all with glimpses of Him. And what a gift that we get to share with each other. So thanks for sharing your glimpses!

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Esther Joy link
3/23/2012 05:20:12 am

I'm with Kelli above. I laughed out loud! I am praying for some friends of a friend who are on a mission trip in Russia right now...

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Laura link
3/24/2012 03:43:29 am

Yay! :)
That is so neat about your friends. I am sure they appreciate your prayers more than you know.

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Laurie Collett link
3/23/2012 11:36:24 pm

Thanks as always for the wonderful, well-thought-out post! The photos bring back great memories -- in 1992 we danced in Russia as the only amateur couple invited to perform with a U.S. professional team. We danced a theatrical solo to Rhapsody in Blue (which is where we got the name for the Rhapsody Ballroom we opened later that year) for 5000 people in Moscow and 8000 in St. Petersburg, and it was televised throughout Russia. It was an amazing experience, particularly since we went right after the coup, and pro-US feeling was at a high. Dance is a universal language, and people everywhere are the same regardless of cultural and political differences -- we all need Christ!
Love in Him,
Laurie

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Laura link
3/24/2012 03:45:46 am

Laurie that is so awesome!!! I would love to see you guys dance! I love dancing and watching dancing. Austin, though he is a drummer just can not dance. So, one of the things I am excited to do in heaven. :)

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Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:50:49 am

Thanks, Laura! Here are some YouTube links to our recent performances. (For both of these, I also wrote the lyrics & it is me singing on the recorded music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zDf86eaIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywEOTqS50
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:50:58 am

Thanks, Laura! Here are some YouTube links to our recent performances. (For both of these, I also wrote the lyrics & it is me singing on the recorded music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zDf86eaIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywEOTqS50
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:51:13 am

Thanks, Laura! Here are some YouTube links to our recent performances. (For both of these, I also wrote the lyrics & it is me singing on the recorded music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zDf86eaIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywEOTqS50
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:51:42 am

Thanks, Laura! Here are some YouTube links to our recent performances. (For both of these, I also wrote the lyrics & it is me singing on the recorded music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zDf86eaIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywEOTqS50
Love in Him,
Laurie

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Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:53:30 am

Thanks, Laura! Here are some YouTube links to our recent performances. (For both of these, I also wrote the lyrics & it is me singing on the recorded music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zDf86eaIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywEOTqS50
Love in Him,
Laurie

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Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:53:54 am

Thanks, Laura! Here are some YouTube links to our recent performances. (For both of these, I also wrote the lyrics & it is me singing on the recorded music).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0zDf86eaIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnywEOTqS50
Love in Him,
Laurie

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Laurie Collett link
3/24/2012 03:55:26 am

Sorry for the multiple submissions! Linky was acting up again. :-(
I'm going to try again now to link my blog post.

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Laura link
3/24/2012 05:31:41 am

lol! Web stuff seems to be really messed up recently. Glad it's not just me. :)

I CANT WAIT to watch these!! Yay!

Ed Ross link
3/24/2012 11:49:45 am

Whew! Linked in finally! Tried intermittently all day but it just wouldn't connect. Kept getting a crash and error message. Guess Brent got things fixed. Thanks for hosting, Laura!
Joy & Shalom!
Kathy & Ed

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Laura link
3/25/2012 06:23:00 am

Yay! Thanks for your persistence! Sorry it was a pain.

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Tesha Papik link
3/25/2012 06:03:11 am

Laura, thank you so much for the sweet comment on my blog. I love yours and will be joining in to read and participate in link up's!

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Laura link
3/25/2012 06:24:37 am

How exciting! I look forward to see what you link up. I'm sure we'll be blessed and I hope you will be too. I love your vulnerability and willingness to be open with your heart on your blog. :)

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Nikki link
3/25/2012 07:10:54 am

reading this I kept thinking...the rightous are bold as lions and you got one awesome little kid.

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Laura link
3/25/2012 08:10:56 am

Oh that's right! Totally forgot about that verse. Thanks!

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Pamela link
3/25/2012 10:30:54 pm

I always thought Samson must be incredibly stupid. Once tricked, twice shy. I find it a great portrait to showcase grace--amazing grace!

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Charlotte link
3/28/2012 01:11:38 am

It is amazing how God can turn something bad into something good. Enjoyed hearing about your experiences. Very encouraging post.
Blessings,
Charlotte

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