...filtered through the fingers...

There's been a lot of stretching and growing in my life lately!  This excites me tremendously, and leaves me with a hunger and wanting more! For the first time in my life, I'm truly seeing God at work within me. How cool is that?!! This journey that I'm on is the path way to my freedom - yay! I'm by no account saying it's all light and fluffy, feel-good experiences. It's hard, emotional, and exhausting...but it's what continues bringing me closer to my Creator - Elohim. Going through the 'hard stuff' and coming out the other side is when the freedom and reward come. It nearly blows my socks off to see, first hand, how the Lord really does use what the enemy intended for evil, and turns it into good! It's so cool!

I've begun another Bible study recently by Kay Arthur titled 'Lord I Want to Know You'. It's on the Hebrew names of God, and I'm so pumped about doing this one! Simply for the fact that I get to dig deeper and come to know my God more intimately by knowing His names and the meaning behind them. To be able to call upon the perfect name when each situation arises - wow! Ya...almost no words can even begin to describe the impact it has already had on me, needless to say how much more intense it's going to become as I move forward in this study!

The name we studied this week was 'El Elyon' - our God Most High. I nearly went through the roof on this one! I was completely overwhelmed by the fresh importation the Holy Spirit gave me on this. I had heard of that name before, but until dissecting it, it didn't hold the meaning for me as it does now. To know the true sovereignty of God and to understand it will bring you to a place of such peace...such a special place between you and Him. It's the cleft - the hiding place where the Lord covers you. It's so individual. No one else will ever experience the same as you in that special place.

My mind can't even begin to fathom the knowledge in which everything that comes into my life has been (and will continue to be) filtered through the fingers of Love. He knew what was going to happen to us between birth and rebirth - and He allowed it to happen...for our good and His glory. He is the Most High, the supreme authority. Nothing or no one is more superior to Him, and he rules over all. How great is that to know that the Most High King is your heavenly Father?!

"Isn't it easier to give thanks when you realize that your Father, El Elyon, God Most High, is in control and that nothing can happen in His universe without His permission? Even when we are wronged by others, we can still give thanks. Although we have been given a free will, still God so rules and overrules that no person, angel, demon, or devil, nor any circumstances of life, can thwart His plan.

El Elyon rules supremely over all. And because He does, you can understand how 'all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose' (Romans 8:28). In everything you can 'give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus' (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

You must know Him as El Elyon, the Most High. For if God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and you and I are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is), in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil."

(Kay Arthur)

"I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me".  (Psalm 57:2)  Do you cry out to Him?  Do you believe He hears you?!  Do you know Him - El Elyon - personally and intimately?  I do, and what a gift it is to continually get to know Him more and more each and every day!

Be blessed as you continue on your faith walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Until next time,
'K'

A Little Valentine From God

Well, well...the past couple of days have been challenging.  I continue to ask the Lord when this 'night' is going to become 'morning'.  I was talking to a friend about this last night and I had to laugh at one point during our conversation (ok, we laughed more than this once, but about this specifically...)!  I made the above statement, then continued on to say that it was really only one area of my life where I felt that it was 'night'.  Then the chuckle...'it's like I'm in different time zones'!  The thought of that being literal is humorous as well!  How can one person's life be all over the map...or just one area be in a completely separate place?  This has got me to thinking...dangerous, I know!  Overall, my life is the 'morning' - and I love that!  I'm continually growing in Christ Jesus, and continually wanting to do so - how awesome is that in and of itself!?!  I have a wonderful and very loving family; some true and genuine friends who are of such great support and encouragement; prosperous work; a roof over our heads; and the One who created me provides my every 'need', and loves me more than any other - that's a whole lotta love!! 

So, I continue to try and be still, while I wait for this 'night' to pass as the Lord sees fit.  All while I remember that God is good - all the time...even when it seems darkest!!  Thank you Lord!

Shifting gears a wee bit here...  I'm sure you can agree with me here, that sometimes when you continue praying for something specific, you wonder if the Lord really does hear you.  I mean, we know he does, but our hearts may feel otherwise.  I've been in that place before...have just been there...and am pretty sure, because I'm human, I'll be there many more times yet.  Have you found yourself there before?  Now?  During those times I come to the point where I just let it go and yell up to Him..."Lord, why aren't you answering me?  Do you not hear me?  Where are you?..."  Then I begin to think that maybe His not answering me isn't really the case...but just the fact that I'm not being still enough to hear His whispered answer.  In some cases I've found that to be true.  For the other times (when I feel He has earplugs in!) I manage to come to a place of 'calm' after my 'storm', and I'm settled in the fact that His not answering likely means "WAIT".  It doesn't mean that I necessarily like that answer, but I trust in His best for me and get through the waiting by the grace and strength He provides me.

As a parent of small children, it's easy for me to see when it's best for my children to wait for something, and when it's the best time for them to enjoy whatever they may have been waiting for.  It's hard for them, especially if they have to wait for an extended period of time for the 'it' to take place...the anticipation nearly kills them!  That's how I feel as a child of God!  I know the best is what He wants for me - as do I.  But I just can't help being a little kid sometimes and just saying "come on God...let's have it...NOW!...the anticipation is nearly killing me!!"  Kind of funny when it's actually spelled out here, but it's honest...and very real.  I'm sure you can relate in your own life too!

Last night I got raw with God during Prayer Meeting, and told Him I needed Him to show Himself...I'm needing proof that He is there, and that He is listening...that He really does know my heart.  I felt like I was at the end of my rope - again!  I came home exhausted and questioning what I was to do regarding a specific situation.  I had nothing left in me for the night, so I left it all with the Lord as I slept.

This morning after I came home from taking the kids to school, I still wasn't really sure.  But again gave it to the Lord and knew that He would prompt me accordingly.  I surely didn't want to have to go through with what I was thinking might have been His answer, but again - I was willing to be obedient and follow through should that be the case.

As I sat down at my computer, I received an email regarding one specific part of my 'situation' that delighted me - and I praised the Lord for it!  You see, about the time that I was completely exhausted last night and had given it over to Him...a little email was being composed that would be sent my way shortly.  Little did I know this, until after I'd dropped the kids off at school this morning and came home to begin my day, that the answer to my question was already answered and sitting in my inbox!  It was like a little Valentine from God!

How sweet those times are when you've been pouring it all out before the Lord and you've not been hearing an answer, then...wait for it...a small confirmation comes that He actually has been hearing your petition!  It's a little 'happy dance' that goes on in my heart...and sometimes in my kitchen too!  It's not the full answer, but just a little foretaste...that little bit of encouragement from your Father that He is listening!  How awesome is God!?!

Be encouraged today by knowing that your Creator hears you...and loves you beyond your comprehension!
Happy Valentine's Day :)
'K'

When Your Hut's On Fire

Good day :)  I am trying to be productive with getting my life in somewhat of a simplified way...lol, I know - does it ever really happen?!!...so I've been going through 'things'.  Both in mind and that of material items.  It's amazing just how much clutter one has.  Things of little or no importance that take up space - mentally or physically - that for some reason we feel the need to hold on to...what's really the point?  I believe that there has to be a deeper issue with why we keep 'things' we don't need, but I'm not going there today!

While getting my desk cleared off (still a ways to go with that!), I came across a little diddy I'd printed off that I'd sent to a very good friend of mine back in 2009, for some encouragement.  Again, today when I read it, it clicked...I've totally been feeling 'my hut's on fire'.   

I'll post the story for you to read, then continue with my explanation of my village :)

WHEN YOUR HUT'S ON FIRE
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.  He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him.  Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.  Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.  One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.  He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.  He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger.  He cried out, "God, how could you do this to me?"  Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island.  It had come to rescue him!  "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.  "We saw your smoke signal" they replied.

The moral of this story:  It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.  Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground.  It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God!

As I mentioned above, I feel like mine is on fire...or perhaps just smoldering would be a better description.  But I can't help but wonder how much more it's going to have to 'burn' for the smoke signal to be seen...am I alone on that feeling?!  Of course this is when I'm thinking by 'sight' rather than by 'faith'.  How gracious the Lord is to bring me back to my side when I begin to question if He is seeing my little hut burning to the ground.  I know and I trust in Almighty God to come to my rescue...but in His timing.  I'm reminded over and over again, that His thinking is not our thinking; His ways are not ours; and His timing is very different from our own.  So just because I feel my hut can't burn anymore, He allows it to continue.  Bringing me to the place where trusting in His timing and His provision is all that I can do (in His strength), and it's all that matters. 

All the glory be to our Lord God exalted higher than any other!!

Be blessed...until next time,
'K'

My Creator, my Savior, my Lord

It's been almost two weeks since I last posted...just haven't gotten it 'together' to sit down and write. Much going on in this mind of mine...how much of it was actually productive remains to be seen - although I suspect it's very little. Being caught in the cycle of unnecessary over analyzing is completely exhausting quite frankly, but sometimes it just feels like a rut you just can't get out of - yanno?! The good news is, is that we can! It's not easy, because it's something we have to change within ourselves. So the pressure is on...so-to-speak. It's time to take the bull by the horns and just lambaste the enemy for continually trying to get into our thought lives and nudging us to believing things that just aren't so...or that even warrant any of our time and energy.  For me, knowing that I've got 'back-up' in this battle is of some comfort...although it's my mind and my heart that take the brunt of the attacks.  So, daily I put on the armour required for this and continually step forward in faith.  Trusting and leaving my every step to my Creator, my Savior, my Lord.  As many of you will agree; that's easier said than done...right?! 

I know that I'm to leave my burdens at the foot of the cross (and believe me, I go there many times - daily!) but it is still a struggle.  Yes, it's easy for me to make it there - usually with God's help on that! - but why is it so difficult to turn and leave it when you've dropped off your burdens?  I wonder if anyone else has that issue...who am I kidding, we all do. 

That's when we need to rely on Him; to trust Him; and to have faith in Him alone.  For everything here is temporary - even our struggles.  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17) 

I'm prompted right now to close off this blog entry with a prayer.  I don't completely understand why, but I'm just to be obedient with the Lord's promptings!

Father God, I come to you now and thank you for all you have given.  For all you have taken away as well Lord.  Your mercy and grace are so far beyond our understanding...we thank you for that.  It leaves me in complete awe of just how sovereign you are Father.  Lord, I just life up all those who are struggling with their own burdens right now Lord.  Father be their comfort...be their Good Sheppard and let them know you are there watching over them.  It's just so hard sometimes to feel that in our valley's you are right there beside us.  Father I pray that you would just draw near .  Lord place your loving arms around those who are hurting.  Place your hedge of protection around them Father.  Let not the enemy have his way.  Lord, you are Almighty and our Protector and for everything you are we praise you.  All the glory and honor be to your name Almighty Father.  We bless your name.  In Christ, Amen.

Cling to Him!
Until next time,
'K'