TRANSFORMING BEAUTY

Baggage for Belonging

2012-01-31T16:04:00.002-05:00

The Exchange: Baggage for Belonging

A Very Real Need:

Remember walking down the halls of elementary school or high school for that matter, wondering if your efforts to align with the current trendy fashion had paid off, whether the line up of cool things you wanted to talk about where cool enough? Most of us at some point or another have made efforts to belong – even those with non-conformist attitude usually do so and may even find a group with listening ears.

Our deepest desire is to connect with other people. We want to associate with others who care, people with power and influence, and people who interest us. We want to be wanted. Belonging is a real term to describe the innate human drive to belong to a group. Maslow identified this in his works as a basic need and motivation of human relationships. Maslow (1971) believed that most maladjustment and emotional illness in our society could be traced to the failure to gratify the basic human need for belonging. In actuality, the lack of ability to develop or maintain relationships is deemed as a mental health issue within a person.

Take a moment and think back throughout your week. Did you meet anyone new? Did you contemplate how to speak and act as to give a positive first impression to win favor? Belonging is a powerful aspect to anyone’s life that can bring great security and success, or the opposite – insecurity and failure. When we lack belonging, perceived or actual rejection breeds self-destructive behaviors or maladjustment. Current studies have demonstrated that children who report a high level of belongingness in school achieve higher academic results.

First Time At Church:

These thoughts that intrigue me on a psychological level also link to my other world – pastoring within the Christian community. I remember my first time going to a new church when I was a teenager. When I think back, a major question in my mind would have been – do I belong here?

These days I think that churches don’t always get this one right – even if they do have good intentions. Billy Graham’s, “Just as you are…” message gets lost in translation. In these cases the translation becomes: you must be like….do this…before you belong here…or with “us”. Yikes! I don’t think that’s what Jesus modeled? In actuality, we, the Christian community should extend a sense of belonging in order for people to open their hearts and ears to receive the transformational gospel and purpose God has for their lives.

It needs to be more than coffee, fancy advertising, and greeters –each one of us needs to cultivate community within our circle of influence. Philippians 2:1-3 says, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Jesus in His radical ways extended acceptance to people, but was clear that in that belonging they no longer needed the baggage and sin that they carried with them. There was an exchange – baggage for belonging.

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) says,”^28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

If this belonging is such a basic human need – then what would God have to say about it – the one who created us! He created us for community with others and communion with Him. His offering starts with belonging and ends rest, grace, freedom, eternal life.

Biblical Picture of Belonging:

What’s one of the strongest relational bonds –whether broken or established? The bond of family! God doesn’t just ask us to know Him in a casual way – He invites us to be FAMILY! The scriptures call all who have love and faith in Jesus – God’s family! (Eph 2:19) He claims us as his own as sons and daughters (Rom. 8:14). “And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. ” (2 Corinthians 6:18) He has intimate knowledge of us (Luke 12 Psalm 17:3; 44:21; 139:1-4). Jesus tells us we belong with Him and to Him as His children.

Some of you may cringe with the idea of family –some of you have been deeply hurt by those people in your life. But rest assured God is for you not against you. His love is perfect, unconditional, and he`s faithful. He`s a healer of the broken, and is constantly inviting us to draw near to Him (James 4:7). Jesus loves us just as we are - but loves us too much to leave us that way. He calls us to life of belonging - and personal and spiritual transformation. Come as you are, and be changed in your innermost being.

Some Verses to Consider:

``So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.`` Romans 8:1 ``Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God.`` John 8:47 ``He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.`` Colossians 1:2 ``But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.`` 1 John 4:4

Belonging to God Brings Transformation!

To Belong:To have a proper, appropriate, or suitable place. To be naturally associated with something. To fit into a group naturally
— Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary

Back in the Game

2012-01-26T22:27:00.000-05:00

Sharpening my pencile . . .

Sharing my heart . . .

Blog coming to you soon . . .

2011-10-19T13:20:00.006-04:00

Uniquely You – Gifting Part I
Repost - Part 2 Coming

I am a person of passion. One of my passions is to help individuals discover their gift. To help them ensconce their inner potential and purpose. Treasure lies beneath the surface of each one of us waiting to be mined, refined, and utilized. Each person has a God given purpose if they so chose to engage. They have been placed in a geographical location, at a certain time in history, with a unique genetic make up, unique environmental influences, and unique ways of thinking and communicating. We know that God is not haphazard with our uniqueness. Even when we were growing in our mother’s womb, He had plans for us (Ps. 139; Jer. 1:5). That to me is thrilling. That God of all creation, the one who established the vastness of all the universe light years away to the blade of grass under your foot - cares for each one of us enough to design a plan and purpose for our existence. However, many people struggle with knowing and employing their gifts. I would suggest that in regards to the Church as a whole, it has not been great at acknowledging and encouraging a diversity of gifts (Its becoming better).

Perhaps part of my gifting is recognizing and fanning to flame other people gifts, but I also think it is due to my early life experience. When I look back, I had a lot of responsibility at a young age. This was largely due to a few key people who saw what God wanted to establish in me and took time to encourage me, mentor me, and to give me opportunity to use my gift. My parents, a youth leader, pastor, piano teacher, and a women's leader. I am thankful for these people in my life.

You have to consider and accept your gift with sincerity and realness. You can’t just pick your gift and try to fit into that mold, Dr. Caroline Leaf says, “Neurologically you are not wired for someone else’s gift.” There is something that keeps resonating in my heart about this. It’s echoes carry back to observations of people who’ve tried to walk paths that were for other people and not them. Dare I say I've seen leaders in various contexts who are not leading in their gifting and it creates difficulty that has seismic ripple effects into other people lives or work place interactions.

When you try to follow other people’s dreams and gifts it just doesn’t work well. I mean I’d love to be a rock star, but that’s just not going to work. I’d love to even be a suit on wall street…but not so much. Those are extreme examples, but I think that people can hear someone else’s passion and get inspired, and suddenly think they are the ambassador of those dreams. Some people are plain covetous. Because their self concept is not developed they have more pleasure out of living out other people’s lives than their own. To use anything other that what is uniquely yours is to cripple your potential, and to live in someone else’s shadow with false security. When you live out someone else’s gifts and dreams you constantly have to affirm yourself internally and externally which causes unhealthy stress. This is unjust to yourself and the other people/person that has been uniquely created to fill a role, job, calling, relationship, creative expression, etc.

Caroline Leaf’s book, The Gift In You, talks about how our gifts are formed from a neurological/scientific and spiritual point of view. She states,

“Since we all crave to be accepted and welcomed, sometimes we compare our gifts to others’, attempting to measure if we belong; but that’s like trying to reshape your fingerprint to match someone else’s – impossible. When you read about someone else’s accomplishments and adopt his or her roadmap as your own, you will limit where your gift can take you. You can only be you. Who you are at the core will leak out, no matter how much you suppress it. In God’s truth, the true you is meant to glorify, to love, to reach beyond yourself, but you cannot grow into the fullest expression of God’s creation if you live in doubt or unrest, if you constantly undermine your gift by trying to copy other people’s.”

This is not just a message for adults, but teenagers are in a stage where they are more compelled to compare themselves to others. It is part of the process of them building self concept - but can become unhealthy in practice.

Young men and women need to be assured that they are made by God specifically, with intention, and for a purpose. As they grow to love themselves and to embrace their unique make up - their self concept solidifies. People who love people best are secure in themselves, embrace God's love and plan for their lives. What an amazing blessing to walk with young people as they discover - uniquely them.

Discover your gift, accept it and use it! “There is no expiration date on potential.” – Caroline Leaf. “You can impress people from a distance but can only impact them up close. That requires letting people see your weakness too.” - Rick Warren

Transformation

Weeds

2011-10-07T08:02:00.005-04:00

Felt to re-post this blog this morning, perhaps for me - and maybe for you...
Back to Blogging...chat more soon :)

What do you think of when I say tumble weed? I think of Texas, desert, and old western movies. However, driving home from a women’s conference a couple weeks ago, tumble weed entered into the set of my film.

The wind gusts were powerfully pushing against the side of my car and I had to take extra caution to hold my wheel, and keep centered in my lane. Lake Ontario looked chilly from afar, and had huge white caps. I’m still not sure if this tumble week effect is common to the 401, or where exactly it was coming from, but they roll and swirled in front of my car with intensity. A couple hour of these dried up weeds dancing around, aimlessly and vulnerable to the wind’s command. These beige crispy balls were indications of seasons changing.

This had me thinking of a parable that I had studied the week before.

Matthew 13:25-32 says, But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

" 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

This parable has eschatological (end time) context, but I bet it makes you think about weeds that have sprung up in your own life and heart, or around you in situations and circumstances.

This goes against our natural logic. When we see weeds in our flower beds, people are embarrassed, and remove them right away…well most of us. Weeds can take over, they are be thorny and unbecoming. Isn't it amazing that God tells us that sometimes he leaves weeds in our lives in order that we grow our roots deep in him? When you think of it, God’s wisdom is in His timing. Have you ever weeded your garden and also took out a few good plants? Well you are probably better at it than I, but that has happened to me on several occasions.

Removing the weeds prematurely could result in the termination of your growth.

So some of those pesky situations or people are grace growers. Some of those traumatic times, are to temper your faith in God and sink those roots in deep…creating opportunity for greater security.

Come to think of it, weeds also provide a stark contrast to the beauty growing as one flourishes beside distinctly different vegetation. If you keep walking faithfully with God – now I did not say in perfection, but trusting God and trying, then your beauty will stand in contrast to the ugliness of sin, slander, slothfulness, seduction, and the selfishness of weeds around you.

Position yourself with the Lord to grow deep roots and to flourish to with stand the weeds that the enemy would try to plant in the proximity of our lives and situations. As God leaves them there for a season for you to take root, refocus your focus. Allow God to turn discomfort into his peace, oppression to victory, and your seed into a harvest of righteousness.

You are planted in the house of the LORD, you will flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:13

Transformation happens even in weed infested territory....

Hello Blogging World

2011-06-15T08:55:00.000-04:00

Hello blogging world!! I missed you!!

Friends, now that the business of schooling is wrapped up - I am back on the blogging trail. I can't wait to share the tid bits of God's grace in our lives recently. He is amazing!

If you are in need of an "up lifter" check out the archives or use the search bar to the right.

Chat soon.

Know that He will finish the good work he started in you. Philippians 1:6

Transforming Beauty,
K

Bethany Hamilton - I Am Second

2011-04-22T21:10:00.001-04:00

Bethany Hamilton - I Am Second

Eternity Is In His Embrace

2011-04-21T08:32:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter!!

What makes Easter awesome other than family, and chocolate? What Jesus accomplished 2000 years ago that changed man's relationship with God forever...and for the better!!!

I'm thankful to Jesus for securing eternity for me and you. The bible tells us that heaven is available to all....all who would, "...confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Jesus died to set our relationship right with God! But not only has he secured eternity for those with faith in Jesus, but also opened the way for daily relationship with God. This is a thought from today:

Ever get a dirty look from someone? Not just a sarcastic jest from a friend, but a look full of despising intent from an opposer? Man, doesn't it sends chills? Different people may have different reactions...and the motivation behind the look speaks more than the act itself. Some people may cower in fear. Some people's fight or flight mechanisms engage, while others get bitter and plot revenge.

One thing that is a great reminder about Easter is that Jesus sympathizes with our discomforts in life, our hurts, temptations, and even having enemies. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Heb. 4:15. The good news is that He is qualified to help us overcome temptation, sin, and hurt because he was a sinless man...perfect. Even when throughout his ministry, adult life, and ultimately the events leading to his death, his enemies raged, he relied on His heavenly father for strength not to sin. He kept focused on the goal and purpose of his earthly mission - that mission was to die for the mess we all are, and to create a way for men and women to come into God's presence without the taint of sin. Eternity is in his embrace. He endured suffering of all kinds, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and brutal death by Crucifixion with you and me in mind. His love is great...more than great, and more than my finite mind can totally take in.

Romans 5:6-8 tells us that Jesus died for sinful people - all of humanity...even before we loved him...he loved us first (1 John 4:19). The "Message" paraphrase puts Romans 5:6-8 this way: "Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him."

That's what amazes me about Jesus - his responses to people were always filled with living truth, transforming revelations, teachable moments, and tactile grace - eternity is in His embrace. The very people on Palm Sunday - the week before Jesus died, welcomed him with celebrations and waving palms (that symbolized victory and peace)....waged war and killed him 7 days later. Jesus had a lot of opposition even when he was doing good - straight through to the cross when people brutally beat him, and mocked him and killed him. He still responded with love not hate. Profound.

"Christ's triumph was in His humiliation. And perhaps our triumph will also be revealed through what others see as humiliation." Margaret Bottome

The very object of the enemies hate became the source of love and rescue for them. Which had me thinking this week of Job, Joseph, David...etc...and others in the Bible...and its plea to love enemies, and to pray for them...the object of the enemy...the big target...often become the source of grace and love with a Christ like mindset. Jeff preached a couple weeks ago on enemies with great wisdom from Jesus example, and said, we must stand up to our enemies but not retaliate. I've loved this verse from Exodus 14:14 -"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Victory is always in Jesus hands. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, "...this is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in harships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

All of us will experience some kind of opposition in life....whatever your context is, Jesus brings hope. Philippians 3:10 tells us that we share in suffering with Jesus, but we also have access through faith to his power and authority. His resurrection power that overcame death!! What could be more powerful? I was telling a bible study group a couple weeks ago...we need not forget that as we read of Jesus miracles...how he healed people of sin and sickness...spoke a word and paraplegics walked...that's the same Jesus who intercedes/prays for us (Rom. 8:34), and who loves us. He has not changed, nor his mission or intentions. His love does not disappoint or fail (Rom. 5:5)...

So not only is eternity in His embrace, but every waking moment. He died so I could live. He suffered so I can endure. When those looks come your way with menacing mocks...people who've started wild fires in your life, perhaps that crisis or conflict, or that sickness that is plaguing your body, or those finances that aren't there, or that stress at work, or the exhaustion from raising small children, or those broken relationships that keep you up at night....Jesus mends, heals, protects, provides, delivers, redeems, strengthens, and saves....eternity moment by moment is in his embrace.

"They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." Psalm 22:5

The King made servant, became the servant made King.

Jesus bring Transformation!

Funny Passover Video - MUST WATCH

2011-04-16T12:33:00.002-04:00

Grace

2011-04-06T11:27:00.001-04:00

Generation Anchor

2011-03-29T16:46:00.001-04:00

I was reminded of this achrived post today. In thinking of the current events around the globe...there is no more important time than to mentor this upcoming generation of young people.

Generation - Anchor

"What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, that that of the man [or woman] who instructs this rising generation" Marcus Tullius Cicero

My best friend in school was an outstanding runner. She could run long distance and sprints and won them all. Her special gift of acceleration gave her the anchor position on the relay team each year. Watching her come around the last corner was so exciting and she was always greeted by an exuberant crowd. When I think of this generation, I think anchor.

Anchor is a team member position that is given to the fastest runner to potentially make up time at the end. When I look at our culture and this generation I see acceleration. Everything is characterized by progressive innovation and having anything imaginable on demand. I think that we may be in the last leg of the race and this generation needs to step up and run anchor.

It is intriguing to me that they call the fastest position in a relay an anchor. Webster’s dictionary defines an anchor as firmly fixed, something that secures, stationary and providing support. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that Jesus is the anchor of our souls, and he also encourages us to run the race of life to win (1 Cor. 9:24)! How appropriate is it that this generation run anchor secure in Christ and running with great acceleration and perseverance. The baton is being passed.

“But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Exodus 20:6 NLT

Each generation has its own flavour, forte, and value. The purpose of cultivating a Christian generational heritage is to inspire faith, to teach sacrifice, to cultivate community, to instill faith not fear, and to display the power of God. Just like Hebrews 11, if we are diligent in partnering together as generations with patience and open dialogue, we will nurture our own hall of faith in our families, churches, and communities.

In gathering comments from the younger generation on its current state, a young 18 year old woman declared, “Do NOT discount the power of THIS generation.” This generation may have some difficult opposition, but there is hope for them to rise up in their faith. Their passion rallies around purpose and authentic acts for the kingdom. How powerful would a synergy between generations be! An intentional crossing of generational lines to team up.

"Wisdom is perishable. Unlike information or knowledge, in cannot be stored in a computer or recorded in a book. It expires with each passing generation." Anonymous

The younger generation needs to harness the wisdom of the mature generation. The mature generation needs to extend their resources and cheer on the younger generation. The race will not be won without the fullness of the team working together. Each generation needs one another, and both are greatly valued.

"Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young and doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old." Author unknown

What about if this generation was the last one before Christ returned? Should we not live with urgency and passion for the King and the Kingdom? Let’s live as generations who want to see the power of God alive in peoples lives. Let’s leverage our profound relational connectivity to make Jesus famous. Let us run as if we were last. Let’s run anchor.

Pray for this generation,

Mentor this generation,

Love unconditionally this generation,

Do not discount the POWER and POTENTIAL of this generation.

The Pursuit

2011-03-29T10:28:00.005-04:00

My pursuit of the Lord through times of suffering have produced a deep well of gratefulness and a hunger for His presence in all I do and everywhere I go. Its not that I walk in perfection - not at all, but I walk with awareness and desire for Him. I see so many people in a counselling setting who are on a pursuit too. They want purpose and meaning. They want to be valued, they want to give to someone who will cherish what they receive. They hunger for something they have not found. In their pursuit they have found themselves surrounded by broken dreams, injured relationships, financial ruin, sick bodies, hopelessness or angry hearts.
Thank God there is a solution to these issues and themes we all share.

God can satisfy our desires. He really can! He may give them to us, he may transform them, or he make take unhealthy ones away. But through relationship and connection with Him - we can be satisfied. Anything else short is only a temporary fix, a one time hit with a fading high.

But RENEWAL is available to everyone who wants it, and seeks it through Jesus' love and truth.

"Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."
1 Peter 1:4 MSG

I enjoyed this verse today: "So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective." Colossians 3:1 MSG

Jesus is where the action is!

Take account today of what you are hungering for. Do you walk around on auto pilot, or are you living life with awareness and purpose?

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NLT

Transformation.

J & K Update:
I am excited to write soon of all God is doing, aligning his new season for Jeff and I. Dreams are coming true. As you wait in faithful expectancy - God is working! Praise God.

Lent Up date #1

2011-03-29T10:04:00.000-04:00

So, I did it. A small but true accomplishment.

First ten days - not chocolate - check. The past ten days I have successfully gave up Diet Pepsi, and I continue to. (Bar a minor celebration of it on day 11). I am now entering my fast of T.V. Interestingly enough this occurrence during the Dancing with the Stars, Dragons Den, and American Idol season makes me squirm. I have fasted T.V. for 6 and 9 months at a time before, so what's the big deal right? We'll see.

I was telling my sister about my organized lent fast, where I chose four things for 10 days at a time. I will admit, the thought crossed my mind that this was cheating. But my sister confirmed it with her disgust. My intent was good. I wanted to show creativity, as my out of the box personality demands.

How's your lent fast going?

The important part of lent is not only give up, but giving out. To be mindful of the needs of others, to be grateful for what we have, and to prepare with sincere hearts to celebrate the transformational and transcendent God of love. It is important to consider the Christ who died for you, but also the Christ who rose again! His resurrection power and authority is what makes the difference in the life of you and me.

"The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ" Romans 1:2-6 MSG

Psalm 34

2011-03-23T10:38:00.002-04:00

Psalm 34

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

'Lent' It Begin

2011-03-09T08:49:00.002-05:00

Good morning Friend,

I have not enjoyed my sabbatical from blogging. Each week, the need to write would nag at me. Really, the consolidation process of my schooling took over precious writing time for Transforming Beauty. The good news is....drum roll....that I submitted my very last theory of counselling paper last week! Ta Da! I don't know if a click of the mouse ever felt so good. Currently I am an intern until the end of May. I am preparing for a big graduation celebration at my school in the U.S. I may write more about my wild and wonderful experiences as a therapist soon.

However...my mission this morning and my heart cry is LENT.

I was reminded by the pancake supper at the Anglican church down my street last evening...that the eve of Lent was here. It kinda creeped up on my this year. So...here I am this morning with a break from work until noon not really eating or touching anything until I decide what I'm giving up. Seems like blogging will not be one of those things :)

I am going to be taking suggestions to as to what creative things I am going to abstain from for deprived delight. Could be media, food, and activity etc. I may even choose four things and do one for ten days each. But during that time of abstaining I will also be doing extra prayer and devotion and blogging about the experience. I may even do some surverys of other to see what they think of Lent.

So stay tuned for the 40 days of lent!! To me...this is epic Transforming Beauty - Lent is all about transformation, personal devotion and growth, and preparation for God's transforming power in our lives and on earth.

Below is a post describing lent I wrote in 09.
Enjoy...and chat soon,
K

Deprived Delight

What begins with ashes, journey’s through darkness, and ends with light and hope of new life? What do 40 days, sacrifice, focus, no coffee, no restaurants equal? Lent. Deprived Delight. If you’ve been raised in a main line church or frequent one – you have heard of Lent.

Though not many evangelical churches celebrate Lent due to their lack of focus on liturgy, – however, it is rich in meaning and profound in practice.Lent is a forty-day season of preparation prior to the celebration for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. It begins after Ash Wednesday (7th Wednesday before Lent), which traditionally is a day where pastors or priests place symbolic soot on people’s foreheads to remind them that it is from dust they came and dust they will return (it's not all about pancakes). It was a positioning of humility. Not only was it recognition of the reality and consequences of sin, but the ashes became symbolic of that attitude of penitence reflected in the Lord’s prayer: “forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us”(Luke 11:4, NRSV).

During Lent Christians re encounter Jesus’ adult ministry a fresh through his suffering during Holy Week to his crucifixion and death on Good Friday. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday also called the Sunday of the Passion, and continues through Holy Thursday (when Communion was instituted at the Last Supper) and Good Friday, when Jesus was tried, crucified, and buried. This tradition originates from the fourth century is always scheduled 40 days backwards from Easter. The adherence to Lent is seen as one strips down to the essentials in life to better focus on an individual relationship with God. Though individual in practice it is corporate in celebration.

In the early church it began as a preparation time for those who were going to be baptized. Lent in English means lengthening or spring. Daylight increasing and expelling winter darkness. Also the Greek word for lent, tessarakoste, denotes the number 40.Did you ever wonder why 40 days? The number 40 is a significant number in the Bible. It’s a time of preparation – a prelude to a new season. In the Old Testament, Noah spent 40 days aboard the Ark while flood waters cleansed the earth of sinful people in preparation for a new beginning (Gen 6:3,13), Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai talking with God to establish a new covenant with His people (Ex 24:18), and the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert before entering the promise land (Deut 8:2,4). In the New Testament, Jesus spent 40 days being testing is the desert in preparation for His earthly ministry.I think Jesus’ 40 days in the desert are more closely linked to the spirit of Lent that I ever knew. The journey of breaking out of the darkness of sin into the enlightenment and freedom of salvation in Christ. Jesus immediately was led by the spirit of God to the desert after being baptized. (Mark 1:8-14) There He was tempted by Satan himself. Everything Jesus was tempted with was essentially good – in the right hands, with the right focus, and the right heart. However, the way Satan twisted truth made it a temptation to put material things above God, to put power over service, and to use God to get personal accolade.

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio I think has expressed the heart of Lent with the overcoming strategies of Jesus in the desert.

He says, “Jesus triumphs in this first wrestling match. He shows us how to keep from being pinned. Fasting breaks undue attachments to material blessings and stimulates our spiritual appetite. Humble service breaks the stranglehold of pride. The reverent worship of authentic faith breaks the full nelson of superstition, magic, and all arrogant religion. And the word of God is shown as the sword of the Spirit, the secret weapon that slashes through the enemy’s lies.”

Therefore, the heart of Lent is a journey marked by the letting go of sin. As you and I try to prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection with an authentic passion; we should endeavor to pray, fast, and engage in humble service. This is what Jesus modeled, and what we are called to.What would you be willing to sacrifice for 40 days to focus on your relationship with God and clearly consider the reality and significance of His death and resurrection? Sometimes when we deprive ourselves of things we over use, hold dear, or rely on other in place of God – we develop clarity, and a greater gratitude in our hearts.

Delayed gratification prepares us for gratitude.

This is the essence of your 40 day fast, prayer time, service, and worship.Think of the great things that have happened in 40 days historically. Think of what God could do in 40 days of special devotion in you, through you, and for others. It’s worth it. I challenge you to fast something in your life that takes up time, effort, is meaningful, and perhaps you like too much! Fill this gap with prayer and service. As you do focus on Jesus ministry, read through the gospel of John, be encouraged by the Word of God, and journey through a process of reflection and transformation from darkness to light.

I hope your deprived state finds you in the delight of Christ’s work on the cross for the salvation of the world.

Preparation.Journey.Reflect.Gratitude.Anything for my Jesus.Transformations.

Christmas Hope

2010-12-23T11:22:00.004-05:00

Hope Unwrapped

The Christmas season, and is one of HOPE. Even if you don't feel that way, Jesus came to bring just that.

Vines Dictionary defines HOPE as “A favorable confident expectation.” Henry Nouwen writes, “Hope is hidden not in the possession of power but in the confession of weakness”

Hope can be tested, Hope can be tested, it can be stolen, squashed, squandered, There is false hope….Hope can be a choice, it is healthy to hope, it is cultivated and nourished.

The Bible talks about the hope of salvation, hope of resurrection, hope of healing, hope of a promise fulfilled, hope of God’s glory, hope of one’s calling, hope of the gospel, and hope for redemption and justice.

The root of your faith, is what you hope for and who you hope in.

Hope goes beyond optimism – positive thinking in good times, but is an anchor through devastation, trials, and bad times we face.

The word Sozo – salvation in the Greek…is closely linked with the Greek word hope (elpis) in the Bible. It means to saved/healed to the uttermost. It contains both present and future tenses. God not only wants to secure your eternity, but provide provision, healing, and comfort, HOPE for your present situations.

I believe that God wants to exchange gifts with us this Christmas.

This is seen in a portrait of a woman who had an encounter with Jesus: Luke 7:36-50

"Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

There is so much rich meaning to this passage, but I will just highlight it in part.

First, in Jesus day there would have been three ceremonial greetings for teacher of the law. The holy kiss, anointing the head with oil, and feet washing. Simon invited Jesus to his house out of ill motive, to discredit him as priest and prophet. Jesus was denied all these greetings, and everyone would have noticed. He was being set up for social shame.

Meanwhile, these court year large gatherings of the elite were open gate parties for the marginalized and poor to look in at. Seems like a prideful opportunity to show off and rub salt in a wound. However, I’m sure many would be curious. They could enter the court yard and walk around the perimeter, tight to the wall, one lap.

The Woman with the Alabaster Jar most likely had been blessed by Jesus’ ministry, and must have witnessed this social disgrace toward Jesus. She runs over to him, in attempts to rescue him…and provides those three ceremonial greetings. But with much more emotion – worship. She washes his feet with her tears, anoints them, and kisses them.

Simon wants to trip Jesus up – and asks him if he knows this loose woman was trying to turn him on…Come on Jesus – aren’t you going to push her away? Basically, are you a man of grace or law?

Jesus answers with a parable, and proves himself as both! He restores this woman in front of all the religious leaders. This woman of “ill” reputation is given forgiveness, peace, salvation, and HOPE for her future.

There is an exchange of gifts here. Jesus gives this woman the gift of HOPE, and she give him the gift of her worship. This was quite the unexpected gift. But that’s what God does.

God’s gifts of Advent at Christmas beckon us to unwrap hope, peace, love and joy. The Hope of Christ at Christmas helps us to - settle the past – embrace the present, and believe in the future…..

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18

Let us all unwrap the gift of HOPE in our hearts this Christmas….

Psalm 103

2010-12-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

Praise the LORD, my soul;

   All my inmost being, praise his holy name. ² Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— ³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, ⁴ who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, ⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. ⁶ The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. ⁷ He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: ⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. ⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; ¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; ¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— ¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. ²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. ²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. ²² Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

   Praise the LORD, my soul.

December

2010-12-01T11:03:00.000-05:00

Well I seemed to accomplish a lot in November - but blogging was not one of them! As a little reminder from a friend came today :)

I have been wanting to write and post, however, with 3 courses at once and an internship to set up and finalize, I did not allow myself to deviate from the necessary. I am glad to report that I have two amazing internship sites that will sail me through to the finish line. I am excited to graduate, but more than that to get on with the next season of doing - ministering. God has good things in store. And honestly I say that in faith as I am weary some days from this long season of waiting and educating!

What did my November hold?

I turned another year older.
Great visits with friends from afar.
A informed purchase of a new cushy mattress.
And Epicure party and led to my decision to sell it.
Tons of school work.
Jeff grew a MOVEMNBER contribution.
Enjoyment of the New Adventures of Old Christine.
Fun visits with my sister.
Watching Christmas parades.
New X-game sport: Extreme Christmas decorating - at my mothers.
Getting to know my new internship site supervisors - so excited!
A major HAIR cut. Its ok, I think I shall grow it though.
And...of course...encouragement and love from the Lord!!
Learning deep lessons on transformation in myself and observing others walk through difficult times.

God uses it all to make messes masterpieces if we trust Him, love Him, and truly invite Him into our lives and situations.

Advent has started - and I will be writing on preparing our hearts for Christmas among various things.

Talk to you all soon,
Kristy

Friend's Blog - Check It Out!

2010-10-26T11:18:00.002-04:00

Please check out my friend Carrie's Blog. It is honest and inspiring! Please consider following her blog to help her with a journey she is on to interview Shannon Ethridge - author of the sexually confident wife.

Click on this link.

The Journey Inside

Entrenched

2010-10-26T10:57:00.002-04:00

This was my week long intensive experience last week as I did a course on group therapy at my school in Virginia.....

Eight people, entrenched in each other’s woundedness - eight hours a day. It was an intense week, very emotional and full of empathy for others. I just wanted to hug everyone as they shared difficult parts of their lives and hearts. But we were together in the process and by that we were together in each other lives – entrenched for learning and healing.

I was skeptical about the nature of group therapy. I really could not see how the group process format was made to bring about deep change in individual lives. However, I think after 40 hours of group therapy in one week, my heart has changed.

I’m in awe at how God used the people in that group – which were not brought together by accident, but divine grace. They all have impacted me - not only as a counselor, but as a person.

How did these other seven lives shake my world? I think by modeling courage in their own life situations, they gave me a greater sense of courage in my own life. They saw the real me and affirmed it. They were raw, bare and honest – we all were. Together we synergized awareness, compassion, challenge and most of all healing. Silence was a virtue at moments, eyes of compassion as tears of empathy flowed.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.” ~ Henri Nouwen

Our professor said something profound that would echo Larry Crabb’s work: “Great hurt happens in the context of relationships, and therefore profound healing can happen in the context of relationships.” Professor Daniels.

So true. It is not only our relationship with God that brings healing, but He also designs us to be healing agents toward one another. Reconciliation is God’s ongoing mandate and mission in our lives.

Healing yourself is connected with healing others.

So as rippling waves of learning, reflection, and inspiration wash over my heart this week from last, I am grateful for friendships forged. I am thankful for deep expressions of God’s grace at work in lives before me. People finding forgiveness, acceptance of others and self, fresh awareness, compassion, affirmation, and hope for their future…and mine.

I will be honest. Something triggered a fresh in my heart this week, and its like God pressed the “GO” button for an area of my life. Reaching out to the marginalized with compassion and loving hands – beyond the norm. I've had one profound experience already with a life which I cannot share details now, but God is so moving and loving - breaking into people's darkness and pain. I'm thankful to be a vessel to bring light and hope. I've been released into a more doing and hands on season again! Shifting, seasons shifting - I'm excited.

Who can you be a healing relationship for? How can your compassion and grace bring about a healthy stability for someone in need or struggle? What a feeling to extend that kind of love…pray about who God may lead you to this week. Not in group therapy…but in your work place, family, neighborhood. Maybe another town or province? As you connect yourself in relationship to God and His Spirit - you are a powerful powerful person who carries the potential to bring healing by a loving relationship with another!

Who can you entrench yourself with to bring relational healing?

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

Generation Anchor

2010-10-04T12:45:00.003-04:00

I was reminded of this achrived post today. In thinking of the current events around the globe...there is no more important time than to mentor this upcoming generation of young people.

Generation - Anchor

"What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, that that of the man [or woman] who instructs this rising generation" Marcus Tullius Cicero

“But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.” Exodus 20:6 NLT

"Wisdom is perishable. Unlike information or knowledge, in cannot be stored in a computer or recorded in a book. It expires with each passing generation." Anonymous

"Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young and doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old." Author unknown

Pray for this generation,

Mentor this generation,

Love unconditionally this generation,

Do not discount the POWER and POTENTIAL of this generation.

Quote of the Day

2010-09-30T13:00:00.000-04:00

This summer I saw so many beautiful butterflies, which are very symbolic to my season of life. About four years ago God introduced this symbol to speak to my life and bring hope and encouragement. In times of frustration - often a butterfly will appear - at a distinct moment in time to remind me of future hopes and dreams. There is also preparation to big dreams!

My ministry card says, "Flap Your Wings - Change the World."

When you feel like you are hidden – know that you might be in a season of preparation and beautiful things await.

I saw this quote today that reminded me of the beauty of transformation:

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly” Richard Bach

Don’t Pick People’s Scabs – Band-Aid Them Up!

2010-09-28T16:20:00.004-04:00

Don’t Pick People’s Scabs – Band-Aid Them Up!

Are you a risk taker? I am at times, and want to be more so at others. Jesus was a risk taker. He was one with people and for people.

When evaluating the teachings of Jesus, His parables, and His actions – I find a common thread. It seems that in order to bring restoration, healing or to help someone, there is and element of risk. Yes, that element of risk is a personal one risking reputation, finance, imprisonment and reward. Ultimately for Jesus it was sacrificial death by crucifixion. Many times Jesus extending himself to women, or responding to the Pharisees interrogations placed him in a position of risk.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, there is another man who risked. The story goes like this (stick with me here):

The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-42 (The Message)

Defining "Neighbor"

²⁵Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?" ²⁶He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?" ²⁷He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself." ²⁸"Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live." ²⁹Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?" ^30-32Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. ^33-35"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.' ³⁶"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?" ³⁷"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

There is so much to unpack in these short verses, however I will focus on a couple things.

First, the man who questioned Jesus was a religious leader, one who would settle legal issues. The question revolved around who actually was classified as someone’s neighbor? Who really qualifies for our extension of love and assistance? The religious leader basically trying to get Jesus to answer that it is simply our friends and family – so he could say that he already complies. In other words, as not to extend kindness beyond his own circle.

The religious leader kindly stood up (a sign of respect) but rhetorically questioned Jesus. He even answers Jesus with His own words on love. His posture, and actions did not line up – indeed he was trying to set Jesus up for an answer they could all jump on. (Ever meet people like that…smooth on the outside, poison on the inside?) So Jesus answer how he did best with a parable.

In the parable a Jewish man is beaten and left for dead. He was traveling on the rod to Jerusalem, which was notorious theft and violence in the day. A priest is the first to go by. He would have seen a man stripped and unconscious. The two ways of identifying someone in those days was by their dialect and their clothing. So this man was not easily identified. The priest most likely did not stop because if the man was not Jewish He could risk being “defiled” and would risk consequences of embarrassment, going through purifying rituals, and financial loss by having to burn a sacrifice. At the end of the day - the Priest was not willing to take the “personal risk” to help another in desperate need.

Ever avoid helping because the person does not enhance your reputation?

The Levite is next to pass by the injured man in need. Levites were men who assisted the priests but was of lower social class. He may have not stopped because he could see down the long dirt road – and saw that the priest had not stopped. He also may have feared for his own personal safety and neglected the dying man. Again, not willing to risk in order to save a life.

Ever avoid helping because the rest of the crowd isn't?

The next man was a Samaritan man. Samaritans and Jews have a stressed relationship. Samaritans were a mixed race between Jewish people and the people of Samaria, but still upheld the Jewish law. However, this man had compassion, and stopped, bandaged up the man’s wounds and finds him safety. Amazingly this man risks. He risks time, money and tarnishing his reputation. He even tells the innkeeper that he would come back and pay any further expenses until he is better. This man risks, gives, and follows through!

The Robbers	Priest and Levite	The Samaritan
Robs him	Harm him by inaction	Pays for him
Leave him dying	Leave him with out help	Cares for him
Abandons him	Neglected him	Promises to return

Jesus clearly defines who one’s neighbor is. It is showing the love of God to all who are in need, who ever they may be, where ever they may be. It is not bound by race, social class, position, gender, geographical borders – God’s love is to be expressed through us – you and me - to those in need – whoever, wherever and whenever.

This is a reflection of what Jesus does for us. He finds us in the state we are in, cleans us up, gives us a safe place rescuing us from life’s bandits and gives us eternal life.

Unfortunately we struggle with this. It can be challenging and stretching. We may be good at extending ourselves to some people. Its often easier with family and friends as suggested by the religious leader earlier in the story. In conversations I have had with people in the last few years, and of late…sadly when life is difficult for someone we leave them on the side of the road hemorrhaging. People don’t often like blood, and often can’t handle with sincerity or maturity other people’s pain. This is seen at so many levels in life. Its also seen in our churches. Gasp! I know a hard truth. We need to get better at accepting the marginalized, and not marginalizing our own. Reaching to those who are hurting in their lives, those who need relationship! This is not merely a reflection of physical need, but social, spiritual, and psychological need. Healthy relationships are designed to have a healing agent - God’s love.

We are called to risk.

So get our your first aid kits. Your neighbor might need a band-aid.

Look around to the ditches and long desolate roads of life and speak the hope of Christ to bleeding souls.

But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:3

He's Good So Good

2010-09-25T10:16:00.001-04:00

He Is Good So Good.

I’m going to a wedding today. There will be two mama’s giving away their children…what an emotional day but with so much joy!

Honestly there is so many things I would redo about my wedding. Ouch, shocking statement eh? On a brighter note, I do believe we had a beautiful ceremony and I cherish that. However, in regards to the whole day and many things on many levels…Jeff and I would love a do-over. This may present itself as a beautiful anniversary party some summer soon. Despite these feelings about a day, the real important thing – like our marriage it quite the opposite. No do-over’s there, and it has been something beautiful and special since the start. I’m thankful for a man who is “GOOD.” That’s always how I describe Jeff to people when they ask…I scarcely have words…I say…he’s just so good…he’s full of goodness.

On my wedding night after rehearsal and all was said and done, I was going to our new apartment to stay for my first night. I remember so distinctly leaving those doors of the security of home with my BIG rolly suit case and walking down the street to my new address and new life. I didn’t get far before the emotions over took me and I was bawling my eyes out. It was hard to leave my home. Now, if you evaluate the scene it seems ridiculous because I was just moving 6 houses down and around the corner! Nonetheless, life was changing.

I’m thankful for parents who always allowed me to fly, and help mend up wounded wings from life’s storms.

I’m glad to say that I moved into a new life with more secure arms to hold me. And when life is rough, we both have Jesus’ loving arms to hold us.

I’m thankful for my husband who through trial and adversity he or we did not ask for is still – GOOD.

He’s so good to me – he treats me like a real man should.

Watch this video.

The Archives

2010-09-22T19:09:00.002-04:00

Check Out Archives

Hello Blogger Friend!

I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to give you an up date on my life. I'm heading into my final stretches of school. This does seem to get more exciting by the week. I will be doing my clinical hours after Christmas. Graduation...awaits! Jeff and I are still in a season of preparation. We long for the things that God has promised and dreams established in our hearts for years. Slowly the pieces are coming together. We're privileged and thankful for opportunities to travel and fill in at churches and to speak at various functions. Its a blessing to pour into others, but at the same time we are so encouraged by the love we find too! I am still praying vigorously for the Valley where I live. For people to embrace God's love for their lives, and for healing from sickness and brokenness. We just got a new spinner. We plunked it right in front of the TV for the winter. I'm pumped about training for longer rides on the country side in the spring.

I have posted a couple new blogs. I am working on a few others as well. But if you are interested, please visit the blog archives. Over the past few years there are many. You may find an encouraging video or two along your peruse as well.

Also, check out the side bar with other bloggers. I have some great friends with amazing gifts and the sentiments and teaching from their hearts is a worthwhile read!

God bless you Friend.

As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us! James 4:8

Kristy

Delight

2010-09-22T17:01:00.000-04:00

There is a beautiful exchange that God wants us to encounter on a daily basis – delighting in Him and knowing He delights in YOU.

(This is a condensed version of my message on delight.)

DELIGHT IS CHALLENGING TODAY

Delight, similar to that of joy and pleasure is something that Christians can lack. Especially in today’s world with so many pressures, abuses, traumas’ and negative cultural messages. Sometimes we forget how great and mighty our God is to save, deliver, heal, help, restore, reconcile, provide and protect.

But did you know that having delight in your life is more than a by-product of the Christian life? God actually asks us to pursue it – and wants us to have it!

Mentioned over 450 times joy in old testament - Over 150 delight in New Testament -600 references…God has tried to communicate to us about delight.

A survey of scripture may bring perspective. Many men of God in hard pressed times like ours (financial ruin, depression, defeat, committed adultery, imprisoned, experienced loss, etc) said these statements:

Moses tells the people of Israel: Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you.

David writes out of his times of affliction and fear:

Psalm 18:19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Paul writes from prison that his is sorrowful, yet always rejoicing 2 Cor. 6:10

Jesus declared in Matt. 5:11,12: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, and I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Delight is very counter cultural – it really is opposite to how the cultural messages that are in our face daily – but that’s how Jesus and the Kingdom are…they flip the world’s ideals upside down. We may physically lack some things in our lives. However, in spiritual riches we lack no good thing, and Jesus is also our provider.

A text most of us know Psalm 37

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday." (Psalm 37:3-6)

Word delight means:

To be soft - Pliable - Luxurious – Delight. Sport – what do we like about sports? Wining. Competition, challenge. Strategy, team event. These translate into the faith. We are going to win, but we often wonder if evil is going to score more? Means most to those who took part – and got dirty, bruised, and sweaty…bumped elbows with the opposition. Enjoy – enjoy God. Delight is never irreverent – from a silent reflection to a dance of joy – delight does not find security in the veil of legalism. Commit your way to the Lord – Commit; means = jalah to roll, turn, drive away from that which is stealing our joy. Roll one’s self upon –Jesus. Don’t be anxious, roll every bit of this on me.

Why Should Delight?

Henry Scougal Says: It is a paradox that happiness comes by deliverance from self-love; and deliverance from self-love comes from delighting in God (p. 83).

When we delight in the Lord He become more real in our realities.

We should seek joy and delight because:

A) We are more willing to count worldly things as loss as compared to knowing Christ Phil. 3:7-8

B) When we fail to delight, serving God becomes a duty not a desire, loving others is a chore not a out flow from our relationship with God

John Howe says: Says Howe, delighting in God is the very substance of religion – it is the base, the foundation, the top, and the perfection of practical godliness.

C) Changes us more into the likeness of Christ! When we stir ourselves to experience the love of God, we will have strength against temptation and we will have effectiveness in service.

Without fresh encounters with Christ, the soul becomes restless for pleasure. It is unfortified against an ambush by Satan. The love of God experienced puts iron into the backbone – the believer relishing God’s love can easily say no to the world’s solicitations. But without these heart warming’s of God’s love in Christ, the soul is far too ready to compromise when temporal things compete for its affection.

Spiritual effectiveness comes out of the secret place with God.

Abiding in Christ is our number one priority – we are to live unto God, upon God, and for God. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 2:21).

D) God communicates something more – inward revelation which captivates the heart.

An encounter with God does more than convince; it brings transforming impressions of His image. The impact unites the will, the heart, the mind, and the practice of the believer. The encounter changes people. The effect of an encounter with God is an essential element of delight. Contact with God not only brings delight, but order, resolve, and rectitude to the soul.

E) Guards against Religiosity – This is a safeguard from accusations that we are courting religious experiences – delight issues forth in Christ-likeness. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders/Pharisees for praising God with their lips, but not their hearts.

F) Fills us up – we desire less of impure things we shouldn’t Lust, gossip, over indulgent of fill in blank.

C. S. Lewis writes “You have capacities for joy which you can scarcely imagine.” We were made for the enjoyment of God and to enjoy God.

G) Joy in God is the best equipping we can have to love others.

Love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others (Luke 14:33; Heb 10:34; 11:24).

H) Delighting in God combats pride and self-pity (Eph. 2:7-9; 1 Cor. 1:28; Matt. 5:110).

I) Delighting in God promotes genuine love for people (1 Jn. 5:2-4).

J) Delighting in God glorifies God

George Mueller of Bristol saw delight in God as the necessary daily preparation for serving Christ. “I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. . . I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation on it.

There are enemies of delight! Anything from hurt, fear, relational conflict, marital turmoil, sickness, loneliness, debt, to not seeking it with your whole heart. Beth Moore says that Psalm 37 tells us that its not so often the situation but the someone that steals our delight. But the truth is we are the biggest enemy to ourselves. Our own sin, our own attitudes, and when we allow others to steal our delight with their wrongful and hurtful doings.”

No one has the right to steal your delight!

John Piper:

Are we going to let the sins of others from delight?

“But here’s the question, should the sins of others hold us hostage in the prison of sorrow, in one sense sorrow over an other person’s sins is a mark of compassion and love, we long for them to be pure and holy in heart, because the pure in heart will see God. So our sadness is evidence of longing that others would know the fullness of joy that comes with righteousness and peace. The kingdom of God, is righteousness and peace and joy in the holy ghost. Surely then our this sadness of our is a form of love, on the other hand, there is something very wrong it seems if sinning people have power to steal our joy by their own sinning choices.

This in fact is a kind of blackmail, if you claim to love us you must pay for our sin with a broken heart, well yes and no. God does not put the strings of our hearts in the hands of sinners, but in the hands of Jesus who loves sinners. And this Jesus says, and this I have spoken to you so that his joy may be in us and his joy may be full.”

God’s word talks a lot about the exchange of delighting in God and how much HE delights in us. Psalm 147:1: the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 18:19: He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 119:16: I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119: 35:Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Psalm 149:4: For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Proverbs 12:22: but he delights in men who are truthful.

We can find delight in hard times too because God is with us. There is a verse Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." That word save is sozo in the greek…and is used in present and future tenses. That means God will help and heal us now and unto salvation. He is not only our Savior, but our present help in trouble.(Psalm 46:1). He will help us to the uttermost now and forever…he delights in us. His thoughts towards us out number the grains of sand on the beaches of our earth!! Psalm 139:17

Press toward the heart of God. We can become paralyzed by fear, unworthiness, rejection, sin, apathy, or shame…but God wants to know how much he delights in you!

“I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Don’t let anyone steal your delight!!

A Beautiful Exchange

2010-09-22T16:13:00.002-04:00

A Beautiful Exchange

A good woman is worth more than Diamonds!

Proverbs 31:10 (MSG)

Women are amazing ambassadors for the Kingdom and their families. Our unique make up allows us to serve and lead in varying capacities with creativity, nurture, relational brilliance and profound faith. Yet, many women, in a moment of honesty would confess to feelings of inadequacy in one form or another. Life’s rhythm demands they continue on and hide those insecurities, guarded closely for no one else to discover. They cover up with beautifully crafted masks and join the masquerade.

Daughters of God need to reclaim their value from the inside out! We must trade in the masquerade masks for the master’s garments of beauty and value.

Women are destined for greatness in Christ, but sometimes get wedged in mediocrity. Inward fear, and outward influences can cultivate a damaged self-image. When women look in the mirror, they are looking through a tarnished lens. A lens, which reflects flaws, insecurity, fear, and failure. It’s not how God intended it to be. It costs us greatly to believe in false hoods about our value – but God’s truth is eternal and brings healing.

The exchange of our identity for pretence must be redeemed.

Women’s belief in their own value is being held hostage by the tyranny of insecurity. Insecurity is provoked by various perpetrators unique to each woman’s experiences, however; we all share common threads. The key to uprooting women’s tendency to devalue themselves is discovering with fresh revelation the truth of their identity. Daughters do not have to settle for the hiddeness of the masquerade, but can embrace the freedom of true unveiled beauty and value.

Beth Moore says, “The chains will break when we finally believe we are who God says we are.”

The enemy’s potent and infectious sting through media, abuse, and broken relationships lead to wounded self-esteem. His lies need to be debunked through God’s truth. Psalm 139 is a wellspring of truth declaring value over God’s children. Psalm 139 summed up declares He knows every dimension of us (v. 1-4); we cannot escape the embrace of His Spirit (v. 5-10); He transforms our dark situations and thoughts into light (v. 11-12); He crafted us with irreplaceable intention, purpose and passion (v. 13-16); He delights with infinite thoughts about us (v. 17-18); He gives victory over oppressive enemies (v. 19-22); and at an invitation He fills our inner most being and guides us (v. 23-24). He loves us with a profound love we can spend the rest of our lives discovering and reveling in!

“You were made by God and for God, until you understand that, life will never make sense.” Rick Warren

The Masquerade dance is a veiling, cloaking of self, hiding of identity, impersonation, or covering up of self. The Masquerade is living like prisoners of the old life before being redeemed by Christ. Adam and Eve covered up out of shame, but God has destroyed our shame and insecurity through Christ. To be redeemed actually means an ‘exchange’ between parties to restore honor and worth. God calls us to give him our masks in exchange for true beauty.

Isaiah 61:3 says, “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

God wants to unveil your value. He wants you to see the reflection in the mirror looking back at you with His loving eyes, knowing that He created you with divine intention, value, and the love of a Father. God’s heart is revealed through the scriptures that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! The famous Psalm 139 verses 17 and 18 tell us, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Then I awake, I am still with you. My thoughts towards you out number the grains of sand on the earth” Did you know He rejoices over you with singing; He delights in you, and His love is better than life? (Zeph. 3:17; Ps. 18; 10; Ps. 63:3).

It is when women discover their true identity in Christ that insecurities will fade and masquerade masks will be demolished - unveiled by God’s declaration of each woman’s significance giving her security in Him. Women will be able to unashamedly display the love of God and His character when they connect with their true value in Christ. There will be an authentic, passion driven extension of women to others and new strength to journey in their destiny. Authentic womanly creativity, nurture, relational brilliance, and profound faith are established by receiving affirmation from God. The fruit of embracing one’s value is contagious!

Who are you going to let define you? Tired of the Masquerade? Do you want to participate in the beautiful exchange God has arranged for us? The One who created you, knows you best and loves you most – in your inmost being declares great value over your life. God gives us remarkable undeserved gifts, and in exchange we give him pure worship: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Give God your masquerade mask and exchange it for your true identity and divine value – Greater than Diamonds.

For The Love of Creation

2010-09-17T11:01:00.002-04:00

If you read any of my posts you know I love nature, and marveling at God's creative genius. Life is so intricate, resilient and yet fragile. From looking at flowers, bioluminescent ocean life, a thunder storm, the changing of seasons, a butterfly, to a new born baby - there are incredible subjects and blueprints to consider.

Over the years I've had various conversations with individuals who claim that Christians have a closed mind because they subscribe to intelligent design. I disagree. On the contrary, I believe that my belief in a creative designer who fashioned the mysteries of the human cell, the diversity of life on earth, and immense beauty is rather open minded. I love science and I think there is a place for science and Christianity in harmony. In addition, some people say there is NO scientific proof of Christianity, this is not totally true either, though we will not escape the element of faith because that is also a way of the designer God! Whether you take the bible literally or believe there was a larger time lapse in creation, I think the main point is believing in the one who did create.

Some people are caught up with Richard Dawkin's rhetoric. Here is a man who has taken an opposite path to Dawkins. Here is an interesting interview below.

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator. Romans 1:25

Let us not be apart of any other worship than the God that loves us and created us to have relationship with Him.

Robbery!

2010-09-16T16:30:00.002-04:00

So, about an hour ago the bank in town got robbed. It sadly was not the first time, it is a repeated offense here. There are police every where. The street is cordoned off trying to find clues as to the escaped offenders.

My friend offered some spiritual interpretations of the event that are powerful that I will not write here. However, it did remind me of a word that God gave to me at a conference two years ago. "Do not let the enemy pillage and plunder your treasure box." In other words, do not let circumstances or people steal your gifts, joy, purpose, dreams, passion, or salvation. The root offender in our lives truly is ourselves. We must not let circumstances or others the enemy would like to focus our attention on steal our sense of worth. We are valued sons an daughters of God. He has a great plans for each one of us. Don't let bad choices, or focusing on other people's intrusions into your life run your bankrupt - by spiritual bank robbers!

I am currently working on a message that talks about enemies of delight. It will be posted after Saturday when I speak.

Bless you all today.
Guard your hearts.
Don't let the enemy steal your treasure.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Swagger Wagon...Funny

2010-09-14T16:39:00.001-04:00

A Day of Celebration

2010-09-13T10:09:00.002-04:00

Hello Friends,

Its been a lovely summer. Less writing than usual, but I was enjoying sunshine, doing two courses, and having great family fun!

Saturday was a big day. We celebrated my grandmother's 95th Birthday. She is so cute. We had close to 200 guests come to celebrate her birthday. People came from up North, the states, near and far to see her. As we reflected on memories, looked at pictures, and had laughs...it was so clear how full a life she lived. She touched so many people's lives which demonstrates the solid qualities this lady possesses. I've written about grandma before. She's the lady who still curls! She is a servant through and through. Taking care of others before herself has been her life legacy. She is an inspiration to me.

John Piper writes, "Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don't coast through life without passion."

I am passionate about purpose. My own, and helping others find theirs.

Lessons from my grandmother reveal a life lived with humility, consistency, servanthood, and grace on purpose...touches many lives.

The same day we had the blessing of holding a day old new born baby. From 95 years of wisdom to a day old of innocence. It was beautiful. Richard and Tracy Lorenzin have a precious girl. Richard commented, holding this new life that you created, how could someone not believe in God. How true and the miracle of life astounds me.

It was a day of reflecting upon many years, and years to come. It all inspires you to live each day with joy and purpose. John Piper says that joy is not just to be a by product of our Christian experience or but an act of obedience. We are to pursue joy in our lives. That is one thing my grandma possessed and little baby Sydney brought - was joy in life.

Live well, live for God, and pursue purpose and joy!

Grandma at 94 still sliding out of the hack!

MORE BLOG POSTS TO COME

Holding Hands - Valley Renewal Update

2010-08-05T11:20:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I was thinking about the movie meeting the parent’s and Jack’s circle of trust. He was very guarded about whom he let into his life and into his family. He took great measures to even keep his soon to be son in law out of his family circle.

I’m so glad Jesus is not picky about who He lets in His family circle! “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) The Message puts Ephesians 1:4-6 like this, “How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”

Last night at the tent meetings there was such a great unity with all people. At one point everyone formed a HUGE circle holding hands and walking around singing. A couple hundred people at least in this one circle. It was family, it felt like family, and it was God’s family! He accepts all and anyone who would come to Him. He is so willing to accept out belief in Him, and to be adopted into the spiritual family of God! Its a circle that lets people in, and is always growing!

People from all over the valley joined hands and hearts – accepting God’s love and each other. It was beautiful. His family can be so disjointed at times, but I’m glad to say I’m seeing it united, and barriers coming down! God even started to give me back some of my spiritual family that the enemy had divided. These are nothing short of miracles! I also got to pray with people who from town I have never got to pray with! I started to see the realization of the dream and call last night at a new level and reality. God’s working in so many hearts right now.

There is so much more that God is speaking and doing right now, and I’m excited to share it as some point soon. Keep praying, He is faithful. Even through the longest season of waiting, there will be light to your darkness, and hope for your today and tomorrow.

Transformation is Happening....

Valley Renewal

2010-08-01T10:27:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to see the fruit of invested prayers!! God is moving in the Valley in an increase way!

Check out my Valley Renewal Blog with new posts.

Be encouraged that God is faithful.

K

Be Yourself

2010-07-27T08:45:00.002-04:00

Fill The Reservoirs Of Our Hearts

2010-07-26T12:28:00.005-04:00

So many are walking around with deficits. Empty or half full love reservoirs. This can take many shapes and forms in people's lives. Not knowing your self identity can create self-esteem problems that translate into brokenness, pride, insecurity, and poor relationships. Three faces of self-esteem show us that we can face walls or masks like that of an impostor, rebel or loser. The impostor bases their worth on accomplishment, the rebel goes against societal norms, focuses on self-sufficiency and puts up walls where no one could hurt them again. The loser is self defeating and gets solace from their state of woundedness. God wants to heal the faces of self-esteem that leave people crippled inside. The problem is the source of life, the source of value, the source of our identity. God give us our identity. He wants to to a profound work from the inside out. This doesn't mean there is nothing good inside...God creates everyone with beauty, and unique gifts. But our deficits can hold back our full potential and purpose. Only God can create strength where there is weakness and restore reservoirs of hurt to hope.

Like the woman at the well...He sees us in our weakness, mess, and bondage and still loves us and sees potential, gifting, value, and purpose. Nothing scares His love away from us. Jesus reaches out to the women at the well and instills value back to her life. This was remarkable for many reasons, but she was a Samaritan which culturally He would not associate with, and a "promiscuous" woman at that. He takes time to reveal Himself to her, not only validating her, but offering Himself as the source of life, hope, and abundance. Jesus says, "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again." He is able to fill the wells of our life with His life, love and hope. Not only that be He purifies the wells of our lives, so we have something good to offer to others.

John 4:5-23 NLT

Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. ¹⁴ But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

What is your source?

New BLOG - Valley Renewal

2010-07-21T16:39:00.003-04:00

Check out a the new blog I started to encourage prayer for the Valley!

VALLEY RENEWAL

Today's First Post:

Welcome To The Valley Renewal Prayer Place: Anyone who has a heart for God's love to flood hearts in the Ottawa Valley - this prayer place is for you! We can join together in prayer and encouragement! It's all about talking to God about what's on your heart, whose on your heart, and asking him to transform lives.

My Story. . .Vol. I

Where to begin...I have so much to share about my heart for the Valley, God's heart for the Valley, and how investing in prayer is so vital. Part of this blog will be devoted to my story and heart for the valley - while focusing on prayer evangelism, prayers for the Valley, answered prayers, and insights on prayer. I will tell you more about me along the way, but I'm a Valley girl born and raised. Since the age of 15, maybe even 14 God gave me a profound heart for people in the Valley. A special identification, call, and love for them - for us.

My Heart Cries: Psalm 78:17-19 (MSG) "You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you?

God's Heart . . .

My heart is to stir other people's hearts to prayer that have gotten busy, forgot, drifted away, even the hardened hearts from life's hurt and mess. Prayer is the most powerful force on the planet...it truly is. The fact is we need to pray for the Valley actively. God wants to connect with us, He wants to talk with us, and He longs for relationship with us. All of us.

Where is the Valley that I refer to?

The Ottawa Valley’s geography covers 300 square kilometres in eastern Ontario, with rich agricultural land, and shared values. More than half the Ottawa Valley is wilderness, 6 million acres of fresh waterways, rolling woodlands and dramatic landforms. Culture is not static, but evolving, and those who settled in the Ottawa Valley developed their own ethos, or way of life as they settled into new land with many obstacles. Today many familiar with the Valley dynamic and its people, would say it is a culture unto itself. Many even recognize a slight accent unique to Valley folk. Charity, community, extended family, industriousness, reliability, closeness to the land, and music all are threads connecting Valley culture.

The Valley also has a spiritual heritage. Many main line churches were vibrant at one time, and God has worked deeply in people's lives in signs, wonders, and healings on many occasions. There have been distinct times in the early 1900's and 1970's when God's healing power was evident is mass numbers. (More posts about these times to come).

The EXCITING news is that it seems there is a special time approaching again for the Valley people. Many people have invested their hearts in prayer - praying that God would heal people's bodies, emotional hurts, addictions, family turmoil. I'll be clear, God can do this at anytime and anywhere...and he does! However, there is historical president that there are times when God's power intervenes in people's lives in an increased fashion - usually after a period of time where people are praying.

Prayer. . .
God, I thank you for where you have planted and placed me. I thank you for the Valley and the people you have arranged here in this generation and this time in history. I pray and echo the prayers prayed from my heart and others for years that you would revive the hearts of children, teens, women, men, grandpa's and grandma's and awaken them to you love from their lives. I pray your truth would be a light that shines bright in dark places, where confusion, hurt, sickness, and brokenness are. I pray you would extend compassion and healing to the sick. I pray that more and more people's minds and hearts would be open towards you, so that they can experience the God of love, comfort, healing and eternity now in their present situations. I pray that the trickle that has started with healings and salvations would flood the valley like a tsunami wave. Increase the work of the Holy Spirit - renew every heart and bring freedom from sickness, brokennes, envy, pride, slander, abuse, addiction, self-hatred, perversion of sexuality, and family turmoil. In every corner of the Valley, and in every heart reveal your love and truth.

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8 [Message]

(http://www.valleyrenewal.blogspot.com/)

Creative Evangelism

2010-07-19T10:11:00.002-04:00

Today's post made my day. Click below for post.

If you can't spankem' join em. From Jamie Wright The Very Worst Missionary.

Thank you Ben for introducing this gem :)
Enjoy!

Ruth

2010-07-15T09:55:00.006-04:00

What a little beauty, both inside and out. This is my niece Ruth.

Jeff's sister's daughter. We've missed her as she has been with her family up - way up North teaching. It was her first year in kindergarten and she enjoyed the new friends she made. It so fun to watch her grow.

We discovered she is blossoming into a little actress. She was visiting and we thought that showing her my grand parents miniature horses would be a hit. (And they were!!) As I was trying to take pics of her and Cuba, she was making different faces, pretending she was a farmer, and eating grass like the horse...this was hilarious. She's full of life, creativity, compassion, questions, gentleness, service, faith, and adventure. She knows how to make people smile and laugh. What a gift!

We're excited for more visits this summer!

I was going to write in the list of Ruth's apparent attributes a good friend. But that's is what "Ruth" means - and she is true to her name. She is a good friend. I think its a spiritual gift being cultivated. Being a good friend is a gift to others. Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times. I also think for a young girl, she knows that material things are not what life is about, but rather relationship, and God's heart. It's expressed in a 6 year old kind of way, but its there.

Something else that struck me was that our Ruth and Ruth of the Bible have some similarities, even though there is over 3,000 years between them. She is living up north in a first nations community. She is learning the culture and going to school with a different people group. This is so fabulous for her, and I imagine will have something to do with her future. I'm sure God will use her as a blessing to the first nations people. Ruth of the Bible was a woman who started the most famous lineage of Kings...King David's great-grandmother and she wasn't even Jewish. God uses the unlikely to accomplish amazing things.

We bless you Ruth and pray that you will be a strong woman in God's kingdom in spirit and in truth.
Keep hope alive it will make you spirit and heart healthy (Prov. 13:12); keep your vibrant life shining; keep being a good friend; keep your vibrant energy intact; keep being curious; keep telling your friends about Jesus' love; keep dreaming; keep your heart for all peoples soft; keep talking to God in everyday life; and keep God first (Matt. 6:33). Keep serving God in all ages and stages, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12. You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139), and God is going to reveal himself to you and through you. And as you "keep growing," know that God is faithful to you - He's always there for you.

Love, Aunt KiKi.

Water Bottles.

2010-07-12T13:56:00.005-04:00

Buckle up and I’ll take you on my car drive this morning. Truthfully I was glad I was buckled in as I watched and braked for crazy dangerous passing on the road. Note to dangerous passers, if you put me, yourself, or others in danger, you will hear my horn! :) Sorry...side note.

Well that’s how the drive started. But it got more peaceful after that. I was enjoying the sun, fluffy swollen clouds, and greenery. My mind is always so active when I drive, thinking of the future. I was thinking of the crab bucket effect, where people succeed and others try to pull them down to their level. I was thinking in broader terms of how others can try to simplify or reduce dreams, success, plans, ideas of others. I live quite the opposite. The thought that kept reoccurring was while others have a reductionist condition in life where they try to reduce everything to the lowest common denominator. I like seeing things and people’s potential with exponents. Exponential growth, potential, healing, joy, excitement, value, etc.

My thoughts shifted to giving. Some people naturally and freely like to give, while it is difficult for others.

I was finished getting groceries this morning and had them loaded into the car when I saw this young boy, 14 maybe, working for the town. He was painting metal flower pots. I was in the car and set to go and thought, this boy needs some water it is so hot out. Then I thought, I was in a rush…which I really wasn’t. Then I thought, I never have change in my wallet, so the vending machine won’t work. I put the car in reverse, but I couldn’t pull away. I thought, I’ll look in my wallet and see if I do in fact have change (which I never do). I looked in and there was a $1.50. Wow I was impressed that there were actually coins in there. So I wandered back inside and behold, the water was a $1.50. I approached the boy and told him how good of a job he was doing and said I really thought he needed some water and to have a good day. He looked surprise and relieved….with a puzzled stare. He didn’t bring any food or water with him and he just said a little prayer in his mind for some water because he was so hot. This is the tiniest and simplest of acts…but these little things add up. It wasn’t about the water bottle, it was timing, and obedience and about this young man discovering God cared for him personally. I have a feeling God is in the process of revealing himself to this young boy. He’s breaking through time and space with bottles of water to say, “I hear you, and I see you.”

This is what God does in our lives when we watch for him – he reveals him self in simplicities. This is what God does through our lives when we serve Him in obedience. But God reveals himself in many ways – but often through generosities of people!!!
I’m aware that the Bible doesn’t encourage sharing about giving – that’s why I’ll just share my water story this morning. But there is also need for people who love Jesus to share their stories to encourage, build faith, and cultivate hope. Giving a cup of cold water in Jesus name is still effective, weather figuratively or literally.

Proverbs 18:16 (NIV) says, “A gift opens the way for the giver…” The NLT says it this way, “Giving a gift can open doors…”

A gift goes before the giver and makes way for encouragement, truth, and affirmation. A gift says, I care, you matter – you have value, I see you.

I’m thankful for how my parents raised me. They are some of the most generous people I know. I will not publicly tell their stories of giving, but there are numerous. I do think that some people have a specialty in giving perhaps, however, we are all called to give and be generous. I believe the Bible talks about in regards to our personal resources -good stewardship which I think is good money management with kingdom mindedness, and generosity.

Sampling of Scripture:

"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." 1 Corinthians 8:2

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 1 Corinthians 9:11

"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely." Psalm 112:5

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Prov. 22:9

"... but the righteous give generously." Psalm 37:21

Matthew 19:18-24 says,
A youthful rich man asks Jesus what is actions are best in life to gain eternal life…Jesus responds with this extreme statement: "Jesus replied, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Basically, all we have is God’s. We must be willing to lay it down to him and use it for him. Matthew 6: 19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is not to say that you are to starve, Jesus also talks about providing for each of our needs, food, clothes, etc. In Matthew 6 he tells us that if he cares for and feeds the birds of the air, how much more will he care for us!! But if you read further He also says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 – my life verse!

God has led me to give, often, and randomly. (I've also received randomly too!) Actually, the random is the key word and pattern I’ve found. Random things, money, people, places, times, and faces. The times I have obeyed have opened up doors to people’s hearts that have been amazing. The point is not really for their hearts to be opened to me specifically, but to God’s love, peace, joy and hope for their lives! It’s amazing what generosity can do. I think that generosity should be share amongst believers, but even more so with those who need to know Jesus!

I will briefly note that giving is almost always good. The bible also puts some qualifiers out there – giving a cup of water in Jesus name….its for him to reveal him. Its not about our hands, our motives, to get noticed, or to gain favor for ourselves. Its about good relationships, with one another and God.

What sorts of “water bottles” are you giving out today? Who needs you and your gifts?!
Gifts are to bless, encourage, equip, build unity, meet a need, and to share God’s love. Transformation comes through a generous heart, a gift that can open the way for God’s love.

I love how God tells us to give hilariously (original Greek word for cheerfully), as seen in 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15:

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Wether you are giving financially, over your time, your skill, your heart - give it with fullness and passion. Whether you give over seas, support missions, local community projects, women's centers, youth project, or to individual impoverished hearts...be a cheerful giver.

::::::::::::::::::: Thank you to all who have graciously and humbly given to me in my times of need….you are loved, thought of often, and I thank God for you – you know who you are ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Strap on Your Wings

2010-07-08T09:17:00.000-04:00

In reading this morning's devotional thoughts in Desert Streams by L. B. Cowman, I thought I would share them.

"There is a fable about the way birds first got their wings. The story goes that initially they were made without them. Then God made the wings, set them down before the wingless birds, and said to them, "Take up these burdens and carry them." The birds had sweet voices for singing, and lovely feathers that glistened in the sunshine, but they could not soar in the air. When asked to pick up the burdens that lay at their feet, they hesitated at first. Yet soon they obeyed, picked up the wings with their beaks, and set them on their shoulders to carry them.

For a short time the load seemed heavy and difficult to bear, but soon, as they continued to carry the burden and to fold the wings over their hearts, the wings grew attached to their little bodies. They quickly discovered how to use them and were lifted by the wings high into the air. The weights had become wings.

This is a parable for us. We are in the wingless birds, and our duties and tasks are the wings God uses to lift us up and carry us heavenward. We look at our burden and heavy loads, and try to run from them, but if we will carry them and tie them to our hearts, they will become wings. And on them we can then rise and soar towards God."

Now, we know that Jesus is the lifter of our heads, and he promises to carry our burdens. However, there is a nugget of inspirational thought in this message that pain has a purpose, and that perseverance has rewards. Over and over again the scriptures encourage us to look at trials differently that the rest of the world. We are to 1) anchor with faith 2) persevere 3) pray with thanksgiving 4) grow in Godly character 5) grow in relationship with Jesus 6) cultivate hope 7) soar with His grace 8) share your God story to build hope in others.

Strap on your wings.

::::::::::::::flap your wings, change your world :::::::::::::::::::::::::;
Check Archives for related post: "Soar Higher."

Transformation.

He's Got It

2010-06-29T09:13:00.005-04:00

This morning laying in bed I started to think about how God graciously handles my honesty, life challenges, and worries. My mind started to consider bigger facets of God like his omnipresence, and omniscience. This is a practice I find myself doing time to time – laying still and trying to wrap my mind around realities of eternity and the BIGNESS of God. I’ll be honest after a couple minutes I usually feel like my head’s going to explode and I’m breathing heavy – it’s just too much to grasp. When I was younger I marveled at how God could answer all the prayer requests billions of people must have. Hum…I still marvel at that. It’s awe inspiring, and almost scary at the same time. I suppose that combination sums up the fear of the Lord. It’s a profound respect, in awe-ness and fascination with his BIGNESS. Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

Jeremiah 32:17 says, He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite Psalm 147:4-5 tell us, God is above all gods in heaven above or earth beneath. Isaiah 40:15 reads, Before Him, the nations are as a drop of a bucket and are counted as the small dust of the balance.

I then started to think about all that’s going on in our world, from the environment (oil spill, ozone, drought, flood, quakes), to government (corruption, abortions, justice) to violence (genocide, sex crimes, war, murder, family abuse), poverty (sickness, starvation, families on welfare, dirty drinking water), and the church (need for mission mindedness, keeping true to God’s Word, and truly loving others). Not to mention all those who truly need Jesus’ transforming power in their hearts and lives. My head started to hurt again…its so much. This is what I said to God, overwhelmed in with only my frail finite understanding, “Wow, God you’ve got a lot on your plate.” I was humored at my own flip statement, but my heart instantly felt the Lord saying, I’ve got the whole world in my hands. Even when we can’t understand what that entails or how that could be – faith must accept, that he not only has you and me in his care, but he has the whole world in His hands.

I remember Mike Couper telling Jeff and I a story about seeing some atrocities and suffering on a missions’ trip that had him in deep contemplation. I will never forget the simple and yet so profound lesson he shared from those moments where God reminded him that He knows the beginning from the end. We can often only see the middle, life in process, beauty and ugly mixed together, suffering, sickness, – but God sees the whole picture. His plans are for redemption, salvation, healing, and justice will prevail. He’s got the whole world in His hands.

How amazing is He? He’s every where. He’s big enough to fill the earth and to touch the farthest solar system. He’s small enough to live in our hearts. He’s knows enough that He could recall the numbers of grains of sand on the planet and tell you how many strands of hair are on your head. He IS justice and does not condone sin, yet He forgives and does not condemn us when we express our sorry hearts. He sees the evil that goes on in the earth under His heaven and still loves. He sees everything we’ve ever done, thought or spoke, and He still loves us. Nothing scares away God’s love from us, nothing. He’s got the whole world in His hands.

Butterfly Effect

2010-06-24T14:08:00.012-04:00

Small changes can have large influences. Do you believe that? Mundane actions can produce miraculous outcomes. Do you consider that? Subtle shift in circumstances can create large outcomes.

Again and again I hear stories of people whose lives were changed by an act of kindness from someone willing to take a risk, sacrifice some time, and extend themselves and their resources.
The Butterfly Effect is the phenomenon whereby a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere that stems from the chaos theory. The theory’s premise is that everything matters. If you change even the smallest of life's details, you completely change its outcome. The butterfly effect according to PBS is “a name given to the extreme sensitivity of chaotic systems, in which small changes or perturbations lead to drastically different outcomes.” The butterfly illustration is given that it is possible for a butterfly flapping its wings in California, to initiate a pattern of change that could change the weather formation of a thunderstorm in Nebraska. A butterfly flapping its wings in South America can affect the weather in Central Park.

A couple weeks ago I was at my spot studying and I saw two tiger swallow tail butterflies hanging out together. They were beauties, vibrant in yellow with black markings. Their paper wings so delicate and yet influential. I was reminded of the butterfly effect metaphor, and thought if each person really caught a hold of the idea that small efforts can produce, influence, affect and build positive change, then we’d see some amazing transformations in people’s lives. There would be less poverty, increase in peace, ripples of charity, more relational healing, and freedom for the oppressed. There would be more truth and love expressed among mankind - between you and your neighbor, family member or stranger. There would be less violence, selfishness, and greed. The Church would be more outward focused on redemption and restoring hurting people. Believers would be less consumed things, insecurities, jealousy, and self advancement and kingdom mindedness could take root.

Simple words and actions with intentionality can impact a heart, community and country. I think of a family about 8 years back that I have been praying for. They had struggles in life, and needed the hope that God could give them. I saw the mother often. I really didn’t get to chat with her, but I was always sure to say, “hi.” It was a couple months later, randomly their whole family sat in church and filled a pew. I wept at the answer of prayer, knowing the God in their life circumstances would produce hope. She came up to me, and I asked he what brought them to church this morning. She said, it was your smile. You always smiled at me and said hi – there was just something about your smile that made me feel so loved.

My heart took in a profound message that morning. Be intentional with the little things.

What about that letter you feel led to write, the stranger you feel compelled to talk to, or that program you think you could volunteer to help with. What about extending yourself to that co-worker, or cooking a meal for a family in need? What about mentoring that young person, or cutting your neighbors lawn? What about going and praying for that sick person? How about the person that you feel led to give the money you have in your pocket, and when you do, they break down because its exactly what they needed that day. I've been on the receiving end of those miracles, and they can tangibly show people that God sees their situation, hears their cry for help and that His is intervening in their lives. It speaks to the distant heart - God is for you, not against you. Filling a need, giving affirmation, giving an opportunity, taking time with a young or old, and praying with people goes along way! 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well..."

Consistency and relationship are where it’s at, but random acts of kindness for those you encounter is under rated. Those divine moments can be profound for the person on the receiving end.

Be intentional with your interactions. If you feel a twinge in your heart to write a letter, stop and pray with someone, give some encouragement, give a gift, or smile – do it with God’s heart and the ripple effects may continue to produce amazing affect in someone’s life.

The key to being the most effective agent of change - be clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 6:8; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 4:20; ). When we extend ourselves, we must do so with good motives, humble hearts, and drawing strength and grace from God. Lasting change does not come merely from what human means can offer, but from what God can offer as His spirit works in and through our lives. He adds His super to our natural. One of my professors suggested that when we fear stepping outside our comfort zone to do the work of God, we are actually being selfish. We are concerned about our image, performance, and outcomes. However, outcomes are in God’s hands, and we are only to be concerned with how we represent Jesus, he takes care of the rest. Use your ability, “if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:8

Butterfly moments can create the atmosphere for transformation.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Flap You Wings, Change Your World::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. John 14:11-12 (MSG)

Let’s truly consider and embrace Jesus’ words. How much of an impact can we have on others living like He did? Step out in humble faith and obedience.

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Transformation.

(Picture taken of my two little friends at the beach)

Uniquely You - Gifting Part I

2010-06-23T17:27:00.010-04:00

Uniquely You – Gifting Part I

Perhaps part of my gifting is recognizing and fanning to flame other people gifts, but I also think it is due to my early life experience. When I look back, I had a lot of responsibility at a young age. This was largely due to a few key people who saw what God wanted to establish in me and took time to encourage me, mentor me, and to give me opportunity to use my gift. A youth leader, pastor, piano teacher, and a women's leader. I am thankful for these people in my life.

Caroline Leaf’s book, The Gift In You, talks about how our gifts are formed from a neurological/scientific and spiritual point of view. She states,

Butterfly

2010-06-23T16:22:00.003-04:00

Hi Friend! I have been so busy with work and school work, and have not been able to post latley, but I do have new blogs coming!

What a day of drama for me so far! First let me comment of my afternoon. Not only have I enjoyed visits with people I have not seen for a while, but also a visit by an earthquake! Eastern Ontarians were visited by a 5.5 earthquake today which is rare for us. It’s quite the buzz. My house shook pretty good. Tonight there are severe weather watches and tornado warnings. The earth is providing some entertainment that’s for sure!

However, this morning was a rough morning. I had an uncomfortable moment at work, that just reminded me of an uncomfortable season in life. As I returned to the class where I was working, there was a movie playing, “Winn Dixie.” It’s such a cute movie. As I sat there internally recollecting myself, my thoughts and emotions were ripe. My internal dialogued to myself and to was about frustration. Why did I have to be doing something I was not called or created to do for such a long season? This statement is loaded with so much more than one frustrating morning, but it triggered the thought. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m so thankful for my job that unfortunately ends this week, however, I was having a morning.) Instantly, in the moment after I considered those questions out of heart ache, Dave Matthews sang his butterfly song in the movie….that second I heard,

“You are like a butterfly, A Caterpillars dream to fly. So bust out of this old cocoon, And dry your wings off. Butterfly Go ahead, and fly. Its always such a lonely loom. Its sudden like a broken bone, And your luck wont always come along so dry your tears away, Butterfly Go ahead and fly dry your tears away – Butterfly. Don’t you, Cry.”

God’s timing is never by accident, always intentional. I was thankful for this little moment, where he used something significant to my heart, in the middle of class to whisper, “Daughter, it's ok, I see you…I see your pain, and I’m here. Fly free.”

Hope rises,

Wings are ready,

Lord help me to fly.

Keep dreaming friend, and if you are in a season of waiting, know that God can use your moments of frustration to teach you, comfort you, and to point out something you may not notice otherwise. He is a redeemer. He redeems us moment by moment.

Transformation.

Under a Tree

2010-05-13T16:36:00.005-04:00

Hi Friends,

I have not posted in a couple weeks - not because I don't have anything to say...I think if you know me by now, I'm a talker! Ha! I have started a temporary job in the mornings and have been finishing finals with my schooling. There are lots of interesting observations I've been making, but I'll post more about that soon.

This morning I was met at my bus duty with a surprise. There he was. A junior kindergarten student talking on a cell phone. Yes, it was his! What next?! If work has confirmed anything it is that kindergartens are the scariest little tikes on the planet :) They are so full of energy, new found verbage, and tattle tailing! They are cute, but require much!

Anyways, I am loving spring . . .God's revelation of love to my life each day, and all the blessings he gives me. I'm looking forward to this summer I have some fun courses coming up, and I am getting closer to the finish line.

I'm looking forward to playing catch, bike rides, time at a cottage, and summer BBQ's to punctuate all the time my nose is in a book! School requires much!

This summer I will be plunked under a lush tree. Dreaming, studying, thinking of all that can be...planning, praying for you and me.

Jeff and I are still praying into what God has laid on our hearts for ministry and the future...if the Holy Spirit prompts you, would you pray for us. Thank you! :)

Grave Digging

2010-04-28T14:14:00.007-04:00

It seems lately I’ve noticed a lot of digging going on. For some reason my peripheral attention has highlighted deep dark holes and tall mounds of dirt.

It is sobering to see a grave being prepared. I feel deep emotions. I’m familiar with the grave yard. No, I didn’t star in twilight, but my mother who’s into genealogy in a big way always stopped at any grave yard she saw to record information. To account for a life lived. Furthermore, oddly enough, I find graveside’s a place of prayer and reflection. The juncture where heaven and earth seem to meet, life and death, the temporal and eternal.

Death is unpleasant, it just is. When I see those shovels and back hoes, digging up earth, it digs up feelings in me for the family, reflective thoughts, and wonder of what that person’s life was like. That final resting place is profound.

This past Sunday Jeff and I visited our favorite church, the Family Life Christian Center. Pastor Richard preached on persecution with great insight and conviction. The truth is great persecution happens in grotesque occurrences moment by moment across the continents. However, often in North America, it is more in a political, exclusionary or subtle in fashion. Most of us will face some form or persecution, but (separation because of faith) but all of us have stories about maltreatment, interpersonal conflict, abuse, harassments, imposition of control, betrayal or loss. These things are symptoms of death. Spiritual death. They all sting.

When I drove past and saw another grave being dug today, I thought of so many people that are buried alive.

There are beautiful souls smothered with ugly death. There is a mound of dirt keeping them down, depressed, in darkness, struggling to find hope, air, and to live a healthy functioning life. That might sound extreme, but it is a image of many individuals and families today. Swallowed up by symptoms of death, gripped in deep pits of despair and are covered over with hurt and voices of condemnation.

I’ve spoke with many people in various contexts lately who’ve had troubles with deep hurts. From children with broken homes, pastors with intense life situations, to grown men being harassed at work. They all are frustrated, tired, hurt, and desperate for a solution. I really sympathize, as I’ve had trials at different points in life. In fact, there are still people who would treat me a certain way that would provoke tears. I would add many tears. But what I realized is that I was crying for myself. I think a mark of spiritual growth is when our tears are for those who inflict pain, and those who are persecutors. Not to say that we never grieve, but when our hearts break for those who hurt because they are hurting, deceived, or lack Jesus in their life. There is power when our tears turn toward our trespassers.

In the Lord’s prayer, Matthew 6:12 says, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors.” (Amplified). Big statement eh?

Here’s two more big statements:
(1) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14

(2) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

The psalms speak in majority about God’s wonders and His praise, but also about enemies. The psalms give us encouragement in discouraging situations:

All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. Psalm 119:68

Have mercy upon me and be gracious to me, O Lord; consider how I am afflicted by those who hate me, You Who lift me up from the gates of death. Psalm 9:13 (Amplified).

Give thought to this: But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

When I consider those who seem to be affected by the symptoms of the fall – sin and death, it seems like some are held in the grips of two graves – one that is paralyzed by hurt, and one that is paralyzed by sin in need of Salvation. We all need freedom from both. But many Christians have salvation, but still seem to be in the grave.

Christ not only came to save us, but to uncover us. What did Adam and Eve do first after they sinned, but covered up in shame. Jesus wants to dig us out of the grave of hurt, shame, and condemnation. He has come to help us endure and overcome sufferings. He wants to help us with those who persecute us. He wants to be greater assurance, peace, and freedom. He desires us to rise up from our grave beds, and live a life worthy of our calling/purposes. Jesus did not stay in the grave, and he died so we don’t have to either, not here, and not in eternity.

"God loves to bring good out of bad. He loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections. Every obstacle is an opportunity. Every problem has potential. Every crisis is an opportunity for ministry. Every hurt God wants to use for His glory.” Rick Warren

When Lazarus was raised from the grave, immediately he took his ‘grave clothes’ off. He took off the staleness of death and began living new life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

As I watched a program last night and saw this precious high school aged girl say that she was not worth anything, and that she couldn’t succeed at anything, I cried, I bawled my eyes out actually…she had been bullied/persecuted all her life, and had a bad parental system…she actually believed she was worthless. She was in a grave, buried with shame, hurt, lies, unhealthy relationships and self hatred. She so badly needs the truth, to know how much God loves her and has given her a purpose and sees her worth and her hurt. She also needs to be able to forgive, and walk forward without grave clothes on. She needs to be made new, and the good news is that Jesus can do that in all of us. My heart so wants to help the hurting and my prayer for them: “Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.” Psalm 143:9

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:7-9

Thank you Lord that your take our mess and make masterpieces, that you can transform hurt into healing. You are amazing Lord, and I love you. Help us to be uncovered and rise from graves of hopelessness. Help people to turn tears towards trespassers, and pray for those who persecute us.

Love you Jesus.

Streams In The Desert

2010-04-05T11:43:00.003-04:00

There have been a couple people extend themselves in special ways to me this past year. One gave me a wonderful devotional book called, "Streams In The Desert." I have been really enjoying the truth, reality, challenge and comfort this book presents.

I thought I'd share today's writings:

Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. (1 Kings 4:4)

"The widow and her two sons were to be alone with God. They were not dealing with the laws of nature, human government, the church, or the priesthood. Nor were they even dealing with God's great prophet, Elisha. They had to be isolated from every-one, separated from human reasoning, and removed from the natural tendencies to prejudge their circumstance. They were to be as if cast into the vast expanse of starry space, depending of God alone - in touch with the Source of miracles.

This is an ingredient in God's plan for dealing with us. We are to enter a secret chamber of isolation in prayer and faith that is very fruitful. At certain times and places, God will build a mysterious wall around us. He will take away all the supports we customarily lean upon, and will remove our ordinary ways of doing things. God will close us off to something divine, completely new and unexpected, and that cannot be understood by examining our previous circumstances. We will be in a place where we do no know what is happening, where God is cutting the cloth of our lives by a new pattern, and thus where He causes us to look to Him.

Most Christians lead a treadmill life - a life in which they can predict almost everything that will come their way. But the souls that God leads into unpredictable and special situations (and that follow) are isolated in Him. All they know is that God is holding them and that He is dealing in their lives. Then their expectations come from Him alone.

Like this widow, we must be detached from outward things, and attached inwardly to the Lord alone in order to see His wonders.

It is through the most difficult trials that God often brings the sweet discoveries of Himself.

'God sometimes shuts the door and shuts us in, That He may speak, perhaps through grief or pain, And softly, heart to heart, above the din, May tell someone precious through to us again.'" L.B. Cowman

This feels like part of my story, and perhaps its part of yours too. I ususally caution people about isolation, because I believe it can be the enemy's play ground. But when God leads us into a season that is closed off...if we trust him and keep our hearts close to him, he will bring about a fruitful harvest in our lives. Good things will come of it! I'm thankful, and can tell you that in our season, which we've described as a cocoon season, God has been faithful, present, and has spoken precious words to our hearts. I pray that for you as well friend. Allow transforming beauty to take place in the alone times...be it a season, or minutes with Him in your day.

Eternity Is In His Embrace...

2010-04-03T14:24:00.008-04:00

Happy Easter!! Did you get your Easter Eggs? I did!! I am enjoying the Easter holiday with my family and Jeff. We're having just an awesome time together. But as you know, Easter is a great time not just because of family and the amazing weather we are having, but also because of what Jesus accomplished 2000 years ago that changed man's relationship with God forever...for the better!!!

I'm thankful to Jesus for securing eternity for me and you. The bible tells us that heaven is available to all....all who would, "confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Jesus died to set our relationship right with God! But not only has he secured eternity for those with faith in Jesus, but also opened the way for daily relationship with God. This is a thought from today:

Ever get a dirty look from someone? Not just a sarcastic jest from a friend, but a look full of despising intent from an opposer? Man, doesn't it sends chills? Different people may have different reactions...and the motivation behind the look speaks more than the act itself. Some people may cower in fear. Some people's fight or flight mechanisms engage, while others get bitter and plot revenge.

One thing that is a great reminder about Easter is that Jesus sympathizes with our discomforts in life, our hurts, temptations, and even having enemies. ("For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Heb. 4:15). The good news is that He is qualified to help us overcome temptation, sin, and hurt because he was a sinless man...perfect. Even when throughout his ministry, adult life, and ultimately the events leading to his death, his enemies raged, he relied on His heavenly father for strength not to sin. He kept focused on the goal and purpose of his earthly mission - that mission was to die for the mess we all are, and to create a way for men and women to come into God's presence without the taint of sin. Eternity is in his embrace. He endured suffering of all kinds, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and brutal death by Crucifixion with you and me in mind. His love is great...more than great, and more than my finite mind can totally take in.

Romans 5:6-8 tells us that Jesus died for sinful people - all of humanity...even before we loved him...he loved us first (1 John 4:19). The "Message" paraphrase puts Romans 5:6-8 this way: "Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him."

That's what amazes me about Jesus - his responses to people were always filled with living truth, transforming revelations, teachable moments, and tactile grace - eternity is in His embrace. The very people on Palm Sunday - the week before Jesus died, welcomed him with celebrations and waving palms (that symbolized victory and peace)....waged war and killed him 7 days later. Jesus had a lot of opposition even when he was doing good - straight through to the cross when people brutally beat him, and mocked him and killed him. He still responded with love not hate. Profound.

"Christ's triumph was in His humiliation. And perhaps our triumph will also be revealed through what others see as humiliation." Margaret Bottome

The very object of the enemies hate became the source of love and rescue for them. Which had me thinking this week of Job, Joseph, David...etc...and others in the Bible...and its plea to love enemies, and to pray for them...the object of the enemy...the big target...often become the source of grace and love with a Christ like mindset. Jeff preached a couple weeks ago on enemies with great wisdom from Jesus example, and said, we must stand up to our enemies but not retaliate. I've loved this verse from Exodus 14:14 -"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Victory is always in Jesus hands. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, "this is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in harships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

All of us will experience some kind of opposition in life....whatever your context is, Jesus brings hope. Philippians 3:10 tells us that we share in suffering with Jesus, but we also have access through faith to his power and authority. His resurrection power that overcame death!! What could be more powerful? I was telling a bible study group a couple weeks ago...we need not forget that as we read of Jesus miracles...how he healed people of sin and sickness...spoke a word and paraplegics walked...that's the same Jesus who intercedes/prays for us (Rom. 8:34), and who loves us. He has not changed, nor his mission or intentions. His love does not disappoint or fail (Rom. 5:5)...

So not only is eternity in His embrace, but every waking moment. He died so I could live. He suffered so I can endure. When those looks come your way with menacing mocks...people who've started wild fires in your life, perhaps that crisis or conflict, or that sickness that is plaguing your body, or those finances that aren't there, or that stress at work, or the exhaustion from raising small children, or those broken relationships that keep you up at night....Jesus mends, heals, protects, provides, delivers, redeems, strengthens, and saves....eternity moment by moment is in his embrace.

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:5

The King made servant, became the servant made King.

Jesus bring Transformation!

Transforming Culture # 9 - Intimacy

2010-03-30T10:28:00.005-04:00

Cultivating a Culture of Intimacy #9

What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God” - Monica Baldwin

Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned the words, “Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways.” This to me, when applied to our relationship with God, is a picture of intimacy. A relationship that has: communication, praise, solitude, silence, song, worship, service, awe, reverence, and curiosity become more intimate. Just as you build a relationship with a friend, or with a spouse, one must invest time and self. But intimacy with God involves acknowledging his divine nature in our lives. I believe it is out of our intimate time spent with God, that the fruit of the spirit is refined, and our daily activities become blessed and anointed. Our inner culture must be touched with God’s presence. We must live in awe and wonder. Our perspective changes through being in God’s presence. Our worldview- the way we observe and interpret people and situation that surround us, aligns more with God’s heart.

Intimacy requires humility, surrender, and time. God will meet us. When I looked in my journal I discovered that most of the times that I had an opportunity to be significantly involved in someone’s salvation, spiritual transformation, service, or acts of compassion – it was near to time spent with God. I was refocused. and ready. Spending time with God wherever you are, in creative ways… on a walk with your ipod, in the car, in the park, on the farm, in your bedroom…just make it count with you and him. That special time is where he can speak, renew your mind, empower you with His spirit for his mission for you. Intimacy prepares us for effective service.

I will praise in the awesomeness of your presence, I will praise you when I feel all hope is gone, I will praise you in the troubled times, I will praise you until victory comes, I will praise you when hurt cuts deep, I will praise you despite my sin, I will praise you for the wonder’s you’ve made, I will praise you for your holy name, I will praise you for salvation’s call, I will praise you when all is still, I will praise you from the rush of dawn, I will praise you as I lay my head, I will praise you when others won’t, I will praise in your house, I will praise you for who you are, I will praise you for all you’ve done, I will praise you for lessons learned, I will praise you for all that you’ll teach, I will praise you for prosperous times, I will praise you for faith’s walk stretch, I will praise you for friends that are close, I will praise you for enemy’s sting, I will praise you for joy and laughter, I will praise you for overcoming grief, I will praise you for your revelation, I will praise you for illuminating truth, I will praise you for your Holy Spirit, I will praise you for your comforting hand, I will praise you for all that I am, I will praise you for all you’ll make be me, I will praise you for your cleansing stream, I’ll praise you for the blood of the lamb, I’ll praise you with the word of my testimony, I will praise you for multiplication, I will praise you for your delivering hands, I will praise you for healing, I will praise your for your holy ways, I will praise you with all that I am, all I am worth, and everything that I will become – I praise you. The More you get to know God, the better you will be at telling others who He is. The Valley, Ontario, Canada and beyond needs you to have an intimate relationship with God.

Ps. 45:11; Rev. 19:7; Ps. 139:14,17,18; Ps. 149:3; Jn. 15:13; Ps. 116;1; Job 8:21; Ps. 18:1,2,6,16,19; Is. 43:2; Ps. 104:33,34; Ps. 9:1,2; Phil. 4:19; Ps. 145:13; Ps. 32:8; Dt. 20:4; Matt. 11:28; Ps. 23:1-3; Ps. 147:3; Ps. 5:3

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1

Too many of us have a Christian vocabulary rather than a Christian experience. – Charles F. Banning

Transforming Culture # 8 - Prayer & Worship

2010-03-22T11:38:00.005-04:00

“We have become a generation of people who worship our work, who work at our play, and who play at our worship.” – Charles Swindoll

Our call to worship God and communicate with Him, and to cultivate a relationship is an obvious one. Yet, so many people struggle to consistently carve out time in their lives to do so. However, this is foundational to changing your inner culture, and influencing the culture that surrounds you.

I’m wired to be a relational person, and so prayer and worship are some of my favorite times during the day. My most intimate times with God in my car…I purposefully go out for prayer drives. I love how God speaks to me through nature. I’d encourage you to find out what setting is most conducive for you with God and listen for His voice. There is so much God can tell us if we listen. Perhaps words of encouragement, correction, revealing someone to pray for, or an act of kindness that he needs our hands and feet for.

Other than the Word of God, I believe prayer and worship are prime vehicles to bring about unity, break spiritual bondages, nourish our spiritual hunger, and to provide a context for God to reveal more of His character and will. God is worthy and giving Him our worth-ship is what He created us to do. We need to evaluate out lives, weeks, and days, and ask ourselves, how well are we doing what we were created for? The more our spirits are saturated with God’s presence, and carry with us the glimpse of the awesome power of God, the more we will impact the people around us. This will empower us to reach out with action, speak truth, tell our God stories, and do radical acts of love and compassion that will turn people to Christ.

Many times when I have prayed and worshipped in my car, God has lead me to certain places where I have got to witness to people. The more we transform our lives into one that includes prayer and worship, the more likely we will be ready to minister to the individuals around us – at school, at work, and at home.

Prayer: Mt. 7:7,8; Matt. 21:22; Is. 30:19; 1; Jn. 5:14-15; Jn. 14:13,14; Is. 65:24; Job 22:27; Js. 5:16; Mt. 6:6; Worship: Dan. 3:28;Ps. 30:12; Mt. 14:33; Jn. 4:23; Jn. 9:38; Rom. 12:1; Heb. 12:28; Js. 4:8; Rev. 11:16

“In our narcissistic, self-obsessed culture, Worship of God is the Church’s most RADICAL, counter-culture.” Rick Warren

Transforming Culture #7 - Repentance & Reconciliation

2010-03-18T11:59:00.003-04:00

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Theresa

Jesus said in John 13:35 that they will know us by our love. “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other (MSG)." If God shows grace to people who hurt or hate me, who am I to refuse to do it? "A servant must be like his master" (Matthew 10:25).

It is important to settle the past, embrace the present, and believe in the future. This requires a heart that is willing to regularly get a full detail job, cleansing it from the sin that easily entangles us. We all know that keeping a clean heart before God is important to our relationship with Him and others. However, without frequent self evaluation, decay can build up. Psalm 24 tells us that those who want relationship with God must have clean hands and a pure heart. Confession is key to changing our inner culture.

As we maintain a right relationship with God, it also includes maintaining right relationships with self and others. This is challenging but God’s plan is for us to reconcile with each other, and lead others to reconcile with God. Forgiveness does not always include reconciliation, but it is optimal. The Christ like response to personal attacks: “When they tell evil lies about us, we speak nice words about them” (1 Cor.4:13). 1 Corinthians 5:17-19 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” The Valley is in desperate need for believers to go beyond themselves and do the ministry of reconciliation. This can be messy, takes patience, you won’t do it perfectly, and requires love that God must equip us with. “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” Mother Theresa

Going through the motions doesn't please you; a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. Ps. 51:17 (MSG)

How else but through a broken heart may the Lord Christ enter in. – Oscar Wilde

Rom. 5:10,11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Matt. 5:24; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20-22; Matt. 3:2-11; Matt. 4:17; Matt. 12:41; Mark 4:1; Lk. 5:17; Lk. 17:3; Lk. 24:47; Acts 3:19; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10; 2 Tim.2:25; 2 Pet. 3:9; Matt. 5:44

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” - Mother Theresa

Deprived Delight - Lent Reflections from 09'

2010-03-18T11:34:00.004-04:00

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio I think has expressed the heart of Lent with the overcoming strategies of Jesus in the desert.

Delayed gratification prepares us for gratitude.

I hope your deprived state finds you in the delight of Christ’s work on the cross for the salvation of the world.

Preparation.Journey.Reflect.Gratitude.Anything for my Jesus.Transformations.

Crushed and Created...Taigan Bombay

2010-03-16T14:14:00.001-04:00

Take a listen...amazing song.
Well done Taigan!!

Transforming Culture # 5 + 6 - Athenticity & Curiosity

2010-03-16T12:34:00.005-04:00

Cultivating a Culture of Authenticity #5

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” - Albert Einstein.

Authentic empowerment is knowing that you are on purpose, doing God's work, peacefully and harmoniously. The authentic self is the soul made visible...for others to see. Living a congruent life leads to authenticity – being true to you and true to God.

The culture around us is full of seekers and skeptics. The skeptic can quickly win out. They are also highly skeptical of Christians. How could we really blame them from some of the people who have mis-represented Christ, and how the media spins a web religious fanaticism around those who are faith based. (not to mention the legitimate religious fanatics who are crazy!) An authentic, real person without putting on heirs is so refreshing to this generation. They can sniff out a fake in milliseconds anyways. God calls us to be transformed in our thinking, to be more like Christ, but to also be uniquely ourselves in our personalities and gifts. I think portraying ourselves and God accurately is powerful. Authenticity is not to be mistaken with perfection, quite opposite, it is being courageous to admit faults and our need for Christ.

Our world has different models of success, however, a person serving God with how He’s uniquely shaped them is success. Insecurity plagues everyone to some degree, this can overshadow our true self. However, if we look to Jesus for our wholeness, He will provide us security and significance. Freedom to be ourselves and to love God openly is what the Valley needs. You can change the culture around us just by being true to you.

Job 2:3; Ps. 25:21; Ps. 41:12; Ps 11:7; Ps. 37:37; Prov. 2:7; Prov. 10:9; Prov. 13:6; Prov. 14:9; Prov. 16:17; Hab. 2:4; Mat. 22:16; Lk. 1:6; Titus 2:7,12; Titus 1:8

“The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” Ben Okri
________________________________________________________

Culture Of Curiosity #6

“Sometimes questions are more important than answers.” Nancy Willard

I think that curiosity is something that has to be a part of one’s spiritual make up. It is a motivation to learn and pursue God’s wisdom. Job 37:14 says, “stop and consider God's wonders.” Proverbs 15:14 says, “The discerning heart seeks knowledge.” I think we should be captivated with God, who He is, His character, and His creation. We shouldn’t fear asking questions, because behind good questions, are good answers.

I try to be curious on a number of levels, with God’s Word, His creation, and into the mind of the unbeliever. What kinds of questions would a skeptic ask? Would I know the answer? 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:8

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” - Albert Einstein

Transforming Inner Culture Series

2010-03-11T13:53:00.002-05:00

(Repost of Introduction...please skip if your have read it before.)

Ever since the Lord captured my heart as a young girl, I have longed to be apart of God’s redemption plan for the Valley...and beyond. The Lord has blessed me with many defining moments that have taken me on a path of preparation to share my faith with passion and conviction. I believe that you and I are living in a unique time on earth, and God has this generation in mind to act as ambassadors of reconciliation. We are surrounded by broken people struggling with broken relationships with God. They desperately need you and me to introduce them to the Healer and Savior.

As young adults of this generation, there are prose and cons to embrace and overcome as God’s representatives. We must overcome the extremes of independence and embrace community. We must overcome pseudo cultural norms, and embrace God’s truth in entirety. We must overcome the perversions of sexuality and embrace holiness. We must overcome fear and temptation, and embrace the peace of God that transcends our understanding. We must overcome the powers of darkness, and embrace God’s victory through the cross. We must overcome self sufficiency and embrace the empowerment of the holy spirit. We must overcome the delusion of business, and embrace time well spent in God’s presence. We must overcome the world’s ideal of success, and embrace God’s will – the highest honor of being included in his Kingdom plans. We must overcome living for temporal ideals and embrace eternity. We must overcome sin and embrace God’s forgiveness, righteousness, truth, and grace. We must overcome hording God’s truth to ourselves, and embrace those who need Jesus.

There is a dichotomy of things to overcome to keep balance in our lives, and our focus on Christ; however, there is much this generation has to offer. A relational group of people, willing to fight for a cause that is valuable to them, conscious of humanitarian efforts, and the environment. These are all honorable. If we could just align all those positives with God’s heart and Kingdom mission, amazing things would happen.As young adults you are in a stage of life where there are many decisions that will effect days in your faith journey to come. You are making valuable choices such as your Master, Mate and Mission. It’s a time where you are going to school, working, dreaming, and growing more intimate relationships.

You have a circle of influence as you carry the Kingdom with you in your daily interactions in the culture around you. There are things we can do as young adults to ensure we are spiritually healthy, and to impact the culture around you with the counter culture Jesus lived.Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Message puts it like this: “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

God wants to change the culture in you to change the culture around you...bringing love, hope and healing to a hurting generation.

Transformation,

Culture of the Cross # 4

2010-03-11T13:38:00.003-05:00

Transforming Our Inner Culture #4 - Culture of the Cross

“I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not even what I hope to be. But by the cross of Christ, I am not what I was.” – John Newton

The cross is the pivotal point in history. It marked the possibility of eternal life, freedom from our own bondage, and a great responsibility. On the cross – Jesus was a sin bearer, and now he calls us to do likewise. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said, “ to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.’” This is a challenging statement with many implications. What is the cross for? It is for those moments during the day when you have been offended, disregarded, hurt, when others transgressions come directly in your path… in those moments, we take down the cross, and get on it…we are crucified with Christ. The good news is we don’t stay there, because we also can know His resurrection power. We can forgive because of the power of the cross. The cross is “I” crossed out. Leo Tolstoy says, “He sends a cross, but He also sends the strength to bear it.” Andy Stanley, in his teaching, “My Life Rules,” points out that Christ forgave us, when we didn’t deserve it – we have no right to withhold it from others who likewise do not deserve forgiveness and second chances. You will change the culture around you as you embrace the message of the cross, carry your cross, and point people to the cross. Rick Warren Says, “If you want God's power & blessing on your ministry, you must be willing to absorb the pain of others without resentment. “

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

“The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness. What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.” Galatians 2:17-19 (MSG). Everything else in life pails in comparison to Christ and His work on the cross for our salvation

God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ''I love you – Billy Graham

Jn. 3:16;1 Cor. 1:17,18; Gal. 6:12,14; Eph. 2:16; Phil. 2:8; 3:18; Col. 1:20; 2:14,15; Heb. 12:2

The cross symbolizes a cosmic, as well as historic truth: Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one. – Reinhold Niebukr

Transforming Culture #3 - Gratitude & Dependency

2010-03-09T10:18:00.005-05:00

Transforming Your Inner Culture #3 - Gratitude & Dependency

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you? Sometimes gratitude overflows quite naturally when we recognize a gift, act of kindness, or a valued friend. Being thankful is more difficult when we are experiencing pain or loss. But Psalm 34 says to praise God at all times. Gratitude is an action and a choice, and takes perspective.

Gratitude is like an antibiotic for a depressed state of mind. God even tells us that the joy of our salvation is our strength. I’ve found this to be true in a very trying couple years of my life. There have been times where my list of things to be stressed about, even devastated about was large. But as I would apply Philippians 4:8…whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. my perspective would shift and the realities of distress would melt into God’s peace. Gratitude is riches but complaint bring poverty.

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” — Denis Waitley

When transforming your culture to an attitude of gratitude, it is likewise important to recognize that everything both physical and spiritual comes from the Lord, and we are so dependant on him. Rick Warren says, “You never know God is all you need until God is all you have.” We’ve been living a faith walk the past couple years in most categories in life, and God has showed us how to live with more dependency on Him. You can know intellectually that God is faithful, but to know with your heart and daily living is another story. He is able to heal, provide, bless, and arrange your life so that He is glorified and that you are a testimony to His character by your dependency on Him and thanksgiving to Him. People who can give without remembering and receive without forgetting are blessed.

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” — Epictetus

Thanksgiving: 1 Chron. 29:13; Deut. 15:10; Jer. 24:7; Ps. 7:17; Ps. 28:7; Ps. 35:18; Ps. 95:2; Ps. 105:1; Ps. 107:1; Ps. 118:21; 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 9:7-15; Col. 2:7;Col. 3:15,17; Col. 4:2; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 5:6; 1 Tim. 2:1

You never know God is all you need until God is all you have. - Rick Warren

Transform Your Inner Culture #2 - Purpose

2010-03-03T10:12:00.003-05:00

(see posts below for introduction and Transforming Culture #1)

Transform You Inner Culture #2 - Cultuer of Purpose.

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither. C. S. Lewis

Do you ever wonder about your purpose in life? This can be a fairly deep philosophical question, but the answer isn't too complicated. True purpose can be found only in matters that have eternal significance. You have a family, a job and a community where you live and share your life's purpose. God gave all these to you, and you are doing what you can to make your life worth it to all the people around you. You are exactly where God want you to be - at work, at home, in your community, and among your friends. A part of God's purpose for your life is to tell people about Him. Only God through Christ, can change a life for eternity, and he has called you to deliver that message to people around you. He has called you for that purpose.

Isn’t it amazing how we as believers do not have to run around aimlessly! We know on a macro scale what we are all here for. Now our individual gifts and part to play God’s Kingdom differ, but we are all called according to God’s purposes. He has a plan! Rick Warren says we are called to belong and not just believe. We all know Psalm 139 that tells us that God had plans for us even before we were born.

To be an influencer of the culture around you – you have to be purposeful. Not only know your purpose as a child of God, but also to be purposeful about engaging it. We all are called to make disciples, whether you do it as a store clerk, tradesman, farmer, student, Dr., accountant, friend, parent, health care aid or a church leader – we all are servants on the same mission. Anne Frank said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

C.S. Lewis writes, “Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, mission, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.”

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2
I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
Romans 9:17

Ps. 33:11; Ps. 57:2; Ps. 138:8; Prov. 19:21; Prov. 29:11; Rom. 8:28; Rom. 9:21; 1 Cor. 3:8; Eph. 1:11; Eph. 22; Phil. 2:13; Col. 2:2

“You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” - Rick Warren

Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. – C. S. Lewis

Transform Your Inner Culture Series

2010-03-01T17:07:00.002-05:00

Ever since the Lord captured my heart as a young girl, I have longed to be apart of God’s redemption plan for the Valley. The Lord has blessed me with many defining moments that have taken me on a path of preparation to share my faith with passion and conviction. I believe that you and I are living in a unique time on earth, and God has this generation in mind to act as ambassadors of reconciliation. We are surrounded by broken people struggling with broken relationships with God. They desperately need you and me to introduce them to the Healer and Savior.

As young adults of this generation, there are prose and cons to embrace and overcome as God’s representatives. We must overcome the extremes of independence and embrace community. We must overcome pseudo cultural norms, and embrace God’s truth in entirety. We must overcome the perversions of sexuality and embrace holiness. We must overcome fear and temptation, and embrace the peace of God that transcends our understanding. We must overcome the powers of darkness, and embrace God’s victory through the cross. We must overcome self sufficiency and embrace the empowerment of the holy spirit. We must overcome the delusion of business, and embrace time well spent in God’s presence. We must overcome the world’s ideal of success, and embrace God’s will – the highest honor of being included in his Kingdom plans. We must overcome living for temporal ideals and embrace eternity. We must overcome sin and embrace God’s forgiveness, righteousness, truth, and grace. We must overcome hording God’s truth to ourselves, and embrace those who need Jesus.

There is a dichotomy of things to overcome to keep balance in our lives, and our focus on Christ; however, there is much this generation has to offer. A relational group of people, willing to fight for a cause that is valuable to them, conscious of humanitarian efforts, and the environment. These are all honorable. If we could just align all those positives with God’s heart and Kingdom mission, amazing things would happen.

As young adults you are in a stage of life where there are many decisions that will effect days in your faith journey to come. You are making valuable choices such as your Master, Mate and Mission. It’s a time where you are going to school, working, dreaming, and growing more intimate relationships. You have a circle of influence as you carry the Kingdom with you in your daily interactions in the culture around you. There are things we can do as young adults to ensure we are spiritually healthy, and to impact the culture around you with the counter culture Jesus lived.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The Message puts it like this: “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

God wants to change the culture in you to change the culture around you...bringing love, hope and healing to a hurting generation.

Transformation,

Transform Your Inner Culture #1

2010-03-01T16:39:00.005-05:00

Transforming Your Inner Culture #1 - Culture of Sufferability

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

Ever volunteer to endure something painful? Not likely. I mean major examples could be donating a kidney, child birth, etc. But really not too often would an average person purposefully volunteer for a painful experience. I have been through lots of painful experiences, but few I chose ahead of time.

In our culture suffering is not viewed as a favorable condition. Most of us would agree. We’re big on social justice, and I agree believers are called to help alleviate corporate suffering and take care of widows, orphans and the sick. However, we can’t ignore the element of personal suffering to the Christian faith. Scripture tells us that Jesus identifies with our suffering, and we suffer to identify with him. Pain is God’s handy tool. If there is one promise in this life, other than we can experience God’s love and forgiveness through Christ, it is that we will experience pain and suffering as well. Pain has purpose in our lives.

Living a life for Christ is a counter-culture choice opposite to most of what we consider normal. Most people would look in the windows of a person’s life that seems without trial or any major hindrance, and would say that’s a blessing, but James writes something opposite: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4

Just take a look throughout all of scripture, from Adam and Eve, to Abraham and Moses, to Patriarchs and Kings, John the Baptist, the disciples, men and women of great faith, and the very Son of God - they all endured tragedy and trial. Indeed, just the fact that 2000 years later we would be reading these accounts of our forerunners – having them inspire our faith proves their pain had a purpose.

Philip Yancey says, "The Biblical pattern is so consistent that I must conclude the important issue facing Christian’s who suffer is not `Is God responsible,` but `how should I react to this terrible thing that has happened." I want to react with faith, trust and hope! I am so glad that God promises to work all things together for the good of those who love him! (Rom 8:29) And I am so glad that he takes the broken pieces of our lives and mends them together into a master piece –our pain has a purpose. This is where Hebrews 5:8 comes alive…that Jesus learned obedience by suffering. Changing our inner culture includes accepting suffering, refocusing our attention to Jesus reactions to suffering, and learning what God is teaching us through the process of pain. Where there is love, there is pain. Spanish Proverb.

The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not. - C. S. Lewis

They gave our Master a crown of thorns, why do we hope for a crown of roses? – Martin Luther.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:10,11

“We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ''Blessed are they that mourn.''” C. S. Lewis

Not Forgotten

2010-02-09T21:13:00.004-05:00

I haven't forgot about my blog. In fact there's much that I've wanted to write about, but this past month, many of those things I felt were for my heart to mull over.

I'm excited about this year! It's February already and God has been doing many great things in the hearts and lives and Jeff and I. We are letting encouragement sink in, and we continue to pray for God's best in our daily lives, and future. I've had speaking engagements here and there, and now it seems like Jeff and I are both getting invites together! Little by little, I see cracks in the restrictive cocoon walls, and beams of light that shine on dreams tucked away in preparation.

I continue to do my schooling. I'm such a now person, all this waiting has been a stretch for me. Even schooling, which is a blessing, can seem long some days. However, I've been enjoying getting closer to the finish line, and feeling more equipped to minister to broken lives. In all this we continue to faith walk, trusting God to provide for many things...we have some great testimonies, and yet it is stretching at times. Lots of great stories for a book...someday. God is faithful. We have been having amazing prayer times where the Holy Spirit has been speaking, healing, and renewing us! God even showed Jeff to pray for my ankle last week (I hadn't told him it was paining me) and instantly it was healed. So amazing to experience God's touch in so many ways. And on those days where I cry out enough, he continues to tell me HE IS ENOUGH. On the days where I am overwhelmed with the extreme nature of the tests and trials life presents us in this season, He reminds me, those burdens are not mine to carry.

Keep loving Strong,
More posts to come...

K

Epiphany - Refocus Your Focus

2010-01-03T14:06:00.007-05:00

Today marks the start of Epiphany on the liturgical calendar. I was delighted to sit in a main line church this morning and be reminded of the season of Epiphany that continues until February 20th. I just wrote yesterday about how the goal of each year should be to see more clearly one's purpose and relationship with self, God and others. Well Epiphany is all about just that – seeing! Epiphany is defined as a divine manifestation, or a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization; in other words a revelation. God enjoys revealing himself to us by his special revelation (His Word) and general revelation (His creation). God reveals himself in many ways to our lives if we want to see…but sometimes that require refocusing our focus. Have you ever needed glasses? Walked in stark darkness? Tried to peer out of frosted glass? Have you ever drove in a snow squall? There are many things in life that can make our physical senses blurred, distracted, and compromised. It’s the same with our hearts and spirits.

This past year, a major prayer of Jeff and I was to see God’s character at work in our lives, and for those in darkness and deception to have eyes opened to truth and God’s love. If we want to see more clearly we have to look through the proper lenses, and defrost our cold hearts.

Romans 13:11-14 says, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is, time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone, the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of the right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

If we are to see clearly, and be transformed spiritually, there are things to take off, and put on. So take off your dark deeds like dirty clothes, And put on the shining armor of the right living (Romans13:12).

REFOCUS - What to PUT ON and what to TAKE OFF

“Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; be made new in the attitudes of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23,24).

We need to take off shackles and chains of deception, depression, dark deeds, fear, hatred, poor self image, labels people put on us, and aimless wandering and in return put on love, joy, peace, kindness, forgiveness, hope, strength, wisdom, patience, service, and authentic faith. The things we take off to gain focus, God wants to replace with blessing and righteousness.

We don’t have to be discouraged when taking inventory thinking we can never measure up to God's standards...that is why Christ died for us. We can never create our own righteousness…the Bible says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). However, the good news is that Jesus willfully gives us his righteousness as a gift… “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10)

REFOCUS What to PUT ON and what to TAKE OFF

So take off your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of the right living (Romans13:12). Take of those thoughts, deeds, and attitudes of self and others that hurt you and blind you to Christ’s love: “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” (Hebrews 12:1).

This year, my prayer is that we all will have an Epiphany. As God reveals his divine nature as Savior, Healer, Comforter, Creator, Reconciler, Holy, Righteous, Just, and the one who is Love; I pray that we will see more clearly who we are and who God is. It is only when we have a clear view of God that we can be transformed from the inside out. God wants us to be more like him in character and action, therefore, we must purposefully seek to God not only in an intellectual manner, but also in the intimacy of our hearts.

God wants to give us revelatory sight. He wants us to see clearly His love and truth found in scriptures. He wants us to grasp His holiness, and to reveal His specially crafted plans for your life. He wants to restore sight to the broken hearted, those who's vision has been distorted by hurt, and to reveal truth to the deceived. Truth can be found in Christ alone.

Just as the song Amazing Grace rings true - I pray we can say, "I once was blind, but now I see." Believing is Seeing....

Refocus your Focus – Transformation.

Finding The Path To Transformation

2010-01-02T21:39:00.008-05:00

Have you talked about your New Year's resolution yet or have you totally given up on it like a lost art? Do you have goals, dreams, desires, or disciplines stirring for 2010? The New Year is a bench mark for many of us - the increment of time that helps us organize and measure. Though many New Years resolutions fall by the wayside for many reasons, I am certainly a promoter of setting goals, writing down dreams, and putting small steps in place that moves one towards accomplishment. But time, years and decades are not only about accomplishment, but more so inner transformation. Are you being transformed from the inside out? God's Spirit desires to help each one of us not only attain our goals, but transform us into more loving, joyful, passionate, kind, truthful people as we do so.

If I were to sum up what each year is about...I would submit that it is about seeing more clearly. Growing in perspective, self awareness, and awareness of God. Gaining insight into your self, others and God in a more distinctly clear and intimate way. As we do this we can be more like Jesus in character, integrity and truth.

I really liked one of Charles Swindol's messages that takes about gaining sight. He writes:

"Are you ready for a surprise? You blink twenty-five times every minute. Each blink takes you about one-fifth of a second. Therefore, if you take a ten-hour automobile trip, averaging forty miles per hour, you will drive twenty miles with your eyes closed.

I know a fact far more surprising than that. Some people go through life with their eyes closed. They look but don't really "see" . . . they observe the surface but omit the underneath . . . they focus on images but not issues . . . vision is present but perception is absent. If life were a painting, they would see colors but no genius in the strokes of the brush. If it were a journey, they would notice a road but no majestic, awesome scenery. If it were a meal, they would eat and drink but overlook the exquisite beauty of the china and the delicate touch of wine in the sauce. If it were a poem, they would read print on the page but miss altogether the passion of the poet. Remove insight and you suddenly reduce life to existence with frequent flashes of boredom and indifference.

Those without insight dwell mainly in the realm of the obvious . . . the expected . . . the essentials. The dimensions that interest them are length and width, not depth. Please understand, I do not mean to be critical of those who cannot go deeper . . . but of those who can but will not. I'm not pointing my finger at inability but rather refusal. As a concrete illustration, take the boatload of disciples in Mark, chapter 6. Immediately after Jesus had miraculously fed thousands of people with a few loaves and fish, He sent His men away in a boat as He slipped off to a quiet place on the mountain to pray. A storm later broke upon the sea and they were filled with panic. He came to their rescue shortly thereafter and calmed the sea as He stilled the wind and assured them there was no reason to be afraid. Mark makes a comment worth remembering:

They were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:51-52)

It wasn't that they were unable to understand. They didn't want to understand! William Barclay of Glasgow says, "Their minds were obtuse." That was the root problem. Those men were insensitive, dull, blunt-brained. They weren't ding-a-lings by nature, but by choice---and therein rested not the tragedy but the blame! They didn't need Jesus' pity as much as they deserved a rebuke. By then they had been sufficiently exposed to their miracle-working Master to respond with keen insight to their circumstances. Had they applied what they observed earlier that day when the thousands were fed, their response to the storm would have been insightful.

Hebrews 5 is addressed to similar disciples today. Hours upon hours have been logged under the teaching of the Word, and opportunities to use those truths have been legion. But what does this passage say? It says some have become "dull of hearing"---thick, lazy, sluggish, lacking insight. Maturity---the result of mixing insight with practice---is rare today . . . and so the discernment between good and evil, brought on by "trained senses," is frequently conspicuous by its absence.

I challenge you: Open your eyes! Think! Apply! Dig! Listen! There's a lot of difference between necessary blinking and unnecessary blindness." Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

Ditto...Cheers to your new year of renewal, growth, success, love, and seeing clearly, self, others, and God.

The path to true transformation rests with Jesus. Seek Him and You will Find.

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T21:21:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year All . . .

How was your New Years?!

Lots to reflect on from 2009. In fact, I have a binder full of blogs, journals full of moments and memories, and pages of prayers to God and promises from Him. But I will say that I was really excited the moment it struck 12 - and 2010 began. Truly, it is just a continuation, but the New Year does present that new feeling and renewed sense.

As I look forward to 2010, it is one of those years where I cannot say what will happen, but I am hoping for many things to change, and new opportunities to come. I have a combination of expectancy, and dependency of God. My heart pounds for some of his promises to come to pass.

God is always teaching, speaking, encouraging, and answering prayers...so more blogs to come to encourage you and me!

Transforming Beauty Continues...
K

Merry Christmas Friends

2009-12-19T09:18:00.007-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS

From our hearts to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas. I know that Christmas can be stressful for many people and many reasons, but I pray yours overcomes those things, so that you can cherish family, enjoy the privilege of giving, and so that you can focus on the gifts that Jesus brings to your heart and home.

Jeff and I look forward to a week off together! We have lots of family events to attend, which are very entertaining and fun filled. We are going to get out our cross country ski's, enjoy reading, (books by choice and not syllabus!), taking pictures, and dreaming about the new year and spending time praying for all the things God has in store.

I just finished my half way point of my M.A. and so I have a four week break. What will I do with myself? Well, though I will be creative with my time, do some writing ect..I'm also going to look for somewhere to volunteer. Looking forward to it!

Much Love,
Kristy

The Stall....

2009-12-16T13:53:00.004-05:00

Does it seem to you that Christmas ramps up only to stall out? It winds-up with great gusto, with Christmas parties, shopping, Christmas baking, office parties, family get togethers, and the exchange of specially wrapped gifts. A great amount of preparation happens - that puts other things on the back burner. It seems like when December hits, maybe even before, the mind set says, “…um I’ll get back to that after Christmas.” There are many things that Jeff and I have been dreaming about and working on, but it seems that Christmas gets in the middle of those things, and puts those things on stall status. Now, it’s a catch 22, because I love Christmas. We have family dinners and fun like no other. It is a rich time with family.

But maybe that’s the point. To pause. Perhaps that feeling of stalling is suppose to be in place so we stop and consider another stall. A rustic one, with farm animals, and a food trough just fit for a king, on the skirts of Bethlehem. That stall provided a stable, with a star overhead, signifying the Savior is born. I think that very fact is worth stalling for. To wrap our minds around infinite God of the universe entering time and space to live and die for our transgressions takes time to grasp. The love message that God sends simply through the fact that he would humble himself to human form is amazing. He came so that at Christmas, and every time of the year, we could unwrap peace, love, joy and hope. Something I think we all need.

So when it seems like your "things" are being put on hold until after the holidays, work it for your spiritual benefit. Take time to stall. The beauty of the real reason for the season would be lost if we didn’t stall to consider . . . the stall.

The Birth of Jesus : Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Stall…and ponder.

Unexpected Gift….Christmas Edition

2009-11-24T12:57:00.008-05:00

This weekend past, I had the privilege of speaking at a women’s Christmas breakfast. It was lovely, and packed out! There has been a message stirring in my heart all fall, and especially for the Christmas season, and that is one of HOPE.

This is a snap shot of the message on Saturday to encourage your heart. Christmas is a wonderful celebration, but also a time that is often very hard for people. Financial stress, family conflict, loss, sickness, etc….There’s the stress of who will be at the Christmas table this year, or perhaps who won’t. It is busy, and there is pressure to get the right gift. Life presents ample opportunity to squash HOPE in the season where is should be celebrated most.

Vines Dictionary defines HOPE as “A favorable confident expectation.” Henry Nouwen writes, “Hope is hidden not in the possession of power but in the confession of weakness”
Hope can be tested, Hope can be tested, it can be stolen, squashed, squandered, There is false hope….Hope can be a choice, it is healthy to hope, it is cultivated and nourished.

The Bible talks about the hope of salvation, hope of resurrection, hope of healing, hope of a promise fulfilled, hope of God’s glory, hope of one’s calling, hope of the gospel, and hope for redemption and justice.

The root of your faith, is what you hope for and who you hope in.

Hope goes beyond optimism – positive thinking in good times, but is an anchor through devastation, trials, and bad times we face.

The word Sozo – salvation in the Greek…is closely linked with the Greek word hope (elpis) in the Bible. It means to saved/healed to the uttermost. It contains both present and future tenses. God not only wants to secure your eternity, but provide provision, healing, and comfort, HOPE for your present situations.

I believe that God wants to exchange gifts with us this Christmas.

This is seen in a portrait of a woman who had an encounter with Jesus: Luke 7:36-50

"Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

There is so much rich meaning to this passage, but I will just highlight it in part.

First, in Jesus day there would have been three ceremonial greetings for teacher of the law. The holy kiss, anointing the head with oil, and feet washing. Simon invited Jesus to his house out of ill motive, to discredit him as priest and prophet. Jesus was denied all these greetings, and everyone would have noticed. He was being set up for social shame.

Meanwhile, these court year large gatherings of the elite were open gate parties for the marginalized and poor to look in at. Seems like a prideful opportunity to show off and rub salt in a wound. However, I’m sure many would be curious. They could enter the court yard and walk around the perimeter, tight to the wall, one lap.

The Woman with the Alabaster Jar most likely had been blessed by Jesus’ ministry, and must have witnessed this social disgrace toward Jesus. She runs over to him, in attempts to rescue him…and provides those three ceremonial greetings. But with much more emotion – worship. She washes his feet with her tears, anoints them, and kisses them.

Simon wants to trip Jesus up – and asks him if he knows this loose woman was trying to turn him on…Come on Jesus – aren’t you going to push her away? Basically, are you a man of grace or law?

Jesus answers with a parable, and proves himself as both! He restores this woman in front of all the religious leaders. This woman of “ill” reputation is given forgiveness, peace, salvation, and HOPE for her future.

There is an exchange of gifts here. Jesus gives this woman the gift of HOPE, and she give him the gift of her worship. This was quite the unexpected gift. But that’s what God does.

God’s gifts of Advent at Christmas beckon us to unwrap hope, peace, love and joy. The Hope of Christ at Christmas helps us to - settle the past – embrace the present, and believe in the future…..

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18

Let us all unwrap the gift of HOPE in our hearts this Christmas….

Advocating for Advent

2009-11-24T12:08:00.008-05:00

Do you get excited for his coming? Advent is all about that...Christ's arrival.

One thing that I wish evangelical churches did more, is add liturgy in moderation, as well as somethings off the liturgical calendar like Advent. I actually introduced this to our last church, and it was so beautiful, and incorporates families in celebrating the Christmas season.

The advent season is the celebration of Christ’s coming to earth as God’s son and our hope of salvation – Christmas! The celebration takes place four weeks before Christmas day. Part of the liturgical celebration includes advent scripture readings, prayers, and the lighting of the advent candles on the advent wreath.

The physical wreath and candles are very symbolic in the celebration. In the middle ages German and Scandinavian peoples used the evergreens and candles to represent light and life in the midst of the dark and dead winters.

The advent wreath itself is made of evergreens representing life and a circular wreath representing eternity. The candles by nature represent light and Christ’s light coming in to the world. The candles also have various colors. The purple represents Christ’s royalty, and the pink candle signifies peace, and the white candle stands in the center as the Christ candle representing his purity and holiness. (I use red and gold) The candles by order represent: hope, peace, joy, love, Christ.

This wreath is just a helpful way of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas in corporate worship. Advent celebrates the coming of the one who loved us enough to come…live….and die for us.

This snippet from Max Lucado’s, “A Love Worth Giving,” beautifully speaks of Christ’s coming.

“We delight in giving our loved ones extravagant gifts, don’t we? Especially at Christmas. Yes, we give gifts throughout the year, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions – but at Christmas, we put a little more effort into finding that extra special gift for that special person, or persons, in our lives. An engagement ring. A family portrait. A special edition leather-bound book. A set of golf clubs. Diamond earrings. A puppy. Whatever the gift might be, we want it to be a bountiful expression of our love.

Maybe it has something to do with the lavishness of the gift that first Christmas morning, the extravagance of the love that came in the form of a tiny, helpless newborn. Consider the gift for a moment, what Jesus really did. He swapped a spotless castle for a grimy stable. He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers. He could hold the universe in the palm but gave it up to float in the womb of a maiden. If you were God, would you sleep on straw, nurse from a breast, and be clothed in a diaper? Christ did.

If you knew that only a few would care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care? If you knew that the tongues you made would mock you, the mouths you made would spit at you, the hands you made would crucify you, would you still make them? Christ did. Would you regard the immobile and invalid more important than yourself? Jesus did.

He humbled himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that’s what love does. It puts the beloved before itself. Your soul was more important than his blood. Your eternal life was more important than his earthly life. Your place in heaven was more important to him than his place in heaven, so he gave up his so you could have yours.

And that’s what extravagant giving is all about – love, God’s love, a love that knows no bounds, no limits, no end. The Christmas kind of love. The type of love we are commanded to give to others: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other, Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34). A love worth giving to others. To you.”

Lay a Patch – a Green Patch

2009-11-24T11:53:00.003-05:00

Its November 24th and I’m still wearing my crocks! I’m really more of a summer person, and often I dread the fall and winter. But I’ve been trying to see beauty in all seasons. Thought my drives out in the country are less than green, I still am appreciating its beauty. I’ve seen deer, moose, bear, fox, and some neat birds – so the wild is still in living action.

Yesterday, I was driving down this one country road surprised by an interesting contrast. Surrounded by crispy brown corn stocks, and beige straw fields was this strip of vibrant green field. This green patch was still going strong, wouldn’t give up its vitality, color, life. Even thought the elements have not been conducive to growth, it has not died.

I thought, that’s what to be like. I want to be the green patch in others season of dryness, barrenness, and drought. I want to help them restore their color, vibrancy, hope and life.

The Lord tells us, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season […]” 2 Timothy 4:2

We all can be a green patch for those around us suffering. To bring life, nourishment, comfort, and hope in their season.

Transforming beauty happens in all seasons of life.

(actual picture of field)

Birthday Bliss...

2009-11-18T14:43:00.005-05:00

I just finished celebrating my birthday yesterday.

I tend to get a little bit excited...always have. Usually my birthday turns into a several day celebration with family, friends, and of course Jeff. This year was no different.

I'm thankful for all the well wishes, prayers, and love!!

This year I got a special present, care of my whole family. I've been wanting a new camera for about 10 years! This year, due to fortunate circumstances orchestrated by the Lord, I got it! I'm so thankful. I've been out picture taking since.

The photo above is thanks to my new baby!! And..of course, thank you to Jeff for a great birthday, full of love. Love you!

So, another year older, which could totally freak me out...but I think the best is yet to come.
More blogs to come soon because beauty is transforming!

K

Sister to Sister...

2009-11-05T21:43:00.009-05:00

Tania Bennett....that's my sissy! She's been in my life for almost 25 years. One of my favorite pictures is of me dressed up in hospital gear holding her. (I'll have to dig it out!) I had sister pride and I still do.

My sister is very gifted, beautiful, intelligent young woman. She amazes me with her success at work, her large network of friends, strength, style, and whit. She is contributing to the field of heart health research. A much needed ambassador these days! I know the success she's already had at a young age is just a trickle of what is to come for her. She really should mentor other young women!

My mother recently got a machine to transfer our family videos onto DVD...I thought about posting some video of the family soon...Tania's very cute, and she will accuse me of stealing air time with over the top singing and dancing. We'll see.

It always great to have her home from the city.

Love,
Sissy

Thirsty?

2009-11-02T13:22:00.005-05:00

This morning I read my friend Tracy’s entry on “The Will to Worship” blog (http://www.thewilltoworship.blogspot.com/). She talks about how Psalm 42 has meant a lot to her this year. “As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God..." From Psalm 42 the popular song, “As the Deer” was written…it goes like this in part:

As the deer panteth for the water, So my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my hearts desire, And I long to worship thee. Chorus: You alone are my strength my shield, To You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my hearts desire, And I long to worship thee.

I identified with what she wrote. Don’t we all thirst for more in life? Don’t we all thirst for fulfillment beyond what we can provide ourselves? I hunger and thirst for God, and especially in times of hurt, confusion, and in times of need. So I was blessed by what she wrote and tucked it way in my heart this morning….but it would come up again.

God is so good to speak to me through nature. As I drove to read at my spot today…I pulled up to the lake seeing something in the distance. Something huge was in the water…no, was it? I carefully snuck to the shore line, so as not to scare my friend away. It was! Antlers protruding out of the water! There was a deer swimming in the lake! A ways out, he frolicked around so happy to be in the water. He was swimming around in circles….then would move closer. What a sight. I stood and watched him until he swam ashore and his body and long legs emerged. There he was standing, what a beautiful creature. (I thought to myself, this is the smartest deer in the Valley, hunting season started yesterday, and he’s taking to the water!).

Instantly when I got out of the car, I knew God wanted to point something out with this picture. First, I was surprised to see a deer swimming…I don’t know why, but it’s just not something I’ve seen before. I stood there enjoying the moment, and then it hit me. What I had read earlier from Tracy’s post. “As the Deer!” Wow God, you are so amazing to provide real life illustrations!

I felt like God was saying, those who thirst after God will not find a trickle but an abundance of God’s goodness and of His presence. This young buck was the perfect image of what God can do for us. Peacefully basking around in the water with such pleasure, immersed right up to his neck. He was fully surrounded, and fully enjoying himself, safe from danger!

I was reminded of Jesus’ answer to the woman at the well “Everyone who drinks this water [ordinary well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13,14).

God has more than natural resources for our lives. He has supernatural wellsprings of life that can sustain us now and into eternity. He is able and willing to fill us with his living water – peace, hope, joy, love, acceptance - all the things that nourish our hearts. All the things that as we receive translate into healing, good relationships, and wisdom for our lives. What Psalm 42 points out is that God is our great hope even in times of trouble, with provision for our needs as we seek him. “As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God..." Tell him how much you need him today. Take to the waters!

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

Light Up Canada - Torch Trail

2009-10-31T18:19:00.013-04:00

Fire. Fascinating isn’t it? Most people think fire is pretty amazing to look at...people stand mesmerized by it. Staring at the dance of the flames, and the colours that shift like the northern lights. Its beauty can either provide warmth, safety, heat for cooking, it can purify gold and other substances - or it can be destructive. Just depends on the context and in what hands its' powers lie.

Yesterday marked a great event in Canada’s history that involves fire, one that many will be interested in observing indeed! Canada is ablaze for the next 104 days. The Olympic Torch started it’s relay across Canada and back in celebration and anticipation of the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver. This is exciting for our athletes and all of Canada. However, there is another dimension that I see happening in our history.

Like never before there is a heart cry and spiritual hunger for an authentic move of God in our generation. Many places are being stirred towards greater faith and anticipation for more of God’s presence and the increased instances of healing, restoration, and salvation that follow it. A spiritual awakening is being stirred.

Many have had visions of the fire of God spanning across our nation – Canada. This is a symbolic representation of a great move of God’s Spirit. Lives being healed and hearts being awakened to God’s love. I believe Canada is on the precipice of this reality. Therefore, the torch’s trail and timing seems nothing less than significant in our history.

This is my heart’s desire: to inspire and challenge people to join the torch relay count down, and to pray each day for the towns and cities the torch passes through. For the next 104 days, we all have the opportunity to pray specifically for Canada and concentrate on prayer for God’s spirit to prepare hearts to receive his love, salvation call and miracles.

Light Up Canada With Your Prayers!!

The TORCH is also coming to the Valley!! It will pass through Douglas ON, and on Pembroke on day 45, December 13th. There will be over 12,000 people who will carry the torch and it is scheduled to pass within an hour of most of the population of Canada.

Fire is also used in many contexts in the Bible. It symbolizes purification, judgment, and also the power of the Spirit of God. It's also often used in terms of a revival of God's presence in people lives. I believe there is an awakening coming to Canada, and the Valley. I've had many dreams since I was a young girl about seeing this generation transformed...

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire." 1 Thessalonians 5:19 For our God is a consuming fire" Hebrews 12:29.

Go be a fire starter for God!! Share the passion of His truth and love by the power of the Holy Spirit to those who need to hear. Transformation!

Join the Facebook site "Light Up Canada - Torch Trail 2010." Tracking the trail of the torch, and initiating prayer.

You can follow the torch Count Down

http://www.vancouver2010.com/

Map Valley: http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-torch-relay-interactive-map/

Torch Trail Video:

http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-videos/the-2010-olympic-torch-relay-(video)_116230g110288-DC.html

Udderly Awkward...

2009-10-30T16:15:00.011-04:00

Got Milk? The milk campaign has been long lived. I remember in public school the milk box promotion - if you opened your carton and it MOOOOO’ed, you won a prize! Then it moved on to commercials of famous athletes and hockey players with a milk mustache accompanied by exposing a little muscle. The point was to get more people drinking milk because it is a great source of calcium and vitamin D which promotes healthy bones etc. This idea is debated by some, seeing as we are the only mammals that wean from mother’s milk and then continue with the cow’s version. None the less, its fairly normal us to drink milk.

What is not normal, is what my little eyes saw today.

I was driving out in the country when I observed something that made me hit the breaks, raise my eye brows….and scratch my head. As I pulled over to rub my eyes and refocus….I discovered, my eyes were not fooling me. I was witnessing an adult cow, a heifer drinking from another heifer’s udder. Yes, a grown cow was drinking milk from another grown cow? How weird, how awkward, how un-natural looking!

I rolled down my window with hopes that English could turn to cow-an-eese …. “Hey….guess what….you are past that now….no milk for you – you are suppose to graze on the ground now…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

I continued on my way home…kind of offended at the graphic picture, with a couple jokes also running through my head while wanting to laugh my head off. I shared with Jeff what had just saw, and we belly laughed at the thought of the awkward image. His suggestion for a post title..."This Teet's Not For You!" This had me in hysterics for sure.

Seriously though, this real time illustration was too good for me not to share, because this is totally what we can be like. No, not reverting back to breast feeding days in a physical sense, but sometimes people’s spiritual growth takes a back seat and growth is stunted. Sadly, I’ve known people who’ve both lost their growth by walking away from God, and some who’ve became apathetic. I’ve witnessed others stayed in the same life patterns, and not really grown up in God's plan for their lives. The issues that contribute to stunted growth are diverse…hurt, rejection, sin, abuse, sense of entitlement, business, and selling out to chasing a dollar, self indulgence, or love in all the wrong places. None the less, their pursuit of God stayed in park.

The writer to the Hebrews says, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.” Hebrews 5:11-13

There are so many things that can distract a person from their relationship with God. But when we allow distractions to win, growth stops. In fact, scripture would indication that you can revert back to a “spiritual infant” of sorts. First, human nature tends to forget, and we like the path of least resistance. Second, if we are not ingesting God’s truth then we are more bound to buy into untruth and find ourselves far from God’s intention for our lives. The more time and distance there is between you and God’s Word, the easier it is to make decisions based on human wisdom, not God’s.

God has a greater plan for us that to remain as acquaintances, or to only know tid bits of scripture. He wants a deeper relationship and more intimate knowledge of who He is. He offers more than infantile fragility – but to grow our faith to maturity that is unshakable. This comes through consistency, and positioning ourselves to learn about the more in depth character of God.

Hebrews 6:1-3 continues on the same theme, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment all over again. And God permitting, we will do so.”

Did you catch the last part of that verse? There is value in starting over, or picking up where you left off. You aren’t out of the race…And if you are going strong, keeping things in place to endure. Move beyond infancy in your faith, towards maturity….staying where you don’t belong just is awkward….like that adult cow drinking from an udder. Get the real stuff…the sustenance you need to grow.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly;” 1Corinthians 9:24,26 So you can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 1 Timothy 4:7

Erecting the Eroded

2009-10-28T13:37:00.006-04:00

This picture speaks for itself, really. I’ve been watching this transformation for several weeks now. It seems to be grueling work to lay a new foundation. Taking out the old, balancing and stabilizing the good structure on top, digging deep enough, while laying new bricks and cement as a platform.

This reminds me of the wise and foolish builders Jesus spoke about. It’s true isn’t it. There is a right and a wrong way to build a safe structure that will stand the test of time and the elements. That’s why we have specialists called engineers and architects who give the best blueprints for the job. They have reasons for outlining a design with particular requirements, angles, dimensions, and details. So it is with our lives. God is the master designer architect of our lives. He created us and each with a purpose. Therefore, his blueprints are going to be most effective, stand the test of time, and even have provision for surviving the difficult elements life throws our way.

The thing is, God never imposes those designs on us – he wants us to choose His way. We all have a choice. God’s master plan is for salvation – that we would gain eternity through faith in Christ, which is a sure thing - but he also has special plans to use our lives, giftings, and uniqueness to serve him and bless others.

Society will send all of us messages about independence, self indulgence, finding your own path, being your own master planner to seek happiness and success, etc etc. Some of these things in moderation are ok, but human nature spurs us on to be in control, and to keep God at a distance. To know of God but not to truly know God. The truth is these are things that can erode our lives. We have to acknowledge God with our whole heart, and have relationship with him to develop a solid foundation.

I can attest to the fact that God’s blueprints are the best ones. They have been for me and many others. Some details may not even be ones I would pick for my life, but are for a purpose. But he also gives me the desires of my heart as I delight in him (Ps. 37). He cares about the smallest details of our lives, but we have to be in relationship with him to know those benefits - to have assurance of faith no matter what comes our way - sickness, stress, financial turmoil, conflict, pressure to perform, the business of life, and change and choices...etc. He really does know what is best, and can guide your life. There is wisdom with the great architect of our faith. It might not always be easy, but with God in our lives, and Jesus as our rock – the solid foundation of faith, nothing is impossible. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Consider this: Matthew 7:21-29

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

While some of us know this truth well, perhaps some of us need a reminder, or perhaps you are discovering God’s love and plan for your life for the first time…the fact is, we all need God in our lives.

I pray you have or will make your faith in Jesus the foundation for our life so that your eternity is secure in him, and your life lived on earth is one with a purpose, and has firm footings to withstand hard times. If you think your foundation has been compromised and eroded…and your life is teetering with uncertainty – God specializes in renovations. He can give you a sure foundation for your life today.