I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40: 1- 3
Have you ever been in that pit the psalmist describes? I have. It was rough, frightening and cold. Yes, cold. My heart had no warmth in it, the Holy Spirit was being stopped by my fear, doubt and unbelief. I wouldn't allow Him to work.
I can identify with the psalmist heart soaring with thankfulness and delight at the return of the warmth of the presence of God in his life. He was alone in his despair so he thought, but not really. He, like me, was never truly alone. God was there, He never left, never stepped back, we pushed Him back. That is hard to admit for many of us, but it is true.
God will establish our feet upon the rock of comfort, calm and assurance if we but let Him. Have you ever actually uttered the words, "It's okay, God, I've got this one"? I have, actually out loud! How foolish that must sound to the Father, but in His wisdom and love He let's us do it, only to be there to catch us when we fall. Over and over again. How often can we do that? Forgive, over, over and over again? Our patience is not God's patience. Our feeble minds are not God's great mind, so we can not begin to imagine His endless love for us.
My question to myself as much as to you Beloved reader is this.......
Are you a trial or treasure to God?
I desire more than anything in this world to be a treasure, but not to man or his lost world. I desire to be a Treasure to God. To hear Him utter, "Well done my child, welcome home." That is my goal.
In His Service;
By His Grace.
Kathy <><
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
In The Books......
Peace be unto you~
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
That scripture sure covers alot of ground doesn't it? It wishes you and me prosperity, in all things, not just financially. Health is also prayed for here, freedom from illness of all sorts, physical and mentally. Then comes the greatest wish for us all, that our souls should prosper. Oh, how I wish that for you and me as well.
There is a phrase that came into much use recently, "food for the soul", remember all the "Chicken Soup" books? Those books had many wonderful testimonies and praise stories in them. Some were hard to read as they would coincide with so many of our own life stories. Some were so sweet as to make your teeth ache. But the moral or telling of the story was to lift up and edify the soul of the reader. A wonderful goal to be sure. I loved them and when I finished reading mine I would pass them on to friends.
There is food for the soul, the heart and the body in God's Word. So much that we would never lack for sustenance if we would but avail ourselves of it. So often, when we hurt or are lacking for something, we turn away from the scriptures and seek answers in all the wrong places. There are well meaning friends, much learned doctors and professional people that can help to a degree to be sure. But our real help is so often left sitting on the book shelf or the coffee table, covered with dust. If we would but open it and get into His Word, our answers would soon be apparent to us.
I am too often quick to seek advice from friends and sometimes I get good advice but without fail, when I seek my Father's council, my problems are solved. Sometimes the answer isn't one that I would like, sometimes the answer is "No", sometimes it is "Wait" and often it is "Yes". But what ever the answer, it is always the best for me and I see it very quickly.
I pray that you will turn to the Father when you need Him, but even more so, I pray that you will stay in the Word with The Father, always.
May God's Peace be upon you ~
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
That scripture sure covers alot of ground doesn't it? It wishes you and me prosperity, in all things, not just financially. Health is also prayed for here, freedom from illness of all sorts, physical and mentally. Then comes the greatest wish for us all, that our souls should prosper. Oh, how I wish that for you and me as well.
There is a phrase that came into much use recently, "food for the soul", remember all the "Chicken Soup" books? Those books had many wonderful testimonies and praise stories in them. Some were hard to read as they would coincide with so many of our own life stories. Some were so sweet as to make your teeth ache. But the moral or telling of the story was to lift up and edify the soul of the reader. A wonderful goal to be sure. I loved them and when I finished reading mine I would pass them on to friends.
There is food for the soul, the heart and the body in God's Word. So much that we would never lack for sustenance if we would but avail ourselves of it. So often, when we hurt or are lacking for something, we turn away from the scriptures and seek answers in all the wrong places. There are well meaning friends, much learned doctors and professional people that can help to a degree to be sure. But our real help is so often left sitting on the book shelf or the coffee table, covered with dust. If we would but open it and get into His Word, our answers would soon be apparent to us.
I am too often quick to seek advice from friends and sometimes I get good advice but without fail, when I seek my Father's council, my problems are solved. Sometimes the answer isn't one that I would like, sometimes the answer is "No", sometimes it is "Wait" and often it is "Yes". But what ever the answer, it is always the best for me and I see it very quickly.
I pray that you will turn to the Father when you need Him, but even more so, I pray that you will stay in the Word with The Father, always.
May God's Peace be upon you ~
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tale of the Turtle and the Hare
The story goes like this. There was once a hare that was convinced that he was the fastest critter in the world. Hare was so full of himself that he bragged to anyone that would stop long enough to hear the tale, how he was the fastest in the world. Hare claimed that he could out run anyone, anytime.
One day the turtle was passing by on his way to the river for a drink of water. Hare cornered the poor turtle and bragged about himself for quite a while. Turtle had heard enough and as the Hare bragged on, he challenged the Hare to a race. The Hare was so suprised that he stopped talking about himself for a minute and stared at Turtle with his mouth hanging open. The very idea, the hare laughed, at the thought of a turtle thinking that he could out run him, the fasted animal in the world! So, Hare took the Turtle's challenge and they agreed to meet the next morning bright and early.
The next morning, the Hare was at the agreed meeting place, bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to run. Turtle was there as well, standing quietly at the starting line.
Mr. Crow agreed to call the start of the race. Standing between the two, Mr. Crow held out his wings, instructed the racers to begin when he dropped his wings to his side and began to count.Three, two, one....GO! Mr. Crow cawed as his wings dropped to his side. Everyone watched as Hare sprinted away, leaving a small cloud of dust in his wake. They watched and laughed at Mr. Turtle as he plodded along, slowly behind Hare. The atmosphere had taken on a holiday feel as the crowd gathered at the finish line to await the two racers.
Meanwhile, Hare had gotten to about the half way point and looking back saw no sign of the Turtle. So, he lay down in some soft grass beside the path to rest a minute. He was so sure of himself that he actually fell asleep. A short time later, along came Turtle, plodding along at a steady even pace. His gaze never leaving the pathway, he continued past the sleeping, boastful Hare.
Some time had passed when the Hare awoke from his nap, rested and ready to run, he glanced down the pathway.
Laughing he turned to continue the race so sure was he that Turtle was far behind. As the Hare ran toward the finish line, he imagined everyone cheering him on and how he would boast of his speed as he danced across the finish line.
As Hare rounded the final curve in the pathway, he saw Turtle! How in the world could Turtle have gotten ahead of him, it was just impossible! No one in the world could beat him! He was the fastest, speediest animal in the world! Hare poured on the speed as he desperately tried to reach the finish line before Turtle but it was too late. Turtle trundled across the finish line before Hare could reach it. Hare fell over his own big feet in his haste and shock. Looking up, Hare saw the crowd gathering around the Turtle, slapping him on the shell, shaking his hand. He watched as Mr. Crow held up Turtle's hand and proclaimed him the winner!
The moral of this story is: Speed, while a good thing for a short while, rarely wins the race. Steady moving toward the goal, keeping an even pace will get you to the finish line.
The reason for this retelling of the Turtle and the Hare story is because of my realizing how we all are rushing around, trying to win the race. Never thinking about how simply keeping our speed steady, our eyes fixed on the goal, will get us there in much better time and with alot less pain.
I realized this while walking with my daughter Kacie, early this morning. She is a person that doesn't get in a hurry but she always accomplishes what she sets out to do. And she does it well. Me, I rush around trying to get things done, completely messing things up in the process. Kacie starts out walking with me, but by the time we've gone 1/4th of a mile, she's pulling away. Me, I am getting exausted! I began trying to "keep up" and realized it wasn't gonna happen very quickly. So, I generally finish my walk about 1/2 a mile behind, but I get there, winded and tired. Kacie, she's already there, resting and enjoying a good ole' stretch. Who says our children can't teach us?
One day the turtle was passing by on his way to the river for a drink of water. Hare cornered the poor turtle and bragged about himself for quite a while. Turtle had heard enough and as the Hare bragged on, he challenged the Hare to a race. The Hare was so suprised that he stopped talking about himself for a minute and stared at Turtle with his mouth hanging open. The very idea, the hare laughed, at the thought of a turtle thinking that he could out run him, the fasted animal in the world! So, Hare took the Turtle's challenge and they agreed to meet the next morning bright and early.
The next morning, the Hare was at the agreed meeting place, bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to run. Turtle was there as well, standing quietly at the starting line.
Mr. Crow agreed to call the start of the race. Standing between the two, Mr. Crow held out his wings, instructed the racers to begin when he dropped his wings to his side and began to count.Three, two, one....GO! Mr. Crow cawed as his wings dropped to his side. Everyone watched as Hare sprinted away, leaving a small cloud of dust in his wake. They watched and laughed at Mr. Turtle as he plodded along, slowly behind Hare. The atmosphere had taken on a holiday feel as the crowd gathered at the finish line to await the two racers.
Meanwhile, Hare had gotten to about the half way point and looking back saw no sign of the Turtle. So, he lay down in some soft grass beside the path to rest a minute. He was so sure of himself that he actually fell asleep. A short time later, along came Turtle, plodding along at a steady even pace. His gaze never leaving the pathway, he continued past the sleeping, boastful Hare.
Some time had passed when the Hare awoke from his nap, rested and ready to run, he glanced down the pathway.
Laughing he turned to continue the race so sure was he that Turtle was far behind. As the Hare ran toward the finish line, he imagined everyone cheering him on and how he would boast of his speed as he danced across the finish line.
As Hare rounded the final curve in the pathway, he saw Turtle! How in the world could Turtle have gotten ahead of him, it was just impossible! No one in the world could beat him! He was the fastest, speediest animal in the world! Hare poured on the speed as he desperately tried to reach the finish line before Turtle but it was too late. Turtle trundled across the finish line before Hare could reach it. Hare fell over his own big feet in his haste and shock. Looking up, Hare saw the crowd gathering around the Turtle, slapping him on the shell, shaking his hand. He watched as Mr. Crow held up Turtle's hand and proclaimed him the winner!
The moral of this story is: Speed, while a good thing for a short while, rarely wins the race. Steady moving toward the goal, keeping an even pace will get you to the finish line.
The reason for this retelling of the Turtle and the Hare story is because of my realizing how we all are rushing around, trying to win the race. Never thinking about how simply keeping our speed steady, our eyes fixed on the goal, will get us there in much better time and with alot less pain.
I realized this while walking with my daughter Kacie, early this morning. She is a person that doesn't get in a hurry but she always accomplishes what she sets out to do. And she does it well. Me, I rush around trying to get things done, completely messing things up in the process. Kacie starts out walking with me, but by the time we've gone 1/4th of a mile, she's pulling away. Me, I am getting exausted! I began trying to "keep up" and realized it wasn't gonna happen very quickly. So, I generally finish my walk about 1/2 a mile behind, but I get there, winded and tired. Kacie, she's already there, resting and enjoying a good ole' stretch. Who says our children can't teach us?
Friday, May 8, 2009
Good morning all~
It is a beautiful day! I awoke this morning and my first thought was not "Oh, I just don't want to get up, I just want to lay here."~! My first thought was, "Good Morning Lord, Thank you for this day, I dedicate it to you!" Now, that may not sound like much, but let me tell you, it is remarkable considering less than a week ago I just felt like life wasn't much worth living.
I've had an "AHA" moment and I give some of the credit to a dear, dear friend and brother in Christ. He has no idea that his devotional email had such an impact, God truly used him to save a life by reminding me how much I am a valued one to the Father.
He sent out this email:
"Don't you realize that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16
"Alas! how little is this truth contemplated and acted upon!
Were we more deeply and powerfully impressed with the solemn truth that God Himself dwells in us through the Spirit, how much more careful we would be to maintain . . . truth and reality, life and power in experience, godliness and holiness in life!
What a reverential fear would possess our minds, that we might not defile the Lord's temple, or sin against and before, so holy and all-seeing a Guest!
If we realized this, and lived under its solemn weight and influence, how careful we would be not to defile that body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How desirous and anxious we would be not to pollute . . . our eyes by wandering lusts; our ears by listening to worldly and carnal conversation; our lips by speaking deceit, or light and frothy talk; our hands by putting them to anything that is evil; our feet by running on errands of vanity and folly.
We are to view our body as God's temple, and therefore sanctified to His service and to His glory!"- J C Philpot "
Now, being a Christian, I "knew" all that, but for some reason I wasn't living it. I now know the reason and I'm dealing with that with God's help. THAT is why things are happening for me that haven't worked until now.
My prayer for today:
Father,
Thank you so much for sending your message through your servant so that this child can finally hear and remember your temple. Thank you for giving me this chance to change. Father, I dedicate this day to you to live like the living sacrifice that I should be, I pray that you will give me those reminders and nudges when I step away from the path.
Thank you Father for sending me to my new friends and sisters on the Christian Weight Loss & Health Support Forum, they are precious to me. Father I ask your blessings and healing hands upon my new friends, help them as you have helped me. Give them the gentle reminders that they are precious and have your love.
All this I humbly ask in the name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit~
Amen
* The photo was taken by my youngest beautiful, talented daughter, Kacie. It is part of a statue at the Georgia Baptist Children's Home, Palmetto, GA.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Spring Cleaning: It isn't for wimps!
Decluttering, spring-cleaning, deep cleaning, no matter what you call it I'ma doin' it! I'm tired of a cluttered, disorganized house. I'm tired of stuff piled here and there. So, I've made a vow to do something about it.
Are ya with me? Okay! Here are some links that I'm using to help me. My Goal for today it to catch up with the Spring Cleaning Party! I'm a day behind so I can't stay on this computer typing all day!
http://www.organizingyourway.net/featured-posts/decluttering-101
http://simplemom.net/
I'll keep ya posted! And I'll bring pictures!
I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. 1 Timothy 5:14 NAV
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