"Know the Right Savior"

Hello all! It's been snowing here like crazy the past couple of days which makes for very sloppy driving. Although it sure does look beautiful! It definitely brings about the feeling of the Christmas season for sure!

As always, this time of year can tend to get bogged down with many (great) things, so keeping our focus 'upwards' can prove to be a bit more of a challenge among all the busyness. I do pray that there are even the slightest reminders (daily) for us all, that at the end of the day, it's all about Him. May we always remember that Christ is seated on the throne, at the right hand of the Father in the heavenlies - which puts us right there with Him!

This, of course, is only accomplished providing we choose daily to walk with Him and give Him full Lordship over our life. This not meaning we live a perfect, problem-free, or stress-free life...but that we choose Him over anything and everything else - because He FIRST chose us!

How we live our lives has an impact on everyone who surrounds us in our everyday environment. What are we saying to those by our reactions to difficult situations? When we've been wrongly accused of something? When we've been confronted about something or simply being cut off by someone in traffic? Are we expressing Christ?...or self?

If we're honest, our answer in most cases I'm afraid, would be the latter. Why? Perhaps it's because we know a fair bit about God, but there fails to be a personal relationship with Him - a friendship with the One who saved us. We have some wonderful friends that we would do anything for, and vica-versa. But the only way we know we'd do anything for them, is by investing our time and our energy into authentically getting to know them. Developing such an intimate friendship with them takes time and vulnerability - on both parts - for us to really know the lengths we would go for them,

The same is true in our relationship with God. Since He already knows us, (even better than we know ourselves!), and He has already laid down His life for our salvation (that's just incomprehensible, and no other person can ever top that!)...then it's up to us to be investing our time and energy into authentically getting to know Him. With all He has done for us - this places the title of "Best Friend Ever" (among countless other amazing titles!) over His head! Knowing about Him and knowing Him are two completely different and separate things, and in my opinion...I want to know and love the One who laid down His life to save mine - don't you?!

In closing, I've added a devotional I received yesterday through James McDonald's  "Walk In The Word" ministry. The wonderful thing about getting this yesterday specifically, was that it was confirmation regarding a conversation I had the night before last - which (in part) was exactly what this devotional states! I LOVE it when I receive confirmations from the Lord!

Take a read!

 "Know the Right Savior" - Trent Griffith - Senior Pastor - Harvest Granger, Indiana

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” - Matthew 7:21-23

Sometimes, the people with the most exposure to the Gospel are the least likely to think they need the Good News. Oh, they may say that Christ is their Savior because it’s the right thing to say, but a personal relationship may be lacking. Because they have such knowledge of how they should live according to biblical principles, many times they think they are saved when in fact, they are not. It is very possible to live so “above” others morally that we don’t see how desperately we need a Savior. Why? Because people become their own savior without even realizing it.

You can speak the right language and not know your Savior. You can know the right biblical answers and not know your Savior. You can look and act the part of a Christian, bringing others to know their Savior, and still not have the right Savior.

It is just our natural bent to want to be our own savior. That’s why these verses in Matthew can be so convicting. Every time we read them, it should stop us in our tracks and make us evaluate just who or what is our savior. We must be mindful that how we live is a testimony or witness to who we serve.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1, “To walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” The key words are worthy and called. How we act is hugely important for the reputation of the Lord who called us. We wear His name on us at all times. If you are a parent, think of how you feel when your kids do something that is just awful. What’s goes through your mind? Right or wrong, you probably think of how their behavior makes you look. It’s no different with how our behavior can sling mud on the reputation of our Heavenly Father. This is one reason why behavior matters.

Now go back to the verses above. Read them slowly and ask yourself if how you live is for your own reputation or for that of God. If you call yourself a Christian, why you act the way you do, whether it’s good or bad, reflects on the true nature of that relationship. You just might need to know the right Savior.

Such great exhortation in that piece...and a very legit charge for us too. I hope and pray that YOU know 'the right savior'...if not, it's never too late to start!

Until next time, blessings upon you!
'K'

 

"When we grow, there are growing pains"

Well, I had the rug pulled right out from under me yesterday...and without the count of '1,2,3'!  Yep, flat on my little tooshie, and wind knocked out of me ta'boot.  I hate when that happens.  However, that's not the most upsetting thing about it.  My reaction left much to be desired.  Thankfully, (no doubt by the grace of God!) I was at home with no one around when this occurred.

As I went into a momentary state of envy, I began my pity-party.  You see, my reaction wasn't necessarily in response to this particular instance, but more so towards the sum-total of the constant circumstances that appear to be surrounding 'this area' of life for me. 

Once the pity-party was over (thank God it was short-lived), I had then hit the wall of realization - I'd been selfish.  Yuck!  "This isn't me", I thought.  Then I was reminded, that this is our human condition - our sinful nature - our natural bend.  It has been since 'the fall', and it will continue to be a struggle for those of us who choose to follow Christ, until the day He returns and calls us home. 

In a sad sort of way, this brought about some comfort.  Comfort in the way of knowing I'm not the only one who battles against this kind of thing, yet it doesn't take away the 'pain' of going through things like this.  As I was faced head on with my ugly selfishness, I began to pray for the Lord's strength to get through it and deal with it the best possible way - all the while doing so with a genuine and happy heart. 

Over the remainder of the day/night, God has proved faithful - once again!  It doesn't mean that 'all is right with the world' or that I even understand it all.  One thing I DO know, is WHO my God is, and who I am IN Him.  As well as, that my God is using this to build me up in Him.  To encourage me and to challenge me to continue walking in faith, trusting in His sovereign will for my life.  To strengthen me in my walk with Him - daily.  To remind me that when we grow, there are growing pains, and without them we become stagnant. 

Perhaps you are being tried and tested right now too.  Maybe the rug has been abruptly pulled out from under you, blindsiding you completely.  Take heart in knowing that always clinging to Jesus helps the fall to be a little softer and that getting back up on your feet happens a little quicker - at least I have seen that been the case over the years as I've grown in Him!

Blessings upon you!
Until next time,
'K'

'Laughing hard and playing beyond'

While we were over at a friend's house tonight, our kids were playing downstairs as my friend and I visited upstairs.  At one point my friend relayed to me that she'd heard my daughter...during one of their laughing fits...say, "I'm really tired!".  It's funny how she acknowledged it yet continued on laughing hard and playing beyond what she had left in her little self!

Now as I'm just about to head to bed, I was sitting here thinking about my kids and the long couple of days they've just had. It amazes me how their little bodies can just keep going! As I pondered that, this little poem was born!

 

Rise With The Son

 

 

It's time to retire,

A long day it's been.

So much you have done,

And so much you have seen.

 

May you rest and recharge,

As you lay ever still.

Your new day arrives soon;

Lord willing it will.

 

God's hand is upon you,

My sweet little one.

And I pray that each morning you

Rise with the Son.

 

 

~KMC2012~

 

 

What a blessing God has given us in our children!

Until next time,

'K'

 



The importance of true authentic relationship

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately.  Having been blessed to spend some quality time with some of my dearest friends this past month, I've once again, come to realize the importance of true authentic relationship.   When you don't have to put on a mask and they see 'everything', and still choose to be your friend in spite of your 'everything'.  When you're virtually stripped naked...left vulnerable with nothing to hide, it seems within such friendships, it's oddly enough, one of the most safe and comforting places to be. 

I love my old, near and dear friends - for we've walked many miles of our journeys together this far.  In the same breath, I love getting to know my new, near and dear friends too!  Even though it can be a scary thing - to build that trust with someone new requires vulnerability - the rewards of finding such gems make it worth while!

The more I step back and see how my circle of friends has changed (some more now acquaintances and some completely removed) the more I see the influence of God surrounding me.  I love this!  I relish in the precious time I get to spend in true genuine fellowship with these friends.  Sharing what God is doing in our lives, and walking it out together while supporting and encouraging one another to continue on the narrow path to be more like Christ.

I've been doing some research for something I'm writing, and while going through scripture, I was reminded just how important our circle of friends is to our spiritual well being.  Here are just a few little nuggets of scripture to help us discern who should be our 'go-to' people...where we get our advice, encouragement and our support from. : 

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safe.
Proverbs 13:20 - Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

 

Ask yourself if there is someone in your 'core group' that is hindering your faith walk instead of helping it.  Also ask if you are hindering or helping your friends faith walk.  The above verses surely will help the process!

Blessings until next time,
'K'

"The Pen"

The Pen

 

The words they come,

slip right off the pen;

My thoughts, emotions,

exposed again.

 

My heart on my sleeve,

 I do wear;

Baring it all,

do I dare?

 

To run the risk,

of remaining blind;

Or walk in haste,

before God’s time.

 

O God, I pray,

Your voice I hear;

And feel Your presence,

always  near.

 

To you, my God,

the pen I give;

In faith and trust,

I daily live.

 

 

 ~ KMC2010 ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Prayer for a Friend'

It's a cold, rainy fall day today, but what a sweet time I've had with Father!  This post being a result. 

Although it's been sweet, it hasn't been easy.  As I was sharing my heart with God, I felt a prayer welling up within me.  Because I know enough now to listen to this prompting, I grabbed my laptop and this is prayer spilled out.

I have debated on whether or not to share it, because it's personal due to the fact that it's regarding someone in my life.  Then I remembered that God has given me the ability to exercise my ministry of writing so that others may share in what He has to say through me.  Therefore, my decision was quickly made and here you have it! 

(*I did make some changes in the wording so that it can be applied to 'anyone'...but please feel free to adjust it according to whom you are praying for if you'd like.  After all, that's how it started out on my end :) )

'Prayer for a Friend' (Spiritual Warfare)

Father God, this I pray for my friend…that their heart would soften and be open to receiving the love You have for them, as well as the agape love others in their life have for them too.  Open their eyes Lord, to see the people around them who genuinely care for them – for their well being and their future.  Surround them with those who speak life into their life, and remove those who speak death…they are only for self-gain.  Point them in the direction Father I pray, of those who point them in Your direction. 

You are a loving, gracious and compassionate Father wanting only what’s best for Your children.  Lord, they are Yours.  You have laid them heavy on my heart…help them realize that they are worthy of being loved and being accepted for just who they are…not what is expected of them. 

Lord God, I bind down any dominion of darkness that may be surrounding their life currently…as well as any ungodly soul-ties connected in the past.  In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind them down and place only Truth where the lies and deceit have taken up residence.  Father Your Word says that we do not battle against the flesh, but against the principalities of darkness.   May nothing evil penetrate the heart of Your child.  I rebuke any hold evil spirits have on them and demand them to flee…in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 

Lord, may You be their portion, their deliverer, their strong tower, their refuge, the lover of their soul, their passion, Lord be their all-in-all.  Whisper in their ear, that they might hear Your still small voice and draw near to You.  Father, You promise in Your Word that You never leave us or forsake us…I claim this promise for them now Lord.  They know You, but are far from You.  It is written that Your sheep know Your voice…they are still one of Yours, call to them Almighty Sovereign Sheppard.  Let not them fall away from You completely…bring them back to You Lord I pray.  Build them up with courage and boldness to stand against the darkness that surrounds them Lord. 

Touch their heart, so that they may have a fresh revelation of who You are – Elohim, You are Creator God.  You knit them together and know them…You know their thoughts, their struggles, their burdens…and their heart. 

Please help me to see them the way You do; to love them the way You do; to encourage them the way You do; to care for them the way You do; and to accept them the way You do.  Give me Your discernment to know when to reach out and when to stay silent and just pray…letting Your work unfold as You would have.  Give me rest Lord, knowing You hear my prayers for them.  I pray with great anticipation of what You are going to do in their life Father. 

I declare Your promises, for they are written!  Your Word does not return void to those who diligently seek You!  I pray with expectation that You are going to change them into the person you desire for them to be…their steps are ordained and predestined by You.  Grow up a burning passion within them for You Lord…like King David, after Your heart.

 

All these things, and more, I pray in Your matchless name.  All the glory, honor and praise be to You.  In the sweet, sweet name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.
 

May this prayer be prayed by many, for many.
Until next time,
'K'

 

 

"It took me back to the 'Mary vs. Martha' thing"

Ok, so tonight at one of the local 'church buildings', Bill Prankard came to speak.  Although he spoke on many different things, the one the touched on that was huge confirmation for me!  It took me back to the 'Mary vs. Martha' thing.  As you will have read in previous posts, I seem to be in a place of finding the balance between the two...yet again.

What I find is fantastic, is the fact that almost exactly one year ago to date, (August 12th), I posted on that very same topic!  I love how God uses things I've written to speak back to myself!  Here is what I wrote a year ago...

As fall approaches, I've been contemplating what to do in regards to activities, for myself and for the kids. I mean it's great to be involved in Christ-centered things, but there also comes a point when I think we need to just 'stop'. Be still enough to just hear from God and relish in His speaking to us. I fear sometimes with being so busy (even in 'serving'), we are helping the enemy out by doing his dirty work for him. Having ourselves so occupied with many 'things', it can take the focus off of building our relationship with God and putting the focus on our 'works' instead...not a good combination, contrary to what the enemy may like us to think! So, what if we took a 'season' and invested the time we spent running to 'things' and used it to simply sit at the feet of Jesus?! What would our lives look like then?! Perhaps I (we) should be acting a little more like Mary and a little less like Martha! (I'm not saying being extreme here...I don't believe it has to be either/or, more like both/and...and adequate balance!)
 

That being said, this is the challenge I am proposing to myself. There will be only one Bible Study I will be attending on a weekly basis, instead of two of them and Kids Club for the children. This I am hoping will eliminate some of the stress of having to get many things done after school before said activities, and reducing the pressure to get the kids into bed at a decent hour for a good nights sleep in preparation for a full day of school the following day. The bonus of the one night I'll be heading out for my study, is that the kids spend that night at their Dad's place...allowing me the time to be gone and not have to worry about getting home to relieve a babysitter. Also, the children get to spend some time with their Dad...a win-win situation for all involved!
 

What do you feel about your upcoming fall schedule? Are you already feeling overwhelmed with all the running it looks like you'll be doing? If so, maybe this is for you today! Take the time and ask God to reveal to you what He would have you concentrate on. Is this a 'Mary' season for you, or a 'Martha' season?!
 

For me this was confirmation of my upcoming 'season'...for you: perhaps just a really good reminder that being a 'Mary' is just as important as being a 'Martha'...an appropriate blend appears to be crucial in these very last days...  Something to continue pondering for sure!

I pray God's peace be upon you as you enter your new season :)

Until next time,
'K'

"Stand guard against the enemy's schemes - hitting us where we're weakest"

So I mentioned in my last post about feeling the need for another retreat.  I wasn't aware of just how much that is a necessary thing until I actually stopped and listed everything I have going on - or will have beginning within the next month.  All are great things to be involved in, however when they are all put together, the accumulation is quite overwhelming.

I often wonder how I get myself to this place.  I try so hard to balance my life, and yet it seems without fail, I end up back in the same place time after time.  Sigh.  Why is it so hard to have balance?  I mean, logically it seems simple enough...right?!  Yet when it comes to actually applying it, somehow it all goes by the way-side.

I believe I do place things in priority, or at least I try to!  And my intentions are always best when it comes to organizing my time.  Though it appears to somehow get muddled up along the way.  Each day another little blip shifts the routine, and next thing I know I've gotten way off course.  Does this happen to you too?? 

I won't give the enemy credit for much, although he is very persistent when it comes to derailing our faith walk with Christ!  He has no other agenda than to take our focus off of Father and place it on ourselves.  This can be done either by placing ourselves up above God (we don't need Him because our life is running along tickity-boo with how WE are making things happen), or by having our gaze so focused downward at the little cut we have, causing us to sit and wallow in self-pity (poor me...the world is against me...).  Either way, our focus ends up in the wrong place.

It is stated in scripture that the enemy's goal is to 'steal, kill and destroy' (John 10:10).  This I believe is intended for ALL areas of the believer's life - not to be meant only as a literal (physical) human act.  This goal causes great difficulties in the area we cannot see - the spiritual realm.  Believe it or not, this is a very real problem.  Choosing to avoid this topic only speaks ignorance and leads to a tremendous amount of pain.  Coming to awareness about it though, leads us to suiting up in God's armor and prepares us for the battle we KNOW lies ahead.  This is not to say that we dwell on what we know about it, but knowing the enemy's strategy is a great starting place to be.

"We must provide no hospitality to the flesh and give no quarter to the enemy" (from 'Wrestling With Prayer' by Eric and Leslie Ludy).  This phrase jumped out to me as I read it.  Perhaps due to the fact that I had done just that - given quarter to the enemy.  A gentle yet firm conviction from Father - although it was gentle - still stings because I know I was in the wrong.  At first it was the 'slap on the wrist',  but with it's second coming about - I receive the '2X4 across the head'!  This has to mean 'lesson learned'...there is now no 'ignorance' card to play.  I pray that grace can be extended and we can move on, leaving this situation behind.  If not, I will get through it - walking in the grace that God extends, with a very important lesson under my belt.

Wrapping up this post, I pray that we all continue to stand guard against the enemy's schemes - hitting us where we're weakest.  Leaning on the Lord's strength, fully dressed in His armor, is the only way we can truly defeat the enemy.

Blessings on each and every one of you...
Until next time,
'K'

"...singing camp songs...then you come to an awakened state..."

Today is a cool 16 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) and we're being blessed with a constant pouring of rain!  Thank you God!  It's quite a change from the really hot and dry/hot and humid weather we've been enduring the past several weeks, that's for sure!  So with the rain today, it seems like the perfect setting to curl up with a good book and get some reading done with a nice cup of hot coffee :)  I think I'll do that!  But first...I'll blog :)

It's hard to believe that we're almost half way through the month of August already!  I remember at the end of June, when the kids had just gotten out of school, wondering what all we could do to fill our time to help the summer pass.  Now I'm looking at the remaining 'summer' days and wondering which of the things I'm going to do that we haven't done yet and which ones I'm going to have to leave!

The kids have been at (over-night) camp this past week.  It is the first time either have been, which makes it a first for me too!  I did really well when dropping them off...(I think having an extremely busy weekend helped keep my mind occupied)...until I drove away!  Yep, the vision of my little guy being a loving big brother, holding his little sister's hand comforting her with being her only friend (until she made a new one there - which wouldn't have taken her long!), it somehow caused tears to come to my eyes.  It wasn't that I was sad, but more so the fact that this was a brand new experience for them - my little ones are growing up!

It's been a very quiet week here needless to say!  And it's been encouraging that I haven't received any phone calls home - yay (for them!)!  I want them to experience childhood camp the way I did growing up.  I have such fond memories of it.  Actually, just the other day I was taken back to when we'd all be on the bus heading over to the community pool singing 'camp songs' (you know, the ones you sing in a round or repeat back!)...I could almost smell the familiar smell of all the pine trees that covered the campground!  I hope you have great childhood memories of camping too!  Or at least a memory that takes you back to a great experience of your youth and makes you smile!

Switching gears back to today...as I sit here and write, it's still raining steadily outside, I feel that a prompting I've been having is being confirmed.  Another 'retreat'.  However, not a long one.  Perhaps just through to the end of the weekend?  Or maybe the following week too.  The length will remain to be seen.

I've just been feeling like so much has begun to creep in (...once again...) and take over what I've held in high priority.  Like my time is evaporating into thin air, and I have nothing to show for it.  It's frustrating how so many little things can just suck the time out from right under you.  Then you come to an awakened state and realize the enemy has been lulling you into a slumber and it's exactly what he wants to do.

I know not everyone will understand where I'm coming from...it's my journey.  However, some of you will.  But when I don't get that intimate time alone with God - just us, no one else - I become more easily distracted, and irritable.  This in turn effecting those around me.  So for me, making my intimate time with Elohim is essential to my daily living, as well as those in my life.

I guess looking at it in the way of human relationship makes it easier for me to grasp...more so than looking at it being a relationship with Almighty God!  Walk with me here...  When you're in relationship with someone and you have regular (if not constant) communication with them, you learn about them...who they are, what makes them smile or cry or frustrated or hurt.  And in turn (or at least it should be a reciprocated thing!) they learn about you in the same way.  It is a continual process; one of giving and receiving.  We invest our time in them because they are important to us.  Yet sometimes when time and distance comes between...the intimacy that has been built can start to diminish.  (Now I'm not saying this is the case always...as there are some great friends I have that I rarely see, and when we do get the chance to connect we pick up right where we left off!) 

How crucial it is to recognize that happening and take the steps necessary to rectify that relationship (providing it is a God-honoring relationship and not one the Lord is wanting removed from your life!...this is where one's relationship with God is key...and we ask for His discernment in the matter).  Failing to do so can leave those in that relationship heading towards isolation (another of the enemy's tactics), causing unnecessary pain, hurt and resentment.  All because we didn't make it a priority to nurture the relationship that was so precious. 

I've had it happen, and I've seen it happen.  There is nothing Satan won't try to cultivate damaging and unhealthy relationships among us.  He is all for division; unlike Christ.  So, when something comes up between you and someone you care about...talk about it.  I know this can be humbling, especially if you are the one initiating the communication, but when you weigh the options...I'd rather be humble and walk in God's grace over being proud and lose a relationship with someone I care about because of the flesh.  Wouldn't you?!

If we all lived this way...hmmm, perhaps that's the charge for us this post.
Thank you Jesus for bringing about Your Way, Your Truth and Your Life in our everyday situations!

Until next time,
'K'

"There's just nothing like a downpour"

We've been so long with out rain now, that I've actually lost count the number of days it's been dry...add extremely hot and over-the-top humid, which has made a melting summer so far.

However...as I sit here typing this post, just after one a.m., there is a faintly familiar sound outside my window.  Thunder (accompanied by some lightening of course) and rain...yay!  Oh, how sweet the sound!  I just think of how parched the ground and all that grows from it must have been, not having the water needed to thrive.  And how satisfying it would be now to have a little of that thirst quenched - if only for a brief period of time.

I stood at the open window, the breeze more on the cool side now, I watched as the rain began.   Just a little bit at first.  Then it was like God turned the faucet completely open!  As I gazed down at my backyard I saw the parallel...something just hasn't been right with me lately, and the rain - God's rain - has brought to my attention what is off.  I've been the thirsty ground.  Although I'm not without God, my thirst hasn't truly been quenched in quite some time I'm afraid.  I begin to wonder if anyone else ever feels like that?  I'm most certain I'm not alone here though.

Sure I've had a little sprinkling, and I remain in Him knowing my identity is in Him and Him alone, but there's just nothing like a downpour!.  I'm craving a downpour for this 'dry and weary land', because there can be so much more produced with His rain!

Oh Lord I pray that you would bring about a spiritual downpour on me, and on all those who long to once again (or for the first time) experience what it's like to be completely drenched in all that You have and all that You are!  Bring the rain Jesus, that we may produce good fruit in Your name.  So that ALL may see Your love, mercy and grace by the way we live our lives and that the good fruit we do produce, is a result of us abiding in You, and You abiding in us!

Bring the rain Christ Jesus!

Until next time,
'K'

"Fireworks...Memories...and Hope"

Canada is another year older now, as we celebrated her 145th birthday on Sunday!  It was a beautiful day full of sunshine and fun.  Many memories were made.  And of course it was all wrapped up with our City fireworks!  A fine day all around!

As I began thinking about celebrating another Canada Day, I was taken back to the many I've celebrated over the years.  The memories from childhood pretty much run all together; sitting down by the water with my brother, sister, Mom and Dad (sometimes in our old brown Monty Carlo if weather wasn't the best) and waiting what seemed like forever for the fireworks to begin!  We always 'ooo-ed and awww-ed' as the grand display lite up the sky.  And if we were in the car, horn honking was always a must at the one's we thought were the best; and after they were all done as well!

Moving into teenage years, I remember going with a bunch of friends to sit down by the rocks at the waters edge on the other side of the harbor to watch them.  Although, now that I think of it, it seemed to be more about who you were sitting beside that mattered more than actually watching the fireworks!  Silly it seems now, but so vitally important at the time!

As I came into adulthood, I was married at 20, and continued to keep up the tradition of making our way to watch the fireworks wherever we happened to be for Canada Day.  It's odd, but I don't really recall many of those handful of years sticking out.  Not until the next stage...

When I became a Mom, I knew I wanted to make it an annual outing and take my child(ren) to watch the fireworks so hopefully they would have great memories of it also.  Since my son was born in August, he was about 11 months old when he saw his first display!  I remember it like it was yesterday...we lived out in the country at the time, so we took him to a near by little dot on the map for theirs.  We drove to the top of one of the largest hills in the area and sat there with him while the fireworks showed their colors.  He really had no clue what was going on, and in reality, probably only saw a few of them - phasing him in no way, shape or form!  But it was important to begin that tradition with my family.

As time moved on, our family dynamics changed.  Yet I still make Canada Day fireworks as much of a tradition as I can, by taking them each year they are with me on that holiday. 

This brings us to present day.  Continuing on the best I can with the circumstances given.  I do look forward to each year that we come upon with hope.  Hope for many more years with my kids to share in something as simple as celebrating our country's birthday.  And hope for the specific things we pray for to come about in our future as a family.

This I know, with every passing birthday, be it a friend, family member or our country's, it's a gentle reminder that time passes quickly!  I am aware of it when I simply look at my kids and wonder 'how have they gotten so big??!'.  So let's try to remember to live each day to the fullest...regardless of things not following our agenda.  Go with the flow when things don't run according to plan...it just might be something that blesses you (or better yet - someone else!), had it not happened the blessing would have been missed!

Onward and forward to another year Canada!

Until next time,
'K'

Job Study: Chapter Twenty-Two - "What Job Teaches Us About God"

WOOHOO!!!  We've arrived at the last chapter of the 22 week study on Job!  What a test of endurance eh?!  Lots of meat'n'potatoes to chew on that's for sure.

The opening line in this chapter got my asterisk and highlighter!  It says:

It's amazing how miscommunication can lead to misunderstanding. (emphasis added)

So true, so true.  I can't think of the number of times I've seen this to be the case in my own life, let alone the lives of those around me.  The stories we read in Scripture can be surprising and troubling - just as we have read in Job.  One of the questions that always comes up when hard times fall on 'good' people is, 'if God is a god of love, then why would this happen to such a good person?'.  We must remember that Almighty Sovereign Creator God doesn't 'cause' bad things to happen, but he certainly 'allows' it to happen.

He's a God with a purpose and a plan.  He wants us to become mature and faith filled, but sometimes we must suffer in order to grow.  And no one embodies this faith in the face of suffering better than our hero, Job.

'Treasures from the text' section this week lays out seven aspects of God's character that we see by the light of Job's faith.

1. There is nothing God cannot do:  Job now knows that nothing and no one can limit, put conditions on, or in any way hinder the activities, acts, and works of our heavenly Father.  God created us from nothing without losing one volt of His energy.  He sustains all life without assistance.  He even raises from the dead those He wishes to raise.  Nothing stands in God's way.  That's why only He deserves to be described as "awesome".
2. It is impossible to restrain or nullify God's purposes: Author John E. Hardey writes: "Yahweh's words have reaffirmed Job's conviction of his wise and judicious governance of the world.  With an enhanced awareness of Yahweh's lordship, Job concedes that no purpose of Yahweh's can be foiled or thwarted.   Job's concession means that he believes that everything occurring on earth takes place withing the framework of the divine wisdom.  No hostile force, be it earthly or heavenly, prevents God from carrying out his purpose".  God's intentions ca be neither altered nor disrupted.  His purposes will transpire without delay, without hindrance, and without failure.  Nothing surprises God.  Nothing catches Him off guard.  He knows the past hurts and sorrows that you carry with you.  He also knows your present needs - emotional, physical, and spiritual.  No matter how impossible your circumstances may seem, God's sovereignty and love are great enough to handle them all.  (bold emphasis added - with a huge 'AMEN' written in my side notes!)
3. God's plans are beyond our understanding and too deep for us to explain:  Some suggest that the verse from Job 42:3 ("Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know") represents the core message of the entire book; that the mystery of God's plan is too wonderful and too deep for us to fathom.  But because we can't see ahead to the end of the story, we tend to wrestle with this mystery.  And often we feel just plain disappointed with God.  We recognize that He has a plan, but we don't know it's full extent or its details.  We don't know what part we're supposed to play in it.  We don't know what to do next.  We don't understand why certain things happen to some people and not others...We tend to channel our disappointment with life's circumstances into a misguided disappointment with God.  What we don't realize is that God is the only One who will NEVER disappoint us.  People, situations, material things, our careers, our plans for the future - all these can and will disappoint us at one time or another.  Only God can assure us that He'll always be the same (Hebrews 13:8).  He'll always be there when we call, and He will always answer, though perhaps not according to our timeline or in the way we might think is best.  Injustices happen as a result of sin in the world, not as a result of God's failure to keep His promises.   He's faithful!
4. Only through God's instructions are we able to humble ourselves and rest in His will:  Once God arrived on the scene, Job humbly recognizes that he had misspoken: "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;  but now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).  Notice that God made no threat.  He didn't force Job to get down on his knees.  He just showed up, and Job immediately prostrated himself in humility and worship.  In essence, Job pleaded, "Lord, instruct me.  I will willingly submit to You.  I will humbly accept the lessons that You have to teach me."  Instead of clinging to his rights, Job released them.  He didn't approach God with a sense of entitlement.  He didn't bring expectations or demands.  He didn't come to the Lord with arguments or a sullen demeanor...He had lost everything, and he wasn't sure that God would ever restore his fortunes and family.  Yet he still knelt in the dust in repentance before Yahweh.
5. When the day of reckoning arrives, God is always fair:  You can rest assured that God is keeping tabs on every person who has ever lived.  Not a single idle thought, word, or action slips His attention.  According to His timetable, He blesses those who walk with Him and deals severely with wrongdoers...God doesn't forget our words or actions.
6. No one can be compared to God when it come to offering blessings:  The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends...He poured out words and acts of grace upon His suffering servant Job.  In our culture, which seems to thrive on bad news and shocking exposes, we cling to stories like this one that so clearly demonstrate God's love, grace, restoration, and forgiveness.
7. Only God can fill our final years with divine music that frees us to live above our circumstances:  (CONTENTMENT is the word I had written in my book after this aspect!)

I love the quote given by Eugene Peterson about the mystery of God and the positive results that suffering brings into our lives:

The mystery of God eclipses the darkness and the struggle.  We realize that suffering calls our lives into question, not God's.  The tables are turned.  God-Alive is present to us.  God is speaking to us.  And so Job's experience is confirmed and repeated once again in our suffering and our vulnerable humanity.

As Chuck closes our final chapter of this very lengthy study on Job, he leaves us with these words (all by which are highlighted and underlined with asterisk in my book!);

Saying good-bye to Job is like saying good-bye to an old friend.  As we've studied his blameless character and his fire-refined life, we've grown to appreciate the legacy of faith that he has passed on to us.  James wrote:

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

As we have traced the steps of Job's journey, his remarkable story has become part of our lives.  Taking the seeds of Job's experiences and planting them in our hearts equips us with biblical principles and vital faith lessons that will bring forth fruit when we endure similar trials.  Now, press forward with renewed faith and confidence, keeping your eyes on the crown of life that God has promised you!

What I wrote in my book after that I believe is worth sharing as well, so we'll close our Job study with that!  "We have to endure things GOD'S WAY; it won't be easy, but we won't be alone in it and when the dawn comes it will all have been worth it!  He WILL be glorified!!"

Until next time,
'K'

Job Study: Chapter Twenty-One - "What Job Teaches Us About Ourselves"

So in keeping my word about making sure I finished blogging the 'JOB' study, I now conclude with the first of the final two chapters remaining!  I could get all down on myself for not having stayed 'on track' like I had intended, but that would be feeding the quilt the enemy would love me to dwell on.  So...instead, I'm a little behind, but I'm finishing like I said I would! 

Alright, we've made it to the end of the book of Job...and what a book it is!  After walking through Job's story, Chuck outlines what it teaches us about ourselves.

Through his suffering, Job recognized his utter dependence upon God.  His faith enabled him to withstand his trials, yet his excruciatingly painful experiences left certain questions unanswered.  When God met him in the midst of the storm, though, all that mattered was that the Almighty One was on the throne.

Wow, what a statement!  I live for this to be my mantra.  All that mattered was that the Almighty One was on the throne.  That sure puts things into the proper perspective doesn't it?!

We receive seven great principles we can apply for today in our 'treasures from the text' portion this week.  They are as follows:

1. We never know ahead of time the plans God has for us.  ...Job had no clue when the sun came up on that fateful day that his entire life would soon be turned completely upside down.  He saw no early-morning skywriting.  He received no angelic visit.  He heard no tap at the window.  He sensed no omen suggesting that all hell was about to break loose...Yet even on that darkest of days, Job clung to his faith in God`s love and His divine sovereignty.  Job`s trust is evident in his remarkably humble response to his calamity...When we're blindsided by life's calamities, we can hold fast to the promises that we find in God`s Word.  We read in Jeremiah "For I know the plans that I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."  (Jeremiah 29:11-13).  Notice that God doesn't tell His people 'Ì know the plans that I have for you, and I'll tell you all about them ahead of time so you`ll know what to expect'.  He simply says, 'I know the future.  Trust Me.  Call upon Me.  Pray to Me.  Seek Me.  Search for me.'  Not only that, but He promises us that when we seek Him, we'll find Him.  He promises to hear our prayers and to respond with grace, love, peace, and forgiveness.
2. A vertical perspective will keep us from horizontal panic.  Job never once blamed God (or Satan,for that matter) for his suffering.  In fact, he had no awareness of the dialogue that had occurred between God and Satan in the heavenly realm.  Yet Job kept a vertical perspective.  He knew that God had allowed this calamity to befall him, but he also knew that God provided his only hope for restoration.
3. Great discernment is needed to detect wrong advice from a well-meaning person.  Job`s wife meant to help end his suffering, but her advice was flawed.  She actually encouraged Job to do what Satan wanted him to do: "curse God and die." But Job refused to compromise his faith: "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.  Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?  In all this Job did not sin with his lips."  (Job 2:10)
4. When things turn from bad to worse, sound theology helps us remain strong and stable.  Sound theology does have a way of easing our minds in tough times.  Just as emergency drills help us prepare for a disaster, knowing God's Word and having a strong relationship with Him provide us a shelter from life's storms.  The knowledge and wisdom that we glean from Scripture enables us to stand on God's truth when suffering comes.
5. Sensitive and caring friends know when to show up, when to stay quiet, and what to say when the time is right.  Those of us who have been hospitalized or have been through a crisis know how reassuring the presence of a friend or family member can be.  Even a small gesture like a simple touch, a pat on the back, a sympathetic squeeze of a hand, or a whispered prayer can make an enormous difference in the life of a suffering person. 
6. It's easy to be "armchair quarterbacks" when we encounter and respond to another's suffering.  When we read Job 3, we can sense that Job had reached the bottom of the pit of his despair.  He cursed the day of his birth, wishing that he had never seen daylight.  But instead of commiserating with Job, his friends judged him for uttering such strong words.
7. The cultivation of obedient endurance is a mark of maturity.  As we continue to obey God, even though we don't know all the answers, we gain maturity as an outworking of our faith.  Author Henry Blackaby writes, "Faith is developed in real-life situations.  "Sight" in not "faith".  We constantly want God to "show us Your will for my life" even after He has assured us that He is doing just that.  But God will do it in His way and in His time...He does not need our help; we need His help!  The "silences" of God do not mean He is late, or inactive, or not working.  It means that this is where faith works!" 

Wasn't that a great bunch of fridge-worthy nuggets!  I mean, even if you haven't gone through the entire study of Job with us, just reading those principles and pinning them on your fridge or mirror is truly beneficial in and of themselves.

There was another portion that was written by Author and pastor Eugene Peterson that I felt was great to glean from as well:

When we rush in to fix suffering, we need to keep in mind several things.  First, no matter how insightful we may be, we don't really understand the full nature of our friends' problems.  Second, our friends may not want our advice.  Third, the ironic fact of the matter is that more often than not, people do not suffer less when they are committed to following God, but more.  When these people go through suffering, their lives are often transformed, deepened, marked with beauty and holiness, in remarkable ways that could never have been anticipated before the suffering.
So, instead of continuing to focus on preventing suffering - which we simply won't be very successful at anyway - perhaps we should begin entering the suffering, participating insofar as we are able - entering the mystery and looking around for God.  In other words, we need to quit feeling sorry for people who suffer and instead look up to them, learn from them, and - if they will let us - join them in protest and prayer.  Pity can be nearsighted and condescending; shared suffering can be dignifying and life-changing.  As we look at Job's suffering and praying and worshiping, we see that he has already blazed a trail of courage and integrity for us to follow.

Beautifully written, eh?!  Again, definitely something worth posting on a mirror or fridge!

In the 'nuggets of wisdom' section this week, we are given more great gems to hold tight to...

Along with Job and other Old Testament saints, many New Testament believers maintained their passion for loving and serving God in the face of severe trials and faith tests.  The apostle Peter wrote letters to suffering, persecuted believers scattered throughout Asia Minor.  He warned them to be aware of Satan's destructive schemes and encouraged them to stand firmly rooted in the truth of God's Word.  Peter exhorted his struggling brothers and sisters in the faith to love one another, to follow the example of Christ, to share Christ's sufferings, and to server God willingly.  He wrote:

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to |His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."  (1Peter 5:6-10)

 As we come full circle in the story of Job, we recognize that Phillip Yancey was right: The book really does center on faith more than it focuses on suffering.  Job's trying time of suffering finally ended, but his legacy of faith has remained as a source of hope, comfort, and encouragement for every generation to follow.  Hebrews 11:1-2 reads, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.   For by it the men of old gained approval."
When we faithfully, passionately seek after God, we find ourselves paying less attention to the temporal and the externals.  We give increasingly more time to the eternal - to what is going on deep within.  Soul searching replaces channel surfing.  We start asking questions that are hard to answer.  We think much more deeply about the things Job is teaching us.  We focus on what matters - what would be lift if all our material possessions and our lesser priorities were stripped away.
Friedrich Nietzsche referred to our lifelong faith journey as "a long obedience in the same direction".  When we follow the example of our forefathers and choose to follow in their footsteps of faith, we gain the Lord's approval...and greater spiritual maturity as well.

Lord God, as we close this post, I pray that we would tuck these truths in our hearts, ponder them, and strive to apply them daily.  I pray too, Lord, that wherever we are in our lives that you would break us to the point of FULL surrender to You.

Until next time,
'K'

     

"I seem to have blinked and missed this past month!"

Boy oh boy!  I seem to have blinked and missed this past month!  So much has been happening that I don't even know where to begin! 

I suppose I'll post about my Colorado trip!  What a great time away!  So many 'firsts' for me; from the smallest thing - eating my very first Big Mac; to a bigger one - taking my first plane ride!  Many great little adventures in between as well!

I wasn't really going on this trip with any expectation of man...but with great expectation of God.  I wanted to meet Him there.  The setting was beautiful, which reminded me just how awesome our Creator - 'Elohim' - is!  The Rocky Mountains were breath-taking, even being as far away as they were.  It reminded me just how BIG God is and how SMALL I am.  Truly glad I captured what I could, the best way I could.

For me, I felt that the conference was a time of many confirmations for me.  I don't know what it meant for anyone else, but my going was a benefit for sure.  There was such a wealth of information - some I already knew, and some I learned for the first time.  All of it though, strengthened my foundation in Christ Jesus.

I took a lot of notes (surprise, surprise!), and am just now starting to 'unpack' it all.  One of the things about this conference and the speakers was that it was all very Bible based...everything was backed by scripture!  Which is the way it's to be.  Unless His Word says...it falls to the side and fades away.  His Word remains forever, and if God said it - it's truth...He cannot lie!

If I tried to summarize everything in this entry from my notes, we'd be here for an extremely long time.  So I won't.  I'll keep this post short and just say it was a very worthwhile trip.  One that I know, without doubt, will be beneficial for myself and those who come into my life for many years to come! 

It always amazes me who God Almighty is and how He works!  How sovereign He is.  His majesty simply isn't something we can begin to comprehend, and yet He knit us together and knows every little detail about each and every one of us - better than we know ourselves!  That rocks!  HE ROCKS!

I'll sign off again for now, and (hopefully*) will do a better job with posting!
Until next time,
'K'

Job Study: Chapter Twenty - "And Job Lived Happily Ever After...Or Did He?"

Although we still have two more weeks of this actual study, this is the chapter ending Job's story.  In the last two weeks we will be looking at the over all conclusions of the entire book of Job.  And oh! - it's a great way to end this journey!  So stay tuned :)

The selection of scripture is the 42nd chapter from verses 10-17 for this chapter.  Once again, Chuck gives us many great nuggets to glean.  So let's get right to them!  He writes;

When we come to the end of a great story, whether it's in a movie, a novel, or the Bible, we want the hero or heroine to live happily after - especially when that person has suffered as much as Job did.

This is so true!  We always get the 'feel good' feeling when a story ends that way.  Almost like a sense of completion if you will.  Like everything has come full circle - the 'fairy tale ending'.  Then there is the odd cliffhanger of a season finale that just leaves you hanging.  You just aren't quite sure what's going to happen (which is totally the point so that you'll come back for the season premier...it's all about the ratings where they are concerned...but that has nothing to do with the point I'm trying to make!).  When things don't end the way we think they should, it's like we are left with a bit of a 'void'...'it's not supposed to turn out that way!'.  So let's look at Job's finale and watch our Sovereign God work!

The 'treasures of the text' section has us focusing on the verse 23:10, "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  There are three noteworthy things we can take from this verse...

1. Job believed that God knew his situation.
2. Job believed that God was testing him.
3. Job believed that, after the trials ended, he would emerge a better man.

(*Though Job didn't know the details of his eventual restoration, he anticipated answers from God)

Mike Mason writes;

After thirty-nine chapters of passionate poetry, the return to prose in the Epilogue comes as something of a relief.  One cannot live continually on the level of intensity represented by poetry.  Returning to ordinary life after a mountaintop experience of God is largely what faith is all about!  (emphasis added)

As we've walked through the book of Job, we've been taken to the highest of heights, to the lowest of low back up again with him.  Let's look at four specific blessings God gives Job;

• One: God doubled Job's possessions.  Although God didn't owe Job anythings.  He graciously made restitution for all that Job had lost.  Yahweh received the prayers and offerings of Job for his friends, and He poured out a double measure of blessings upon His servant.
• Two: God restored Job's relatives and friends.  During this painful times of suffering, Job had felt excruciating isolation and a depth of loneliness that few of us can imagine.  But now, God sent Job's brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends to console and comfort him.  Not only did they offer words of encouragement and restoration, but they also provide Job with tangible support by giving him money and gold rings.  In addition, God multiplied Job's flocks and herds so that they would be a source of wealth for him.
• Three: God blessed Job and his wife with ten more children. 
• Four: God blessed Job with a long, satisfying life.  Since God doubled everything for Job, Job must have been seventy years old when this story began.  God allowed him to live twice as many years (140) in addition to those seventy.  He died at a ripe old age (210!) after living a rich, full life with his wife, sons, and daughters.  Warren Wiersbe writes: "To die 'old and full of years' was the goal of every person.  It means more than a long life; it means a rich and full life that ends well."...Another author expands..."To be full of years is to have seen everything there is to see and to have done everything there is to do, to the point that now one is so full of it all that there is no room for anything else.  There is no room for any more time or any more world; one is crammed to the gills with it."

Chuck gives us five things to consider in his 'nuggets of wisdom' section this chapter.

• Keep developing your mind - Take every opportunity to learn something new.  Seek to know God and others better.  Travel.  Read a good book.  Pick up a new hobby...keep your mind sharp by taking on new challenges.
• Keep enjoying your humor - (Remember that life here is temporary)
• Keep using your strength - In spiritual matters, as well as physical, this motto is true.  Use it or lose it!  Continue to exercise your mental, spiritual, and physical muscles in order to remain strong and healthy.  Use your gifts to serve others in your home, workplace, church, and community.
• Keep pursuing your opportunities - Maybe you've always dreamed of taking a mission trip to China.  Or scaling Mount Everest.  Or leading a Bible study at your church.  Or learning to play the piano.  Or teaching youth...whatever open doors and golden opportunities God brings your way, seize them!  Why put off until tomorrow something you can do today?
• Keep seeking and serving God - Make the Lord your first priority.  Make your pursuit of Him your number on e passion, and you'll sense His restoration, His blessing, and His protection on your life.

Many great things to remember while walking through this life on earth.  Several things listed above were confirmations for what I am currently doing in my life (as well as what I have already done), but there was also the encouragement to continue moving forward with what I've not yet done!

I love the last paragraph Chuck leaves us with;

When we praise God and center our lives around Him, we can give thanks, no matter our circumstances.  Though our weeping and sorrow may last for a night, our shout of joy will come in the morning.  If we, like Job, cling to our faith, we can rest assured that there will be a happy ending to our fairy tale as well.  (*all emphasis added because I thought it was 'just that great'!)

Amen!  Until next time,
'K'

"A Tender Mommy Moment"

The family we carpool with is away for the week, so I'm driving only my kids all week; it brings back a different dynamic and memories of how if 'used to be'. 
As I drove my kids this morning, I had a tender 'Mommy moment'...and it made my eyes 'leak' a bit.  For some reason the morning I leave for Colorado flashed before me...my plan has been to take them to school and say 'goodbye'...then be on my way.  I think it's going to be a lot harder than I previously thought it would be. 

I suppose because the thought crossed my mind that this will be the first time I'm really gone away from my children - ever!  I mean, we have spent little bits of time apart here and there, but it's always been within a couple of hours driving distance - really no big deal.  However, this time is going to be so much different.

I know all will be well, but still...  Guess I just had a realization this morning of how simple things like dropping your kids off at school can be taken for granted...

Just sayin'...
'K'

Job Study: Chapter Nineteen - "Finally, God's Justice Rolls Down"

We're nearing the end of the study on Job...can you believe it?!!  And this is the best part of it all!  In chapter 19 we go through Job 42:1-10.  As the title of this post says; 'finally God's justice rolls down'. 

Sometimes we see justice done on earth, but many times, we don't.  God, however, always acts justly.  No one is better at administering justice than the Almighty, who is all-knowing and absolutely righteous.  When His justice finally arrives, it's always worth the wait.  That wait can seem interminably long, but it will come.  Not all of God's accounts are settled at the end of each month, but they will be settled.  Justice is part of His character.  He will not ignore sin...He cannot.  (bold added)

God's Desires; sometimes, justice occurs quickly.  But other times, injustice seems to linger on forever!  We lament the cruelty, hurt, and unfairness we see in the world.  The Bible indicates that God the Father also is passionately concerned over the lack of justice He sees among His people (see Amos 5:21-24). 

We often struggle to understand God's timeline when it come to righting the wrongs that have been done to His people...We want the account to be settled now, not next month...or next year...or in eternity....Our hearts soar and our souls feel satisfied when we see justice done, especially in the life of a person who has suffered undeservedly.

Job's Confession: (42:1-6)

1.  God's purpose is unfolding.  Job recognized that he could not hinder or thwart the plans and objectives of God...Often, when we're faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we begin to wonder if God really goes have a purpose for our lives.  Events seem to happen in a random manner that defies explanation.  Severe needs arise that leave us asking "Why, God?  Don't You care?"  As our lives seem to veer out of control, we wonder if God is present or powerful enough to change our circumstances.  But as we trace the thread of Job's confession, we'll see that God had a plan all along.
2. God's plan is incredible.  Job accepted the fact that God's ways are greater than our ways.  God's thought don't always fit into our little boxes of human logic.  His plan is deeper.  His purposes are far more profound.  We can't hinder them, nor can we comprehend them.  But when we trust the heart of God and accept the fact that He cares for us, we can have peace even in the midst of suffering.
3. God's instruction is reliable.  Job didn't dare ignore God!  He had heart the teaching and the mumblings of his friends, and he had heart the words of God.  But nothing startled and awed Job as much as seeing God's hand and recognizing His sovereignty over the situation.
4. God's way is best.  Seeing God's hand led Job to make his crowning statement of humility before God: 'Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes' (42:6)... Job finally recanted and regretted his strong words against the Almighty.  He realized that he couldn't resist the will of God.  He understood that life was not all about Job, his suffering and his desires; it was all about God (bold added).

We've often heard the scripture 'a broken and contrite heart God will not despise' (Psalm 51:17).  This is so the case regarding Job.  We too, must humbly come to the end of ourselves - regardless of our circumstances - in order for us to really realize that we are broken and need the Lord.  Our full dependence must be on Him...at all times.

I thought the text Chuck wrote in the 'Taking Truth To Heart' section was fantastic;

We, too, need to be reminded that life is all about God.  It's not about us.  It's not about our comfort, our space, our rights, our will, our career, our salary, our plans, our home, our families, or our health.  It's not about keeping up with the Joneses.  Instead, it's about God's glory, His majesty, His power, and His desires for us.  It's about His way, His will, and how He wants to use us to achieve His purposes in the world.  Making God the center of our lives doesn't mean that our trials and difficulties will immediately exit stage left.  But it does mean that we can have true joy no matter our circumstances.

In his confession, Job showed that he finally got it.  He finally realized that God's plan is profound, that His reasoning is right, and that His ways are higher than he could ever understand.  With that, Job waved the white flag of surrender and said in complete sincerity, "I retract, and I repent.  I said things I shouldn't have said; I talked about things I knew nothing about; I became self-righteous in my own defense.  Lord, please know that my heart is Yours.  I humble myself before You.  I place myself at Your disposal.  Your purpose is right; Your plan is incredible; Your reproofs are reliable; Your way is best."

And that did it!  When the Lord heard these humble words and felt the deep emotions of contrition welling up in Job's heart, when He witnessed the humility of his broken spirit and the teachability of Job's soul, mercy kicked in, and justice rolled down.  We see poetic justice done as the Lord decided to use Job in the process of making his friends answer for their false, hurtful words and accusations.

Once you adjust your life to His ways, you'll be amazed at how the Lord will use you in others' lives.  You will be many things for them: a reproof, a refuge, a point of hope, a reason to go on, a source of strength, a calming influence, and so much more.  God may choose to use you as a vehicle to help restore those who've strayed far.  And this often includes those who have hurt you in their straying.

What a few paragraphs eh!  Hang on with me for a bit longer here...there is still so much more that is worth being shared with you!

God's Mercy:  Once God perceived Job's repentant heart and heard his humble words of contrition, His mercy kicked in and His bountiful grace glowed down.  In fact, God even used Job to help restore the three misguided friends to a right relationship with Him (42:7).

We tend to be uncomfortable when God expresses His anger openly.  Many of us have been taught that it's 'ungodly' to be angry, and that Christians are never supposed to express their anger.  Parents, teachers, pastors, and other leaders may have suggested that all anger is a sin, and we're wrong to express it.  We may have been encouraged to 'stuff' our uncomfortable feelings instead of releasing them by talking them out in a healthy way. 
According to Scripture, however, there is a proper time and place for the expression of our anger.  Almighty God expressed righteous indignation at certain times, and Jesus twice overturned the moneychangers' tables and chased them out of the temple with a whip (see Matthew 21:12; John 2:15).
We're never commanded in Scripture to refrain from expressing our anger if it is justified; however, we are commanded to deal with the problem rather than remaining angry and carrying a grudge. 

 And so we move on to the issue of Job the offended, and his friends the offenders:

• God doesn't want our gifts unless our hearts are right with Him and with others...He doesn't want our empty words and meaningless offerings.  He wants our hearts.
• Job...then prayed for this offenders (42:8)...For Job's sake, God would offer grace to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar instead of the punishment they deserved!
• Finally, Job's friends got their fill of humble pie as they were forced to admit the error of their ways and the prideful attitudes behind their sinful words.  They brought their costly offerings (seven bulls) to the Lord, and Job prayed for them.  As a result, God accepted their offering and restored them.
• What a picture of God's grace!  And what a picture of the justice and mercy that God poured forth at the cross of Christ!  Just as the lifeblood flowed out of the bulls that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar sacrificed as satisfaction for their sins, so also Jesus' blood was poured out on the cross for our sins.  And just as God the Father accepted Job's intercession on his friends' behalf, so also He accepts Christ's intercession on our behalf. 
• God allowed His Son to be humbled for a reason.  Our heavenly Father loved us so much that He wanted to redeem us from the sin and death that we have chosen.  But only a perfect, sinless sacrifice would satisfy His perfect justice, so He sent Jesus to become that sacrifice.  Through Christ's life and death, God's purposes of redemption were fulfilled.  Our role is to accept that gift of redemption and believe that Christ paid the price for our sins.
• Eventually, in His time, not ours, Gods justice will roll down as every person who has ever lived will recognize their sin, bow before the Son of God, and confess Jesus as Lord.

• Will we bow before Christ and live for Him now?  Or will we wait until we stand before the throne in our utter sinfulness and realize that it's too late for us to choose to follow Him?  Job chose to follow and obey God while he had the opportunity.  And God never left him or forsook him, though it may have seemed so at the time.  In fact, for Job's faithfulness throughout his painful ordeal, God poured out blessing upon him (42:10).
• Because of Job's faith and his obedient, sacrificial prayer on behalf of those who had wronged him.  God restored Job's fortunes and gave him back twice what he had lost.  More important, Job realized that even when God seemed silent and distant, He had never left Job's side.

And finally, as we come to the end of this information packed post...we are left with the 'nuggets of wisdom' section:

1. Forgiveness is worth asking for.  If you've spoken harsh words or harbored bitterness in your heart toward God or others, what's keeping you from confessing it?  Bring that burden to the Lord.  God delights in our humble confession.  He promises to listen if you approach Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
2. Justice is worth waiting for.  If justice comes immediately, thank the Lord for His provision.  If it doesn't come immediately, wait for it.  Enter into prayer about the situation and seek to discover the truths that God may be trying to teach you.  He'll help you cultivate patience in the process.

Often, we find that our longing for justice is based on our wanting God to deal with someone else's sin.  We want Him to take our side and punish the person who is in the wrong.  We want Him to honor and recognize our rights above the rights of others.  But when we focus on serving God and others, forgiving people, loving them, and putting their rights above our own, we often find that our longing for vindication diminishes.  We recognize that God's justice, tempered with His mercy and grace, is what we really need.  And we should be willing to offer forgiveness to others as much as we need to receive it from our Father.

AMEN....AND AMEN!

The Lord be with you all, until next time,
'K'

"Fresh cut fries"

I went out with my 8 year old son the other night for a 'dinner date'.  It was possibly one of the cutest times with him...most recently.  My heart warmed when he was so excited to go out to a restaurant with just him and Mommy.  He went upstairs to change his clothes, and when he came down he was all dressed in what would be considered one's 'Sunday best'!  He was so proud!

He held my hand as we walked into the restaurant, and led the way to our table as the waitress seated us.  He talked non-stop about anything and everything!  The Lord brought it upon my heart that my son was glad he had Mommy 'all to himself'...this warmed my heart.  All too often I get so caught up in the daily 'to-dos' that making special time is something that, unfortunately, seems to fall by the wayside. 

So as he sat across the table from me, he read his menu and circled the choices he's made then proceeded to ask me what I was going to order!  When the waitress came, he held up his menu and began to order from his menu..."I'll have the mini burgers, with cheese please; the fresh cut fries; and a Shirley temple please."  Lol, this was adorable!  The fresh cut fries was what really got me, too cute!  The waitress thought so as well, as she gave me a look in response to his ordering.

We sat and ate our meal while he chattered away about everything that came across his mind.  As the end of the meal came and we headed out of the restaurant, he held my hand again as we headed back to the vehicle; grinning from ear to ear.

He voiced in his prayers that night in bed that it was the best night with Mommy.  My heart melted as I heard my little boy thank God for a simple thing that meant something big to him.

Thank God for these little blessings, and reminders of just how awesome being a mom really should be!

Until next time,
'K'

Job Study: Chapter Eighteen - "Full Repentance For All The Right Reasons"

For this post of Job, we're looking at chapter 40:2-42:6.  We see in that Job comes to terms with who he isn't and with who God is.  It's a revealing of fresh revelation of the Great I Am for Job.  (As it was for me as well, through Job's story) 

In chapter 40 God reminds Job through this picture of power, that He is THE authority; that He is God and that Job is man.  In a nutshell Job's pride is being checked when God is essentially saying;

If you know so much, why don't you instruct Me?  If you're so powerful, why don't you run the world for a while?

Ouch!  This I say because I can totally see myself standing on the receiving end of that reproof.  I'm sure it's not hard to place yourself there either.  That one kind of cut to the bone a bit for me.

Throughout chapter 41 we are shown God's demonstration of His supreme ability to administer justice by giving Job a display of His physical power.  God talks of the 'super-beast' He named Behemoth (which most scholars believe to be hippopotamus), and the Leviathan (which represents the crocodile) He created.

What exactly were God's purposes in describing these two extraordinary creatures?  One author writes this concerning God's description of these beasts:  ...He is celebrating his moral triumph over the forces of evil.  Satan, the Accuser, has been proved wrong, through Job does not know it.  The author and the reader see the entire picture that Job and his friends never knew.  God permitted the Accuser to touch Job as part of his plan to humiliate Satan.  But now that the contest is over, God still did not reveal his reason to Job.  Because Job did not find out what the readers know, he could be restored without destroying the integrity of the account...If the specific and ultimate reason for his suffering had been revealed to Job...the value of the account as a comfort to others who must suffer in ignorance would have been diminished if not cancelled.

This just goes to show us, that God will stop at nothing to bring us to the place of full repentance.

God's extraordinary descriptions of these two larger-than-life creatures were all Job needed to hear.  The suffering man humbly recognized his utter inability to understand or reign over God's creation.  Even more important, he finally realized that he had falsely accused God of cruelty and injustice against him.

Job knew that he had lost the battle; he couldn't argue his case with God.  He told the Almighty, in essence, "I can't answer your questions!  All I can do now is confess that I spoke misguided, prideful words."  Once he saw firsthand the glory of the Lord, Job immediately humbled himself, admitted he was wrong, and repented in dust and ashes.

In the 'nuggets of wisdom' section this week, we look at Psalm 51:1-3, 10, 17...

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness;  According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin,  For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me...  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...   The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken spirit and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

When David confessed his sin and approached God with ''a broken and contrite heart", he finally received the Lord's gracious forgiveness and restoration.  But what does it mean to possess a truly humble heart and a repentant spirit?  Let's examine five vital characteristics of a contrite heart.

• First, a contrite heart nurses no grudges. A contrite person takes responsibility of his or her own words and actions.  They refuse to play the victim and doesn`t blame others.  Instead, a humble person asks for forgiveness, rights wrongs, and forgives others as well.
• Second, a contrite heart makes no demands.  A person with a truly repentant spirit doesn`t say `Listen, I'll make you a deal.  If you do this, then I'll apologize.'  Instead, they offer a humble apology without demanding anything in return.
• Third, a contrite heart has no expectations.  A humble person doesn't expect the royal treatment, storming off in a huff if they don't receive it...  A humble person doesn't demand forgiveness; they wait patiently for it.  And even if reconciliation never occurs, a humble person continues to respond to others with grace.
• Fourth, a contrite heart offers no conditions.  A repentant person doesn't offer God or any other person 'ifs, ands, or buts'.  There's no leveraging, no deal making, no trying to make themselves look good.
• Fifth, a contrite heart anticipates no favors.  A person who sees themselves rightly before God will not have a hidden agenda.  They won't demand, 'If I forgive you for this, you have to forgive me for that', or 'Do this for me and I'll forgive you.'  A humble person doesn't use forgiveness as a weapon to manipulate others.  (emphasis added)

So, there you have it!  Another 'fridge-worthy' list for your fridge...or bathroom mirror!  I definitely am challenged by this list.  Lord God I pray that I have a humble, contrite heart that follows hard after you.  In any and in all circumstances.

All the glory to God for the great things He hath done!

Until next time,
'K'