Hard Praise

“When praise is the last thing that comes naturally to us and we choose to worship Him anyway, we’ve had the privilege of offering a genuine sacrifice of praise.” ~ Beth Moore

I was reading about Paul and Silas in a study and then picked up a book I’m reading and it again talked about Paul and Silas. Sometimes that scares me because I know that means God wants me to learn something and that will require change. Who likes change?? Change that usually requires me to do something that isn’t easy. Obviously, God wanted me to learn from their example. 

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25

Instead of Paul and Silas being angry about being beaten and imprisoned they chose to pray and sing songs of praise. Go ahead, read that again...Instead of being enraged they had been beaten and imprisoned unjustly they chose to pray and sing songs of praise to the Lord! Can you imagine? I mean, I have had my fair share of spankings and groundings when I was a kid that felt like beatings and imprisonments, and I deserved them, but I wasn’t crying out to God in songs of praise. I was shaking my fist and complaining of my consequences.  Paul and Silas didn’t deserve the punishment they were enduring but they chose to praise despite their circumstances. Ouch! That’s pretty convicting! They chose the suffering. They chose the sacrifice. They chose knowing there may be repercussions for the path they were taking. They chose the hard and the painful. They chose to give up their desires for His. They chose to be set apart. 

“Self-help pursues happiness above all else. Sanctification is a process and pursuit with pit stops in cross-bearing and sacrifice. Holiness is the endgame. That’s why it’s helpful to debunk the idea that the Christ-filled life is filled with worldly peace and ease... unfortunately, if we pursue pleasure and avoid pain, we will miss most of the processes the Holy Spirit intends to use to make us act, think, and live more like Jesus...God calls His people to be separate. Separate is hard. Hard is good. God is best... To be set apart is to sacrifice what we want. We are called to give up what we have known and cherished. We are invited to crucify our selfish plans and dreams for the better pursuit of what God has planned for us.~ Whitney Capps

I’m positive Paul and Silas completely understood this concept. They knew it wouldn’t be easy yet they willing gave up their desires for His and praised Him for what He was doing. From the worlds point of view it looked grim. I’m sure not one person desired to be in their shoes. The jailer who witnessed the earth shaking, the prison doors flinging open, and the shackles fall to the ground didn’t know any better way but to take his own life. He knew death was inevitable by the prisoners escape. But Paul and Silas nor the others had left. They again chose to stay. Stay in the incredibly crazy situation. They knew God was at work and His work wasn’t over. Despite the chance for them to flee they chose to continue to follow after God. They chose the hard. They chose the separate. And oh thank goodness they did. The jailer and his entire family came to know the Lord because of their faithfulness to God’s plan. I have to wonder how history would have changed if they had not done His will and chose their own. Generations could have been affected by their decision to flee instead of speaking life into that jailer. It was a ripple effect of His goodness that was shown.  I’m gonna be honest and say if I was beaten and put in jail I most likely wouldn’t be singing praises. And if my chains fell off and the prison doors opened I would be Dash from the Incredibles. (Yes, I have kids and have watched this movie more times than I can count.  Don’t judge.) But I would have missed the blessing. I would have missed my purpose. I would have missed seeing God do some incredibly great things. 

Sometimes life is so hard that praying and singing praises is definitely the last thing our flesh wants to even consider. But what if that praise is what God uses to shake the earth for His Glory? What if the sacrifices we make to trudge through the hard is the miracle God intends to use for someone else to see and know Him,or maybe for us to see and know Him on an even more intimate level? 

Oh Lord, let me praise You through every hard storm and not run from the pain. Let me have eyes to see where I need to sacrifice my will for Yours. Use it all for Your Glory Lord! 

Glory to Him

November 17, 2010

Romans 8:28,35,37-39

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble of hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Halleluiah AMEN!!!  That is enough to make you want to get up and shout!  WHOOOHOO!!!  I am so thankful for God's amazing love and that NOTHING can separate me from His love. 

Over the past few weeks I have watched so many going through such hard times and Satan has tried his very best to suck the breathe right out of me over it.  I am the type of person, when you hurt, I hurt.  But on the flip side I am a very optimistic person.  Even though there is difficulty I am always trying to look for the good in it.  When I feel myself getting pulled in by Satan’s lies I will look for 5 positive things.  Trust me sometimes it is hard to do but it sure helps me get my focus back on what really matters.  I have probably said it before but my mom will accuse me of "living in the clouds".  I can honestly say....what better place to live?  Who wants to live in the deep dark dungeons of life?  I don't!!  While living in the clouds can sometimes catch you off guard (since I have a tendency to be on the naive side), being positive and realizing you are a conqueror in Christ is worth shouting AMEN over!  And worth living victoriously!

I can't say that I have always been super optimistic but God is teaching me how to redirect my focus when things get tough.  We as Christians must learn to NOT live a defeated life.  WE are a walking Bible for others to see.  And who wants to join any one in a "whoa is me" state?  Our feelings at times can be a poor reflection of His Truth.  If we will focus on His love, His provision, His plan, His future, His power, His purpose, His everything, then I believe our feelings will change.  I know you’re saying "but Kim, you have NO idea what I am going through."  And you are right, I do not, but HE DOES and His Word says because He loves us and we are in Him then we are MORE than CONQUERORS! WHOOOHOOO...shouting again, I can't help myself!!  We can beat whatever is out there before us or in the midst of us.  WE have victory in Him!!  If God allowed you to be thrown in to a dungeon, you were not picked on; your were picked out!  God has entrusted you with that suffering because He has faith in you!  He knows the future and it is bright!  So live it up!  All the way out of that cold, dark and muddy pit!   Find five great things about your life or circumstances, focus on someone else's needs and meet them, and keep remembering His love for you!!  The suffering will soon just be a past hardship that God brought you through that can be shared to glorify Him!!  WHOOOHOOO!!!  Shouting again!!   PTL He loves us so much!!

Seek Him First

November 30, 2010

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom”

I knew going into December was going to be extremely busy and time management would definitely be a task to give to the Lord. Yesterday was a rush day. You know what I am talking about….one of those days when you rush here and do this and then rush there and do that, and then along the way a few things pop up that you have to rush and take care of as well. Then its rush to car pool and rush home to prepare a rush dinner and then rush back out the door to take a child to practice and rush to the grocery store because you didn’t have time to do that yet either. Then rush back to pick up a child and rush by to pick up something you left at a location then rush home to find….YOUR SON HAS LOST HIS NEW PAIR OF GLASSES IN THE YARD AND YOUR HUSBAND HAS ALREADY HANDED OUT SPANKINGS TO ALL KIDS!!! Ohhhh, the joys of being a parent and mother.

That was not at all how I intended for my day to go. In my mind it had played out much differently! I am sure my husband and kids would say the same thing. But that is usually how life goes, right? We have such big plans and then BAMM! Life happens! But what do we do when life happens? I believe that I failed the test. Sitting this morning, reading God’s Word, searching for Him, recalling yesterday’s happenings and having to repent and ask for forgiveness, and realizing in all the hustle and bustle I did not call upon my Lord yesterday.

Thinking of my son’s glasses and how they spent hours in the cold, wet, and dark night looking for a needle in a hay stack and not once did any of us think to call upon the name of the Lord. Well, let me back up, because unbeknownst to me my son was probably praying to find his glasses. The rest of us were all too angry to think of anything different. And why is that when we need God the most we take refuge in our anger or in our own strength?

“We like finding refuge in what we already have rather than in what we hope God will provide.” Francis Chan

It saddens me to know I took refuge in my anger instead of the Lord. I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else in the house that was mad and got mad too. I chose NOT to seek Him in a situation that could have played out much differently. Choosing to seek Him, I could have been the calm in the storm but I was just fuel to the fire. It also saddens me to know I missed the opportunity to pray with my boys and to teach them to seek the Lord even over something as small as lost glasses. (But lost glasses…I mean seriously!! How do you NOT know they aren’t on your face anymore? And WE JUST GOT THIS PAIR TWO MONTHS AGO! I mean really??? THEY JUST FALL OFF AND YOU DON’T KNOW???? And why were you fighting with your brother anyway?? REALLY?? UUGGGGHHHH!!!)

Although there were many lessons for them to learn; don’t pester your brother; don’t hit your brother; don’t fight with your brother; don’t go outside with out permission; if glasses fall off, IMMEDIATELY look for them…and the list goes on. But the important lesson here I believe is seeking God on ALL accounts, even when we are angry, even when people pester us, even when we think we can handle it, even when life is too busy, even when our day is rush rush, even when we don’t feel like it.

Whether the lost glasses will be found that is still the question but learning to seek the Lord first is the real truth. I praise Him that as I was once LOST He FOUND me and has not stopped SEEKING after me. Seek Him First!!

Three Gifts

December 13, 2010

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given" Isaiah 9:6

Christmas is coming!! Christmas is coming!!! Christmas cheer has been lacking on my part this season, although I LOVE this time of year. I love the yummy goodies, the parties, programs, and celebrations, I love shopping for just the right gift for my loved ones, I love the much needed family time that last for days, and most importantly I love celebrating His birth. It seems each and every year I try to reduce the amount of "things" i am involved in or reduce the craziness so that i can focus more on His coming and somehow the insanity is all still there. It blinds me so easily and quickly steals my joy of the season. Can I get an Amen?? I would venture to say that our society has Xmas down to an art! Notice I took Christ out.....it seems that this world is ok with that, taking Christ out. And I believe if we were all honest we would all say that we are guilty! We tend to focus on the "I wants" and the "I have to get this for" and the "I have to get this done for this party or event" instead of setting our minds on what the season is really about. We are never satisfied with just Him! Oh Lord forgive me!! 

A few years ago we started a new tradition in our family. Actually it stemmed from a picture of my daughter and all her presents at Christmas. I remember taking the picture and working hard to make sure all her gifts would fit in the lens. Backing up and moving my camera just right in order to see everything just perfect. Wow!! I remembered saying and feeling a sense of pride because we were able to provide so many gifts for her. Then like I said, a few years ago, I was looking through pictures and came across that particular one. I didn't feel that same sense of pride any more but a sense of shame instead. What was I really teaching my children by giving them a bunch of "things"?? I was just teaching them to want more and wanting more just teaches them less. Dissatisfaction! So we decided to change that. For the past three years my children have received 3 gifts. Yes only three gifts! We had to sit them down and have a little talk as to why they could only choose three gifts since they were use to getting a mound of gifts.

"When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Matthew 2:10-11

You see the true meaning of Christmas is not about all the gifts we can receive but about our Saviors birth. The thing that spurred the gift giving was the wise men. So we decided since, Jesus received three gifts, one from each of the wise men, that our children were NOT more precious than Jesus! If you are a parent that statement can be a tough one to swallow because we put our children above all else. And it has been super hard to not want to give them more. (I actually had to take presents back this past week, conviction.......ugghhh!! I had gotten carried away.) But I would much rather give them more of Jesus than a bunch of stuff that won't matter for eternity!! Even more breathtaking is to see them learn from this and to share this tradition with others. So many have asked my kids what they are getting for Christmas and they will say their three items and people will respond with well what else....and my kids will say "we get three gifts because we aren't more special than Jesus". Talk about warming your heart!! 

We haven't mastered all the lessons to be learned from this experience since this year when I asked my kids to make out their list, my middle child decided to make out everyone's list for them. When I spoke to them all about their 3 items my oldest and youngest didn't have a clue as to what they wanted or what was even on their list. So you see my middle child had a plan, he figured if he made the list for everyone with his likes then he would be good to go, getting more for himself! Lol!!! Pretty smart but not what we had in mind. Although, he tried to convince his brother of the things that he had put on the list. Little stinker!! 

Learning to be satisfied with what God has given or not given is sometimes a hard task. Teaching my children to be satisfied with only three gifts has not been easy either. Even as an adult I believe we struggle with this. We are no different from my child. We bargain with God in the same way. Begging in prayer as we borrow, scheme, take out a loan, seek after, and plan without consenting God on the matter. All for what??? Just so that we can have more. And have more of what??? Most of the time more of what we don't need. Ouch!! Very convicting!! 

This Christmas season I pray that through all the craziness and mad dashes from here to there you will put on the forefront of your mind the true meaning of Christmas! I pray that you will remember HIS BIRTH and be SATISFIED!!! JESUS is the reason for the season!!! Nothing more nothing less!!! 

"And He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Out of the boat water walking

December 27, 2010

God has been amazing! HE IS AMAZING!! I sometimes wonder why we are slow to respond to Him. I wonder why sometimes it takes me sooo long to learn the lesson. I wonder why I procrastinate to be busy about His commands. I wonder how I could not be obedient the first time I am told, for some reason I wait for that "sign" or that one more time of telling. I wait to hear the word audibly or for that extra reassurance that "this" is what He is telling me to do. Is it fear? Is it questions of the unknown? Is it lack of faith? What is it that holds us back from immediately taking a step in faith after Him that calls us.

Seven years ago we built our home and had just moved in. I remember very vividly sitting at our round breakfast table staring out the tall window on a cold January morning crying out to God for answers and for direction. He spoke and I looked all around for an audible voice; I looked for a sign, for something besides what He was speaking to my heart. I questioned his calling and wasn't ready to be obedient to what He was calling me to do. Reckless abandon, taking up my cross, stepping outside my comfort zone, what Lord?? Why me? Why now? I can't do it! I am scared! I don't have what it takes! I am too young! I have small kids and I am just too busy! I have to take care of my husband! I am afraid what everyone will think! I don't have the skills Lord! Lord you must be thinking about someone else!

You are probably thinking WOW, He must have asked you to sell everything and move to Africa to be a missionary. Not exactly, but it sure felt like He was requiring too much from me. Oh the lies from Satan!

I read a book during that time titled "If You Want To Walk On Water You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat" By John Ortberg. Incredible words from God to me at that time, regarding Peter and when God called Him to walk on the water. You see God calls us all! We each have a different calling but He does call each of us. It is what we do with that calling that will impact our world positively for Him or negatively!

In the book there was a story that still speaks to my heart that I would like to share with you......

"Sometime after Florence, my paternal grandmother, died, my grandfather called my mother with an unusual offer.

"Kathy," he said, in his heavy Swedish accent. "I was going through some of Florence's things in the attic when I came across a box of old dishes. I was going to get rid of them, but I noticed that they're blue--your favorite color. Why don't you take a look at them, if you want them, they're yours; otherwise, I'll give them to the Salvation Army.

So my mother went through the attic, expecting to find some run-of-the-mill dinnerware. Instead, when she opened the box, she was looking at some of the most exquisite china she had ever seen. Each plate had been individually painted with a pattern of forget-me-nots. The cups were inlaid mother-of-pearl. The dishes and cups were rimmed with gold. The plates had been handcrafted in a Bavarian factory that was destroyed during the Second World War, so they were literally irreplaceable.

Yet my mother had been in the family for twenty years, and she had never seen this china before. She asked my father about it. He had grown up in the family--and he had never seen it, either.

Eventually they found out from some older family members the story of the china. When Florence was very young, she was given china over a period of years. They were not a wealthy family, and the china was quite valuable, so she only got a piece at a time for gifts--confirmation, graduation, or a birthday.

Why had my parents never seen it? To know that, you have to know something about the character of the Swedes. We are a cautious kind of people. We don't roll the dice easily. For instance, my two great aunts lived for eighty years in a beautiful Victorian home built by my great-grandfather in the 1800's. The most beautiful room in the house was a parlor. It was generally reserved for very special guests. No guest that special ever came to the house, so the parlor didn't get used much.

When Florence received a piece of china---because it was so valuable, because it was used it might get broken--she would wrap it very carefully in tissue, put it in a box, and store it in the attic for a very special occasion. No occasion that special ever came along. So my grandmother went to her grave with the greatest gift of her life unopened and unused.

Then my mother was given the dishes. She uses them promiscuously---every chance she has. They have finally made it out of box."

With Christmas past and the new year on the brink, I pray that you have accepted the greatest gift known to man...Jesus. I pray that you aren't afraid to take Him out of the box. He is calling us to live in full obedience to Him. Reckless abandon, taking up our cross daily, stepping out on the water with Him. You have not experienced the fullness of anything until you have experienced the fullness of living obedient to Him! Your calling will most likely be different from mine but what I do know is that fear shouldn't be in the equation. When He calls you, He will equip you! Our job is to be obedient with the gift!! Don't leave Him in the box!!! The ride of your life awaits you in Him!! It's time for some water walking!!

Matthew 14:29 "So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus"

Blessed to Give

January 17, 2011

 I am sitting here in Sports Clip waiting for my boys to get their hair cut pondering over all that is on my mind.  I have had odd things happen in the last week.  From reading a book that has literally challenged my every belief and made me question the lifestyle that we live, to being offered a trip to LA, to learning of my cousin's sudden death and living in depression, to having to give up hosting a Disciple Now weekend to attend a funeral, to subbing in Kindergarten classes where soooo many need God's love, and then to using my Christmas gift of being pampered in a spa. As I am shaking my head, I am thinking none of these seem to even go together!!  Happy, sad, happy, sad, happy, sad, blessed, cursed, blessed, cursed....wow!!!  All the while talking to God and asking Him what it is that I should be taking from all these things and how do they all fit together?  What does all of this mean? Why do bad things happen?  Why do some people suffer so much?  What should I do different in my life as a result of all of this?  So many questions and why don't I have answers, Lord? 

We know the church answer, which is all things happen for a reason and everyone has a choice in life.  But what about the starving kid in Africa, or the child born to a family of chaos, dysfunction, and drugs?  Why do they have to pay for the sins of their parents? They did not choose that life.  Why are some people more blessed than others?  Why do some have more resources and support than others?  Lord, why have you blessed me beyond measure yet so many others know you not and have NEVER heard your name?

My mind was still running with all these happenings while I should have been relaxing and enjoying my spa day but there was NOT a lot of relaxing.  You have heard it a thousand times....the answers are in His Word!!  With blessings comes responsibilities....."we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:  'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"   Acts 20:35b.  That's it!   

If you are reading this then you have been blessed; far more than you realize.  You are able to read and obviously have Internet access.  Not only do you live in a country that gives you freedom, but you have more options than you can fathom.  I am sure this morning we all woke from comfortable sleeping arrangements, we most likely had a warm bath, we were able to brush our teeth in clean drinking water, we got to choose what we were going to wear from our mass wardrobe in comparison to the millions that have no roof over their heads, sleep on dirt and don't even know what a toothbrush looks like, much less clean water.  We are spoiled with options of what our favorite pair of shoes are and what favorite restaurant that we love to eat at. We have the option to send our kids to a private school or a public school or whether to enroll them in soccer or dance and then saving for them to attend the college of their choice.  Not all people in this world have what we have.  Not all have been blessed in the ways that we have been.  If we were all honest we would confess to the fact of being blessed beyond our wildest dreams.  We are given far more than what we deserve.  And what we deserve is nothing!  So what do we do with what we have been given?  Do we waist it on what we want or think we deserve because we have worked hard for it or do we use our blessings for His glory and think unselfishly?

My heart has been overly convicted on what I am doing with the blessings that God has given me, especially as I look at the last week of my life.  Do I give Him the glory for the things He has brought me through; do I share with others my material possessions as to show they really are not mine but His to begin with; do I give of my time to serve others so that they can see the love of God through me; do I sacrifice in giving or is it just my left overs for offering?  With the blessings God has given us all there will be great responsibility.  Responsibility of obedience.  Responsibility to use our blessings for His glory.  Responsibility to help those that are in need, those that are weak, those that know Him not.   

I still don't know all the answers to my 'why questions' but our God did not promise a life of ease for anyone or answers to all our questions.  What He does promise is salvation.  What He does promise is always a way out of temptation.  What He does promise is that He will always be there for us when we call on His name.  What He does promise is that He loves us!!!  And because we love Him we should be willing to use our blessings to honor and glorify our creator and savior!! 

Looking around the world to see how much more we are blessed than others or even looking down the street, it breaks my heart to know that I have been somewhat irresponsible with the many things I have been given.  Maybe this realization is just for me and maybe it has made you take a second glance and realize this life is not just about our own dreams and goals.  It is about sharing Christ with others and what better way to share Him than through His abundance!! As our pastor said this last Sunday....we are all on our way, we are all going, going about....are we going about our Masters work or our own?  Are we going about sharing Him or are we in the way of Him being shown? 

I pray this would not come to you as preaching or confusion as it has been a wild ride to piece together what the Lord has shown me.   But, I pray this will come to you as loving encouragement to be on your way using your blessings for Him, in His name, and for His glory!!  I pray that with your blessing you will be able to share Jesus with some one in need!  I pray we will be less full of ourselves and selfish desires and completely full of Him!  He deserves our all!!                  

They RAN out of business!

January 31, 2011

We were driving down the road and my boys see that Double Dave's is no longer open. My youngest says with excitement how much he LOVED to eat there. While my oldest says, "they RAN out of business"! I was trying to hold in my laughter and just intently listen to their conversation. I wanted to say you don't RUN out of business, you GO out of business. He then went on to say since they were running out of business they didn't have enough money to pay their bills and couldn't possibly stay open any more. And I am thinking, how do you possibly know that, you are a nine year old? Geesh! My youngest says, "well I like to eat there on Sundays and they always had a lot of people there when we went." Lol!!! Oh, how I love to listen to the conversations of kids. Quiet often I learn a few things! 

I got to thinking about "running" out of business and wondered sometimes if we are running out of God's business? Running from the purpose He has for our lives. Running from the path He has set before us. 

God is teaching me to love without contempt and with zero limitations and sometimes I feel like running. It is easier when I don't have to do for others or think of others before myself. It is easier to not let God's calling (His business or plan) interrupt my daily doings. It's easier to go about my plans than to think of what His business or plans may be. I would much rather RUN!! Less work, less hassle, and too much to have to think about!! 

Although, these thoughts of running have entered my mind, thankfully God has allowed opportunity after opportunity for me to follow after His business of loving on someone else and not just think of the way I feel or what I have planned for the day. It has been amazing to see what can unfold when we are obedient to His calling on our lives. We can go where He is at work around us and be apart of that. 

"Grow where you are planted" has been a phrase that has stuck in my heart for quiet sometime. Wherever that may be, weather in the midst of struggles, on the mountain top experiences, wading thru the muck and the mire, or just cruising along we are to grow where we are planted. And that will require saying YES to His Business, loving even the unlovables, even the ones that stab us in the back, even the ones that live in the neighborhoods we would not dare to go in, even the ones that don't think like us, or have the type of personality we mesh well with. We are to love past all indiscretions

So are you running? What are you running from? What is God calling you to do and why are you resistant? Are you ready to stop running and start GOING into the business of Lord? His plan is perfect. Stop running and start trusting God! He is waiting for you to say yes to Him!!

Patience is Tough!

February 28, 2011

At Sports Clips again and I guess there is something in the air here that makes

my mind flow because this is the third time I have written Encouragement here!! 

Hummmmmmm!?!?

This week was a little tough with one of my children...one of the boys anyways. 

If you know my family I am sure you can guess which one, if not I will leave you

to wonder.  He came home from school in one of those moods if you know what I

mean.  He was happy if he was getting to do what he wanted but as soon as that

changed boy did his attitude change. 

PATIENCE....can anyone say this word?? 

My kids have a schedule of tasks they are responsible for when they come home. 

I made charts a few years ago to help with my sanity and theirs.  This way there

is nothing to be misunderstood about the daily routine of things.  This day

obviously he forgot the routine and forgot the verse we have memorized and

talked about over and over!  Philippians 2:5-have the attitude of Christ Jesus. 

For some reason his wants far exceeded all other tasks, commitments,

relationships, and truths he knew.  I, on the other hand, was ready to pull out

my hair and maybe a few of his as well (who needs Sports Clips, right?). 

Although, you would think after getting a spanking, writing sentences about his

attitude (I will choose to have a good attitude no matter what), and sitting in his

room, he would have gotten the picture.  As if you couldn't tell he is my strong

willed, hard headed child that must test every limit including my patience.  He

did not want to cooperate, and he had gotten on my very last nerve!!  I, did not

cooperate well after being pushed, I broke.  I was angry and raised my voice more

than just one octave, NOT a good example!  As I call out to the Lord, I don't think I

can handle much more of this, patience and slow to speak was the thought that

entered my mind. Patience, patience, patience!!! Uggghhh!!  Lord, you must be

joking me?  How can I have patience and be slow to speak after he continues to be

disobedient and at this point disrespectful?

Proverbs 15:4 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up

anger."

Why is it when we are pushed to our limit having patience and keeping our mouths

shut is the hardest thing in the world to do.  My son was not acting with

patience and he surely was not holding his tongue; he did not want to take care

of matters so that later he could do the fun stuff.  He wanted his cake and

wanted to eat it too!! 

I guess I was right there with him because I wanted him to mind and wanted him

to do it immediately. I didn't want to wait, I didn't want to hear about his

day, or what he had to say about what I told him to do, or what he wanted; I

wanted obedience right at that moment.  Although I do believe immediate

obedience is Biblical, my patience was not there with him at all.  I let his

impatience become my own.  And don't we all do that at times?  When we are

around sin if we aren't careful it can rub off quickly and become our own. 

The saying "if mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," is definitely a true

statement.  We can make or break the atmosphere of our household with our

attitudes and actions. But not just in our homes this could happen anywhere, in

our work place, in our car on the way, even hanging out with our friends. And

the sins of others can wear off quickly if we aren't careful.  Being involved

with the gossip, jokes, bad attitudes, negative comments can quickly be in our

vocabulary and actions if we are not equipped by Him. 

So next time you are pushed to your limit, think before you act.  Do your

actions and speech line up with His Word?  Does your attitude reflect that of

Christ?  Do your words build up or tear down those around you? Are you letting

someone elses sin become your own?

This will definitely require practice!  So that means we will have to be pushed

to our limit to learn patience and the attitude of Christ.  Be encouraged that

you are not the only one that messes up.  You can see by my example how to fail. 

You are not the only one that wants to ring your childs neck, or say things that

are not becoming of Christ.  And maybe it isn't your child you are having to

deal with....maybe it's customers, patients, co-workers, husband, boss, church

members, family members, friends, or even your dog.  None of us are perfect but

His grace is sufficient and learning from our mistakes and turning from them

will be what matters. We can choose to breath the life of Christ into those we

come in contact with or breath death.  Calling upon Him is crucial when our

boundaries have been pushed.  No other name has the power to overcome!

Encouraging you today when the going gets tough.....the tough needs to get

going.  You are God Tough as His child, never under estimate His power!!   

Encouraging you,

Kim Bobo

Life's Storm Have a Purpose

November 2, 2010

A week or so ago we had a thunderstorm roll through about 1AM. My husband and I both woke and couldn't go back to sleep. The thunder shook our house and the lightening crackled. Our box fan was no match for this noise maker. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep at all...REM was out of the question! Since my husband was wide awake he was at his office by 3AM. When my alarm went off I was somewhat of a grouch..ok a BIG GROUCH because I had not gotten what I thought I deserved....SLEEP!!!

Yesterday, I was on FB and reading peoples post and came across this one..."If through a broken heart God can bring His purpose to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart." Oswald Chambers

I read that and read it again and again and again. I even copy and pasted it and sent it to a friend. I just couldn't stop thinking about being broken to the point where it hurts ever fiber of our being. I thought of the simple (but LOUD and OBNOXIOUIS) storm that had interrupted my sleep and deprived me of what I wanted and thought I needed. I thought of past times in my life that I have been so down that I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. I thought of the brokenness I have felt when I have lost a loved one, the depression I have felt when I couldn't do anything about my circumstances. I thought of the deep pits I have been in when there was NO ladder to get out. I thought of the anxiety that has robbed me of life when things around me were overwhelming. Oh, the brokenness!

And then I thought of HIS purpose!! HE ALWAYS HAS A PURPOSE!! I am sure when Jonah was in the belly of the whale he was probably NOT thinking of God's purpose. He was thinking, "Why the heck am I in the belly of a whale? And why are you doing this God?" We don't think of purpose in the middle of our storms. We think of our circumstances. But we KNOW in the midst of our trials HE is working! His Word has given us example after example! PTL!!

Although I was pretty ticked off about the storm keeping me from what I wanted most, there was a purpose. When my life has seemed to be turned upside down and my heart has been shattered there has ALWAYS been a purpose. It is during those times we should look for HIS purpose and be THANKFUL! I know that is a mouth full. It hurts to even say the word, thankful, in the middle of a crisis much less act on the word. But when we can learn this simple truth, His blessings will follow and His promises will be revealed.

Samuel Chadwick said, "It is amazing what God can do with a broken heart, if you give Him all the pieces."

We must have FAITH in our maker! HE is more powerful than our storm! HE is faithful!

Ephesians 1:19-20 "God's power is very great for those who believe, that power is the same as the great strength God used to raise Christ from the dead."

When our eyes see the prowling lion, faith sees Daniels angel. When our eyes see storms, faith sees Noah's rainbow. When our eyes see giants, faith sees Canaan. When our eyes see our faults, faith sees our Savior. When our eyes see our guilt, faith sees His blood. When our eyes see our grave, faith sees a city whose builder and maker is God!! ~Max Lucado

To all my friends and family that are struggling with life’s storms, hang on to the promise of His purpose and have faith!! I love you all!

Girlie Girl or Divine Intervention

February 14, 2011

I always dreamed of being married and having a little girl to share all the "girlie" stuff with. I did get married, I did have a sweet precious little girl but.....I didn't get the sharing the "girlie" stuff part.

My daughter is now twelve years old and I am so proud of the young lady God is molding her to be. Being able to be apart of that has truly been an incredible blessing. We recently had a mother/daughter tea at our church with the GA program. It was a very sweet time of honoring our daughters and our lady missionaries in the church. We wrote letters to our daughters and they were read aloud for the entire audience. I was like a baby; it doesn't take much for me to cry so I did just that...cried like a baby. Each letter admired the character traits and good qualities of their daughters and encouraged them on to live a life for the Lord. When it came time for Madison's letter to be read I couldn't even look her in the eye without tears falling. Oh, how thankful I am for that precious girl!! 

You see, my plans were very different from God's. I wanted a baby girl but not at the time we found out we were pregnant. My husband and I had been married for a couple years and both of us were full time college students and working part time jobs. Having a child at that moment was not part of our plans. We had goals and a time frame to meet them and a child was not something that really fit into our agenda. Please don't misunderstand me, we were grateful to be having a child and very quickly got excited but also were frustrated that OUR plans were not going according to our schedule. You with me?? 

And then there was the next thing....my daughter has never been a girlie girl!! What?? If you know me then you completely understand what I am talking about! How can this be??? Lord this was not what I asked for!! How come you keep interrupting my plans??? Madison has NEVER played with baby dolls or Barbies! She NEVER liked to dress up and still doesn't like to shop!! How could this be I have one girl and she is NOT a girl!! Something must be wrong Lord!! Playing with stuffed animals was her love and quickly she found out what a horse was and has had a passion for them since she was two!! How did that happen, neither my husband nor I have ever dealt with horses...we are NOT farm people!!! Did you hear me???? I don't like to be dirty and my daughter would live in the barn if I would let her; she would sleep with the horses on hay if I would allow it! 

God has countless times told me that His ways are not my ways and I have tried to argue with Him several times over it! These lessons have been life altering! When you finally realize that what you want may not line up with what He wants, it is very freeing. 

I am doing a study over Jonah right now and basically it is about his interrupted life. He didn't want to go to Ninevah, it wasn't a part of his plan, he didn't like the people there, and he high-tailed it the opposite direction when he heard God calling him there. 

Numerous times I have done the same thing. God has interrupted my life and my plans and I had a choice to whine and fight for what I wanted or submit to His authority! I can't say that I always have chosen His path! I have been a whinner, I have thrown fits, I have tried to conform my circumstances to what I wanted, and I have gone the opposite direction despite what God has laid before me and let me say there has been consequences for my actions. 

I love the story of Jonah, maybe because I can relate to him so well. He loved the Lord and knew Him well, but when asked to step out and go against the current he resisted! That wasn't what Jonah had in mind. He didn't want to go to Ninevah to share the gospel with people that have hated his kind for generations. Being with enemies and evil was NOT on his to do list! His plans were interrupted. Priscilla Shirer the author of the study I am doing put it very well....a life interrupted should be considered God's divine intervention!! WOW!! 

How many times have you had a plan and things didn't go as planned? How many times has God called you elsewhere when according to your map you were on the right route? What about now as God is calling you into a deeper walk with Him but it is requiring you to spend more time in His Word and time with Him in prayer? Interruption or intervention? What about last night when you had this perfect night with your husband planned in your mind and it didn't go that way at all? Or maybe you thought you would have a child by now and it hasn't happened? How about when you have spent all day cleaning the house from top to bottom and the family comes and messes it up in two minutes? Or maybe you have lost someone in your life very dear to you? These were not your plans, they were not according to the map you had set before you. You were content with your plan. There are a thousands of options to explore on this subject but the fact of the matter is....is it our plans or God's plans? And when our plans don't pan out, how do we respond? Do we look at our interruptions as His divine interventions? 

I am sure I sound selfish when I have whined about having an unplanned child and that child not being a girlie girl. And yes that is exactly what I have learned. Realizing my ways are not His can be heart breaking for dreams. But on the other hand, submitting to His authority and realizing his divine interventions are much better than my dreams could ever be are what makes my relationship with my Father that much sweeter! Try God out on that...you will NOT be disappointed!!! 

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Be encouraged that even when your life seems to be interrupted, it may just be God's divine intervention. We may not see it at first but when we saddle up His horse we will be in for a ride much more adventurous and grand than we ever dreamed of! Yee-haw!! Let's find some dirt!!  

Encouraging you,

Kim Bobo

For Such A Time As This...It Is Possible

I’m not sure if y’all ever have those days where God repeats Himself. Most of the time it is my lack of faith, to tell my fault, and for some reason it isn't sinking in so God repeats Himself ever so patiently. Today was one of those days. From different studies and different sources that I read today, these three verses were apart of them and they ALL said the same thing...🤦🏻‍♀️

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.””

Mark 10:27 NIV

““I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

Matthew 19:26 NIV

IT IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

So I asked God what in the world it is that I’m not believing to be possible??  I wanted to claim them possible through Him. Sooo, I made a list in my journal after writing each verse. The list kept going. 😔 And going. I didn’t realize I had so many things I thought were impossible. My impossibles were things I guess I thought God must not care too much about because I had not seen much change in any of the situations. 

I looked to the previous page in my journal and I realized the last time I journaled, my thoughts had been wrapped in my own personal "blah" that I was missing assignments God had for me, Esther 4:14 “for such a time as this”. (Which is another verse God keeps repeating to me 🤦🏻‍♀️ why can’t I get it already?) And today, reading an Ann Voskamp quote, “You are where you are FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS - to not make an impression but to make a difference.” 

Ouch!!! How can I make a difference if I don’t believe God can do the impossible? How can I make a difference if I’m too worried with how others perceive me instead of seeing the opportunities before me? How can I make a difference if I only believe God works for others and doesn't for me? What's the real Truth, Kim? The rest is fake news!

It IS NOT my job to make things happen.  It IS NOT my job to worry why.  It IS my job to make a difference.  It IS my job to use the opportunities before me to make a difference.  It IS my job to believe my Maker when He says it is possible.  It IS my job to have faith.

Lord, thank you for new perspective. Thank you for shifting my mind and heart from the impossibilities to the possibilities you have before me. Bind fear and doubt and let faith in You, Your possibilities, and Your opportunities be all that I see.