Pages

Monday, April 25, 2011

You know I love sharing an encouraging word and I love others that do the same....just thought I'd share! Remember, love is free and hands are made for helping not hurting...put your fingers to your keyboard and join in on dropping a love bomb!!!


Focus On The Light.....

I am by no means a great photographer, but I love to snap tons of pictures and have a husband that has a passion for photography.  Many times, out of boredom, we'll challenge each other at different events we attend to a friendly contest: to see who can capture the most unique, artsy, crazy or funny picture.

He's much more skilled than I am at judging the lighting, distance and setting up shots and he takes some great pictures.  I probably am more reckless and have to take hundreds of photos to get one really great shot...but it's fun and it has helped me learn to use my camera and all it's fancy features.  I must have gotten kind of good, because he has now begun to claim my best shots as his! LOL  Fortunately, in life and faith, I have learned to become much less reckless - I am still learning, growing and tweeking my heart and attitude, good thing I don't have to do that alone either.

When taking photographs, the amount of light available makes all the difference in the world for a quality picture. Poor or low lighting will easily produce out of focus shots or shots missed completely that will never be again. Our lives can be the same way! If we live life without God, who is called “light”, we will miss having that quality and purposeful life that God has in mind for us. We may miss opportunities he has for us because we’ve been living each day in low or no light at all. By relying on His light and reflecting it back into the world, your “life’s picture” becomes in focus and clear and the blurriness of the day to day routine gets washed away with light that brings everyday anew, fresh and in focus.

John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.


Psalm 104:1-3 Praise the LORD, my soul. LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Can One Ever Thank Him Enough? EMPTY TOMB - ENDLESS HOPE!

"The darker the world gets, the brighter our light is going to shine!"

EMPTY TOMB - ENDLESS HOPE
The emptiness of this world can be filled by an empty tomb that is over flowing with hope. The tomb itself can’t do anything! But the fact that Jesus was buried, after being crucified and rising from the dead three days later, provides the hope for tomorrow as it did for those who found the tomb stone rolled away on that historic day. Jesus shows that He and He alone can beat death and give us hope and assurances that can only come from him. A God-man with all the power and authority known to mankind with the simplest of message “follow me”.

I’m so very thankful for the One who stood in my place…our place! I’m grateful to the One who has set us free and gained for us God's grace and eternal life. With Easter approaching so quickly, I’m reminded that all that I have, all that I am, all that I’ve been gracefully blessed with, my very life, each and every breath…I owe to him. For without him what else can I do? Why wouldn’t I be excited and anxious to give all that I have to him. I’m human and faulted, so I have to plan daily to devote myself, my energy, my thoughts, my expressions of love and thankfulness to him. I’m human and fall short most times, but strive to get back up and bless him again. I’m in his hands - I am his hands - I am an instrument of a living Lord and I am so honored to be his child, to be his voice and to shine his light.


Know Jesus, Know Peace! No Jesus, No Peace!

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Love and peace dear friends.....have a blessed Easter Weekend - praising God and never ceasing!


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sweet gentle nudge...

So happy! And so grateful for all the cool things and lavish love God continues to bless me with....I don't deserve it Lord but I accept it with a humble and grateful heart. Thank you again for being so patient with me, you've always been the sweet gentle nudge that I need. I love you and praise you.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Very superstitious......um, not so much!

I’m not a superstitious person, I don’t believe in luck, good or bad. I used to until I came to truly know Christ - until I came to know God of the bible - the true God, not the one I made him out to be in my own small mind. I believe in God’s blessings, God’s intervention, God’s grace and mercy.

I have a cross necklace collection, it’s just sort of scattered around in my jewelry box - it’s not arranged, cataloged or something I prize! But since I’m a lover of Christ I do like to wear a pretty cross now and then to show my faith or even just to remind me “whose” I am. Many times it could be easy to get caught up in the world and be fooled into forgeting that I have power, but truly I am not powerless because through Christ I am given the strength and might to live a bold life for him and conquer all fears - to conquer death! WOW…is that ever cool.

So sometimes, especially on the days I feel weak or sad, I like to wear a hidden cross around my neck as a reminder to me that he is close and I am never alone. Sometimes on the days I feel strong and powerful I like to wear a very visible cross around my neck to indicate I’m His, see His child, here I am…so just try to steal my joy - it’s not happening - humbly thru Him I'm made mighty and can do all things.

Truth be know, I also have another piece of jewelry I wear often - it’s a ring with a small, pretty, sparkly bow on top. It reminds me of that old notion that if you tie a ribbon around your finger it will help you to remember something. I wear my bow to remind me of a few things! It reminds me that life is a gift and to cherish it and to remember to whom I am grateful for that gift. It reminds me that I am special, even if the world doesn’t see me as special, God does. It reminds me that there has been a promise made, actually several of them. Promises made by the King, not just any King, the King that sits on high. He promised that because I believe in Him, the life I’ve been given isn’t temporary but is everlasting. A life with Him that is full, abundant, happy and treasured. This bow ring keeps my mind focused that His promises are endless and quite lavish. He promised that He is with me and you, He loves us and will never leave us no matter how many times we mess up and come back to Him for forgiveness. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble and times of great joy or great sadness. In Jeremiah 24:6, He says that He will always build us up, not pull us down. What a great promise! A promise I wish many people could make but just can't, won't or don’t. God also promises that the good things that He has planned for you and I are too many to count.


Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

Don’t ever forget whose you are or what you are! When you feel distressed or broken know these things don’t come from the Lord; know that they are a trick to discourage you, hurt you and pull you away from having a deeper relationship with God. Dive into the Word of the Lord and be reminded you are God’s! His child, his princess or prince - a special one and only you!  Have peace and comfort knowing that He never changes, is always the same steady eddy, consistent friend that wants only good for you, wants only to be close with you, wants to be your center, your cornerstone and your firm foundation.

Here’s one of my favorite bible verses, I thought I would leave you with it to think about this week:

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Hope you're having a super week so far....hugs, peace and love! Kim




 

Mountain top experience - where is he now?

Many ancient people considered mountains as holy places. The mountains like Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion were the dwelling places of the spirit of God Himself. What an image, having to ascend up challenging terrain and weathering the elements so that one might be in the presence of the Holy spirit of God. Today, because of Jesus, if we believe in Him the very presence of God called the Holy Spirit dwells in us, no need to climb mountains or battle things around us. We don’t have to do it alone, put your trust in Him and allow Him to guide you, because He’s much closer then we often remember - He’s within us. Hugs & love dear ones…

Exodus 19:20  The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain.

Exodus 24:16  and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud.

Psalm 50:2  From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

Psalm 74:2  Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

1 Corinthians 6:19  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Psalm 51:11  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Acts 4:31  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Don't ya just love it when.....


Don't ya just love it when you find your "groove"! Your niche! Your place! Your home! When you get outta your funk? Your haze? Your dumps? And really get goin'. Get on track. Get on a roll. Get movin. And find yourself excited, jazzed, happy, fortunate, lucky: Blessed. 

Life......it's good! God.....He's super awesome! Blessings....they're fun! My babies.....they're adorable! Jim....he's fantastic! Friends.....they're funny. My mom and dad....love me like their girl. Ice cream....tastes so good! New adventures....always exciting. I guess that's about it. :-) Just excited to see what God's doing and what his plans are for me...its fun to watch it unfold.