tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49893842032780963072024-03-05T03:01:11.477-08:00Simply Team GageTeam Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-89414303615145266292017-10-11T18:43:00.000-07:002017-10-11T18:43:29.473-07:00<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>When You Struggle with Mothers Day and/or Fathers Day</u></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(This is an excerpt from a piece I wrote well over a year ago. My intention was I wouldn't be posting near either holiday. But, as is typical with me, I procrastinated the whole "putting myself out there" thing and just kept editing and re-editing this post, as well as burying it under a list of tasks I felt were much more pressing. I find difficult chapters in life are easier to talk about rather than write about, though I love to write . . . and it is healing . . .go figure. But alas, God didn't let me off so easily and He continued to remind me how burdened I felt to share my experiences and how important it is for me to encourage others who may have similar struggles . . . so here it is:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will give you a VERY concise and abbreviated background. Sadly, both of my parents grappled with the evil of alcoholism, were married and divorced numerous times, and are now deceased. So, unfortunately, the "happily ever after" of their healing and our reconciliation which I longed for and prayed about for many years didn't materialize. But what did happen is, through that trial I learned to REJOICE! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> WAIT . . . What? REJOICE? Why? HOW?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, REJOICE, because I know I have a parent, a FATHER, who loves me unconditionally. God has been SO GOOD to me, even when others weren't. He NEVER left me, even when others did. In this life it has taken me a while to realize . . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> HIS Love Was and Still Is ENOUGH!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you struggle in your relationship with your parents, you're not alone. The best piece of advice I can give you is FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, RIGHT NOW. (And if you currently have an amazing relationship with your parents, my advice is still the same, for you will need that strong relationship with God when those parents leave this earth.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be very candid with you right now and admit I have sinfully and selfishly thought MANY times of others, "Must be nice to have a wonderful relationship with your mom or dad that you miss." Or "At least you had a good relationship while they were here, be thankful for that, because some of us weren't so lucky." Now thankfully, I NEVER spoke any of those thoughts out loud to anyone dealing with a loss. But nonetheless, they were inconsiderate and sinful thoughts of a hurt and jealous daughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I don't miss the relationship we had (it was far less than ideal or desirable in so many ways), I do ENJOY the relationship I have with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His Love for me and I hope it is obvious in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If this resonates with you at all, know it is okay . . . no, actually, it's more than okay! Please keep "hanging in there" with God at the helm, and you will be victorious on the other side of this struggle, this trial which never seems to end. And you too can say, "I am Victorious In Christ!" Actually, go ahead and say it right now . . . "I AM VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST"! Because, my friend, you are. HE HAS ALREADY WON YOUR BATTLE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for letting me share a little slice of my heart and life experience as I move closer to my commitment of writing more to help and encourage many others in the near future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are loved by an Almighty God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#BeEncouraged #BeAnEncourager</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much Love and Hope,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chaundelle Gage</span>Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-55818990473758367432016-11-25T09:16:00.001-08:002016-11-25T09:16:12.838-08:00Refocusing During Trials<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_bi" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
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I have spent much of this morning trying to get my focus re-adjusted and came across this verse. (I was also encouraged by a post written by my friend, Ellen, about how we tend to focus on only getting out of our trials and miss so many of the things we should be thankful for). We aren't defined by what our circumstances currently look like. And God is faithful to deliver us from the "nets" (complicated circumstances/snares/trials/evil intentions that our enemy tries to trap us in)<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">. Because remember, what man intends for evil, God can turn it unto good. (Gen 50:20). No matter what you are going through, you know, and I know, it is a daily struggle to keep our eyes focused upon the Lord, so I encourage you to stay in His Word and in constant communication with God. You can talk to Him silently all throughout the day. I also know one of the purposes of our pain and trials is to encourage others. We all need the experiences of the victories of God bringing us through circumstances so we can help others someday, sooner or later. So, please, don't give up, but instead, keep your eyes lifted up. Repeat and commit to memory Colossians 3:2 or if you are really ambitious, memorize Philippians 4:8. <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/beencouraged?source=feed_text&story_id=1135903893193109" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="_5afx" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl _5afz" style="color: #4267b2; font-family: inherit; unicode-bidi: isolate;">#</span><span class="_58cm" style="font-family: inherit;">BeEncouraged</span></span></a></span></div>
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-82314749780392063682016-03-17T07:14:00.001-07:002016-03-17T07:19:52.698-07:00Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Soup Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvlH36OvhYalOMDaw_f2CN7x3OkZO-7vlC6uQRmn0Clc7HQz-8tQoQC1b6BmlyeCbSMIfpbCX1zPiK-dxDKHidy6TLaKsnn8CTom7qlZLXKghUi83MERBrCf_20VY6QUGl9lsm5d9eitG/s1600/yummyinmytummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvlH36OvhYalOMDaw_f2CN7x3OkZO-7vlC6uQRmn0Clc7HQz-8tQoQC1b6BmlyeCbSMIfpbCX1zPiK-dxDKHidy6TLaKsnn8CTom7qlZLXKghUi83MERBrCf_20VY6QUGl9lsm5d9eitG/s1600/yummyinmytummy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lately, we have been trying several new recipes at Team Gage Headquarters. </span>Sometimes the quest to be budget conscious and waistline friendly can be a daunting task. But we have found some tasty recipes lately that fit both categories and we want to share them with you. So, every once in awhile, we are going to share a recipe that Team Gage has tried and loved. (We will also post some tasty, not so good for you recipes, because, let's face it, we all want a "treat" now and again!)</b><br />
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<b>Soups are often on our weekly menu, no matter the season. We recently tried this Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Soup and it was a hit! </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjbLZPV9Yd5cl92a2iNQHbdpHvs2m9VXtFUzkHL9ZmFFRuzmbCLonS29C7REROEblIlzgRpA2z8D3g_O0hQhO9j1LuWNWs5FjigfjYOXAcp0oTJWDyd2IRSaWk1-qvOJNiigUkCGChQr3/s1600/SpinArtSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjbLZPV9Yd5cl92a2iNQHbdpHvs2m9VXtFUzkHL9ZmFFRuzmbCLonS29C7REROEblIlzgRpA2z8D3g_O0hQhO9j1LuWNWs5FjigfjYOXAcp0oTJWDyd2IRSaWk1-qvOJNiigUkCGChQr3/s320/SpinArtSoup.jpg" width="224" /></b></a></div>
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<b>While this recipe link (from redefinedmom.com) is also pinned on my Pinterest account, I will include the step by step directions below:</b><br />
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<b>http://redefinedmom.com/slow-cooker-spinach-artichoke-parmesan-soup-recipe/#_a5y_p=4422862</b><br />
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<span class="recipeYield" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Recipe Yields: 4-5 Servings</b></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "century gothic" , "questrial" , sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>8 ounces frozen spinach<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />14 ounces artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped roughly<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1 small onion, diced<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2 garlic cloves, minced<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1 tablespoon olive oil<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄4 tsp salt<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄4 tsp pepper<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄8 tsp red pepper flakes<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄2 cup evaporated milk<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄2 cup milk (any kind)<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄2 cup flour<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />4 ounces cream cheese, cut in 4 chunks<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1⁄4 parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish</b></span></div>
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<span class="ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>DIRECTIONS:</b></span></div>
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1. In a large slow cooker, add spinach, artichokes, onion, garlic, olive oil, broth, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook on high for 5 hours, or low for 7-8 hours.</div>
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2. After spinach mixture has cooked throughly, in a separate bowl, add evaporated milk, milk, and flour; whisk to combine completely. Add milk mixture to slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 30 minutes.</div>
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3. Remove cover, add cream cheese and 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, stir to combine.</div>
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4. Serve in bowls garnished with additional parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.</div>
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5. Enjoy</div>
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<b>May you be Blessed and Encouraged today!</b><br />
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<b>Much Love from,</b><br />
<b>Simply Team Gage</b><br />
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<b>https://www.pinterest.com/clgage/</b><br />
<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-71601452510423528062016-03-11T14:34:00.000-08:002016-03-11T14:34:08.889-08:00Our Punctuality and God's Timing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello! It's been quite awhile hasn't it? Really, it's been too long in my opinion.</span> But like I said last week, "we're back", for hopefully some consistency (which happens to be my word for 2016) and follow through. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Better late than never right? Not all would agree with that phrase. Promptness is, after all common courtesy, right?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"If you're on time, you're late; but if you're 15 minutes early, you're on time", isn't that how the saying goes?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I feel very strongly about this issue, or area of "common courtesy", shall we say, because of an ongoing experience I endured growing up. Meaning, I had a mother who was ALWAYS the last one to arrive anywhere! It was embarrassing and frustrating, but until I got my license to drive, I was stuck with being tardy. (She was so late for my wedding rehearsal, she almost missed it.) So I made it a priority in life, once I was out of my parent's house, to be on time or early. Even when I had two toddlers to get ready for church, I just woke up earlier and made it happen. I've realized staying involved in life helps develop and keep this good habit. When people depend on you to be somewhere at a particular time, whether it's arriving at your job, volunteering for PTA, meeting the guys at the gun range, participating in an area of service at church, showing up for baseball practice, etc., you tend to stay on schedule and develop a routine that works.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>But, it's not as easy to be on time when you feel you aren't needed, or you're not involved, or you don't feel like anyone cares if you show or not. When we make ourselves an island, suddenly promptness doesn't matter as much. When you have a job, an area of church service, are attending a class, are invested in someone's life, etc. you make sure you're there. You are accountable to people in those different areas. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I will admit, as big of a proponent as I was to always being on time, not ever wanting to let someone down, showing others I could always be counted on . . . I have fallen into that habit of thinking, "well, no one will notice if I'm a few minutes late', or "I don't need to get ready just yet, there's plenty of time" . . . but when my husband comments, "we are going to be late again." I snap to and a huge sense of dread envelopes me like a cloak of failure, because I realize that I'm doing exactly the thing I loathed growing up. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Being habitually late is a selfish act, and I, for one, never like to admit that I'm being selfish. But I am. I'm selfish. And selfishness is a sin. <span style="background-color: cyan;">Period.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So now I'm going to switch gears here, just a little bit, because this got me wondering about all the sayings about "God's Timing". Is He always on time? Hmmm, I notice we tend to ask ourselves questions like, "Does His answer always happen by the date a bill is due? Or before the death of a loved one? Or in time set aside for a meeting already scheduled well in advance?"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>His answers don't always happen on our time, do they? Now, that's not to say God doesn't honor a person who makes it a priority to be where he says he's going to be when he says he's going to be there. But God's awesome plans for our lives and solutions to our problems don't always fit into the scheduler, planner or calendars on our smartphones. He doesn't limit Himself to our short sighted view of life or of our problems. I think we would be amazed at how much more wonderful life would be if He were invited into every little decision. We often tend to try and figure out the "little" decisions on our own, </b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> not inviting God into the process and </b><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">never giving thought to how they may affect the BIG situations in our lives. And then, when things get out of hand and the situations become a BIG deal, we remember, "Oh Yeah, I should pray and ask God to fix this!" Perhaps had we (and I am speaking BIGTIME to myself here) included Him in on <span style="background-color: cyan;">EVERYTHING</span>, we would be experiencing His Peace throughout our daily lives, no matter the size of our circumstance! His ways far exceed what "fixes" we can come up with ourselves.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>But if His time isn't fitting in with the commitments we've made and if God's not selfish, what is really going on here?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>One of the reasons I'm writing on this subject is because we have experienced God's timing, not just in the "when" but in the "how" several times in our lives. And it's not always the big "issues" of life, it happens with the small things too, and what a Joy and Blessing when we realize it!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Here is one example of how we have experienced <span style="background-color: cyan;">"God's When and How"</span>. There was a meeting that needed to happen in another state on a specific day, for my husband's line of work. But phone calls were going unanswered and emails were not responded to. It didn't look like it was going to happen and this was going to reflect very poorly on my husband. Flight and hotel arrangements had already been made. As it turns out on the <span style="background-color: cyan;">MORNING OF THE MEETING</span> he received confirmation at 5:00am that the meeting would indeed happen, just at a later time than originally requested. Well, that particular timing ended up being a HUGE BLESSING because there was a transportation issue, that no one (but God) anticipated when trying to schedule the original meeting. Had the earlier time been confirmed, my husband would not have had transportation to get there. But God knew all of this, and in his perfect timing the meeting was arranged for a later time when transportation was available. He knew and He took care of it! My husband was in awe and very thankful. He inspires me when he sees the little things in our day that God works out. I'm striving to be more attentive in these matters.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Another example I'll share involved a banking mistake and miscommunication that really was going to put us in a bind, I overreacted, thought the worst, wasted so much energy with my "sky was falling" attitude. But, God worked it out <span style="background-color: cyan;">THREE DAYS EARLIER</span><span style="background-color: white; color: white;"> </span>than the bank said would be possible! So, I wasted a BUNCH of energy being stressed out, worried and angry about that situation. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I'm still learning and hope you will be encouraged to do the same each day as you journey through this life<span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: cyan;">"On Time" and with "God's Timing"</span>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Much Love,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Team Gage</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>#BeEncouraged</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>P.S. Feel free to comment below and share your experiences with God's Timing. We'd love to hear about them!</b></span></div>
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-48812340877638655822016-03-02T20:08:00.000-08:002016-03-02T20:10:15.120-08:00We're Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello! Remember us? <span style="background-color: purple;">The Simply Team Gage Blog</span>? </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, that's the one! Well, we're back after a long, unintentional break. Didn't plan it, just happened . . . well ok . . no, it didn't "just happen" . . . we let other things get in the way. But it has been weighing HEAVILY on our hearts to start writing again, so we are putting it out here and on social media that we are back up and running! So much to share, so many things in the works for you all! We are praying it all will be a <span style="color: red;">blessing and encouragement to you</span>!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sometimes it is very difficult to put yourself "back out there" once you have pulled back from relationships, service, commitments, activities, etc. (We will blog more on this specific topic soon!) So consider this your announcement - <span style="color: red;">or warning</span> - that we are putting ourselves back out into the "blog-o-sphere"!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>And that means we are accountable and must keep our word! So please, if a week goes by and you don't see a Simply Team Gage blog post, call us out on it! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Be blessed!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Much Love,</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Team Gage</b></span><br />
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-1649740907036441052014-08-06T14:15:00.000-07:002014-08-06T14:15:39.027-07:00Who is a "Child of God', really? And what does it have to do with a 'Gift'?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think Reverend Billy Graham said it best when he quoted John 3:16 and said: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Now that is the Gospel in a nutshell, everything you need to know about redemption and salvation is in that one verse of scripture. Twenty-five wonderful words!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We write, post, chat, speak of and blog a lot about being a "Child of God" and the benefits that go along with that title. A child of God is a phrase that has been used to speak of all human race, but it is actually meant for those who have made a decision to trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For ye are all the children of God</b> <b><u>by faith in Christ Jesus</u>.</b> (Galatians 3:26 KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acts 16:30: <b>"...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe you wonder, like the jailer did in Acts 16, what do you do to be called a child of God? My purpose in writing this piece is not to stir a debate, I write this to simply inform those who wonder, who desire to know, how to be saved (and while John 3:16 is really all you need, I'm including a few other verses to help you with your decision).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask yourself some questions, then find the Biblical answer, then pray to accept His gift, which is available to all mankind, though not all mankind will choose to accept it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 John 5:13 <b>"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realize God loves you:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John 3:16 <b>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realize you, along with everyone else, are a sinner:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 3:10 <b>"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 3:23 <b>" For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realize sin has a price that must be paid:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 6:23 <b>"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 5:12 <b>"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all man, for that all have sinned:"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realize Jesus Christ died to pay YOUR price:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 5:8 <b>"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDR3YlakkaOYQpKI71d2TfsT5VlItN5yXQdmNmhNv5rhw4zNduQpL2rezpNyKTnZ60dCMGEQD5B503YoDBWGzT6WHwANN6Mi1R03H-Qe6E4WYT513AVxWGR7xft8INXRE0HVdB5XYALkA/s1600/Gift-Giving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDR3YlakkaOYQpKI71d2TfsT5VlItN5yXQdmNmhNv5rhw4zNduQpL2rezpNyKTnZ60dCMGEQD5B503YoDBWGzT6WHwANN6Mi1R03H-Qe6E4WYT513AVxWGR7xft8INXRE0HVdB5XYALkA/s1600/Gift-Giving1.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Confess and Pray and Accept:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 10:9<b> "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 10:13<b> "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayer:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Jesus, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know that I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sins. I accept you as my Savior. I am trusting you to take me to heaven when I die. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHakSYFmIz3ewcNp0MllUgiuKNVhqvksCTIO6l2FKUpga-Vapn3wKJOkSwB5xQHwp0EE02k2fTKJqV2acfQdLtf3XNnmOB2Tx3yOiDfuGm12u_hswvs_MjlZc7hCl9nXdFqj42yS8fhY0/s1600/prayer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHakSYFmIz3ewcNp0MllUgiuKNVhqvksCTIO6l2FKUpga-Vapn3wKJOkSwB5xQHwp0EE02k2fTKJqV2acfQdLtf3XNnmOB2Tx3yOiDfuGm12u_hswvs_MjlZc7hCl9nXdFqj42yS8fhY0/s1600/prayer1.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"If any of you desire to be saved by works, remember one sin will spoil your righteousness; one dust of this earth's dross will spoil the beauty of that perfect righteousness which God requires at your hands. If ye would be saved by works, ye must be as holy as the angels, ye must be as pure and as immaculate as Jesus; for the law requires perfection. The power to receive is scarcely a power, and yet it is the only power needed for salvation. Come along and take what Christ doth freely give you. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe intensely." </i>- Spurgeon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our family has been blessed to be members, since 1998, of a Bible believing church that teaches these scriptures and encourages all to share and to lead others to Salvation in Jesus Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd love to hear from you if by the reading of this post you made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and/or led someone else to the same decision. Let us know at: <a href="mailto:teamgage28@gmail.com">teamgage28@gmail.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praying for all who may read this,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are always welcome to follow us at:</span><br />
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-33304636818770798742014-07-18T09:36:00.000-07:002014-07-18T09:36:01.469-07:00Creamy Chicken Pesto Primavera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAPU_cTui2ILJUgNIEiN3-opJ-64IlxNIc7rjgyZq3pEA-_pR95Vu1PhtImOgkL3J_mLk8dtAWFgyR4rwEgBYmbmwNb67_pzopjxSKWyTzegOCpxmty8uryHHjNcbh5P0aXnwgt8smcw2/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAPU_cTui2ILJUgNIEiN3-opJ-64IlxNIc7rjgyZq3pEA-_pR95Vu1PhtImOgkL3J_mLk8dtAWFgyR4rwEgBYmbmwNb67_pzopjxSKWyTzegOCpxmty8uryHHjNcbh5P0aXnwgt8smcw2/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cooked up something WONDERFUL with these veggies!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have a new favorite chicken dinner! </span>And it's called <u><b>Creamy Chicken Pesto Primavera</b></u>! Sans pasta - I promise you won't even miss the pasta! Not one little bit! I spotted this on the 'Low Carbing with Friends' facebook page and decided to give it a try, and boy are our taste buds glad I did! You have to try this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go ahead and make your grocery list, right now, with these <u>ingredients</u>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup basil pesto (I bought a jar, but you can make your own)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 lb boneless chicken, cut into strips (I bought tenderloins)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 large bunch of broccoli, including stalks, cut into florets (I used the whole bunch and did not include the stalks)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 small green zucchini, cut into half moons (I used one large, wished I'd have used two large)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 bunch of asparagus cut into 1 1/2 inch sticks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup of real bacon bits</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup of parmesan cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16 leaves fresh basil, whole or hand torn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">salt and pepper to taste</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Directions</u>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NOTE: Have everything prepared and ready to go, because this is done quickly with a very hot pan. You can do two pans at the same time or in two quick batches, which is how I did it.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- In bowl, mix together your pesto and whipping cream, set aside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Since olive oil burns quickly when it's added to a hot pan, go ahead and toss your chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Heat a large saute pan over high heat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Sprinkle you chicken around the bottom of the hot pan and let it sear and get nice and golden on one side. Do not crowd the pan. Drizzle any extra oil from the chicken bowl into the pan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Add broccoli and toss together with the chicken. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for about one minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Add zucchini half moons to the pan and toss. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for about one minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Add asparagus to the pan and toss. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for about two minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Add bacon bits to the pan and cook for about one minute.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsgIMK0xSoEIvWq5LumVhXwe2NQPTfWG2vt1MHUzGxhbLtptheAAvcJmZcWBDzk-GQKbbUXvE1HxzjALNzwCi7bzX1M6kknGz05zNEOqnUUQNSB5PVfqTnRmGhGFha3zAen7KFJRN_XDq/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsgIMK0xSoEIvWq5LumVhXwe2NQPTfWG2vt1MHUzGxhbLtptheAAvcJmZcWBDzk-GQKbbUXvE1HxzjALNzwCi7bzX1M6kknGz05zNEOqnUUQNSB5PVfqTnRmGhGFha3zAen7KFJRN_XDq/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Pour pesto cream sauce into the pan and swirl all the ingredients together. When the cream sauce begins to noticeably thicken, about one to two minutes, dust the pan with the grated parmesan cheese and toss the ingredients together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Serve topped with fresh basil leaves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB76IVoPg-6Y6Uc5MctYJBimVkotIql-K1Sv6_Z2FJ9aoS6qLb5KQLVK1Q16gR1aGtI6RfaJATcCqTqSGRYo1ooIJexzUpV3BaJ3p8Tt3GLBSKOSJFYoQ0GvrUjHpaEltAG3CpE0DjSr3C/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB76IVoPg-6Y6Uc5MctYJBimVkotIql-K1Sv6_Z2FJ9aoS6qLb5KQLVK1Q16gR1aGtI6RfaJATcCqTqSGRYo1ooIJexzUpV3BaJ3p8Tt3GLBSKOSJFYoQ0GvrUjHpaEltAG3CpE0DjSr3C/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is fantastic!!!!! My youngest and I competed for the last lunch leftovers!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYzlUjlF0c83eXO3t_dONdcFGBz7la9lNTjLGDvBe_ZFPiDAAE3-27zDdbrZs-HMzmObId79Gu6n3afqkGjeDwoTIVxy3P3fibA9p_XpqK168gao6Jhr29MdzeG1urUQLT7mCYHm9B_X8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYzlUjlF0c83eXO3t_dONdcFGBz7la9lNTjLGDvBe_ZFPiDAAE3-27zDdbrZs-HMzmObId79Gu6n3afqkGjeDwoTIVxy3P3fibA9p_XpqK168gao6Jhr29MdzeG1urUQLT7mCYHm9B_X8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the full recipe info click here:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.djfoodie.com/chicken-green-things"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.djfoodie.com/chicken-green-things</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy as much as we did! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much love from,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, you are welcome to follow us and share with your friends:</span><br />
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-81551136277879182802014-07-17T07:37:00.000-07:002014-07-17T07:37:12.876-07:00The YOLO Mindset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79BZO8O_IpSlrtG9RbOJluPz0MkwGuew7X6-4nGDDhOME55seTric2W6lRRNmuDiV_3EjkDiD4fzm97f_U7D_qeX9URDmwslaHORVv0sNDnvNXFUVAhRk4BkTi9oFYg14GAJcL9nozGuh/s1600/yolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79BZO8O_IpSlrtG9RbOJluPz0MkwGuew7X6-4nGDDhOME55seTric2W6lRRNmuDiV_3EjkDiD4fzm97f_U7D_qeX9URDmwslaHORVv0sNDnvNXFUVAhRk4BkTi9oFYg14GAJcL9nozGuh/s1600/yolo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">YOLO has been a popular saying among our youth. I recently heard on the radio that "YOLO" was ranked #1 . . .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">...</span>in a list of the <u>'Top 10 Most Annoying Slang Words'</u>. For those of you unfamiliar with this slang word/acronym, it simply means: You Only Live Once. Basically the premise behind the "YOLO" mindset is an attitude of: "<i>If it feels good just do it</i>", or "<i>who cares, why not</i>". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JqZ373ArwlQDMflS7XmnZeszU6p-UYxbCY_PQ7lbbbCQrwso34k6E_c-7bll9KAtruvEdmlYI1rZmHm2AI9dGQIEQmnYhpAhWVh5xAxbpazl6LrD7OF0ktlVV_s-0tfjomMRbQiehc2H/s1600/0002693_yolo_you_only_live_once_greenblack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JqZ373ArwlQDMflS7XmnZeszU6p-UYxbCY_PQ7lbbbCQrwso34k6E_c-7bll9KAtruvEdmlYI1rZmHm2AI9dGQIEQmnYhpAhWVh5xAxbpazl6LrD7OF0ktlVV_s-0tfjomMRbQiehc2H/s1600/0002693_yolo_you_only_live_once_greenblack.png" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I would say, "Since you only live once, so let's go for it"! Which isn't necessarily a bad modus operandi. Now, hear me out . . . It's true, we only live once, so why wouldn't we go for it? By "going for it" I mean to live in a way that is pleasing to The Lord by truly being a difference maker. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Live in a way each day as to make a difference for your life and for others in eternity. In the BIG things and the little things . . . in everything! We want to challenge you to DEFINITELY live with the YOLO mentality, but with a Godly mission and purpose. Just be a Blessing!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5fQicnMV7A7cmb7m3i-5vMLBfWjvl9eTD0kd29Px5G3QzrN6eyc3syS8qOKtNb81Q0rCE1uhyphenhyphenwwy9YJXTLDUmrJIbA2wVlg6NVPVBJaGvTQSgac-83Ljb4Q1ezJNu1Y9PKqKNBlxTz7/s1600/yolosmiley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5fQicnMV7A7cmb7m3i-5vMLBfWjvl9eTD0kd29Px5G3QzrN6eyc3syS8qOKtNb81Q0rCE1uhyphenhyphenwwy9YJXTLDUmrJIbA2wVlg6NVPVBJaGvTQSgac-83Ljb4Q1ezJNu1Y9PKqKNBlxTz7/s1600/yolosmiley.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw a t-shirt once that said "YOLO, but what will happen After you Die?" Hmmm, there's some food for thought and some purpose for our mission.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgement: So Christ was offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:27-28)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently posted on our Team Gage facebook page:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><i>We all have a limited amount of time with which to honor God. What if today, we started living and "doing" with the mindset of this, "Everything I do today is somehow connected to life in eternity, so I'm going to do it well, praying it's pleasing to Him."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Colossians 3:17 tells us:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">YOLO,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We welcome you to follow us: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">on facebook: Team Gage</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">on Instagram: SimplyTeamGage</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">on Twitter: TeamGage28</span>Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-22771364747927498752014-07-09T14:34:00.000-07:002014-07-09T14:34:04.143-07:00A Simple Recipe<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">One of our goals with our blog is to post a simple</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Team Gage family favorite . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">... </span>recipe at least a couple of times a month. This one is actually a <i><b>very new</b></i> favorite. We are trying to eat better as we make and meet our health and weight goals. And while we are all feeling great taking our customized supplements via <u>ID Nutrition</u>, we also are making better choices about the meals we eat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/25795338/southwest-chicken-salad</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #575757; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Ingredients</b><br />
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2 lbs Chicken Breast and Thigh combo, roasted w/ salt & pepper, cut in ¾ in dice</div>
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1 C cooked black beans</div>
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3/4 C diced red onions</div>
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1 cups of salsa</div>
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1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped fine</div>
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2 avocados, ½ inch dice</div>
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the juice and zest of 1 lime</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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Combine with all of the ingredients listed and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have made this chicken salad a couple of times to take to baseball tournaments. It's a non-mayo salad which makes it easier to toss into our cooler without the worry of, "Is it cold enough in there?" We have done this recipe with a rotisserie chicken and have even omitted the onion and cilantro, since our homemade salsa (stay tuned for how we make salsa the simple homemade way) had plenty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This recipe can be adapted in many different ways! Use your imagination. Do something simple for your health today. Treat your body well so you can feel good and do more activities that you delight in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." </b></i>(1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love from, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If you'd like more information about IDLife go to: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.scottygage.idlife.com ; or </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.clgage.idlife.com ; </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or send us an email at teamgage28@gmail.com)</span></div>
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-11355831804977366662014-06-19T20:04:00.000-07:002014-06-19T20:04:03.772-07:00Thank Goodness for these Marriage Guidelines <div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>We have mentioned a time or two (or twenty) that 'Love and Respect: The Love she Most desires - The Respect he Desperately needs' is by far . . . </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> . . . the best marriage book we have ever read. The author, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, posted the following (click on link below), to encourage couples who want to have a better marriage, but still struggle. In another words, they have the tools, but keep falling back into their old ways:</span></div>
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<a href="http://loveandrespect.com/blog/3-guidelines-for-a-strong-marriage/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://loveandrespect.com/blog/3-guidelines-for-a-strong-marriage/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We went through the book and study guide TWICE! So don't be discouraged if you don't get it right the first time, the fact that you want to save your marriage, strengthen your marriage, understand God's design for marriage, etc., speaks volumes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are eternally grateful to our Father in Heaven, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs - the author who we hope t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">o meet one day and thank him in person for writing this book that taught us so much, and to our dear friends the Cooks - who introduced us to this book by inviting is to their small group!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So we encourage you to order, buy, or borrow a copy today and experience marriage the way God intended, it's amazingly awesome, or rather, Wesome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Simply make a daily decision to better your marriage today with God's help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Much Love and God Bless,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team Gage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.</i></span><br />
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-65263280006587784732014-06-17T13:35:00.000-07:002014-06-17T13:35:31.238-07:00Parenting Teens? Some Interesting Truths...<div>
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<img height="240" src="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/67/39/1354369782_4959_happyteensingroup.jpg?itok=0TCNUbIw" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As</span><span style="font-size: large;"> we gear up for publishing more often on our blog,</span> we will be re-posting some old favorites, as well as, sharing some great articles by authors we admire and respect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shaunti Feldhahn, who has authored several great marriage books, shared this article on parenting teens:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(as our boys are entering their last year(s) of high school, we encourage you to stay the course of parenting your teen(s), soon to be teens, or 'way down the road' going to be teens - it happens even quicker than you imagine!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click on article below:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.imom.com/ispecialists/shaunti-feldhahn/the-four-truths-about-what-teens-really-want/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.imom.com/ispecialists/shaunti-feldhahn/the-four-truths-about-what-teens-really-want/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a read and let us know your thoughts. Parenting is simply a daily commitment, some days are rough, some days are rewarding, but all days are worth it).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3 KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14-17 KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be Blessed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love from Team Gage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Always feel free to share our posts, as well as, follow us on facebook @ Team Gage, on Instagram @SimplyTeamGage and Twitter @TeamGage28).</span></div>
Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-41417375419056189082014-02-22T15:35:00.002-08:002014-02-22T15:35:14.280-08:00Dealing With "Things" That Happen<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>It's not my fault...things just happen.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have all heard someone say, and if we are honest, we have said this, if not thought it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Sometimes things JUST happen."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Especially in regard to sin, especially when it's our sin, especially when we don't want to admit it's actually sin. Because notice, we didn't call it sin, we called it "things". Because "things" is way easier to swallow and justify than sin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me just shoot straight with you for a minute about the THINGS that SOMETIMES happen:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-THINGS DON'T "JUST HAPPEN"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-PEOPLE MAKE CHOICES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-SOMETIMES THOSE CHOICES ARE MISTAKES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-SOMETIMES THOSE MISTAKES ARE SINS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many times, and more often than not, we want to throw someone else right under the bus with us and say "WE". As in WE didn't mean for it to happen. Look, if you didn't mean for IT, the SIN, whatever that was, to happen, then you make conscious, concerted efforts or good choices, if you will, that will remove you from that sin happening. It's <b>simple:</b> "Don't Do it" or "Stop Doing It."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, we've all sinned or are sinning, so what do we do about it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-First, of all we need to own up to our sins, admit that we did wrong. WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT WE DID.' We make it right, turn from it, apologize to those we offended or sinned against, which is FIRST AND FOREMOST, GOD.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(We will all fall, both literally and figuratively: Get back up!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Chron 7:14 says,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I once read that we should insert our own name into the verse in place of "people" and, WOW, does that have meaning, it REALLY hit home with me! Try it! Mine goes something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If CHAUNDELLE, who is called by my name, would humble herself and pray and seek my face, and turn from her wicked ways; then will I hear her from heaven and will forgive her sin and will heal her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This verse is talking to us individually, not just our nation. It makes you swallow kind of hard when you read the verse that way, doesn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now God is going to forgive you, BUT, some people may not, (stay tuned for an upcoming post about forgiveness). We have to focus on our part: doing every thing we are able to make it right, and it starts with confessing and apologizing and then staying away from that sin. SO how do we do that? Well let's start with why we all end up sinning in the first place:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why do we sin, what is the common denominator of all sin happening? It's simply called SELFISHNESS! That's it, we are selfish, so we sin. So how can selfishness be avoided?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's going to have to start by getting in to God's Word, the Bible, and seeing what it says EVERY day! We have to pray and have constant communication with God, every day, ALL DAY, in my case! Find an accountability partner to keep you in God's Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Second, we need to make sure we aren't putting ourselves in situations or with people that will weaken our testimony. If you need to sever some friendships or make some changes in your social calendar, do it! God is the one we need to concern ourselves with pleasing:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCzMnReEB2MLnRsk3Zufng7ai_h0bTAO5Kwv96x0WS8Hmozr_IER9tuiHYkiyqPlwoTUaNJ7zMR1Xxe3ExeWiGuQZw7AUMod-pls1vrT46G8tN3-ykvWML4hrVaYR3hNJLOH66OjkmSgU/s1600/Make-Good-Things-Happen.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCzMnReEB2MLnRsk3Zufng7ai_h0bTAO5Kwv96x0WS8Hmozr_IER9tuiHYkiyqPlwoTUaNJ7zMR1Xxe3ExeWiGuQZw7AUMod-pls1vrT46G8tN3-ykvWML4hrVaYR3hNJLOH66OjkmSgU/s1600/Make-Good-Things-Happen.gif" height="320" width="203" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 KJV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In closing, I want to encourage you <b>today</b> to not see others sin, but to look into your heart and see your own sin. It's humbling yet freeing when we see it for what it is and deal with it as God desires.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" (Acts 3:19 KJV)</span><br />
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May you be blessed today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much Love from,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span></div>
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-51765548803745768072014-02-18T18:18:00.004-08:002014-02-18T18:18:28.650-08:00The Friend Zone<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Found Yourself in the Friend Zone? </span><br />
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There is much debate these days about how to parent our children. There are several schools of thought about this and several different parenting styles. For this post, I want to focus on being a parent vs. being our children's "buddy" or "pal". Let's face it, parenting isn't easy and personally, we haven't gotten it right a LOT of the time, but we continue to work very hard at it. <br />
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We take our job of parenting very seriously, because God gave us two wonderful human beings to raise. And we desperately want to make Him proud. By striving for that goal, it will make our children unhappy with us at times, and I'm here to say, as heart breaking as that is, it's okay, and it's worth the hard work required. Now our boys are only 16 and 17, FAR from being raised. We know the results of what we do all these years, won't be revealed for quite some time. Maybe not until they are raising their own kids. But, if we strive to do our absolute best and walk with God on this journey, we can be at peace with our efforts in raising children.<br />
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So let's look at what the Bible says about parenting (and no this is not going to be a debate regarding whether to spank or not to spank, that's another subject for another day):</div>
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"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." (Ephesians 6:1 KJV)</div>
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So, if our children are to obey us, that must mean that we should have something set in place for them to obey, like rules or boundaries. Our children will eventually understand that these are in place for their safety, or for their own good. And again, they may not see this until they are raising their own children. Boundaries can always be moved, outward as they show responsibility, or inward as they need to earn trust. Our parenting includes us being very involved in our children's activities, from sports to music to homework to setting goals. We also encourage them in their Christian walk and in their friendships. And, yes, we spot check their social media (another post for another time!) It's tiring, and it very often costs us a LOT of time and sleep, but it's worth it - we don't get this chance again. We don't get another shot at raising our boys, THIS IS IT! We want to make everything we do count for good!</div>
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Now before you think you are reading a post from the most UNFRIENDLY parent ever, let me show you something as we look at<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> what the Bible says about friendship:</span></div>
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(And I'll be honest with you, I didn't realize how many 'friend' verses there were in the Bible until I began to write about this subject.) I titled this post "The Friend Zone" which has negative connotations in itself, but I realize after delving into this subject matter a little deeper that maybe it is not<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> so wrong to be your child's friend. Take this verse:</span></div>
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A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 KJV) <br />
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(This is actually one of my favorite verses, when the boys were little we had a Steve Green video of Bible Songs for kids and he sang a song with the words to this verse. I'm smiling right now as I hum along to:</div>
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There is a friend (echo) There is a friend</div>
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A friend who sticks (echo) A friend who sticks</div>
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Closer than a Brother</div>
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and F-R-I-E-N-D who sticks closer than a B-R-O-T-H-E-R<br />
Closer than a brother.</div>
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(repeat)</div>
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Anyway, that friend is Jesus; and that Jesus is part of the Trinity - which includes God the Father. And we who are the Saved Children of God through Salvation in Jesus Christ get to call Him our FATHER! We are FAMILY, we are HEIRS of GOD:</div>
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"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."(Galatians 4:7 KJV)</div>
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So, my Father is my Friend . . . hmmm . . . see where I'm going here?</div>
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Jesus said: "<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:14 KJV)</span></div>
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When we do what we are commanded to do by God, we are showing our friendship, our love for Him. The same goes for the parent/child relationship. </div>
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Are you following me now? It's right to be a parent to our children, AND it's right to be their friend, BUT we have to be a "true" friend to them as God is to us. It's not just about being fun, it's about love and discipline, it's about support and correction.</div>
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This is what I found when I looked up the definition of 'friend': </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">- a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard; a person who gives assistance; a supporter</span></div>
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Again . . . hmmmm . . . sounding a lot like how I, as a parent, relate to my child. </div>
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When I looked up the definition of 'parent' in the verb form, look what I found: </div>
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- to parent with both love and discipline</div>
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Wow!</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you think about someone in your life who is a true friend, it's someone who can tell you the truth, even when it hurts. Or, if you are a true friend and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">you see your friend doing wrong, misbehaving, talking negative, etc. do you let it continue? Or do you speak up and let them know with love that they are doing wrong. Maybe you pray them through a tough time. You let them know you'll be there for them. But, if they continue in their waywardness, you might even try some tough love? Isn't it the same with our children? They do wrong, we correct them; if they continue, we discipline - just as God the Father does with us! My husband </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and I have people in our life that we love dearly, because they are able to set us straight when we are doing wrong and we know they are doing it in love, Christ's Love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We truly believe in parenting by loving, supporting, setting boundaries and disciplining. Do we get tired? YES! But it's necessary, worth it and rewarding! Might we challenge you to be your child's friend? But even more importantly, might we challenge you to do it by parenting God's Way? Start today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Much Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span></div>
Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-3959538196952315272014-02-07T22:18:00.000-08:002014-02-20T18:33:24.120-08:00Climbing Up the Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We never really thought we'd climb a mountain...</span><br>
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If you know my wife and I, the one thing that would be obvious to you, is that we are not the most outdoorsy of people. So it wouldn't surprise you that climbing a mountain was nowhere to be found upon our list of things that together we must accomplish...But that's exactly what we did in more ways than one.<br>
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Now to be honest, climbing a mountain is not something that we intended to do. In fact, it's not something that we ever thought would happen. But that's exactly what we've done.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Climbing is hard work.</span><br>
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I'm pretty sure that you could guess that climbing a mountain isn't easy. It takes a lot of effort. There is no short cut to the top. It's hard work. In order to make it to the top, it took us pulling together, encouraging each other, helping each other every step of the way. We had to work as one, or Team Gage was not going to reach the pinnacle.<br>
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Our marriage is the same way. We have learned throughout the past year, that if we are going to make it to the top in our relationship, we must work as one, we must be one. The good news is, that is that based upon God's word, that is exactly what we are, one. The bible says that we are one flesh. And because we are one flesh, it is crucial that we work together, pulling together for the good of the team of one, Team Gage.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One Step at a Time.</span><br>
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You've probably heard the old adage, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." It's the same with climbing a mountain. How do you climb a mountain? One step at a time. We made the decision that if we were going to make it to the top of the mountain, we were going to take it one step at a time...in the end, if we were diligent, these little "one steps at a time" would end up taking is to the top. And that's true in marriage as well. <br>
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How do you create and sustain a happy, healthy, God centered marriage? One day at a time...We all know that the idea is that we will be together until death do us part. We all see believe going in that we will get married and then live happily ever after...The truth is it takes a lot of days to make up those fifty years. <br>
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We decided this year that we would take each day to try and be the best husband, the best wife that we could be...We decided that we would strive each day to give our marriage our very best to honor each other, and our marriage.<br>
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And in the end, we would string together fifty or so years of one day at a times.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a wing and a prayer.</span><br>
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To be honest, given the circumstances, I would say we didn't have much of a chance of making it up that mountain. We've all heard the phrase describing the pilot coming in for landing with a damaged plane who is said to have made it on a wing and prayer...When you take into account the asthma, and the fact that neither of us had trained to climb a mountain, I would say that "wing and a prayer" described us perfectly.<br>
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However, in our marriage, we have found something better than a wing and a prayer to help us reach the top. We call it "a prayer and a promise". Because the bible instructs us that today is the day that God has given us, and that we are to give no thought for the morrow, we make promises to each other for today. We invite God into our marriage each day through prayer, and then we promise each other what we will be for each other today. For example, each day I promise my wife that I will love her today, that I will cherish her today, and that I will flirt with her today, and think about her today, and that I will chase her today, and on and on...And when tomorrow comes, we do it all again.<br>
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We're reaching the top on a prayer and a promise.<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which Mountain Did We Climb?</span><br>
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The picture at the top was taken when we set out to climb Stone Mountain outside of Atlanta, Georgia. And while it may be the world's largest exposed granite formation, it truthfully isn't all that tall. However, no matter how big, or how small the mountain may seem, it can still be a daunting task. <br>
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In marriages, there are many mountains. Whether the mountain is a Financial Mountain, a Trust Mountain, a Communication Mountain, a Lack of Desire Mountain, Complacency Mountain, or Mount Restoration, one thing is crucial...The only way to make it to the top is a commitment to never stop climbing. <br>
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John 16:33 ...In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.<br>
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We can tell you this, there is NOTHING, that Jesus can't help you overcome.<br>
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<br>Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-5242814453857397212014-02-06T20:54:00.001-08:002014-02-06T21:22:38.259-08:00Remind Him<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe_pziIWBQDizmD41LeoG2xcz3I7x_n3H4ECABYFy-pADQwOS0XF1H6IPLCh_bnHii9Qk63Y7KZ5hae-gMo5b693YJh5zAa1OxQxg8VCRSR4-b8iFYuRK18Vw_2bV-OWzVguFS57qV4w8/s640/blogger-image--657473776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe_pziIWBQDizmD41LeoG2xcz3I7x_n3H4ECABYFy-pADQwOS0XF1H6IPLCh_bnHii9Qk63Y7KZ5hae-gMo5b693YJh5zAa1OxQxg8VCRSR4-b8iFYuRK18Vw_2bV-OWzVguFS57qV4w8/s640/blogger-image--657473776.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Those of us who have been married for awhile, and even those of us who haven't been married quite so long, can easily and unexpectedly, one day wake up on 'Auto Pilot' in our marriage. We think that since we've been married for "X" number of years, or been through some rough stuff in our time together, that we have a great marriage and will continue to have it just because we think that is how it should be. Because that is how marriage always turns out - I mean, we said our vows, so that should stick, right?<div><br></div><div>But then one day, something causes you to take a long look at your marriage and maybe peel back some layers, as you honestly ask yourself this question: what have I actively been doing to keep my marriage on track? Now, notice I said "I". Don't get sidetracked and start thinking about the things he does or doesn't do. We are going to look at our role as a wife and institute some simple things to help us do our part in marriage (which will, in turn, help him do his part in marriage).</div><div><br></div><div><i>"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:33 KJV)</i></div><div><br></div><div>Now, whether you want to admit it or not, Respect and Love play a HUGE part in every marriage. "Respect for him and Love for her". A big part of Respect for me in my marriage plays out in the <u>Reminders</u> . . . no, not the reminders of what he is doing wrong . . . stay with me . . . the reminders of the things he needs to hear and receive from me, as his wife:</div><div><br></div><div>Need a place to start? Here are some reminders that come to mind when I think of my husband:</div><div><br></div><div>-He is an <u>extraordinary</u> man! My husband has many talents, some of which include speaking, presenting, singing, dancing, writing, drawing, etc. Plus, he is a fantastic father to our children! What makes your husband extraordinary? In what area is he talented? </div><div><br></div><div>-My husband is <u>sexy</u>! (And, ladies, we can't just tell them, we have to SHOW them - more on this subject in a future post already in the works). Just go with me, he needs sex and he needs to show you love this in way, and you can really begin to appreciate it with lots of practice.</div><div><br></div><div>-I am very appreciative of how hard he works to <u>provide</u> for our family. He has an amazing work ethic and is constantly under a great amount of stress to perform for managment to keep our family fed and clothed. Sometimes, we may have to sacrifice a bit of time with our husbands, especially if they travel like mine does. And that can be rough but it makes the welcome home reunion: oh, so sweet!</div><div><br></div><div>-He is <u>enjoyable</u> to be around. Let your husband know that you just love being with him, whether you're touring the Grand Canyon, or sitting at home preparing your tax return. Being together with our husbands should be simply, enjoyable.</div><div><br></div><div>-I tell him how <u>capable</u> he is. Our men won't admit how much time they spend doubting themselves, but if they know we are in their corner, that we are the ones who believe they can accomplish their goals, their confidence will soar to heights unknown! But, we have to let them know that we believe in them.</div><div><br></div><div>-I let my hubby know how well he <u>takes care of me.</u> Don't just think of this from a monetary standpoint, but think of it in other ways; whether it's watching the kids so you can run an errand by yourself or take a bubble bath. Maybe he rubs your shoulders to help you relax or takes care of cooking dinner every so often. Or, like mine did today, drove to my office to bring me my wallet and took my car to fill it up with gas, so I wouldn't have to do it myself in the sub-freeizing temperatures.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div>Literally, I could go on and on, and the more I pray about it, the more God shows me. I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">f you struggle with this, I encourage you to pray long and hard for some reminders that God can show you for your husband. Also, ask your husband, as I ask mine, from time to time: what do you need from me? Is there anything I can do better for you? Are there specific things you need to hear from me?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Each day this week, I encourage you keep your marriage out of 'Auto Pilot' by simply reminding him of what he means to you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><b>R</b>emind him, not only how wonderful he is, but what he means to you in the following ways:</div><div><b>E</b>xtraordinary </div><div><b>S</b>exy </div><div><b>P</b>rovides </div><div><b>E</b>njoyable</div><div><b>C</b>apable</div><div><b>T</b>akes Care of Me</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAMt4XHPevH5L_-mnfXqUzJunWPIW_Opgwqdc2vBEWvv5sI0BzBvQGNBQ65aHF6EXFOnSFtQ8UEmDjIGxbsWCG8bPK3-6_7BiwSN5BXpKO-m-ffO6TONyokTfFRvyjVwKzkmta1CI-8Jl/s640/blogger-image-859301118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAMt4XHPevH5L_-mnfXqUzJunWPIW_Opgwqdc2vBEWvv5sI0BzBvQGNBQ65aHF6EXFOnSFtQ8UEmDjIGxbsWCG8bPK3-6_7BiwSN5BXpKO-m-ffO6TONyokTfFRvyjVwKzkmta1CI-8Jl/s640/blogger-image-859301118.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>May God Bless you and your spouse as you grow together in Him.</div><div><br></div><div>Much Love, </div><div>Team Gage</div>Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-11678377890131877232014-02-04T09:34:00.003-08:002014-02-04T09:34:46.189-08:00Weren't We Just Changing Diapers Yesterday?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16.</span><br />
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From the time the boys were one years old, I would joke, "Okay, seventeen years, and you're out of my house..." I would say that, many times as a reminder to myself that it was my job, our job as parents to prepare the boys for that day when they would be on their own. It is a job that we have always taken seriously, and only time will tell if we have been successful. And even more so now that we are down to only a couple of years left...<br />
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My biggest piece of advice for those with little ones would be this...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cherish </span><br />
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Looking back over the past seventeen years, I would offer this to all those with little ones...REMEMBER this...They only have one first soccer game, one first ballet recital, one first t-ball game, one first softball game, or first piano recital...<br />
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What I mean is this, cherish, that gift that you've been given! Put those little angels that God gave you at the top of the list, just below God Himself, and your spouse...Don't let errands, or housework, or the lawn, or the job, take precedence over spending time, cherishing those little gifts. Once those days are gone, they are gone. Walk carefully, redeeming the time. Don't waste a moment when it comes to letting your children know that you absolutely love being in their lives, and how glad you are that God gave them to you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheer</span><br />
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Now first, I think you should always be honest with your children. If they can't carry a tune in a bucket, don't make them think that they will be a star on Broadway one day...And if they are not the most athletic, don't sell them on the dream of playing in the NFL...But do encourage them to try! Involve them in sports, and music, and art, and dance, and theatre, and whatever else you can get them to try. And cheer them on!<br />
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Be your kids biggest fan in all that they do! Whether it's a part in a play at Church, or the leading role in a school play, let them know that you are proud of them and cheer them on! You see we have a generation of kids growing up that may never do anything because they are afraid to try. I have been amazed through the years at watching the boys try...and sometimes fail, and sometimes succeed and excel. But EVERY time they have amazed me with their willingness to try. From riding a mechanical bull, to body boarding in the waves, to skiing, orchestra, band, baseball, football, powerlifting, karate, and more...Not to mention the beautiful music that echos from the piano in the front room...which someday, way too soon will be silent...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My Charge</span><br />
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For the next few days, my charge for you is thus...don't sweat the small stuff...<br />
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We have plenty of time to work on the Correction side of things, and next week will start with the twins, Rod and Reproof...<br />
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But TODAY, take time to cherish, and to cheer that, or those little gifts that God has given you...Because a day will come, much quicker than you realize that the recitals are over, the seasons are finished, the homework is all done, pen marked walls are painted over, and those little giggles will be off to live life on their own.<br />
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May God Bless you and your little gifts today, abundantly above all that you could think or ask!<br />
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Team Gage<br />
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-32048745564215718902014-01-21T08:39:00.000-08:002014-01-21T08:39:50.992-08:00It Really is the Sincerest Form of Flattery - Imitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imitation...Ahhh the Flattery!</span></div>
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It's flu season, and you can tell from all the commercials for flu shots, hand sanitizing, cold remedies and vitamin C that we are all not wanting to catch it. It seems like we are aware of germs and bacteria, more than ever these days. We simply don't want to catch the latest whatever that is going around. </div>
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There seems to be an even bigger epidemic than the flu going around families in America today. It's called disrespect. And, evidently it's even more contagious, and harmful than even the worst case of the flu. Unfortunately, this one is usually not "caught" at day care, or even in school. In most cases, it's caught at home.</div>
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We've all seen it, back-talking, interrupting, the losing of a temper, and even yelling...And I'm not talking about the kids...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where'd this come from?</span></div>
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So we all know that no one had to teach our kids how to disobey, or lie, or even take things that don't belong to them, right? And please, don't let me hear a "Not my little johnny"...Yes even your little Johnny has lied, disobeyed, AND probably lifted something from a friends toy box, the daycare, or maybe even a piece of candy from the supermarket. How do I know this? I have a couple of little angels, too. </div>
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Plus, I know that it is our nature...thanks to a couple named Adam.</div>
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But that's natural behavior. What about the interrupting? The back-talking? The Big Ol' case of Disrespect? Where'd that come from?</div>
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Let me ask you this...Where'd you learn it?</div>
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It may just be that it comes from dear old mom and dad. You see we began to notice in our boys that they modeled a lot of behavior. And since they were around us most of the time...especially when they were young, the behavior that they seemed to model was ours. Ouch!</div>
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We were able to look at each one of them and say, "I know where he got that", or "that sounded a lot like me". Why was it that I had to continually say to the boys, "not another word"...? It's because they had seen how Mom and Dad talked to each other, and how we, on those rare occasions when we would argue, would always try and get in the last word. Hint: truth is we argued enough that it became learned behavior...And then to make it worse, we interrupt and back-talk, and disrespect our children, without even knowing it.</div>
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So here's the deal...those little bundles of joy are going to imitate just about everything you do. So if Mom is an interrupter, then guess what? Little Suzy most likely will be too. What if Dad is a back-talker? You guessed it, Little Johnny will probably be one too. If Mom and Dad are disrespectful? Yep, there's a good chance the kids will be too.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So What Do We Do About It?</span></div>
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It's easy...Change everything about yourself...</div>
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1st - Realize: What I would do, or did, is to take a look at myself, and say to the Lord, "those behaviors that I see in my kids that I don't like, please let me realized them when I see them in me, and give me strength to change them in me." </div>
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2nd - Think: Next I would slow down, and think, is the behavior that I am about to exhibit, something I want the boys to do? So, in my mind I would be thinking, "Don't Interrupt, Don't Interrupt, Don't Interrupt, DON'T INTERRUPT!!!!" or "Don't raise your voice, Don't Raise you're voice....STOP YELLING!"</div>
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3rd - Don't be afraid to apologize: When I fail, I have tried to make it a point to say, "I'm sorry, my behavior was wrong. I shouldn't have said that to you, or I should have let you finish what you were saying, or even, I should have been more respectful of your feelings, thoughts, etc."</div>
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And now, I have modeled for them, the behavior that I want them to display, to their Mom, to me, to friends, family, and to their wife and kids someday.</div>
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It's a sad thought, but I would guess that for most of the bad behavior, the disrespect, back talking, interrupting, etc., that we see in a child, there is more than likely a couple of parents who, unknowingly aid by modeling similar behavior in the home.</div>
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Your challenge for today is simply this, today, try treating family members the way that you wish to be treated. Sounds easy, I know. But, pay attention and let me know how it goes.</div>
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<b>Disclaimer: Please note that this is for mild behavior issues only...I still believe in introducing the twins (Rod and Reproof) in order to correct behavior issues when necessary. (stop by next week when we talk about the twins that God gave us).</b></div>
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-32431988719892205772014-01-19T06:22:00.001-08:002014-01-19T06:22:22.059-08:00Do You Believe? Then Prove It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do You Believe? Then Prove it.</span><br />
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Today, we are talking life...Simplified. Do you ever wonder why some people seem to be more successful than others? Do you ever stop and think, "That guy sure is good at selling"? or "She seems to be really good at making friends"? Or perhaps you have a friend who it seems is really good in business. What about this, have you ever seen people, or known someone who is really good at witnessing? Maybe, you've thought to yourself, "How do I tell others?" or "What should I say?". Maybe you find yourself wondering how to share the gospel.<br />
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I'm gonna make it really simple for you this morning. <br />
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A person's commitment level (to anything) is a direct correlation to their level of belief. <br />
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I will give you a simple example. We've all seen a good movie, or been to a good restaurant and quickly thereafter, shared with a friend what a wonderful meal we had, or how great the movie was, right? So our level of belief in the product (the movie, or meal) was high, so we were able to easily share this with a friend. Easy, right?<br />
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Now let's take it up a notch...<br />
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Same scenario, but now we are in a room with some of the best chef's in town, or the best movie critics of all time...Now we are a little nervous about sharing the good news of the great hamburger we had at the Greasy Spoon...What happened? Our level of belief in the product was still high. I mean that was A GREAT BURGER! It's simple...While our level of belief in the product was high, our level of belief in ourselves went down. Therefore, in direct correlation, our commitment to share went down as well.<br />
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It's the same with sharing the gospel...Remember, our level of commitment is a direct correlation to our level of belief. Do you believe in Jesus? Then prove it. How many people have we shared the gospel with this week, this month, this year?<br />
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So I ask you this, "Do you believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be? Do you believe that Jesus can do what He said He could do (Save you from your sins)? Have you called upon Him to do so?" Great! Belief level high, right!<br />
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So here's the problem...It's not our belief in Jesus, in most cases, that's the problem with our lack of sharing the gospel...It's our belief in ourselves...just like the silly example of sharing the movie review with the world renown movie critics...suddenly we have more belief that they know more about what we are talking about than we do...<br />
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So...We need to work on us...you need to work on you...I need to work on me, and so forth...<br />
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Your mission this week, should you choose to accept it is...<br />
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1. DAILY study the scriptures known as the Romans Road...Rom. 3:10, 3:23, 5:8, 5:12, 6:23, 10:9-13<br />
2. DAILY Read OUT LOUD the verses (you'll have to find them) where God tells us that we "are fearfully and wonderfully made", and that "God is no repector of persons", and that we are "Joint heirs with Christ", "Children of the King", and that "no weapon formed against you shall prosper", and finally that "you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you"...We have to build your belief in you!<br />
3. Practice...Out Loud as your driving in your car go through scenarios of you sharing Christ with someone else...in other words, put it in the forefront of your mind.<br />
4. Lastly, pray, that God would build your belief in yourself and give you the confidence to know that you are worthy, that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.<br />
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Remember, your belief level is a direct correlation to your level of commitment as well...The greater your commitment becomes, the greater your belief will become as well!<br />
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Now go forth and share the amazing story of the Christ who died for you!<br />
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-15934935314081622922014-01-10T19:14:00.003-08:002014-01-10T19:14:46.424-08:00The Electronic-less Date<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Electronic-less Dating</span></h2>
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So last week my husband posted a pic of me on our "electronic-less date". This stirred a bit of "controversy". The question of "How'd you post that picture if you were electronic-less?" surfaced. Valid question, and I'll answer that shortly. <br />
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We've all read the articles, blog posts, etc. about how we are too attached to our smart phones, how we need to lift our eyes and heads up out of our 'electronic unconsciousness' and give those we love and live with our FULL 100% UNDIVIDED attention. Easier said than done, I know. I love my phone and am amazed and thrilled at the technological advances in which I am able to participate. But, I will admit, often it becomes a chore to be constantly connected. We feel the 'technology peer-pressure' to socially keep up, to check the latest updates, and to always know the breaking news story. Sometimes it's just plain tiresome and I just have to reply, "No, I have not seen the latest drama status update. Nor do I want to!" In reality, how life changing is that information? <br />
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My husband and I spend a lot of time apart. We both work separate jobs full time and he travels a lot. So I know how ridiculous it is for us to spend the precious time we do have together with our noses in our phones! I'd much rather look at that "intoxicatingly" handsome face of his, AND I'd much rather him gaze into my baby blue eyes! SERIOUSLY!</div>
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Now last Friday night wasn't a pre-planned electronic-less date. It just kind of happened out of necessity because I had to charge my phone. So, I boldly made the proclamation that I wasn't going to take my phone on our date. I was going to be electronic-less. Yes, I could have charged my phone a bit in the car on the way to dinner, but I decided to leave it at home and deal with not being able to electronically "check in" at our favorite sushi place, or be able to post a car "selfie" of us on date night (our family has a LOT of car selfies, thanks to yours truly). I was actually looking forward to it! <br />
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My husband has a work cell phone and a personal cell phone. He only took the personal cell with him in case the boys needed us, and it stayed in his pocket the entire date with the exception of snapping a picture of me at the ice cream parlor. (It wasn't posted til the following day, contrary to what some believe - that time and date stamp you saw was the time and date stamp of when the picture was snapped - just sayin'!)</div>
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I have to honestly say it was so freeing and RELAXING not to have my phone with me, not to be checking it every few minutes! I loved the experience and will do again and again. (And this is coming from a girl who will take her cell phone over her wallet when she leaves the house!)<br />
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So let me challenge you to be a little bit more "electronic-less". (No, I'm not going to say every time you are out with your spouse leave all electronics at home. I'm realistic and will most likely have my device (a.k.a. vice) with me this weekend.) <br />
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Here is your challenge, should you choose to accept it:<br />
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In the next week, go on an electronic-less date with your spouse, even if it's just for a cup of coffee. And please report back to us that you did and how it went. We would love to hear from you! Now for some of you, it might feel a little awkward to stare into your love's eyes for so long, but you'll both get used to it, and, with practice, come to really enjoy it. It's a simple way to show your spouse they are THAT IMPORTANT. As for a daily challenge, spend some time, at least once a day, with your spouse WITHOUT checking your phone, tablet, email, etc. Just spend 15 minutes reconnecting with your spouse and it just may, very well, become your favorite part of the day. </div>
Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-90654759193733025802013-12-16T18:45:00.001-08:002014-01-16T10:51:00.833-08:00Simply Thanking Each Other<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg57VjZqebs-RwBoDKKSq1xlSRAivMiLuqj5PgGSU6W_xZE5EKOws4q8wt5fSFa5Zx7_Wj8DYqXyU9x2tBVfCmZXGHtU-_E0ZKbg_UMwdkOQVJ_KJ59o8l87IgFBrJby76hzBs7NrUs3s1/s640/blogger-image--1315536830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg57VjZqebs-RwBoDKKSq1xlSRAivMiLuqj5PgGSU6W_xZE5EKOws4q8wt5fSFa5Zx7_Wj8DYqXyU9x2tBVfCmZXGHtU-_E0ZKbg_UMwdkOQVJ_KJ59o8l87IgFBrJby76hzBs7NrUs3s1/s640/blogger-image--1315536830.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Marriage is always in need of some service, because we need to keep it running smoothly. Just like we get our vehicles serviced regularly with oil changes and the like, we must put effort into our marriage. When we don't do regular maintenance on our vehicles and marriages, they don't run well. Oh, it may seem like all is good, running on auto-pilot, but one day, it is bound to break down, and that can be COSTLY. I don't want to get too heavy here, I just want to make a simple suggestion, call it a "minor investment" in your marriage, something you can do regularly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We all yearn to feel appreciated, and, let's face it, we don't get a whole lot of that "feeling" throughout our days. Encourage your spouse with words of thanks, DAILY. JUST grab their hand (we are big fans of hand holding), look them in the eye and say thank you for__________. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wait, y<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ou wouldn't know what in the world to say? Well, here's a few suggestions to get you started, and I promise, the more you practice, the easier it becomes:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">-Thank you for making me proud to call you the mother/father of our children. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">-Thank you for being my best friend, my lover, my safe place. You are truly a blessing from God.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">-Thank you for working so hard for our family and taking care of us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">-Thank you for the little things, fixing something around the house, making my coffee in the morning, letting me watch my favorite show, team, etc. (because the little things really are BIG things).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">- Thank you for loving me and respecting me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">- Thank you for wanting me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">- Thank you for dreaming with me.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Thank them, tell them what you love about them, encourage them. I could go on and on, but I won't. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">May I just encourage you to start today, START RIGHT NOW! If you can't grab their hand at this moment, call them, send them a text, FaceTime them. And then do it again tomorrow. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I thank my God upon every rememberance of you," Philippians 1:3</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Now for the challenge:</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Your mission, if you choose to accept it:</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">For the next week, DAILY find one thing to thank your spouse for. It can be something small or big, but it doesn't have to be a deed, it can be an attribute. It can be general or specific. It can be anything. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We'd love to hear what you are thankful about in regards to your spouse and we'd love to your what your spouse is thankful to you for. Keep us posted!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Much Love and God Bless from Team Gage!</font></div>Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-15432015897211470372013-12-06T21:06:00.000-08:002013-12-06T21:06:08.335-08:00Asking Him to be Someone He's Not . . . .<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last night I re-posted my favorite movie quote of all time: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>"I can't ask him to be less than he is."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>~ Maria von Trapp (Sound of Music)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am sure most of you are familiar with the story line, and while we live in a different time and place, the premise of why it was said SHOULD still ring true in marriages today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Years ago, when I first posted this movie quote (after only watching this movie a million times over the course of my life), I still did not fully appreciate the example of Maria von Trapp. But I did admire the respect she showed for her husband in that pivotal moment in history. Captain von Trapp was not willing to compromise his beliefs. Maria was asked to convince her husband to "at least pretend to work with" the Nazi regime, something she knew her husband was against. And while he wasn't the only one who felt this way, he was one of the few who wouldn't bow down to it. It may have made him unpopular in society's eyes, but in his wife's eyes, he was most popular (and truly that is what our husband's yearn for). And in turn, her support encouraged him to LEAD his family to safety. They were a team.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, SOMETIMES we try and make our husbands into something, or rather someone, they are not. SOMETIMES our husbands have to stand up against what may be popular, but not necessarily right. SOMETIMES it's not pretty. SOMETIMES they don't act in a way that we would in the same situation, but ALWAYS we must still show them our support, which, they in turn, see as respect. In order to let our husbands develop into the men that God intends, we have to let them be who they are and nothing less.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned many lessons in 21+ years of marriage, too many to mention here, but over time, God willing, I can share more. One thing I have realized: my husband will be held accountable for his actions, what I will be held accountable for is whether or not I supported my husband, whether I truly let him lead Team Gage. I have to remind myself to let God lead my husband, so that he in turn can lead me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A final thought: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if Maria, had not supported her husband, what if she had not given him the respect a husband so desperately needs and longs for? Would he have had the confidence to lead his family to safety and a better life? I shudder to think back on all the blessings I may have held my family back from, because I refused to let my husband be who he is, to respect him and let him lead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To those who understand this, thank you for your ensample (living example) . To those, who, like me, it took awhile, I ask you to give it a go, step out into what may be the unknown with your husband and let him be all that he is . . . it's a happier life and a relief to not feel like you have to be the one in control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, what a wonderful time to start. May your marriage be blessed sooner than later as you, daily, let him lead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love.</span></div>
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Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-90055169240911245022013-12-04T15:43:00.000-08:002013-12-04T17:33:02.127-08:00I'm the Light of the World?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Let your light so shine! - Matthew 5:16 </b></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just saw a commercial on TV that was talking about how amazing the human eye is in that it can see a single candle at over 176 football fields away. Think about that...If I light a candle and hold it in my hand, and you walk away to the distance of 176 football fields, then stop and catch your breath, get a glass of water and perhaps a snack, you could then turn around and see the light that I lit over 10 miles away!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The human eye is Amazing! But let's not focus on that right now. Think about how amazing it is that just a little light, a single candle can dispel darkness in such a way that it can be recognized so far away.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now take that a step further. Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world." And usually at this point I look at myself, and sheepishly say, "Am I?" I can't possibly be the light to the entire world, can I? I mean that is a lot of responsibility for a guy who can barely keep his shirt stain free during a meal. The light of the world, me? </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem for most of us is this, we don't FEEL like the light of the world. To which I say, "just because you don't feel it doesn't make it untrue." Do you want to argue with Jesus? He said it, not me. So if I am the light of the world, then what does that mean? What am I supposed to do? That's easy...Just be that candle out there in the darkness. The one that can be seen from miles away. Let your light so shine! In other words, be that ENSAMPLE that the world needs to see. Try getting back to 'please' and 'thank you', try starting with a little smile for those around you, try finding the good in others, and looking for kind words to say, try making today a brighter place for those around you. For how long you ask? Try doing it today, just today. We'll deal with tomorrow when it comes. And remember, people from as far away as ten miles can see your light...further if you're on Facebook...</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us today, as we let our light so shine. And remember, "you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you!"</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-30915488470626054022013-11-30T09:58:00.002-08:002013-11-30T09:58:48.994-08:00What Are You Feeding Your Kids?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNucMg4TGwKNwRpx7dL2nPiZPzygANn-iOabj0tF1ul2NHUaukZ-E0IrfApNoXa7zEoWgrtlCA-RjyacU5Z3EjBSSzYHaSZ1L-gwyYCqAXX-EE4Nf2B27GMO-CaRfj59W_06nQI2Njqw7/s1600/North+Face+Everest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNucMg4TGwKNwRpx7dL2nPiZPzygANn-iOabj0tF1ul2NHUaukZ-E0IrfApNoXa7zEoWgrtlCA-RjyacU5Z3EjBSSzYHaSZ1L-gwyYCqAXX-EE4Nf2B27GMO-CaRfj59W_06nQI2Njqw7/s1600/North+Face+Everest.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Big Thinking Precedes Great Achievement! - </b>Wilferd Peterson</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A few years ago, J. Scott, our oldest, had started playing football, and lifting weights when he came to me saying that he needed to get bigger. He asked if I knew anything about putting on weight...I said, "Son, I have been putting on weight for the last 20 years...Do I know about putting on weight?" I told him putting on weight is the easy part. You simply have to take in more calories than you burn, a technique that I have evidently been perfecting...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But seriously, getting big and strong in order to be the very best athlete that one can be is simple. So for your young athlete, it's important that they eat right, get the right mix of proteins and carbohydrates, avoid sugary snacks, stay off of sodas completely, and stay hydrated during the day. What they put in their body is an important determining factor in how they will perform and the results that they will achieve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">However, what they put in their body is but a small part of what will help them become all the God intends them to become. What you feed them mentally, is perhaps, even more important as they seek to make their dreams become reality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We spent the last 10 years going to watch the world's greatest violist perform in places ranging from an elementary school cafetorium to The Bass Hall in Fort Worth. We have watched the world's greatest tuba player amaze instructors and directors, as, according to one Band Director, "he does things on the tuba that I've never heard anyone his age do." We have cheered on the world's strongest young man as he competes in, and medals in power-lifting meets. We watch the world's fastest 15 year old steal bases standing up, while competing against the very best select baseball teams. What I'm trying to say is that we feed our kids encouragement, and lots of it. Now don't get me wrong, we are realistic as well. One of the things that I have always told them is that there will always be people in life more talented than you...However, there will be no one who works harder than you do. We have filled them with positive thoughts, instilled good work habits, and help them to set goals for what they want in life. When you exit Braylen's room, you see the handwritten sign above his door that reads, "The greatest there is, the greatest there ever was, and the greatest there will ever be." </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." - Proverbs 23:7</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And finally, the most important ingredient on their way to success, the spiritual food. We have been blessed to be part of an amazing church from the time the boys were babies until this day. We took seriously as parents the charge that we were given to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4 When God entrusted us with these two amazing gifts, we took to heart his advice to "train up a child in the way he should go." - Proverbs 22:6 We strive every day to help both our boys in doing a daily devotion, read their bibles and be Godly examples to those around them. And we give God the glory for all He has done!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now with all of that said, let me say this, we are not done yet. While we have two amazing boys, who are achieving great things, we still have a way to go. We continually bathe them in prayer, remain ever available as we continue to train, drive, inspire, discipline and encourage them to be all that God has in store for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Big Thinking Precedes Great Achievement! What are you feeding your kids? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Join us today as we take a look at our kid's diets and begin to make the adjustments that we need to make in order to give our kids every opportunity to become all that God intends for them to become! And don't forget "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13</span><br />
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4989384203278096307.post-38509885518590274892013-11-27T21:27:00.002-08:002013-11-27T21:27:50.912-08:00Who Hasn't Enjoyed a Taco from Jack in the Box?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the years, Team Gage has been truly blessed! And today is no exception. Today, the day before Thanksgiving we were able to share in a day of new experiences with a couple of things that we take for granted. And for these things, and much more, we are truly thankful. Sometimes it's the little things that count the most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight we took a trip to the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine, Texas. Tonight Team Gage consisted of Mom, Dad, the two boys AND their girlfriends. Our purpose was to capture the Christmas Season in a couple, or a thousand pictures with the hope that one would be deemed good enough to make the Christmas Card...What we didn't know, and had taken for granted was that neither girl had ever been to the Gaylord at Christmas time. Needless to say, we had a great time walking around, looking at the beautiful scenery, lights, huge Santa boots, colorful trees, and even hearing the occasional drumbeat from the "little" toy drummer. It was a great way to start the Holiday Season and worth every minute to see the smiles on everyone's faces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest shocker though was when we decided to get something to eat. We decided to stop for tacos at Jack in the Box. That is when we learned that one of the girls had never had a Jack in the Box taco...Needless to say, they were a hit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's when it hit me...Discovering new things, trying things for the first time brings anticipation, excitement, wonder, maybe a little nervous feeling, but many times we find out that it is worth all of that and more. Now, maybe that overstates the taco experience, but think about it...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take time this Thanksgiving to remember some firsts and then just say, "Thank You, God", for letting me experience these wonderful things...Here are a few suggestions...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the first time you held your spouse's hand...Remember the first time you shared, "I Love You"...Remember that first date...Remember that first time you saw your wife as she walked down the aisle...Remember the first time you were announced as Mr. and Mrs...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been blessed to have kids, remember the first time you ever laid eyes on that bundle of joy...Remember the first smile, the first giggle...Remember the first time you heard the word "Da Da" or "Ma Ma"...Remember the first time you sent them off to school and the tears that accompanied...Remember the first victory, the first triumph, the first school play, or first athletic game...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the first time Dad showed you how to throw a ball, or ride a bike...Remember the first time Mom showed you how to color in the lines, or make cookies...</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the first time you thought, "I sounded a bit like Mom or Dad", and then realized that wasn't a bad thing.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally, remember the first time you realized that Jesus Christ paid a price we couldn't pay...Remember the peace that filled your soul as you called upon Him for salvation...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From our Team to yours...Take time this Thanksgiving to Thank God for some firsts in your life, to ask Him to bless you with many more...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Team Gage</span><br />
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<br />Team Gagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640479754368044849noreply@blogger.com