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Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.
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For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
I Corinthians 15:21-22
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And they sung a new song, saying,
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:
for thou wast slain,
and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,
and tongue,
and people, and nation;
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Saying with a loud voice,
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power,
and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honour, and glory,
and blessing.
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And every creature which is in heaven,
and on the earth, and under the earth,
and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,
heard I saying,
Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,
be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
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And the four beasts said, Amen.
And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:9, 12-14
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Feel free to join the discussion.
You can share your church struggles and concerns.
Let’s also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually.
What have you found spiritually encouraging lately?
Do you have any special Bible verses to share, any YouTube songs that you have found uplifting?
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photo credit: JA’s yard after 2 days of freezing temps and morning frost
Spiritual Sounding Board 
Julie Anne, wow, have I found this gathering encouraging! You and many others get have encouraged me to keep going, and with the hope that there are genuine people in the world. Mere words cannot express my gratitude adequately. I begin this sad day for me, 2 years ago my family was swallowed up by a local church and they have been gone since. When she left I was recovering from open heart surgery, and in my 53rd hospital admission in 4 years a few months ago I was taken to emergency surgery for what I originally thought was appendicitis. Woke up with a tumor and 2/3rds of my colon removed and a temp ileostomy bag on my stomach. Then, a few days later , cancer. Almost halfway through chemo. Rough night. Sick, sad and so sleepy but can’t sleep. Again I am so grateful for the people here, you Julie Anne, and all the listening, comments and encouragement! I thank you. And I thank you Jesus for dying for me and loving me enough to save me. Praise God, and thank you God for your tender mercies everyday. You never left my side. Love you all.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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John,
There is an older man in the building I live in that always has a smile on his face. When you ask him how he is he’ll tell you that he “managed to wake up this morning, got out of bed and able to keep going, so all is well”. Or, he’ll just say “good, always good”. I wish I were more like him. He is encouraging, in deed.
I see your being out here this morning as a good day. God can bring us through anything. Job probably was not excited about all of the pain that he went through, but he came through it at the end praising the Lord. You are in good company. You are being lifted up in prayer this morning.
Blessings, Brenda
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Julie Anne,
The scripture passages are a beautiful word picture to meditate on. The picture of the frozen tree branches reminds me of what will probably be coming my way fairly soon. The way the tiny sharp needles stick out remind me don’t stand underneath lest one may fall. Can you imagine being poked by all of those little buggar’s? Good music, good scripture, good friends! Thank you, Julie Ann
Blessings and Cheers–minus the alcohol.
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Revelation 5:6-10 Song “You are Worthy”
(Christian Scripture Praise Worship) Esther Mui
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Hi Folks,
Invitation: Communion (a few of us discussed this on one of the other discussions here the other day)
When: Sunday, December 14th, 10:30 a.m. EST/7:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Where: SSB Sunday Gathering on December 14th
What to Buy or Have Prepared: Small amount of grape juice (or wine) and a small cracker (like a Jewish Matzo cracker) or a piece of bread
Quiet Time Prior to Communion: Confess our sins to the Lord and take communion in worthy manner and read a Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:24 – 11:27
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
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Brenda, thank you. And by the way, Julie Anne I loved the ice too. Only ice in Florida is the freezer.
Brenda, I used to be that way. Something happened to me and I just stayed silent for years and its all coming out. I am thankful im just overwhelmed. i cant stay in this house today. it was such a violent ripping away. i would have rather been shot or beaten, much less pain. I feel like withdrawing back in my shell, I can do that well.
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JA, love your tree! I hope we get something in my part of N.C! Michaela, I love the idea of communion here. Until I return to a physical church-this helps me feel connected to other believers.
John, I hope all is improving with you, both physically and emotionally.
This is our first holiday season without our son who has been deployed to the Middle East. No matter how you feel about our military, please pray or our soldiers who are away from family!! Thanks
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Ann,
I have great respect for the military. Thank your son for his service and you for I am sure it can be hard for the rest of your family as well.
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John, yes, anniversary dates can be very difficult, but as you say, God’s mercies are new every morning. You have been dealt a lot of painful situations that have been beyond your control, but God has never left. I hope and pray that you fill find His comfort from the words and support from the SSB family. I have no doubt that one day you will be sharing your painful past and will use your story to encourage others. I’ve seen this happen to so many people since blogging. For right now, you might need to just rest and soak up the love and comfort from those who lift you up in prayer.
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Ann,
My thoughts are with you and your family as you deal with the first Christmas with your deployed son. The holidays are especially challenging when we know our loved ones could be in harm’s way as they are serving. God bless them and military families.
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Brenda – The frozen trees were quite a treat to see. Thankfully there was no ice on the roads those days, only that frozen frost/fog on the grass/trees. It was gorgeous.
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Ann, Thank you. I will and do pray for our service men and women. I have the utmost respect for them. Was headed there myself until the cops recruited me first. I pray for your son and you and for his safe return.
Julie Anne, thank you. I do feel comfort and support as well as much more here from the members of SSB. Very much so. It is my prayer and desire that something good comes out of the pain and heartbreak, something that glorifies God.
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I’am late on commenting. Sinus infection, Jury Duty, life blah, blah blah.
“Brenda, I used to be that way. Something happened to me and I just stayed silent for years and its all coming out. I am thankful im just overwhelmed. i cant stay in this house today. it was such a violent ripping away. i would have rather been shot or beaten, much less pain. I feel like withdrawing back in my shell, I can do that well.”
John,
When you come back out of your shell, keep us posted. It is understandable why you need to withdraw. I have a phone app that reminds me to pray for people 2 xs a day, you are one that I lift up.
The co-mingling of gratitude & thankfulness with agony & loss are realties that push us down or pull us up. That is our humanity, us frail glorious ruins, loved by God in which ever state we are in. FWIW- I am pulling for you.
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