tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69172992740952196022024-03-05T11:53:02.160-06:00SUP: Spiritual Understanding & Prayer On A SUPLori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-85288001900922379402017-06-07T17:02:00.000-05:002017-06-07T17:02:14.050-05:00Popsicles, Paddles, and Paperbacks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppbTV3UjFSJ3A8sEXMYCAxEjB2qvo948bQc0MuqeOhyphenhyphenWn5hFqrW2Hqp_vRinDYVO5Vg6_5ozEJd6FLXaL6vYEG5W-f8X9I4eWzE3ONyMpxoyA39_zk51ACtPq44edeBRrA_bvJ3VtDjg/s1600/paddle+up+nashville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppbTV3UjFSJ3A8sEXMYCAxEjB2qvo948bQc0MuqeOhyphenhyphenWn5hFqrW2Hqp_vRinDYVO5Vg6_5ozEJd6FLXaL6vYEG5W-f8X9I4eWzE3ONyMpxoyA39_zk51ACtPq44edeBRrA_bvJ3VtDjg/s400/paddle+up+nashville.jpg" width="400" /></a>I'm excited to announce the book signing for my 30-day SUP devotional! It will be on Saturday, June <br />
24th, from 11am to 1pm, at Paddle Up (525 Basswood Ave., Nashville, TN 37209).<br />
<br />
The first 10 people to purchase a book at the signing will receive a free Padrino's Pops popsicle in your choice of flavor. Also, everyone attending the book signing will <b>receive 15% off</b> a paddle board rental for that day or for any time during the 2017 season!<br />
<br />
<i>Spiritual Understanding & Prayer on a Stand Up Paddleboard</i> is <b>a reminder to not just listen to God when you're reading your Bible and praying, but also when you're working and playing</b>. This is true no matter what your own hobbies are or what kind of work you do.<br />
<br />
I hope to see you on the 24th, rain or shine! If you've already purchased a book, bring it with you and I'll personally sign it for you. If you're not located in Nashville, you can purchase a copy of the devotional online at <a href="http://bit.ly/SUPdevotional"><span style="color: blue;"><u><b>http://bit.ly/SUPdevotional</b></u></span></a>. <br />
<br />
Thank you in advance for your support of this passion project. Profits from book sales go toward travel expenses and supplies for my mission trip to Brazil. <b>Your purchase creates a ripple effect in God's Kingdom like a single drop of water does in a vast ocean!</b> Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-11368565889843617332017-05-27T12:57:00.002-05:002017-05-27T12:57:29.720-05:00The Time is Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PAgjlUtmbB2OpySpJVBZvsa5m3kHgpqLEVXCzZ2oGFuKR7QEonEdKdVKR8LRINLIxXnUp7tjdBAorW_hwY1R4UnHTlNwI7eVHp6po8Q6M8g64avb5PjO2JSLHUJfLKzybuU2oR6jozo/s1600/The+Time+is+Now.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PAgjlUtmbB2OpySpJVBZvsa5m3kHgpqLEVXCzZ2oGFuKR7QEonEdKdVKR8LRINLIxXnUp7tjdBAorW_hwY1R4UnHTlNwI7eVHp6po8Q6M8g64avb5PjO2JSLHUJfLKzybuU2oR6jozo/s640/The+Time+is+Now.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Four days after <a href="http://supspirituallessons.blogspot.com/2017/01/exciting-news-sup-blog-is-becoming-30.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><u>my previous post</u></span></a>, I found out I had a detached retina. My
doctor schedule me for surgery right away. Instead of a simple laser
surgery, it was much more complicated. It was "surgery-surgery." But
what was supposed to be a short recovery turned into a lengthy time of
complications and intense pain.<br />
<br />
In addition to my pain and
weakness, my eyes were extremely sensitive to light. I had to sit inside
my condo for 5 weeks straight with the blinds closed. And you know how
much I love being outside in the sunshine, so that was torture for me.<br />
<br />
Also,
it hurt to look at a computer screen for several weeks, so I couldn't
work either. I couldn't drive since I was on pain meds and the surgery
had temporarily made my vision worse. I was so bored and depressed. In
trying not to feel sorry for myself, I kept thinking it could be worse,
and that I should be thankful for God's blessings. A difficult thing to
do when the stabbing pain is an 8 on a scale from 1 to10!<br />
<br />
The
first day I was able to get back to church I saw someone from the
congregation who is blind. The first day I was able to get back to work,
I saw another person who is blind. It was a humbling reminder that,
even though God wasn't minimizing what I was experiencing, He was
confirming my thoughts.<br />
<br />
<h3>
God's Perfect Timing</h3>
<br />
The entire
month of January was slow in that I wasn't getting any new clients and
couldn't understand why. But of course God knew. He knew what was ahead
of me and that I wouldn't be able to work at all in February due to my
surgery and recovery.<br />
<br />
This also explains why my part of the
mission trip to Brazil was postponed from early March to mid July. I was
still struggling in early March from the surgery.<br />
<br />
I praise God
none of this occurred during paddle season or else I really would've
been depressed. In <br />
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</div>
fact, one of the weeks I was stuck inside was when
schools closed because of all the flu and strep cases going around. At
least I was protected from that!<br />
<br />
The only things that kept me from
diving into a depression were of course God, calls/visits/meals from
friends, and college basketball. If it hadn't been conference
championship and tournament season, I would've been bored out of my mind
since there's not much else I like to watch on TV.<br />
<br />
Thank God I'd
already submitted my manuscript for the book version of this blog to my
publisher before my surgery. They were able to do a lot of the edits
while I was recovering. However, the surgery did delay the release date,
but that's okay. I know God's timing is perfect.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Time is Now</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeyPHUhbWBwvPWcr3DAJbT64ryk2ir-8A18b-HJZEsuEH0kPh2e1X5ycRgnG_JnJLRWsb8_-eQhNibNMqWJt9tbQ9ETeQWiSfdnvd-PlTrW_EF_HSAmPNGae1HmFjWfCCTB4VuUSozFE/s1600/IMG_20170521_162507_329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="paddle" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeyPHUhbWBwvPWcr3DAJbT64ryk2ir-8A18b-HJZEsuEH0kPh2e1X5ycRgnG_JnJLRWsb8_-eQhNibNMqWJt9tbQ9ETeQWiSfdnvd-PlTrW_EF_HSAmPNGae1HmFjWfCCTB4VuUSozFE/s400/IMG_20170521_162507_329.jpg" title="" width="393" /></a></div>
<br />
Despite having to have a second retina surgery at the end of April, I'm now back on the water! And God
is showing me it's the perfect time to release the 30-day
devotional inspired by this blog.<br />
<br />
The book is now available for <a href="http://bit.ly/SUPdevotional" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><u>purchase online</u></span></a>. I'll also be holding a book signing here in Nashville at the end of June (date and location TBD). Proceeds will go to funding the remainder of my expenses for
my mission trip to Brazil in July.<br />
<br />
I'm so excited to see what
God is going to do with this book. And I'm so honored that champion SUP
racer and pro surfer Candice Appleby penned the foreword to the book.
She is a sister in Christ who openly shares her faith in the SUP
community. She continually points her achievements in SUP and surfing
back to God, always giving Him the glory.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/SUPdevotional" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><u>Click here</u></span></a> to order your copy of
the SUP: Spiritual Understanding and Prayer on a Stand Up Paddleboard. Thank you in advance for supporting this project. Your
purchase creates a ripple effect in God's kingdom just like a single drop of
water does in an ocean!Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-4613986494766534322017-01-16T17:45:00.000-06:002017-05-22T08:37:09.283-05:00Exciting News! The SUP Blog is Becoming a 30-Day Devotional!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpJGVz9iU_ppExUL6fWdhXyvE_uNiv1H7qaiDMfAmQY8RuxOxE9PRYRSvbkgEdWhaTdKPe-8TQN96YRmaG3mvPhLVPcM8KlNZaWY86cKXAitONaT0nNXff-MeiWd9DFWiMdkLebVOiB4/s640/passion11.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
Hi there! I hope you're having a great new year! Despite the unusually warm
temperatures for this time of year, the rain and wind has made it near impossible
for me to get on the water. So, I've been keeping busy with my work and a new
book based on this blog.<br />
<br />
During the end of 2016, I challenged my clients to take on a "passion
project" for the new year, something personal they've always had a desire
to do or accomplish. My own passion project for 2017 is to publish a 30-day
devotional based on this blog. This project combines three of my
passions: my love for God, writing, and stand up paddling.<br />
<br />
I plan to use money from the sales of the book to help fund a mission trip I
will be taking to the banks of the Amazon River in Brazil. So far I've already
raised $1,775 and have only $725 to go! <br />
<br />
I’ve been told that if there was ever a mission trip to get me out of my
comfort zone, this would be the one. We'll be sleeping in hammocks on a small
boat which is cool, but I’m a little nervous. I'm not afraid of the piranhas or
of the Zika virus, but I can’t say the same about the anacondas since I have an
intense snake phobia. <br />
<br />
We'll be serving with an organization called Justice and Mercy Amazon that
exists to educate, equip, encourage, and care for the forgotten people of the
Amazon by building schools, educating jungle pastors in God’s Word, caring for
children with special needs, and offering emergency food and medical assistance
to those living along the Amazon’s endless banks. <br />
<br />
If you'd like to contribute with the purchase of my new book, you can <a href="http://lnc.hr/7bc5f" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><u><b>CLICK HERE</b></u></span></a> to pre-order a copy at only $12. If you prefer to give more, you can do so
at <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://justiceandmercy.org/pay-for-a-mission-trip/">http://justiceandmercy.org/pay-for-a-mission-trip/</a></span>
(change the dollar amount to your preferred value and include “Lori Bumgarner,
July 2017” under the field labeled “trip participant/trip date”).<br />
<br />
I encourage you to also take on your own passion project this year. If you need help, <a href="mailto:lorib@yourpassioninlife.com" target="_blank">let me know</a>! Thank you for being such a faithful follower of <i>SUP: Spiritual Understanding & Prayer on a Stand Up Paddleboard</i>! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-66394796558255299292016-11-09T11:59:00.000-06:002016-11-09T11:59:06.455-06:00Feeling Trapped? 7 Ways to Cope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.panashstyle.com/feeling-trapped-7-possible-ways-cope/"><img alt="http://www.panashstyle.com/feeling-trapped-7-possible-ways-cope/" border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ5oOMyh8iy6oZWseMB8uGfhkami5Rt0sIDoYBaLV07t7DBalLi_B_BN1RCvKJsMtx2up4hEIEFAo94GiuIDNXjzLWvkNXfhub1KwldSh0WwQKkPB635tdmsLB345LPaSEBlRQKICp9E/s640/Picture3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #ffd966;"><a href="http://www.panashstyle.com/feeling-trapped-7-possible-ways-cope/"><span style="color: blue;"><u><b>Click here</b></u></span></a> to read full blog post.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span>Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-9144800438609283202016-07-17T18:14:00.000-05:002016-07-17T18:14:02.736-05:00Beware of Making Sharp Turns on Your Spiritual Path<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKEhXgA4172CK1FIzHarw1IYzO8KvRpSXb_KE4_Rl0ebL7Fc_JwZrHV1GQwTl3SOol3IHOF_9BRSJS5F8nvJFJIvHMX_kbZmu8UeOIwQMJ_YT4q0BUgYf4zJxXSH5qQwx7S1PxDglq3k/s1600/2016-07-16_1813.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKEhXgA4172CK1FIzHarw1IYzO8KvRpSXb_KE4_Rl0ebL7Fc_JwZrHV1GQwTl3SOol3IHOF_9BRSJS5F8nvJFJIvHMX_kbZmu8UeOIwQMJ_YT4q0BUgYf4zJxXSH5qQwx7S1PxDglq3k/s1600/2016-07-16_1813.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo source: Billy Lush Board Company, Knoxville, TN</td></tr>
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The day after paddling with my uncle at Watts Bar Lake, we
headed to downtown Knoxville to try out the hydro bikes at the local paddle
shop. Hydro bikes are something I’ve never done before, so I was very excited
to try something new on the water.</div>
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These bikes look like actual bikes from the pedals up, but
instead of wheels they have a similar feature on the left and the right as do
the amphibious airplanes that land on. This is what keeps them stable and
afloat in the water. In the front where the front wheel would be on a land bike
is a front rudder. The handle bars are what turn the rudder so you can control
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The guy who was working at the paddle shop told us not to
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Just like in our spiritual walk, if we turn too sharp to the
left or too sharp to the right, we can get stuck or stalled in our spiritual
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overcorrect. We must make the adjustments in our steering that are within our
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Failure is a part of life and there will always be times
when we as humans will fail. But God’s promises do not. He is always available
to help us straighten out our lives and start over. When we acknowledge our
sins, He is ready and willing to help us start again.</div>
Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-74790248627727962062016-07-16T18:04:00.000-05:002016-07-16T18:04:19.837-05:00Is Your Heart Properly Equipped?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky-uBUOHcaHccJD5jnYjRJOV7xaPtEj8-qqdSlkmCY2ujdWf76_-70Poz01ypWE31UuTXrWn9ihfvFnlWZEmHm5RRXWP6IRaBz7qOu_rC_-9lBHuE4XzDXS4suGKRT0OzsAGUuxcIxfw/s1600/l610w20t234fin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky-uBUOHcaHccJD5jnYjRJOV7xaPtEj8-qqdSlkmCY2ujdWf76_-70Poz01ypWE31UuTXrWn9ihfvFnlWZEmHm5RRXWP6IRaBz7qOu_rC_-9lBHuE4XzDXS4suGKRT0OzsAGUuxcIxfw/s640/l610w20t234fin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo source: http://surfboardline.com/gerry-lopez/</i></td></tr>
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Last week, I got to go paddle boarding at Watts Bar Lake in
East Tennessee. I was visiting my uncle and it was his first time paddle
boarding. The paddle board he had borrowed from a friend was missing its fin,
and my spare fin did not fit the fin box of his board, so we had to make do
without one. </div>
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I let him use my board so he could have one that was
properly outfitted, while I tried to manage with the board that had no fin. It’s
amazing the difference an experience can be when you’re not properly equipped
versus when you are.</div>
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The purpose of a fin for a paddle board is to make the board
go straight and keep it stable. I quickly found out what it was like to try and
paddle without a fin:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my board wanted to
go in every direction other than straight! Add to that the wind we were
experiencing and I was just being blown around in circles unable to control the
board at all. It felt like when you’re in a bumper car and you start spinning
around. No matter what you try to do to try to make the car stop spinning, not
much really works. I wasn’t able to get to where I was trying to go, and if I
did, it took A LOT longer without the fin.</div>
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That’s what our spiritual life can be when the Holy Spirit
is not living inside of us. We are not properly equipped to remain on a
straight path. We’ll go in every direction, jumping from one new “self-help”
gimmick to the next, oftentimes finding ourselves wasting time just going
around in circles with no real results. And we can’t stop our spinning in
circles in our own strength. We need the Holy Spirit to stabilize us.</div>
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How do you get the Holy Spirit inside you? It’s pretty
simple. You just admit your need for Him and accept the invitation He’s already
extended to you, and in turn invite Him into your heart. He does the rest. And
you can rest in that, trusting He will direct you on a path that is straight
and stable. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8SpUY7eb-H0FbR9j-vY0azS2AD_0REiy7F3LuvXr2z6-zUWyqk5YojwZzsiNSj8euZnX6xvXDuZCfbw2OrcvcNpIJdafP482iej3vg1GDwBNw91GauSX8gZM4576x8AFHUJM12OLR3E/s1600/IMG_20160716_190056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8SpUY7eb-H0FbR9j-vY0azS2AD_0REiy7F3LuvXr2z6-zUWyqk5YojwZzsiNSj8euZnX6xvXDuZCfbw2OrcvcNpIJdafP482iej3vg1GDwBNw91GauSX8gZM4576x8AFHUJM12OLR3E/s400/IMG_20160716_190056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-66263908022764031972016-05-31T09:57:00.001-05:002016-05-31T09:57:53.129-05:00Listen for God's Voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9i-PICUOP9Ue_BXCihBHfqVMenTY1CRkT0c5LTqHXh5Gk_3F5vWXCwmKdw21_9l0fiHLL8xG6iSNZ5Wqe64ZVrW56-QHLILY8MOvY9e2tuCZC92_rgVnTvRbGv05BlN72gJ5Jz7TGNc/s1600/flashlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9i-PICUOP9Ue_BXCihBHfqVMenTY1CRkT0c5LTqHXh5Gk_3F5vWXCwmKdw21_9l0fiHLL8xG6iSNZ5Wqe64ZVrW56-QHLILY8MOvY9e2tuCZC92_rgVnTvRbGv05BlN72gJ5Jz7TGNc/s400/flashlight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Last week I found myself in a bit of a precarious situation. I decided to go out for an evening paddle last Wednesday evening despite some looming clouds. All day the skies had vacillated from sunny to cloudy and back to sunny again. It never did rain and the weather report didn't seem to call for rain, so I decided to go for a paddle in the clouds.<br />
<br />
When I first started out, I thought what a perfect evening for a paddle! The current was low and the water was calm, the winds were low and the clouds shielded me from the blazing sun. Even the bugs were on their best behavior which is a rare thing in the evenings.<br />
<br />
Since the current was low, I decided to go downstream and went about 2 miles before turning around. Once I did turn around, I could tell the current had increased since I first went out, but that was no problem. Then about half a mile later around 6 or 6:30pm, the bottom dropped out.<br />
<br />
The rain fell so hard there was little visibility. The water ran into my eyes so I had to keep my eyes squinted to almost fully closed so my contacts wouldn't get wet or pop out, making visibility even worse.<br />
<br />
Then the winds picked up. While I had no wind at all going downstream, I now had a head wind while also having to go against a stronger current and pelting rain drops. I had to return to my knees to lower my center of gravity in the strong winds and had to paddle with all my might. Anytime I'd slow down or switch hands with my paddle, the wind would try to blow my board back downstream.<br />
<br />
There was no one around, not one boat, not one fisherman. Everyone had taken cover from the pouring cats and dogs, but there was no place for me to go. I just had to paddle the remaining mile and a half back upstream.<br />
<br />
I have to admit, I was getting nervous and a bit scared. All I could do was pray, "Lord, please just get me back to the harbor." Fortunately, there was no lightning or hail, and despite the winds the water was still pretty calm. I'm so thankful for that.<br />
<br />
I did finally make it back to the docks, but my legs felt like Jello. Having to paddle that far on my knees made them so shaky. And I was shivering from the wind blowing on my drenched skin. But I was glad to finally be back safe and sound.<br />
<br />
Two days before this experience, I had written something down in my journal. Now, you must know that when I write in my journal, I do not record my own thoughts, and I don't write in first person. Instead, several years ago I changed from recording my own thoughts to instead recording the thoughts I felt God was sharing with me. It takes a lot of quiet time and focus to hear the still, small voice of God, but oh how powerful it is when you recognize it!<br />
<br />
And it's even more powerful to journal in this way, writing it as if God is saying it to you, and then going back and reading it later. It shows how God knew what He was saying and knew what was going to happen. And even more important, it shows how God keeps His promises.<br />
<br />
Two days before my frightening experience out on the river, God spoke to me through the scripture verse Isaiah 43:2, and I wrote it down in my journal as if He was saying it to me directly: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." I was so amazed and comforted by this. God knew where I would be two days from then and He kept His promise to keep me safe.<br />
<br />
If you've never spent time trying to hear from God, I encourage you to do so. God starts off by speaking to us softly with a still, small voice, so you have to get quiet to hear Him. Turn off the gadgets, get off social media, and get to a quiet place every day to listen for His voice. Start with reading your Bible because that's one of the first places He'll speak to you. Pay attention to the well-meaning people in your life because He speaks through them too. You'll be amazed at the difference in your life when you begin to develop these simple yet powerful daily habits.<br />
<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-75396629470533276802016-04-30T17:23:00.000-05:002016-11-23T16:24:40.144-06:00Don't Give Up On Pursuing Your Passions<br />
It's been a while since <a href="http://supspirituallessons.blogspot.com/2015/12/beginning-with-gods-best.html"><u><b>my last post</b></u></a>. I attribute that to two main reasons: 1) unlike last winter, there weren't as many opportunities to paddle this winter due to dangerous river currents all winter long and 2) I've been busy revamping my business.<br />
<br />
You may recall from some of my <a href="http://supspirituallessons.blogspot.com/2014/10/jumping-fish.html"><u><b>past posts</b></u></a> that I had been feeling frustrated with my work as an image consultant, feeling restless and discouraged. In fact, I started feeling that way around the same time I first took up stand up paddleboarding.<br />
<br />
Up until Christmas of 2015, I was in prayer for a year and a half asking God to show me what I should do. Should I quit the business I had put 8 years of hard work into building a brand and do something different? If so, what was that "something different"? What did it look like? Was it going back to work for someone else (ugh!) and lose my flexible schedule (double ugh!)? Was it offering a different service to new clients?<br />
<br />
A year and a half felt like a really long time, but the day after I got my new inflatable paddle board, an answer came so suddenly and quickly while I was in, of all places, the shower! What came to me was so very clear and I was able to see how all of my past experience and all the hard work building the name of my business fit in with this "something different." It was like a flashing neon sign that said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">PASSION</span></blockquote>
God was showing me that I am to use my past coaching and career advising experience, my spiritual gift for encouragement, and my love for living life to the fullest and taking risk to help others discover and pursue their passions in life and career.<br />
<br />
I am now a <a href="http://www.panashstyle.com/from-fashionista-to-passionista/"><u><b>Passion & Career Specialist</b></u></a>. Since making this change at the end of 2015/start of 2016, I feel like what Peter must have felt like following a long day of catching no fish at all to letting down his nets at Jesus's command and having his nets overflowing with fish. I have been getting more steady business without even trying than I had when I was previously doing image consulting.<br />
<br />
And get this: for several months I had been racking my brain trying to figure out how I could "marry" my skills with my love for SUP. God made it clear that I could do some of my career and life coaching sessions out on the water, letting my clients use my new board (now that I have two instead of just one!). I could parallel many of the lessons I teach to SUP beginners with the lessons I coach my clients on.<br />
<br />
In fact, just today I began to outline what that will look like because several of my clients have already said they would love to do a session on the water while learning how to paddle board. And, after a long hard winter, it's finally the season for it!<br />
<br />
In addition to sharing SUP with my clients, I'll also continue sharing my own adventures, this time more through <a href="http://www.yourpassioninlife.com/"><u><b>my business</b></u></a> in addition to this blog, and this time through some live video and interviews with others talking about their own passions. I hope you'll <a href="http://www.yourpassioninlife.com/"><u><b>check it out</b></u></a>!<br />
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A couple of weeks ago I did my very first Periscope broadcast, just a short little video talking about my passion for SUP and beautiful weather, encouraging others to get out and enjoy their own passions. You can see the recording of the live broadcast here (please be kind, after all it was my first 'Scope!):</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S8mlP1wLLV4?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
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And last week I took the new inflatable board out at Percy Priest Lake
following a wonderful and soul-rejuvenating women's church retreat
entitled<i> <i>Finding Who I Am In Whose I Am: St</i>udies from the Book of Colossians</i> (how appropriate, right?!). I spent much of my time laying on my board basking in both the warm sun and in God's provision and perfect timing. I am blessed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTV7KlTyQ2mtjH-1uwfbheSq3f9glG-5ZrC5RxdC2FbaW5BkTrZlquQjXBOznRyXkqfaGbDZxq63KvjEMgvDHcSvYwbQ-3GYvK-Lxwll5o5E9xY3VeDZguZslVFe3yWp37tpOELTDi6E/s1600/IMG_20160424_191954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTV7KlTyQ2mtjH-1uwfbheSq3f9glG-5ZrC5RxdC2FbaW5BkTrZlquQjXBOznRyXkqfaGbDZxq63KvjEMgvDHcSvYwbQ-3GYvK-Lxwll5o5E9xY3VeDZguZslVFe3yWp37tpOELTDi6E/s400/IMG_20160424_191954.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-13033092213389050852015-12-20T17:25:00.001-06:002016-04-30T17:09:38.465-05:00Beginning With God's Best<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTt-VdETi7QN49ko_JzzcmUgSq46OIfx_kkHtafcX36vdjMRhZvMd-BiRT0eAgtWrslPc9zTXAWlaVbKsFZ1rZ95vuAPh3cMKcZzL39wyzplylr0hnTD30ogCb8Y-HjpvDqOmGedNe3w/s1600/photo-1414490929659-9a12b7e31907.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTt-VdETi7QN49ko_JzzcmUgSq46OIfx_kkHtafcX36vdjMRhZvMd-BiRT0eAgtWrslPc9zTXAWlaVbKsFZ1rZ95vuAPh3cMKcZzL39wyzplylr0hnTD30ogCb8Y-HjpvDqOmGedNe3w/s640/photo-1414490929659-9a12b7e31907.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him."---Jim Elliot</b></i> </div>
<br />
I've been considering trading my current 12'6" x 28" SUP race board in for a 14' x 23" race board. I feel like I've plateaued on my speed with my current board and know that a longer, narrower board will be faster. I took some time to do a little research and talk with my knowledgeable friend and owner of the local SUP shop to find out what the cost would be for such a board, and how much I could get out of my current board.<br />
<br />
During our conversation, there was something that just kept gnawing at my gut. Something wasn't feeling right. Even though I found out I could probably get more for my current board than I expected, I knew I wasn't going to make any decisions until I test drove a 14' x 23" board.<br />
<br />
Now, I've paddled a 14' board before, and loved how it felt, but it was a little wider (27"). But when I got on the 23" wide board to test it out, I did not like how it felt (it's amazing what a difference a few inches make!). With a board that narrow, I knew it would take me some time to get used to its lack of stability.<br />
<br />
This reminded me of my first board purchase. I first test drove an 11' x 23" board. The owner of the shop said it would take at least five good paddles for me to get used to that width, and my response was, "I want something I can enjoy from the beginning" so I got a 12'6" x 28" race board.<br />
<br />
This reminder took me back to the beginning of why I began paddle boarding. It was never to be the fastest or to try to win any races. It was to have fun out on the water and get fit while doing so, and maybe improve my paddle stroke, but never to be in competition. I know that if I couldn't enjoy a new board from the first day, it didn't make sense to pay that much money for a new 14' x 23" board.<br />
<br />
I left the meeting a little disappointed and still feeling that gnawing feeling in my gut about what to decide. As I was driving home, I was craving something sweet and saw a Cracker Barrel while waiting at a stoplight. It was also my birthday that day so I decided to stop and treat myself to my favorite cake, the Coca-Cola cake, which is now a permanent offering on the Cracker Barrel menu (it used to be seasonable, that is until I participated in a focus group for Cracker Barrel and explained to the market researchers that fudge cake is a year-round thing and therefore should be offered year-round!).<br />
<br />
While I was waiting for my cake, I checked my email on my phone and noticed I had a sales promotion in my inbox from the SUP shop that I was about to delete, but decided to open and read it instead. It was a promotion for a sale on an inflatable rec board (a wide-body board that is the opposite of a race board). The more I started reading about it, the more I started to realize that if I was going to get another board, it should be this one (which I never would have previously considered).<br />
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<br /></div>
First, this is one of the better inflatables (inflates/deflates quikly, is sturdy and indestructible, is portable, comes with a paddle). It was on sale, and was a third of the cost of the 14' race board I had just test driven. Getting an inflatable board at that sale price means I wouldn't have to sell my current board to be able to afford it (and I do LOVE my current race board). I started thinking about how I've been wanting to paddle other places without the hassle and expense of having to purchase and fit my car with a rack and strap mechanisms to transport a race board (which would have probably run me close to an additional $500).<br />
<br />
The more I gave all this some thought, the more excited I got about the idea of the inflatable board. I have plans this year to visit Cumberland Island National Park and surrounding areas, and would love to be able to take a board with me that I can just toss into the trunk of my car. And the fact that it's indestructible means I can explore some really cool places without the worry of my board getting damaged by rocks (and I can even learn to surf with this board!).<br />
<br />
But something else I realized that made me even more excited is, the inflatable would be an affordable way for my friends to paddle with me. The inflatable is great for people of any skill level, beginner included. And, it would be free for them, allowing them to paddle with me more often. Having an extra board would allow me to share my joy with more people than before!<br />
<br />
All of a sudden, that gnawing feeling in my gut was replaced with a feeling of "rightness." It felt right to spend the money on something I could share with others and was more versatile. I was so excited! All of this reminds me of the verse Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Sometimes we take this verse to mean that God will give us what WE want, but in reality, He teaches us to desire the same things He desires for us, His best. I went into this situation thinking I wanted one type of board, but then God showed me what type of board He knew would be best for me. <br />
<br />
Of course though, I slept on the idea before making the final decision (because this is not a cheap hobby!), and then the next day I added a brand new inflatable to my fleet! So, who wants to join me on the water this spring?<br />
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<i>"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin
construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if
there is enough money to finish it?" (Luke 14:28)</i><br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-49888691000395698132015-11-15T21:14:00.000-06:002015-11-15T21:14:29.532-06:00100 Miles Of Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On October 12th I joined something called the Fit For Fall 100-Mile Paddle Challenge. It was just a simple challenge between a group of us regular paddlers to paddle a total of 100 miles between October 12th and December 11th. I was hesitant at first to join the challenge because I wasn't sure with the weather turning colder and the days getting shorter that I would be able to complete the 100 miles within the allotted time frame. But, it was all for fun so I joined in without expecting to really care about my results.<br />
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I've never considered myself a very competitive person. But, as I started logging more and more miles due to the great weather we've been having, I became motivated to reach the goal of 100 miles. Not only did I complete the hundred miles, I did so by November 11th, one full month before the challenge ends, and was in 2nd place on the leader board after completing my last paddle, coming in at a total of 102.3 miles. This was a good feeling, but even better than that was the experience of getting to know the other challenge participants at an even deeper level while out there paddling together, working toward a common goal.<br />
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There were a lot of days when I was paddling by myself, but also several days where I was with a group, or paddling with one person. This gave me the opportunity to talk with them and learn more about them. It was the one-on-one paddles that led to the deeper conversations which seemed to naturally gravitate toward topics of faith.<br />
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Our conversations weren't about the paddle challenge, but instead about the challenges we were each facing in life. It was encouraging to know I wasn't the only one facing similar challenges. And it was an opportunity to be an encouragement to them too.<br />
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Even though I've already met the 100 miles ahead of most of the other participants, I'm going to still participate through to the last day of the challenge when weather permits because I want to continue investing in the new relationships this past-time has brought into my life. Who knew the Fit For Fall challenge would not only make me physically fit, but also spiritually fit?<br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-79763287698001382052015-09-26T17:17:00.000-05:002016-04-18T14:13:50.947-05:00Going The Distance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I did something I never thought I could do...I paddled 16.4 miles from downtown Nashville to Rock Harbor Marina. Now, I've never done any kind of runners' marathon before, nor have I ever had the desire to do so, but my love for stand up paddleboarding outweighed the lack of interest in a long distance effort.</div>
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Even though this event was not a race, it was a personal challenge since I have only ever paddled seven to eight miles at the most. In the days leading up to this long-distance paddle, I prepared physically with mileage building paddles, strengthening exercises, and muscle stretches. But I knew I also had to prepare spiritually and mentally for it. I had my small group praying for my safety and for strength. And I personally prayed for God's strength and for good conditions.<br />
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Despite the fact that our group had a head wind and little to no current to help carry us downstream faster, we did it in a lot shorter time than we expected. I figured it would take five to six hours, but I finished in four hours and 15 minutes! The weather was perfect. Temperatures were comfortable, yet there were sunny skies even though the forecast was for mostly clouds (I had prayed for sunshine!).<br />
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Not only was I surprised at how fast I completed the 16.4 miles, I was also surprised that I didn't start feeling tired until about mile 11. When the fatigue tried to set in, I just kept repeating to myself, "with Christ anything is possible," and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." <br />
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With two miles left to go, I got my second wind. My muscles were hurting immediately after I finished. I thought for sure I would be sore the next day and would sleep like a rock that night. But, I tossed and turned from the adrenaline rush I was still on, and the next day I had only a little soreness in my triceps and my abs. I felt great!<br />
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In reflecting on the experience, I was trying to think what I would write for this post. Then I received from one of my clients a devotional that described just what I was feeling all that time out there on my board:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">How Strong Are You?</span></b><br />
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<i>"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)</i><br />
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The small squirrel, scurrying like crazy to get out of our way on the
walkway, was holding onto a good-sized pinecone. He wasn’t about to
lose his treasure! Amazing that he could grasp and drag something almost
as large as he was. And how many times have you seen an ant picking up a
crumb larger than itself?<br />
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We can work out, have great biceps and abs. We can exercise our brains
and have great info and knowledge. But supernatural strength comes from
the Lord, above and beyond our own abilities.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
You are stronger than you think with God’s help and power behind you. It
is good to know where our inner strength comes from and who gives us
that gift.<br />
<div>
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So how strong are you? Very strong, in Christ. And that is good news!<br />
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<b>You have the mind of Christ: </b><br />
<i>"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil 2:15) </i><i><br />
<i>"'Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." ( 1 Cor 2:16)</i></i><br />
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<b>The Lord gives you wisdom: </b><br />
<i>"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
(James 1:5)</i> <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>The Lord gives you strength: </b><br />
<i>"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." (Psalm 18:32) </i><i><br />
<i>"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you." (Isaiah 41:10)</i><br />
<i>"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." .(Isaiah 40:29)</i></i><br />
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<b>The Lord gives you direction: </b><br />
<i>"In all your ways acknowlege Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)</i><i><br />
<i>"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)</i></i><br />
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<b>In fact, 'greater things you will do’: </b><br />
<i>"Very, verily I say unto you, whoever believes in me will do the
works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than
these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)</i><i><br />
<i>"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with
power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Ephesians 3:16)</i><br />
<i>"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:11)</i></i><br />
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Inspirational Messages<br />
Sally I. Kennedy ©2014Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-8958635633137087892015-08-12T21:00:00.000-05:002015-08-17T17:20:58.949-05:00Take Refuge<br />
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As I've shared in a couple of the previous posts, I've been discouraged which has caused me to feel weary of my current reality, so of course I decided to combat those feelings with an afternoon paddle since today was so sunny with comfortable temperatures.<br />
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Despite the sun and great temps, it was a windy day on the water. I had a very strong head wind I kept having to fight while also paddling against the current upstream. So, I decided to take a little break from my battle with the wind by paddling inside one of the coves along the riverside. I knew the cove would shield me from the strong winds and be a temporary escape from them. I was right.<br />
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Once I was back there, everything became so quiet and peaceful. I had to slow down my pace since there were many tree branches and roots in the water to maneuver around. The peace and beauty inside that cove was awesome. I could actually see the fish in the water. Different kinds and all very large. I also was able to see more turtles in the water than I do in the actual river.<br />
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I went as far back into the cove as I could get before fallen trees blocked my path. Once I reached that point. I just laid down on my board and soaked in all the peace and beauty. It reminded me of the many scriptures in the Psalms that refer to God as a refuge, a place of protection and a place of solitude. Here I could get the quiet I needed to relish in some of God's beauty and be protected from the harsh winds of reality.<br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+5:11&version=NIV">Psalm 5:11</a></i></div>
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<i>But let all who take <b>refuge</b> in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+9:9&version=NIV">Psalm 9:9</a></i></div>
<i>The <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is a <b>refuge</b> for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+17:7&version=NIV">Psalm 17:7</a></i></div>
<i>Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take <b>refuge</b> in you from their foes.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+18:2&version=NIV">Psalm 18:2</a></i></div>
<i>The <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take <b>refuge</b>, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31:19&version=NIV">Psalm 31:19</a></i></div>
<i>How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who
fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take <b>refuge</b> in you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34:8&version=NIV">Psalm 34:8</a></i></div>
<i>Taste and see that the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is good; blessed is the one who takes <b>refuge</b> in him.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+61:4&version=NIV">Psalm 61:4</a></i></div>
<i>I long to dwell in your tent forever and take <b>refuge</b> in the shelter of your wings.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+64:10&version=NIV">Psalm 64:10</a></i></div>
<i>The righteous will rejoice in the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> and take <b>refuge</b> in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+71:3&version=NIV">Psalm 71:3</a></i></div>
<i>Be my rock of <b>refuge</b>, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+73:28&version=NIV">Psalm 73:28</a></i></div>
<i>But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> my <b>refuge</b>; I will tell of all your deeds.</i><br />
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<i><a class="bible-item-title" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91:2&version=NIV">Psalm 91:2</a></i></div>
<i>I will say of the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, “He is my <b>refuge</b> and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”</i><br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-67808096143102369572015-08-12T06:00:00.000-05:002015-08-19T09:27:04.003-05:00The Encouragement Of Others<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo: Creative Commons, by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater</i></td></tr>
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In <a href="http://supspirituallessons.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-encouragement-of-solitude.html"><span style="color: blue;"><u>my last post</u></span></a>, I discussed the how we can find encouragement in solitude. But, of course, we can also find encouragement from others.<br />
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Later that evening after posting my last blog, I went out on the water with another paddler. We went out in the harbor to teach ourselves how to do more than just stand on our boards. We wanted to learn how to walk on our boards and how to do turns requiring us to be able walk backward and forward on our boards, a very difficult and challenging task for just about every paddler when first trying it. This is something I've been wanting to learn, and it was my goal to learn it before the end of the summer. So, I tired it.<br />
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At first, trying to pick my feet up off the board felt nearly impossible. It felt like my feet were glued to my board. I thought for sure I was going to completely lose my balance and end up in the water, or even worse, face plant on my board. But I knew I had to lift my foot and trust that, if I take that first step, God would guide me the rest of the way.<br />
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My fellow paddler and I would occasionally look over to each other to see how we were both doing. She encouraged me as she saw me trying to walk (I wasn't graceful, but instead looked like a baby taking its first steps). And while it felt good to have encouragement from her, it felt even better to encourage her! She was doing awesome, and I just kept saying, "There you go! You've got it!" Just saying those words to another person lifted my own spirits so high.<br />
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One of the things we both realized as we were trying these new techniques is that we had to go back to the basics, the things we learned the first time we ever stood on a board: <a href="http://supspirituallessons.blogspot.com/2014/06/dont-look-down.html"><span style="color: blue;"><u>don't look down</u></span></a> (it was only after Peter looked down that he began to sink) and stabilize yourself with the paddle in the water.<br />
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While I still have more practice to do to be able to walk more confidently and more gracefully on my board, I felt like those first steps, though small and awkward, were a huge start. I started to feel "unstuck," and I don't think I would have tried as hard to make myself take those steps if there wasn't someone there by side encouraging me and challenging me. I've been feeling stuck in a lot of areas of my life lately, and it helps me to become unstuck when I have friends who encourage me as I take one scary, wobbly step at a time.<br />
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<i>Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11)</i>Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-9693394940458475952015-08-11T15:31:00.001-05:002015-08-11T15:31:27.739-05:00The Encouragement Of Solitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my spiritual gifts is the gift of encouragement. In every type of professional work I've done, I've been able to use my gift to serve as an encouragement to my clients and my students. In certain friendships and relationships, I've had the opportunity to be an encouragement to others in times of sorrow and anxiety and have also received encouragement from them. It is an encouragement to myself just to be operating in my gifts. So, when business is slow and opportunities to encourage others are limited, I get, well, <i>discouraged</i>. Business has been really slow this year compared to previous years, so I've been experiencing discouragement a lot more frequently of late.<br />
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But, I am currently listening to a podcast series by Dr. David Jeremiah on the topic of encouragement. He says that people are in more need of encouragement today than ever in the history of the world. He talks about different ways in how we can be an encouragement to others, and how we can be an encouragement to ourselves when we need it most (and boy do I need it right now!). He says that one of the ways we can encourage ourselves is through solitude.<br />
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Solitude may be something some people are uncomfortable with, but I have learned to relish it, even when I don't feel like being alone. Here's what Dr. Jeremiah had to say about solitude: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
God used certain people in a mighty way, but before He could, He had to teach them to be alone, teach them what isolation was all about. There is ministry in solitude and if we don't learn how to cultivate that, we will have a very difficult time encouraging ourselves in the Lord. To be quiet so you can talk to God and so God can talk to you. King David understood the importance of getting alone, and so did Jesus. If a man considers his time to be so valuable that he cannot find time to keep quiet and to be alone, that man will eventually be of no value to anyone. To spend all of one's time with people is soon to have nothing to give any of them of any value.</blockquote>
For me, there are a few things I do in solitude that serve as a big encouragement for me. First and foremost, it is reading the Word at the start of each day and recording in my journal what I think God is saying to me through His Word, as if He were talking directly to me. When I later go back and read what I've recorded, it's often what I needed to be reminded of at exactly that point in time, or it's to confirm that He did what He said He was going to do.<br />
<br />
Music is also an encouragement to me, whether it's the soothing music made with instruments by talented musicians, or music made by nature (the sound of the birds, the cicadas, the water). Being alone outside, especially paddling on the water, is helpful for me. God's Word reminds me of the hope I have in Him, while being on the water makes me forget my sorrows and anxieties, at least for those couple of hours. As you probably gathered from the video above, the rhythm of the paddle strokes, coupled with the sounds of the water and the birds make everything just melt away for me.<br />
<br />
I love paddling on my own when I'm feeling discouraged (which was how I was feeling the day I shot the above video, and how I'm feeling today as I write this post). But I also enjoy it when paddling with a friend or a group who can also serve as an encouragement. I hope whoever is reading this blog is finding encouragement from the words God has put on my heart to share. What are your own spiritual gifts? (If you've never taken a <a href="http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><u>spiritual gifts assessment</u></span></a>, you really should!). How are you using them, and are you getting encouragement from using them in various areas of your life?Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-74786958076155111382015-07-31T23:30:00.000-05:002015-08-08T14:02:32.130-05:00Let Light Shine Out Of Darkness<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="300" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11822538_10100956859857018_5553250857168829695_n.jpg?oh=3c09547495474f6b88465a72f49a406b&oe=5652E066" width="400" /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="220" src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11831684_10100956255667818_6580220040575757555_n.jpg?oh=5f3089a26a9ce074a92d1b23d1c53ea5&oe=56846F45" width="400" /> </div>
<br />
Tonight was a blue moon. I have been wanting to do a full moon paddle for so long, but the last two full moons it was too cloudy to see the moon. Conditions were finally near perfect tonight (I say near perfect since the bugs were REALLY bad tonight). But bugs or no bugs, I was determined to see the moon reflecting off the water.<br />
<br />
As our group paddled out, the sun was still setting, and the direction we went gave us a beautiful view of the sunset. But once the sun was almost gone, we turned around to see the huge moon rising up over the horizon in the opposite direction.<br />
<br />
It gave me comfort to know that, even when there are times that seem to be getting darker, God's light always shines through. Even if it is just a hint from a far-away star, or from the fullest of moons. God's light shone tonight, in the setting sun, the rising moon, and even in the shooting star we witnessed after returning from our paddle.<br />
<br />
<span class="text 2Cor-4-6" id="en-NIV-28866"><i>For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.</i> (2 Corinthians 4:6)</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Ps-136-3" id="en-NIV-16200">Give thanks to the Lord of lords:</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-3">His love endures forever.</span></span></i> <br />
<div class="poetry top-05">
<div class="line">
<i><span class="text Ps-136-4" id="en-NIV-16201">to him who alone does great wonders,</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-4">His love endures forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-5" id="en-NIV-16202">who by his understanding made the heavens,</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-5">His love endures forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-6" id="en-NIV-16203">who spread out the earth upon the waters,</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-6">His love endures forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-7" id="en-NIV-16204">who made the great lights—</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-7">His love endures forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-8" id="en-NIV-16205">the sun to govern the day,</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-8">His love endures forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-136-9" id="en-NIV-16206">the moon and stars to govern the night;</span><br /><span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-9">His love endures forever.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="right"><span class="text Ps-136-9">(Psalm 136:3-9)<i> </i></span></span></div>
</div>
Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-71537994630388584172015-07-05T07:00:00.000-05:002015-07-05T07:00:00.809-05:00Strength For The Moment<i>This entry is from a friend I met last year while paddling. She has become a sister in Christ and I'm so thankful for her contribution to this blog! Enjoy!</i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband and I became almost immediately addicted to stand
up paddling from the first moment we tried it. It was on a mini vacation to a
lake house when we rented our first board and discovered, as we jokingly refer
to it now, the “SUP lifestyle.” That phrase can certainly be interpreted a few
different ways, but for us, it just means that stand up paddling has changed
the way we enjoy any free time that we have - including vacations - which are now
spent almost entirely on the water. And we absolutely love every single second
of it. Well, we did until our most recent trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We were excited to finally be visiting a lake we read about
in a magazine and we were eager to get on the water. The first day we set out to
see a waterfall on what we knew would be an 8-10 mile round trip. It was a
great day and we were proud of ourselves for going a greater distance than we
had on our previously longest paddle (8 miles) on the Cumberland last year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Encouraged by our success we decided to go on a 14 mile
round trip paddle to another waterfall the following day. Our thinking was “if
we can easily paddle 10 miles, 14 is probably not a big deal.” And it might not
have been, except we made some wrong navigational decisions and added another three
miles to our trip equaling SEVENTEEN miles total. We aren’t endurance athletes.
Or even athletes. And it was HOT and sunny that day, around 88-90F. Although we
miraculously felt unusually strong and energetic for the first 15 miles, exhaustion
hit on the last 1.5-2 miles and we started to wonder if we had the strength to
get back. But we had no other option. No one to call for a pick-up, no current
to float on, no sail to raise, no engine to start; nothing to do but focus and
paddle. If I could have called anyone to come and get us I would have done so
in a minute. We really wanted to quit.</div>
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<br /></div>
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At that point, I could barely even stand to look at the
shore because it was so far away and felt impossible to reach based on the
strength I had left. I literally counted paddling strokes on each side of the
board before I would allow myself to look again, hoping that I would be closer
than I realized. Throughout that stretch when we were exhausted and had no choice
but to keep paddling, I started thinking about what a metaphor this experience
was for life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When painful circumstances occur in life, often there is no
visible end to the suffering. But in those seasons, we all have no alternative
than to keep “paddling,” no matter how painful or how questionable the outcome
seems to be at the time. Sometimes we have to just put our heads down and not
even look for a finish line other than the end of the next minute, the next
hour, the next day. And that is how we arrive at our destinations. Eventually,
seasons pass. Finish lines become visible. Rest awaits.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For no reason known to him at the time, that morning my
husband packed about four times more water than we normally take. It was like
manna because we had just enough to last us until we got back to land. In
keeping with His promises to always provide for our needs WHEN we have them,
God gave us extra strength AND extra water that day at exactly the right time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In retrospect, we experienced first-hand our Lord’s name “I
AM” that day. I heard a pastor say once that God did not refer to Himself as “I
was,” or “I will be,” but “I AM” because He is always in the present. I hope
the next time when our strength is failing and the shore line seems
unreachable, literally or figuratively, that we will remember how God faithfully
plans in advance for our needs, whether that is an extra few bottles of water,
or divinely infused physical strength, and delivers at exactly the right time. </div>
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<![endif]-->Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-35866608363022375272015-05-31T17:31:00.000-05:002016-04-18T13:51:31.727-05:00The Dangers Of Ignoring Instruction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know it's been a while since I've posted on here. I've been out on the water a lot more lately since temperatures have increased, despite having to do physical therapy for some neck and back problems. However, the therapy is really helping improve my paddle stroke! If I had chosen to ignore my PT's instruction, I could have injured myself to the point of not being able to paddle at all.<br />
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Now that the paddle season is back in full swing, I'm seeing a lot more people coming out and trying paddle boarding for the first time. Just about every weekend, there always seems to be a few newbies who, despite being instructed to stay out of the middle of the river, go right to the middle of the river and then lay on their boards and stay there. I saw this just last weekend during the Memorial Day holiday.<br />
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There's a reason why paddlers are instructed to stay out of the middle of the river. It can be dangerous because of speeding boat traffic and barges (which, like trains, cannot stop quickly). It is especially dangerous during summer holidays when there is even more boat traffic.<br />
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This reminds me of the times in my life when I was told by my parents not to do certain things (i.e. like playing in the street). They told me these things to protect me from various dangers. Our Heavenly Father also instructs His children in His Holy Word not to do certain things in order to protect us from the dangers of this world.<br />
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Someone recently shared with me a movie quote that says the Bible is not what it has been previously referred to by many, "Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth," but instead it's God's love letter to us. Well, I say it's both, because a loving father shows his love in many ways, including providing his children with instruction to protect them from the dangers lurking in our world (we know from Job 1:7 that Satan roams throughout the earth). And there can be some consequences (both subtle and obvious) when choosing to ignore God's instruction. Not necessarily because He is punishing us, but instead because we chose to open ourselves up to the evil from which He is trying to protect us (1 Peter 5:8 says Satan is poised to pounce). <br />
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There are plenty examples of this in the Bible, especially among the Israelites when they chose to ignore God's command to not put other gods before Him and instead adopted some of the pagan practices of the surrounding nations. You could probably say they were "playing in the middle of the street" (or the middle of the river!) by dabbling in those forbidden practices. We should never forget what Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." <br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-66865736329069248102015-02-11T16:47:00.000-06:002015-02-20T17:01:52.011-06:00Is There Such A Thing As Over-Spiritualization?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuceNOkH5G40xc_z83XuCq8Qqn_oF5qyOzl6mlmEBhPScFM77mdF1JL_sDaoid2S-0fphJWUeEo-zADNmF5iYlU4yJIkABPvRufvFRUJVhlasRewHEP7KMAviIRlWhIO83KFIJXpmnxHg/s1600/IMG_20150212_093208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuceNOkH5G40xc_z83XuCq8Qqn_oF5qyOzl6mlmEBhPScFM77mdF1JL_sDaoid2S-0fphJWUeEo-zADNmF5iYlU4yJIkABPvRufvFRUJVhlasRewHEP7KMAviIRlWhIO83KFIJXpmnxHg/s1600/IMG_20150212_093208.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's February and I've been watching the weather for a good day to be able to go out and paddle. Today was one that I just knew would have perfect conditions for this time of year. What are perfect paddling conditions for this time of year? Sunny skies, low wind, decent current speed, and anything over 48 degrees. When I saw that the forecast was going to meet all those criteria, I planned my work schedule around this afternoon so I could get on the water.<br />
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The day was beautiful! I knew I had to take advantage of it because meteorologists are calling for snow flurries tomorrow morning (#Nashvilleweather). But not only was the weather nice, I also got to enjoy a nice conversation with a fellow paddler on spirituality, God's love, and living a Christ-like life. It was 7 miles of fresh air, good exercise, and food for the soul.<br />
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Some readers of this blog may think I over-spiritualize my experiences in stand up paddle boarding. However, I don't think it's possible to over-spiritualize anything because we are constantly surrounded by spirits (both good and bad) even if we can't see them. God is omnipresent and in charge of the spirits. There is spiritual warfare going on constantly for which we have to be mentally prepared. And there is a reason and a purpose behind everything, even when it's not clear to us what it is. Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-79482332662589500672015-01-28T16:08:00.000-06:002015-02-20T16:43:17.543-06:00Seagulls On The Cumberland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the second time it's been warm enough to paddle this January. One thing I've noticed both times I've been out this month are several seagulls flying around the river. Usually I only see them at the beach. After doing a little research on the symbolic meaning of seagulls, here's what I found:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>As fast as I was going today I felt like I was flying with the seagulls!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Seagulls often show up at places other than the beach because they go where they can find the best food. This serves as a reminder for us to move out of our comfort zones in order to gain access to better resources. We shouldn't deny ourselves opportunities just because we feel safe in our comfort zones.</li>
<li>The word "gull" is the root word of "gullible." While seagulls will migrate outside of their comfort zone to find the best food, they also will gulp down anything available to them without much consideration. This is a reminder that, <i>unlike</i> the seagull, we should not jump at every opportunity or believe everything that's being fed to us through our eyes and our ears. Instead we should use the wisdom and discernment God has given us when when picking through information and options.</li>
<li>Seagulls are not afraid to squawk and make a lot of noise. We too should be fearless about finding our voices and speaking our minds. </li>
<li>In some cultures the seagull is a symbol of freedom, which reminds us that there is freedom in relationship with God. When we surrender our lives to Him, we become free of sin, guilt, and shame.</li>
</ul>
So, when you think of the seagull, think of God's creation and how He uses His creation to serve as examples for us. He provides food in various places for the seagull, and doesn't He care even more for us than He does the birds of this world? <br />
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<i><span class="text Matt-10-29" id="en-NIV-23447"><span class="woj">Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.</span></span><span class="text Matt-10-30" id="en-NIV-23448"><span class="woj"> And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-10-31" id="en-NIV-23449"><span class="woj">So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.</span></span> (Matthew 10:29-31)</i><br />
<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-47739459301845057162015-01-19T16:02:00.000-06:002015-02-20T16:08:41.048-06:00Man's Best FriendEnjoying warm weather in mid-January with my paddle partner today.<br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-35494656269377659872014-12-21T19:42:00.000-06:002015-03-02T15:21:48.853-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So glad that I got to get a paddle in before leaving town to go home for Christmas. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-27557297655030464732014-11-26T19:00:00.000-06:002014-11-28T11:41:51.292-06:00Thankfulness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rOhEQkj0BR2bRev3aqq-aJ-Y15WqJTRfp1bkIuTPeoFZhyphenhyphenCi25MohIBlvUmFOnXAUup92nOdW0a1OFoo3PfGZm3uMmbc4oM_hFj7-Oejk-jJOzFla852LjeSFWuIBYLZIK8eSUjKnec/s1600/IMG_20141128_113418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rOhEQkj0BR2bRev3aqq-aJ-Y15WqJTRfp1bkIuTPeoFZhyphenhyphenCi25MohIBlvUmFOnXAUup92nOdW0a1OFoo3PfGZm3uMmbc4oM_hFj7-Oejk-jJOzFla852LjeSFWuIBYLZIK8eSUjKnec/s1600/IMG_20141128_113418.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a>The holidays are starting and it's a busy time for everyone. Today, I was able to find a small window of time in my schedule to go out for a Thanksgiving Eve paddle before the clouds started rolling in for the expected rain. So I bundled up in neoprene and headed out. I didn't really get to go out on the river since the current was way too strong. So I just spent some time paddling around the harbor and reflecting on all I am thankful for.<br />
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I am thankful that I am healthy and able-bodied enough to be able to paddle on a regular basis. I am thankful for the old friends I've been able to share this hobby with and for the new friends I've made while doing so. I am thankful for God's beauty every time I see a blue heron flying by, a fish jumping out of the water, or a turtle sunning itself on a log. I am thankful for God's protection by keeping me safe out on the water each time I go out. I am thankful for the means to be able to really get into this sport. I am thankful that I have a schedule flexible enough for me to fit this activity into it. I am thankful for the joy and peace I get from being on the water in such a fun and unique way.Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-71836543484157166302014-11-09T19:00:00.000-06:002014-11-28T10:55:43.991-06:00And Suddenly It Happened<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The gorgeous view from today's successful mileage builder. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today was a personal best for me on my board. It's the fastest I've ever gone. I was surprisingly able <br />
to not only keep up with one of the owners of the SUP shop, but even stay somewhat ahead of her. This has never happened before! I told her she must be having an off day...either that or the 30 pound dog on her board was slowing her down! She said, "Lori, give yourself more credit than that! You're upping your game and improving greatly!" It felt good to hear that.<br />
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Since I first took up this sport, I had not really been trying to compete with myself or anyone else. I just wanted to get good enough in order to enjoy it even more. But to know that I had improved this much without even really trying just goes to show that if you are consistent with something, you can't help but get better. And like most other sports or activities, you usually do better when you participate with others who are better than you. I've found this to be true in the past with other activities I've been involved in such as dance and rock climbing.<br />
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Just in the past couple of weeks I have started doing the mileage builders with the SUP shop owners and other regular paddlers, so I have had that opportunity to participate with people better than me. And today, it felt like something just clicked and I hit my stride in such a natural way. It wasn't anything I was trying to do in my own power. It just suddenly happened.<br />
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All of this serves as a reminder that we need to remain persistent in our spiritual walk and surround ourselves with people who challenge us, hold us accountable, help us grow stronger in our walk with Christ. When we do, God can suddenly give us His power to accomplish things we never thought possible. Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-48779952049016100862014-10-19T20:14:00.000-05:002014-10-25T20:16:08.483-05:00Persevering When Tempted To Give Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today the water levels on the river were down a little bit from earlier this weekend, but the current was still rather swift (about 2.5-3 MPH). The owners of the SUP shop invited a group of us to go out for a mileage builder. The plan was to paddle downstream to the next harbor, and then back upstream against the fast current for a total of 8 miles round trip. The owner said, "It will be great training!" So I said, "Let's do it!"<br />
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There were some eddies in the water and some swells from a barge ahead of us, but otherwise it was a really easy paddle downstream. We were moving really fast and it only took us half an hour to get to the other harbor. But we all knew, going back was going to be much, much tougher.<br />
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What took us half an hour going downstream took us two and a half hours going upstream to get back to where we started. We felt like we were on a treadmill! When we finally got view of our turnoff, it seemed like a mirage because it felt like we'd never reach it. I was starting to get blisters on my hands and all of us were experiencing fatigue. But giving up was not an option. We had to keep paddling and keep our eye on our destination. If we stopped for even just a moment, we would lose a lot of the ground we had gained. Once we finally made it back, we felt stronger and felt like we could accomplish anything!<br />
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<i><span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214">Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us
run with perseverance the race marked out for us,</span></i><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215"><i> fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)</i></span><br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6917299274095219602.post-49551684958609631482014-10-17T19:49:00.000-05:002014-10-25T19:49:32.706-05:00God Is A Safe Harbor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Due to all the rain we've had in the past week, the river levels were way up today and the current was really fast, too fast to paddle safely. Therefore, I had to stay inside the harbor this afternoon. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day so I decided to get on one of the rec boards instead of my own and do some strength training in the middle of the harbor (the rec boards are wider and more stable, therefore easier to do some good exercises on them). I did some push-ups, crunches, planks, tricep dips, and other exercises I'm not used to doing on a regular basis. Needless to say, I was a little sore the next day.<br />
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We can always gain strength when we spend time in the safety of God's harbor. "My help and glory are in God —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God— So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be." (Psalm 62:7-8, The Message Bible). <br />
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<br />Lori B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/01636396081757443727noreply@blogger.com0