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       #Post#: 10763--------------------------------------------------
       "I used to".... But, now....
       By: Willie T Date: February 16, 2020, 1:07 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       “I used to think I needed an office to be a lawyer, but now I
       know all I need is an island.”
       “I used to want to fix people, but now I just want to be with
       them.”
       “I used to think I had to act a certain way to follow God, but
       now I know God doesn’t want us to be typical.”
       “I used to think being loved was the greatest thing to think
       about, but now I know love is never satisfied just thinking
       about it.”
       “I used to be afraid of failing at something that really
       mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things
       that don’t matter.”
       “I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but
       now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.”
       “I used to think God guided us by opening and closing doors, but
       now I know sometimes God wants us to kick some doors down.”
       “I used to think Jesus motivated us with ultimatums, but now I
       know He pursues us in love.”
       “I used to think being a believer was enough, but now I know
       Jesus wants us to participate, no matter what condition we’re
       in.”
       “I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but
       now I know you simply need to say yes.”
       “I used to think I had to be somebody important to accomplish
       things, but now I know Jesus uses ordinary people more.”
       I used to think the words spoken about us describe who we are,
       but now I know they shape who we are.”
       “I used to think I needed an invitation to get into most
       places, but now I know I’m already invited.”
       “I used to think I needed to sacrifice for God, but now I know
       faith is like a game of Bigger and Better.”
       “I used to think religion tasted horrible, but now I know I was
       just eating the fake stuff.”
       “I used to think words were all the same, but now I know there
       are some words I shouldn’t use.”
       “I used to think I had missed the mark and God was mad about it,
       but now I know “missing the mark” is a stupid analogy.”
       “I used to think rules were made by someone else, but now I know
       we get to make some of our own.”
       “I used to think life could be shared with anyone, but now I
       know choosing the right people is pretty important.”
       “I used to think the best teachers wore tweed jackets and smoked
       pipes, but now I know they flip over and leak.”
       “I used to think knowing God was like going on a business trip
       with Him, but now I know He’s inviting me on an adventure
       instead.”
       “I used to think God wouldn’t talk to me, but now I know I’m
       just selective with what I choose to hear.”
       “I used to be afraid that if I was authentic I might take a hit,
       but now I know that being real means I will take a hit.”
       “I used to think following God required a lot of navigation, but
       now I know all I need is a line and a circle.”
       “I used to think I should talk about everything, but now I know
       it’s better to keep some things a secret.”
       “I used to think God was good some of the time, but now I know
       He’s good all the time.”
       “I used to think there were some prisons you couldn’t escape,
       but now I know there’s no place I can go where God can’t rescue
       us.”
       “I used to think I needed to record stories, but now I know I
       just need to engage them.  Describe faith in your own words.”
       “I used to think I needed to pick sides, but now I know it’s
       better to pick a fight.  What kind of disputes or fights have
       you been a part of?”
       “I used to think I could learn about Jesus by studying Him, but
       now I know Jesus doesn’t want stalkers.”
       “I used to think clinched fists would help me fight better, but
       now I know they make me weaker.  What are assumptions people
       have about following Jesus?”
       “I used to think that taking a risk would reduce the number of
       friends I have, but now I know that love draws more people in.”
       #Post#: 10772--------------------------------------------------
       Re: "I used to".... But, now....
       By: Nancy Date: February 16, 2020, 2:08 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       “I used to think I needed to pick sides, but now I know it’s
       better to pick a fight.  What kind of disputes or fights have
       you been a part of?”
       To be specific here, I have had most of my disputes with some of
       a certain "ism".  I realize it goes nowhere and edifies
       nobody...just brings on anger.  NOT good.
       “I used to think God wouldn’t talk to me, but now I know I’m
       just selective with what I choose to hear.” <--- Awesome!  Oh
       God, unstop our ears!!
       "... Describe faith in your own words.”
       Faith to me is simply believing what He says.  It is NOT
       fretting or complaining out one side of our mouths and then
       saying at the same time "I have faith"!  Truly believing what we
       do not see is key to me!  Ha, I made a rhyme :D
       “I used to think I could learn about Jesus by studying Him, but
       now I know Jesus doesn’t want stalkers.”  <---love it :D
       “I used to think clinched fists would help me fight better, but
       now I know they make me weaker." <--- This was a huge lesson for
       me.  I finally realized I was walking through life with clenched
       fists. He showed me that I must open my hands wide, submit all
       things to Him so He could fill and use my hands for His
       glory...we are a stubborn people!
       What are assumptions people have about following Jesus?”
       If we are "good people" (ha!) we will be saved.  If we put
       ourselves under the Law, we will not sin...well, we know how
       THAT worked!
       If we give to God, we will get it back 10 fold!  So, what, we
       give to get??  Hardly!
       If we go to Church, we are a follower...  ::)
       I must do more "works" to be saved...mmmmnah.
       Awesome stuff Willie.  I tried to find a fave but...I love them
       all. :)
       #Post#: 10774--------------------------------------------------
       Re: &quot;I used to&quot;.... But, now....
       By: Willie T Date: February 16, 2020, 2:18 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=Nancy link=topic=732.msg10772#msg10772
       date=1581883688]
       &#147;I used to think I needed to pick sides, but now I know
       it&#146;s better to pick a fight.  What kind of disputes or
       fights have you been a part of?&#148;
       To be specific here, I have had most of my disputes with some of
       a certain "ism".  I realize it goes nowhere and edifies
       nobody...just brings on anger.  NOT good.
       &#147;I used to think God wouldn&#146;t talk to me, but now I
       know I&#146;m just selective with what I choose to hear.&#148;
       <--- Awesome!  Oh God, unstop our ears!!
       "... Describe faith in your own words.&#148;
       Faith to me is simply believing what He says.  It is NOT
       fretting or complaining out one side of our mouths and then
       saying at the same time "I have faith"!  Truly believing what we
       do not see is key to me!  Ha, I made a rhyme :D
       &#147;I used to think I could learn about Jesus by studying Him,
       but now I know Jesus doesn&#146;t want stalkers.&#148;  <---love
       it :D
       &#147;I used to think clinched fists would help me fight better,
       but now I know they make me weaker." <--- This was a huge lesson
       for me.  I finally realized I was walking through life with
       clenched fists. He showed me that I must open my hands wide,
       submit all things to Him so He could fill and use my hands for
       His glory...we are a stubborn people!
       What are assumptions people have about following Jesus?&#148;
       If we are "good people" (ha!) we will be saved.  If we put
       ourselves under the Law, we will not sin...well, we know how
       THAT worked!
       If we give to God, we will get it back 10 fold!  So, what, we
       give to get??  Hardly!
       If we go to Church, we are a follower...  ::)
       I must do more "works" to be saved...mmmmnah.
       Awesome stuff Willie.  I tried to find a fave but...I love them
       all. :)
       [/quote]The Author, Bob Goff, is the founder and CEO of Restore
       International, a nonprofit organization fighting injustices
       committed against children.  Restore&#146;s mission is to make a
       difference on behalf of those who do not otherwise have a voice.
       Restore International has worked with Uganda&#146;s judiciary in
       more than two hundred cases to free children from wrongful
       imprisonment without trial.  In 2007, the Restore Academy was
       started, a school in the war-torn region of Gulu, with a current
       enrollment of 220 students.  In India, Restore has intervened to
       relieve minor girls from a life of forced prostitution, leading
       to the identification and arrest of over fifty perpetrators.
       Bob shares leadership in a Washington law firm, Goff & DeWalt,
       and is admitted to practice in California and in Washington.  He
       serves as the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Uganda to the
       United States and is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law
       School (Malibu) and Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego).
       And, Yes", as usual, I do have his book, Love Does, on my
       computer.
       #Post#: 10776--------------------------------------------------
       Re: &quot;I used to&quot;.... But, now....
       By: Nancy Date: February 16, 2020, 2:48 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=Willie T link=topic=732.msg10774#msg10774
       date=1581884306]
       The Author, Bob Goff, is the founder and CEO of Restore
       International, a nonprofit organization fighting injustices
       committed against children.  Restore’s mission is to make a
       difference on behalf of those who do not otherwise have a voice.
       Restore International has worked with Uganda’s judiciary in more
       than two hundred cases to free children from wrongful
       imprisonment without trial.  In 2007, the Restore Academy was
       started, a school in the war-torn region of Gulu, with a current
       enrollment of 220 students.  In India, Restore has intervened to
       relieve minor girls from a life of forced prostitution, leading
       to the identification and arrest of over fifty perpetrators.
       Bob shares leadership in a Washington law firm, Goff & DeWalt,
       and is admitted to practice in California and in Washington.  He
       serves as the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Uganda to the
       United States and is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law
       School (Malibu) and Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego).
       And, Yes", as usual, I do have his book, Love Does, on my
       computer.
       [/quote]
       Restore International sounds like one heck of an awesome
       ministry.  I must look into it!  This world is so evil...thank
       God for people like Bob Goff!
       #Post#: 10805--------------------------------------------------
       Re: &quot;I used to&quot;.... But, now....
       By: mjrhealth Date: February 16, 2020, 11:38 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Gods an adventure
       Wrote this for BByrd on the other forum
       What did you expect. That your life would suddenly get better,
       the sun would shine on you everyday. A walk with God is like a
       safari, one day your riding around enjoying the scenery, than
       the rain is dumped on you, your soaked through, your
       uncomfortable, it muggy your sweating, than out comes the sun,
       your clothes are dried, the flowers are in bloom, the birds are
       chirping, than out the corner comes a roaring lion, your
       terrified, you dont know whether to run or stand still, your
       afraid to look away lest he should charge, than the lion turns
       and runs, and when you turn around you realize you where never
       alone, your best friend was right there beside you all the time,
       you where just to busy looking at that what your feared, than on
       the one who loves you.
       And that is what it is like with God every day, God is an
       adventure if you love adventures.
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