Coincidence? Absolutely Not.

When you are given the same group of Bible verses, through 4 different mediums, in the time span of 9 days...that is not a coincidence. Rather, that is an Amazing God.
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I attended a Sanctus Real concert last Friday, and they shared some verses from Galatians 5 that influenced some of their lyrics off their new album...and the verses really spoke to me at this time in my life.
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On Sunday I went to Sanctuary Covenant Church and Pastor Ephrem spoke on the whole chapter of Galatians 5....my first "wow" moment.
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There is a daily Bible verse website that I check everyday, and on Tuesday, Galatians 5:16 & 17 were my daily verses....Wow...
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Today, I went to a church I've never been to before, all by myself...and guess what that Pastor spoke on? Galatians 5.
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Needless to say...My God is an Awesome God...and He really does speak to us in a variety of ways..cuz thats how much He loves us and desires for us to draw near to Him. Wow =)
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Here are a few of my favorite verses from Galatians 5:

Galatians 5

Freedom in Christ

¹It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
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¹⁶So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
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²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Good Intentions....Awful Manners.

I recently saw an episode of Jessica Simpson's new reality show, "The Price of Beauty". When I had seen advertisements for it earlier, I thought it was going to be really cool...because the whole concept is to go around the world and see what other cultures think is beautiful. I had high hopes and was excited to see what she found. However, I was disappointed in the episode I watched. She had gone to Thailand..and she did find interesting perspectives on beauty..for example they value pale skin because it shows a symbol of high status because those who have lower class jobs usually work out in the sun which causes them to have darker skin.
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I really like how she is truly interested in learning new things from women around the world, and how open and honest she is with them. However, what I found to be disappointing was her occasional lack of respect and cultural sensitivity shown. For example, their host Thai woman showed them a street vendor who sold fried bugs...which have good nutrients that keep your skin healthy and beautiful. They all tried a bug, and made a HUGE scene in the middle of the market, gagging and screaming in a very obnoxious way. Yeah, eating fried bugs is gross...but these are delicacies to the Thai people...you need to show some respect. Jessica also had a laughing attack during a meditation with a Buddhist monk. That's a very sacred ritual to them, you need to keep it together. Yeah it makes for funny tv...but it also makes Americans look even more full of ourselves and hopelessly ethnocentric than we already are.
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Don't get me wrong, I will still probably watch the show because of my obsession with learning about different cultures, and she does learn alot about other perceptions of beauty. I like her curiosity and adventurous spirit. With that being said, although there are good intentions and I like the idea of seeing how different cultures pursue and define beauty, I hope Jessica and her friends also learn to be more respectful and culturally sensitive throughout their experience.

5 points=An Update.

Updates on my life within the last month or so....

1. I spent a week in Arizona mid February, visiting my lovely family there [Grandma, Aunt, and 4 wonderful girl cousins=)]
Me with the two youngest girls..Bryana and Brooklyn

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2. I then proceeded to get a new job! Science Museum of Minnesota--as a Visitors Assistant for the new exhibit--The Dead Sea Scrolls. LOVE it so far!!
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3. Then I made a last minute decision to go to North Carolina to visit Nathan for about 5 days after my job training but before I actually started. Had a BLAST! (I feel very blessed to have taken 2 big trips less than a month apart!)

Nathan and I with our Twins Logo sandcastle

4. Beans the Gecko is now happy and eating! Tonight he ate 8 worms...that is his record for one sitting since he has been in my care. I also tried to hold him..but he wasn't feelin it...probly cuz he had a belly full of worms.
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5. I am mentally preparing myself to begin training for a half marathon (not brave enuf yet to tackle training for the full!). However...I am very discouraged at the thought of running so many miles on a treadmill to train..so I have to map out routes in my neighborhood..and pray the weather stays fairly nice.
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Well there ya have it. 5 Highlights in the life of Kirsten....OH! one more....Traci gets to come and stay with me next weekend....and I will probably be blogging about that so stay tuned ;)