HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH!

Hallelujah is a word that is pronounced the same in most of the world languages. It means “praise the Lord” and is used only four times in the NIV Bible. We are to praise the Lord God in all we do, and consider everything we have a gift from him - don‘t waste a “New Hallelujah” on worldly things that just don‘t deserve that praise. Did you wake up this morning? That’s a reason to praise with a “New Hallelujah”. Do you have air in your lungs and a heart pumping in your chest today? These are great reasons for a “New Hallelujah”. Because you see, we’re not even guaranteed our next breath; each moment we are alive is a gift and something special to praise the Lord for. Don’t miss the opportunity to praise God because you were to busy looking for great and unexplainable blessings - every moment of everyday is reason for a “New Hallelujah”.

Psalm 103:2  Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

1 Corinthians 10:31  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 19:6  Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”

Hugs and Love Friends....Kim

Memorial Day Thoughts....

I was working on a few writings this week, helping with Jim's Chaplaincy and realized Memorial Day was fast approaching. And thought, hum, I wonder what most folks think about "Memorial" Day...what does it mean to you? Memorial Day is the day we, as a nation, come together to remember our fallen heros - the men and women that fought for our freedoms and gave completely of themselves, they gave their life. I plan to spend some time this weekend praying for those families that have lost loved ones that served our country, as well as those men and women still serving this great nation and their families.

Now to some, Memorial Day signals the start of summer, when the beaches open and we fire up the BBQ for cookouts with friends and family. And you know I'm all for a good BBQ. But truly it was meant as a time for reflection and a chance to honor those who have served us and died in doing so. Now when I was thinking about that, and what Memorial Day means to me, it came to mind that for myself and probably other faithful Christians, Memorial Day comes once a week, every single week...not just once a year. The first day of the week, Sunday (the Lord’s Day) has been set aside as a day of remembrance. To some folks Sunday symbolizes a time to kick our feet up, relax, do yard work, or catch a game. And you’re right, in a way it was partially meant to be a day of rest in a few ways: a time for spiritual growth, family activities, restoration, reading and spiritual refreshment. First and foremost, for Christians, it was set aside to remember and honor the One that gave of his life so we may have life: Christ, who came and gave up his physical life so we could have our spiritual life, our eternal life with God. It’s a day to worship and give praise and thanks to him, which is in obedience to His Word and what God desires.

So yes, for sure let us remember those that have died serving our country so we may have our freedoms, but let us also this weekend and every Sunday remember the One who died and conquered the grave. Christ lives today so that we may no longer be bound. How are you spending your two Memorial Days this weekend? I pray that they will be full of blessings and joy for you and your family. 3 nails, 1 cross and an empty grave, to me Christ is the original freedom fighter!

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Romans 5:7-8 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I Corinthians 15:51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed…

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

You are what you think.....so to speak!

For a moment, before I continue, stop and think about what you’re starting to think about.  Odd way to start out a blog post, I know, but you and you alone are the one who controls your thoughts. Are your thoughts made up mostly of happy, encouraging, positive thoughts?  Maybe your mind is filled with to do lists, nagging questions and uncertainties?  Or perhaps a bad "moment" continues to replay over and over in your mind!

If you've been feeling down lately, ask yourself “what have I been thinking about and in the grand picture of it all, will it matter?”  Maybe you have a sneaky suspicion that your self esteem is kind of low!  Maybe you've had a bout of moodiness or find that you're just in a big ol' funk!  Stop and ask yourself, "what is occupying my mind...my thoughts?"  Could it be that you're dwelling on something negative that someone has said either to you or about you?  The things people say about you (or what you think they're saying about you) may or may not be true - it's unimportant really!  What's important is what you do with the thoughts that YOU have about it.  It's important that you don't dwell on them - no more negative thinking, okay?

The old saying garbage in, garbage out is true for both our physical and mental health. What we choose to think directly reflects our mood and quality of life. Our 'thought life' also has a way of working its way into how we outwardly act towards others. I really recommend that we think of the things of God every time negative, destructive, or unholy things enter our thoughts. We can go to God’s Word to find positive, affirming, holy thoughts to meditate on when we are in need of direction and encouragement.  Flooding the mind with the things of God leaves very little room for things of the world. Hugs & Love to you all....have a great week!!!
 

Deuteronomy 11:18
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Don't wait for an eye opener to love and live life to it's fullest....

Happy Mother's Day to you all! This is me & my mom Linda. She was just diagnosed with lung cancer this February 2011. They also found it in some of her lymph nodes. She had part of her lung removed and thru lots of prayer, great surgeons and lots of love, she got the news within a few days that the surgery was a success. It seemed like a huge surprise to her doctor as well! After the lab examined the piece that was sent for testing, her doctor called her with the results: "somehow we got it all & it's no longer in the lymph nodes! Cancer was in the lymph nodes prior to surgery, but after surgery (and prayer) it's no longer there" - which meant she DIDN'T need chemo. She's up & living life to the fullest just three months later.

She's had a life full of big heartbreaks yet still finds joy in each day. She's has had so much on her shoulders through out her whole life, abuse, death of a child, the other child abandoning her, burden and illnesses - yet she would tell you she's one of the most blessed women on the earth. She's the strongest, most giving woman I have ever known. When you think she's just too weak or worn to give, she gets back up and asks how can I help and when do you need it. She surprises me every day with her strength, but I love that when she needs a boost, she allows me to be blessed and honored by helping her.

My mom, Linda, truly is an inspiration to me and a testament to God's goodness, His grace and His amazing healing powers - I love that He's not finished with her here on Earth...I can't wait to see what he has planned for her to do. None of us is guaranteed even another day of life, but to be granted just one more to be with those we love is....a gift!

This recent illness has been an eye opener for us both, we've always been close and bonded but the last few months we have discovered more about each other than ever before, she's not just my mom, but I find that now that I'm an adult, she's my bff! This year Mother's Day is extra special! Make sure this Mother's Day (and everyday you're able) to give your mom a huge hug! Hugs & love dear friend.

Everyone Needs A Little....

Hope you're having a blessed week....thinking of you all....sending you hope and prayers that you know and feel God's love for you!  xoxo 

Everyone needs a little....

Show me....

Brothers and sisters, talk is easy and action…well not so easy. The easy part is to call ourselves ‘believers in Christ‘, the challenge comes in ‘living’ that life - a life that shows others who we are and what we believe. Living with Christ-like actions towards the world around us can be difficult but very rewarding. We’ve given over and put our trust in Jesus Christ, but now we need to put our faith into action. How do we do that? By feeding the poor, loving our enemies and sharing our hope with others - these are good places to start. Doing all these things and more, in Jesus’ name, shows God that we are serious about the relationship we have with him and take him at his word. Over time these Christ-like actions just become a way of life, ‘our first’ response! Remember to always give the glory of our actions to God and him alone!

We are saved by grace and grace alone, not works. Once we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior there is nothing we can do to add to our salvation - remember, when we accept Jesus we are saying ‘I will do as you do Christ, not because those actions will save me, but because you asked me to‘!
 
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Hope you're having a wonderful day - and this week is filled with blessings for you!
Hugs, Kim