It's God who never let's go!

I went for a drive this morning after dropping the kids off at school, and had a real intimate time with the Lord. I'm finding myself in a place of struggling lately. Not with my faith, but with other 'things' that can occupy my mind and take over my focusing on what really matters.  This phase seems to come and go...unfortunately more often than I'd like. I want to pick up my cross and carry it, but my flesh is weak. It's truly a battle only the Lord can fight. It's hard though when you feel alone...like no one could understand what goes on in the battlefield of your mind and flesh (for those who may not fully understand, the 'flesh' doesn't mean a 'carnal' manner only - we can go further with that another time).  How could anyone understand when you don't understand it yourself? It's hard to comprehend that Jesus knows exactly what you're going through - and more! This I simply can't wrap my mind around! I don't want my mind and emotions to be 'cluttered', and I know my Father doesn't either! Thankfully, I can hear Him calling to me through it all (even if it's very quietly) and it brings about a comfort and peace like no other.

During my drive this morning there was a song on my cd that came on that I knew was for me from Him - at that precise moment - to remind me, no matter what He's always there. It's something my head knows, but sometimes it's more difficult for my heart to believe (due to issues from my past I haven't been acutely aware of until recently - and by the grace of God, that's something I'm workin' out with Him!  Praise the Lord!).

Is that something that you can relate to...head knowledge not lining up with the heart? If so (or even if not!), listen to the song the Lord gave me this morning. Perhaps you're feeling at a place where He's not showing Himself to you, or you simply need a reminder like I did to get me through another day and keep my perspective where it's to be.


(*You'll need to stop the mixpod player before you watch the video!)



Isn't it great to know that it's God who never lets go!  Kinda helps take the pressure off to know that it's not by our own strength we can continue to cling to Him, but that it's by His might we are made able.  "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

I pray a blessing over you as you go about your daily routines.  May the love of God be ever present and be seen by all you come into contact with today...and every day!

Until next time,
'K'

"That was awkward"..."I'll never go back"

I LOVE THIS BILLBOARD!  Simply stated!  So obviously the 'end of the world' failed to happen last Saturday...not like any true Christ follower expected it to happen though.  But I've heard people talking about how many people were 'a bit worried'...this makes my heart sad.  I can't imagine not knowing (now that I do KNOW...) where my eternal resting place will be.  Such a great comfort to not have been one of the 'worried' ones questioning it last week.  This however does bring forth the sad reality that there are too many out there who have no clue of there eternal resting place - or worse yet, those who proclaim they don't care, or say they've never really thought about it.

The one good thing about this whole stupid hoax, is that it brought attention back to Christ!  I pray for those who were 'worried' or 'scared' of what might have happened on the 21st, that the Lord would use that to awaken them and draw them to him (or bring the prodigal home).  I pray that this ignited a right fear of the Lord that they want to come to know personally, so that they will know their eternal salvation is in Christ Jesus and in Him alone.  It's just so sweet (not always easy!) to trust in Jesus and rest in His promises.  I personally put my time in here on earth with great anticipation of the day I go 'Home'!  Until then, I strive to live the life that is pleasing to God, and go forth with the purpose He has designed me for, all the while trying to keep 'eternity's perspective' while doing so.  (Although I'm well aware I fall short of living a sinless and blameless daily life, God uses conviction to pull me back, and gives me correction accordingly.)

I feel it pressed upon my heart right now to mention this...  I realize that there may be some reading this that don't know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  And perhaps you were a bit confused or worried about the prediction (that failed, may I remind you!).  If there is a stirring within you, even if you're not sure what it's about, have you ever considered it just may be God trying to get your attention?!  He wants YOU!  He wants all of you.  I can tell you from experience, I've lived life on both sides - without and with the Lord, and now that I KNOW Him...I'LL NEVER GO BACK, NEVER.  The debt has been paid my friend and He's waiting on you!  I'm not going to tell you that all you have to do is 'pray the sinner's prayer' and your life will instantly get easier or better, because that's not realistic.  But it does start with confessing your sinful ways to Him in prayer, but there has to be true and genuine repentance and turning from those sinful ways and making it a priority to be in The Word continually growing with Him.  It's a decision one makes daily, and it's a way of life - oh so sweet!!

I don't know what else to say at this point, so I'll leave this with you and trust that if this is for you to hear that you would receive it and move forward accordingly!

Until next time,
'K'

Yup, it's the end of the world...

Ok, so did you know Christ returns this Saturday (May 21st) at 6 p.m. your local time?!  Yup, it's the end of this world...  Honestly, who comes up with this stuff...apparently some guy named Camping - whom I might add has been 'wrong with his predictions before'.  Scripture clearly states:

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

~Matthew 24:36-44~  (bold and italics are mine)

What I wonder, is why are people so focused on Christ's return instead of being right with Him?  I mean, if people put as much time, energy and effort into getting to know God personally as they do into these nonsense predictions, then they wouldn't be worrying about when He returns, they would be anticipating with great joy His return...amen?! 

I was talking with someone today who was asking me some questions regarding this prediction and stating that they were a bit afraid/worried...'What if it's true?'  My response was 'Bring it on....take me home!'.  They said 'Really?!'  'Yup, I'm not worried, I'm ready'.  The reaction to what I said was followed by 'If this prediction is true, then what do I do?  It's too late to change everything from my past...." and so on.  I was straightforward with the Gospel, and reminded them that I too was a sinner.  Again, 'Really?!  How do you sin?"  I gave some examples, and walked through just a few of the 10 Commandments explaining how scripture defines them (ie; hating someone is considered 'murder in the heart'; placing something above God is idolatry; etc.).  At the end of the conversation, they again asked what they are to do..."READ THE BIBLE!" was my reply!  I suggested to them that they purchase a version such as 'The Message' as opposed to the 'King James Version' - to be easier understood.  (I know the thought of reading the Bible and all those Shakespearean-like words can throw one off from understanding what the scripture is saying, and becoming so overwhelmed and frustrated, one ultimately just gives up.)  For one who is beginning to read the Word, simple is best (in my opinion!).

So, glory to God for my continuing to be of witness to this person!  "Father in heaven, Lord I pray now for those who are not right with you.  What the enemy has intended for evil, You WILL turn around and use for our good and Your greater glory.  You always do!  So let this weekend prove just that.  May this be a time where many unsaved ask questions and start their right walk with you, instead of continuing their life under the enemy's power.  Lord, call them to You,  so that they may journey with You and have eternal salvation.  Father we pray this in Your Matchless Name.  Amen."

Regardless of when Christ returns, will you be ready to go 'home' to meet your Maker?  Or is the answer to that question unknown to you?  I know my answer...and I want to spend eternity with you...partying it up in heaven!  Oh what a day that will be!!!

Until next time,
'K'

"Octopus thoughts" from a "Lady in Waiting"

Hi-dee-ho :)  I've been feeling this post comin' on for the past week and a half or so, but as I mentioned on facebook, blogger's been 'down' and I've been 'busy' (I cringe to even say that word because it sounds like the most generic excuse ever to me...) but I'm gettin' back on and changin' things up again!  New music player is already up to enjoy a few songs (the one I had before decided to deny sharing to certain areas - obviously Canada was one - due to legal 'blah, blah, blah'!...as usually seems to be the case with many things these days!); I just switched up the layout again; and now I'm sitting down hammering out another new post...I've been itchin' to get something out, so buckle up your seat belt - who knows where we're gonna go, lol!

Now, if I can get my mind to 'stop' for a minute, and focus on only one thing then we'll be 'good-to-go'!  The other day I was thinking about all the thoughts that run through my mind at any given time.  (Woman will be able to understand this better then men I'm sure, as men tend to literally only think about one thing at a time...this is fact, not a slam!)  A phrase came to mind as I thought about it, and I think the description is accurate..."Octopus thoughts"!  Since all my thoughts have their own appendages, yet they come back to the 'body' where they're all connected - in some way, shape or form.  I liked that 'title' so much that I actually grabbed a new notebook and called it just that.  I figure one way to contain all (ok, maybe the term 'all' isn't really true...but you understand where I'm going here...) my 'octopus thoughts' notebook is to write them down in one place.    I suppose because of my love for writing, it bothers me when those random thoughts come and I it seems I don't have anything to do with them.  They can be a few sentences, or could turn into an entire entry :)  That's how some of my blogs have been born - some of the best one's - in my humble opinion!

Let's take one of those 'octopus thoughts' now and run with it, shall we?!  There's been a part of my life that I don't really share here, partly because it's more private and partly because I don't imagine the majority of readers would be able to relate...perhaps I'm wrong.  Yet, I feel that is where I'm to 'go' with this post...yup, it's the area of 'singleness'.  Those of you who know me personally, know this of me already.  I'm a 'statistic' of divorce, and of 'single mother' status.  I don't accept pity, nor do I feel I've been handed a 'rotten deal'.  Of course going through that very difficult time (almost 6 years ago now) was an extreme valley for me.  At that time I found myself thrown into a completely different world.  I was 3 months pregnant with our daughter and our son was not quite 2 yet; I moved; continued working (until maternity leave then went back); and was a lost child of God.  It appeared everything was against me, and it would have been the easiest to become bitter and give up, but I chose not to.  I give unending thanks to my family and great friends that gave constant support and helped me transition the best way I could.  But above all the help I had physically and emotionally...there was one thing I couldn't receive from them; my spiritual healing.  Praise the Lord, He never gave up on me!  My God was right there waiting for me to return to Him.  What the enemy intended for evil, God turned around for good - and more importantly, for His glory!  This alone excites me!

Although the road of the past 6 years has been long...sometimes feeling impossible to get through...they've been the best.  I can say that not having gone through it all, my personal relationship with Christ would not have developed as it has - and continues to.  There are many times, even now, when I wonder where God is in it all, but I don't doubt the fact that He is there.  Perhaps He is hiding his face from me, intentionally, for me to see something I wouldn't otherwise see, or for me to search for Him in whatever it is I'm struggling with..  Especially when it comes to the 'relationship' aspect of life.  That is an area I've had much dialogue with God!  There have been some great and some not-so-great experiences when it's come to that.  Each opportunity has grown me more into who I am to be.  "A woman becomes a woman when she becomes what God wants her to be."  That statement was taken from a book I'm reading called "Lady in Waiting" (a great read and good source of encouragement for any single woman awaiting God's best in a mate for them!).  My life is certainly much more than simply being defined 'single' or 'married'!

Another passage from the book mentioned above I thought was applicable to anyone waiting on any given situation in their life - just fill in the .... 

"If Jesus wants you ... (married was written in that place), He will orchestrate the encounter.  You have nothing to fear except getting in His way and trying to 'write the script' rather than following His.  Jesus does have your best interest at heart.  He desires to bless you by giving you the best.  Sometimes what you perceive as the best is nothing more than a generic version.   Consider His wisdom and love in comparison to your own wisdom and self-love.  In whom are you going to trust - all Wisdom and Everlasting Love or little 'ol finite you?  Ever since the Garden of Eden, women have often felt they could and should know as much as God.  Much pain in our world had resulted from dependence on our wisdom rather than on our Father's." 

Isn't that great news?!  I hold tight to the promises that the Lord gives me...but don't expect Him to follow through if I don't do my part!  My obedience is first and foremost to Him...and from that obedience comes those rewards.  I have no clue the way my journey is going to continue, and I'm honestly in a place where I can rest in knowing that He will bring forth the best He has for me...in the appropriate timing.  That of which would be His - not mine!  (I'll admit, that can be a hard pill to swallow sometimes!

I love how God works!  And I love that His love for us is bigger than anything!  I certainly didn't anticipate going where I went in this blog, but am trusting that it will be meant for someone reading this somewhere.  The Lord knows how this will be used...even if I don't!  Again, it's the obedience - especially in our lack of understanding!  All the glory to God for giving me the words and the vulnerability needed to complete this post.  I pray it's of encouragement or insight to at least one reader!

Praying blessings over you dear one, as you continue on your journey with Almighty God :)

Until next time,
'K'