Thankful for...

A dear friend introduced me to this!  Thank you t!




#1 - #10
squeals and laughter from brothers in the backseat
a husband wanting to go out and explore and inviting his family to join him in the adventure
bad attitude getting a huge dose of grace and transforming it to peace (thank you, Jesus!)
caring and sharing with dear friends in person
children enjoying freedom from cares of what others think
how my sweet Savior meets me where I'm at - in sermons, Bible studies, etc.
connecting with friends
calls from mom just to check in
freedom
anticipation of what God will do next...

Date with Jesus

Wow - it's been too long!  Having a great husband, 2 growing boys and a great full-time job is taking more out of me than I thought!  Anyway, had some great quiet time with Jesus this week and a lot of it today.  I'm sharing some of the fruits!  Please enjoy!

I've been asking Jesus some hard quesitons lately: One of them is:  How do I keep my heart alive and still go through what I'm going through which sometimes includes my heart getting stomped on over and over again?   The second is struggling with grace and accountability co-existing.  Thirdly, what do these things look like?

Once I calmed down long enough to journal about this question, He gave me an amazing answer:  Psalm 91!  He told me the following:  I am enough to protect your heart.  End of story.  Then he did kindly continue to answer my questions and said:  Grace has to have accountability in order for it to be grace.  The grace receiver must know what they deserved and what they actually received.  In other words, you can't have grace without accountability.   Then He continued!  Kimberly likes to have the same picture for every situation; it's comfortable and gives her a sense of control.  Sweet daughter, it's time to grow.  These things that you're asking about don't look the same each time.  It all depends on what both people involved need at any given moment.  The only way you'll know what the picture looks like is to abide in me so I can tell and show you.  Start asking these questions instead, "What does it look like for God to get glory in this situation?" and "What does it look like for the other person's needs to be met?"   Challenging but great questions!

Now, as I've spent time with Him today I was left in awe!  So ladies please get some time for you to do this for yourselves and for your hearts.  It's worth it! 

I'm a firm believer that Jesus is the Lover of my soul (yours too!).  I've been letting Him romance me and love me.  But, today I was challenged with being a "lover" back to God.  OK, don't hear what I'm not saying!   Do you like a man to caress your face gently?  Have you let God caress your face?  (It could be a breeze blowing in your face, seeing a rainbow, or however He meets you where you are at!)  Have you ever thought about how you could caress the face of God?   Have to confess, this was a new one for me! 

I'm reading this great book, "Sacred Marriage" and the author has challenged his readers with the last question.  We serve a holy God.  I was a bit intimidated to go here, but it was a fun adventure - one that I will definitely be repeating.

When's your next date with Jesus?  Will you go to dinner?  Will you dance?  Will you just sit and rest?  Will you share your most intimate thoughts?  Will you laugh?  Will you sing?  Will you cry?  Will you be real?  Will you...

Here are some scriptures to help you remember who He is and who you are. 
Psalm 45:11
Zephaniah 3:17
Psalm 34:4-5
Psalm 62: 5-8 (wow, my honor depends on God!  That's great news!)
Psalm 145
Isaiah 43:1-4
Ephesians 2:10
Hebrews 10:35-36
1 John 4:18

Will you ask Jesus out for a date?  I know His answer will be a resounding YES!  Savor the time; enjoy His company; bask in His glory!  You're radiant! 

Love & Prayers,
Kim
Romans 15:13

Happy New Year

Luke 1:29-45
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

First of all, Happy 2010!!  What a whirlwind the last few weeks have been!  Our little Ryan was in the hospital for a few days being treated for Kawasaki's Disease.  I have to tell you that I saw an angel Ryan's room right before he was discharged.  If you want to know more, let me know and I'm happy to share!

God has laid this message on my heart for about 3 weeks, but this is the first opportunity I've had the opportunity to get it posted.  Our Pastor delivered some great pre-Christmas messages.  One of them included these verses and when we read the scripture, tears came to my eyes.  This is what moved me:

• Elizabeth's words - she basically said who am I to have the mother of the Savior of the universe to want to come see me.  Humility.  Knowing who she is.  Knowing who the Savior is.
• How God used these women - Elizabeth and Mary were chosen.  We are chosen too.  Chosen to be His daughters.  Chosen to carry out the part of His story that he has written for and with us in mind. 
• Hope - verse 45!  While I know that the verse is refering directly to Mary giving birth to Jesus and all that means with him being Messiah.  I just can't help but claim this verse too!  Oh, the hope that fills my soul to know that His promises are true.  What he has said, will be!  What I have to remember is baby steps! 

I'm looking forward to 2010 and learning more about God's perfect plans and timing.  I'm seeking Him and learning how to take every thought captive and focus on what He says is important.  Being who He created me to be and focusing on it.  Loving God and loving others.  What about you and your 2010 - what do you want God to do or show you?  Praying you enjoy the journey 2010 calls you to!

Calling

Saw this quote today defining "calling".  The gentleman who penned it is a believer and oversees Noble Heart Ministry.  Here's the quote:  "Your calling is to let people experience the weightiness of your life, to experience what is abundant in you, to experience your strength or beauty, in the place that God assigns you." --Gary Barkalow

I must tell you that I just started to cry.  All these questions welled up along with the tears.  Am I fulfilling my calling?  Am I doing the right thing?  What's my next step?  What does it all look like?  You know, the big questions that always come up and usually bring the enemy of doubt along for the ride. 

Gary's web site - http://www.piercing-the-veil.com/ - reminded me of ther verse:  2 Corinthians 3:18:  18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

This so reminds me of my calling, my passion, what I was made for.  I'm made to do women't ministry through speaking and writing.  It's about trusting Him and remembering that I didn't make this calling up.  It is real and it's how I feel alive (right after having fun with my guys!).  So, as I am waiting, I am also praying and looking for ways that God will show me "what IT looks like!"

Here's the question.  What is your calling?  What makes you come alive?  What makes you get excited? Let your heart experience the calling, come alive and thrive!

You Are Hold Me

Psalm 139: 9-10 - If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 

I've been trying to expose my boys to a variety of worship music lately.  My 5-year old (well, almost 5) was singing away to "God of Wonders".  This particular song is pretty special to me.  When Scott and I got married this song was played when I walked down the aisle to see him and pray before we got pictures done prior to the wedding.  I was just glad my son was enjoying it.  There is a part of the song that states, "The universe declares your majesty; You are holy, holy".    Later that day, he just started singing it. This allowed me the priviledge of hearing his words to the song.  He is passionately singing the following: 
"The universe declares your majesty, You are hold me, hold me"  

My first reaction was one of "Oh how cute!", then quickly turned to a teachable moment.  I explained that the word was holy and that it meant very special, set apart, there is no one like God.  My son was quick to say, "No, mommy!  It's You are hold me!"   Then wouldn't you know the Holy Spirit says, "He's right, ya know!"  So take a listen to "God of Wonders" and while not forgetting the extreme holiness of God, listen to it with You are hold me.  It gives the song new perspective!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBNE25rtnE

It's crazy how often we forget who God is even after he has shown us to many times to count.  Just last week I went into a minor panic about something that God has always taken care of for us.  But in that instant, I thought it was up to me instead of just letting Him hold me.  So what are you facing today that has you doubting, fearful, asking "what if..."?  What has you asking why or wondering where God is in all this craziness?  It's all about remembering:  remembering that He is truth, He is bigger than anything we face, He is who He says he is, He keeps his promises, He wants us to receive and bask in his love and freedom.  So what if you've never experienced him in that way before?  Well, simply read His Word and invite the God of the Universe to show you who He is.  Remember, You are hold me.

Be bold! Be brave! Be you!
Love & Prayers,
Kim

Who is the author?

Hebrews 12:2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.


So I'm just getting started with my day and while showering God plants this question in my head - Who is writing your story?    I don't know about you, but I get a little uncomfortable when God does that because I have to answer the question.  There is no place to hide - He's God! 

So as I'm thinking about my answer, I realize that  am writing my story more often than God is.  Then I dug a little deeper and had to confess the sin of unbelief/not trusting God to be who he says he is. 

Whenever we're in a difficult situation or circumstance, we make a bad decision or there is spiritual warfare going on from all fronts, we must hold onto Hebrews 12:2 and Romans 8:18.  Jesus is the author of our faith, our journey, our story.   The great thing is he's also the perfector.  There's this new song out, "Perfect People" by Natalie Grant http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=16481140 .  Here are my favorite lyrics: 
There's no such thing as perfect people

There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scared
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

Love that!  He is a perfect God and worthy to be trusted.  Then the hard part comes:  if God is perfect and he allows this "stuff" to be part of my life, what do I do with it?  The answer is simple, but not easily accomplished:  you go through it; you persevere.  That's where Romans 8:18 comes in.  It's all for His glory.  This is how we become reflections of Him, His beauty, His love, His hope. 

Be bold, my sisters.  Live out what he has allowed to enter your life to grow you, build you up and mold you into the amazing princess he has made you to be. 

So, who is writing your story?  Please join me in the journey of surrendering to let Jesus be the author and perfector of the story.

Love & Prayers,
Kim

Loving Fearlessly - Part 2

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) - Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life to mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you so that your daily life will win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (The Message has a good paraphrase for this verse - take a look at www.Biblegateway.com)

OK - confession time. The fist time I read this verse I literally told God, "You've got to be kidding me!" Then I dug in a little deeper and am now trying to live it out for real! I guess the part that I had the hardest time with was the word "quiet". Anyone who knows me knows that quiet is not an adjective that fits! So I had to dig and discovered this is what it means: at rest or at peace. Well doesn't that change everything!!

Now as I look at this verse about a year later, I'm struggling with a couple of other things. First of all the daily part. Living at peace every day is huge. I'm not there yet, but the idea sounds fantastic!!

The other part is the "not be dependent on anybody" part. Hmmm - guess that means that Jesus is supposed to be everything!!! I'm so glad he's up to the task. I thought of this verse the other day. I'm still slowly reviewing my notes from the Beth Moore simulcast. She was talking about the heart of our desires and the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4) One of the things she said was, "Be aware of what is present in the absence." Wouldn't you know my 4-and-a-half year old would give me a great picture of this (God is so good at meeting us right where we're at!).

So, we're eating dinner. Ian doesn't want to eat the spaghetti I made. This was a first. He wanted to eat cheese and crackers. Unfortunately I was in one of my "I'm an exhausted mommy" mode and didn't do battle with this and let him eat cheese and crackers for dinner (cheese is a good source of calcium and protein right?). God immediately brought back to my mind Beth's statement and this verse.

How often we fill our hearts with anything just to have it full. Sometimes it's whatever feels good at that moment; sometimes what looks good; sometimes whatever is convenient or easy or we may even hate it but take it in anyway. How many times have I called my friends about something instead of going to God first. Basically, it's hiding from the fact that we have a desire that isn't met. I'm trying to get an idea of what the world would be like if all of us just admitted that we have unmet desires instead of pretending that we have it all together.

So, here is the question to myself and to you. What are you filling your heart with? Are you quiet and at rest because you're not depending on anyone or anything else but Jesus? If not, what are you going to do to get there?

Please join me in answering these hard questions and letting God strip away (and yes, it will proably hurt some along the way) the stuff that doesn't help you love Him fearlessly. 1Thessalonians 4:11-12 is what we look like when we love fearlessly!

Be bold! Be brave! Be you!

Kim