Keeping the Faith!

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” John 3:16-18

Before God sent his Son to the world, the Jews were vainly conceited that the Messiah should be sent only in love to their nation. But Christ tells them that he came in love to the whole world....Gentiles as well as Jews. God gave his son out of love to suffer and die for us as well as our our sins.....making us his blood bought children. Jesus came to: Bring salvation not only to Jews but to the ends of the earth, to share the great gospel duty to believe in Jesus Christ and to make known the great gospel benefit that is whoever believes in Christ shall not perish and shall have everlasting life in heaven! Through Jesus Christ the world might be saved. He came NOT to condemn the world, but to bring salvation.

Something I feel that most people don't realize is that God sent Jesus with the full range of human abilities including the capacity to judge, condemn, and carry the burden of all sin. Although Jesus came with these very real capabilities, he chose not to condemn or judge.... but to save. Instead.... He carried our cross and burdens, and then was judged and condemned by the world for doing so. During his time on earth, He was tested in every way possible. He was put through trials and persecution beyond human understanding and experience, met with utter disbelief , he even questioned his own father’s intentions (God) and yet still laid his own life down to pay the ultimate price for you and me! It brings new meaning to the phrase “ the end will justify the means.” Christ endured all that because....HE LOVES US! Amazing!

More importantly this sacrificial act (if you will) was an example for all Christians. It outlines an important principle of being saved by grace through faith.You must allow your earthly self and intentions to die, you must “lay your own life and will down” in order to sit at God’s Throne of Mercy. You must have faith like a child, as Jesus had faith that his father would see him through.

" Walk by FAITH, Not by SIGHT." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Once you have the faith to believe, God will give you his grace to endure the trials and persecutions of this earthy life in order to sit at his mighty throne.It was the ultimate example and fulfillment of prophecy for those that did not and still do not believe, and an even better example of how we as Christians must die to ourselves daily and give our life to God. By faith we can do it (and must do it) in order to walk with him daily.

God knew his son would prevail because He was The Truth, The Light and The Way. He knew that He would endure and then sit at his right hand, and he also saved a place at His right hand for us too!

"I am standing at the door knocking. If one of you hears My calling and opens the door, I will come in...Those who prove victorious I will allow to share My Throne, just as I was victorious Myself and took My place next to My Father on His Throne." Revelations 3:20-21

By faith, I choose to believe and God gives me the grace when I stumble. I was born into this dark world and it is a struggle EVERY day. However, God shows me his Mercy because I am a believing Child of his. I am beaten up, persecuted and tempted often beyond belief…….yet I know who my loving Father is and where my salvation comes from! God’s Word is the key to success. The more you pour in, the more he manages to pour out. He has placed me here on earth temporarily, just as he did his Son….and it is up to me how I chose to honor his name while I am on borrowed time. Don't let the doubts of your life separate you from the love of Christ....he came to carry your burdens!

" It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!" Romans 8:10-11 (The Message)

"So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! " Romans 8:12-14 (the Message)

In Him,

kristen

"Making a List and Checkin' it twice!"

" You have not, because you ask not.." James 3:4

Sometimes I feel that my needs, wants, problems and even wishes are so small and microscopic compared to the gift that God gave me in his Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I think "who am I to ask God for what I need" and "well, I don't have to ask...because he already knows my every thought." It is true that the same God that numbered the very hairs on our head, also knows our needs better than we know ourselves.

" Your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8

So why ask? I believe that something powerful occurs when we directly seek God and reveal to him what our needs are. I know this to be true because I have watched it take place over the past few weeks. When you go to God and ask him to meet a need, you are showing God that you recognize that He is the one and only true supply to meet our every need. First and foremost, you must have a little thing called FAITH!!!

But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."The woman saw that she couldn't hide. Trembling, she quickly bowed in front of him. There, in front of all the people, she told why she touched him and how she was cured at once. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." Luke 8:46-48

I recently heard a message that opened my eyes and powerfully changed my perspective on this topic. It was baffling to me to think that I might be having needs that are not met simply because I do not ask. It was even more scary to think that people that I care for and love deeply....might be missing out because of my failure to pray!!!

I want to encourage you to evaluate what needs you may be having and put them down on paper. Study God's word and find passages that support that in which you are seeking. With Thanksgiving and prayer, seek God faithfully and in confidence daily. Ask him for provision over the desires of your heart. It is also helpful and pleasing to God to find someone that will come in agreement with you over your needs and pray over them daily on your behalf. ("For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them..." Matthew 18:20).

"Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." 1 John 3:21-23

"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart" Psalms 37:4

Don't ever feel as though your wants are too insignificant to take before God's throne! Don't wait! Make your list, and God won't have to check it twice!

To God be the Glory!

Kristen

Burn Baby Burn!

The definition of FIREWORKS:

1.An exciting or spectacular display, as of musical virtuosity.
2.A device consisting of a combination of explosives and combustibles, set off to generate colored lights, smoke, and noise for enjoyment.



In the midst of my darkest hours, I felt as though I would erupt into a fiery display of rage. In fact, I wanted to highlight the hurt and anger I was feeling on the inside. During that time I allowed myself to become distracted by the noise, lost in the wilderness and broken. At that point I cried out to my God begging him not to leave me, not to forsake me. He answered.

" This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, ' The Lord is our God.' " ~ Zec 13:9


When I was willing to expose my struggles out in the light and hand them over to God, he stepped out into the light and reached for them...and for the first time, I saw his face.

" Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. ~ Mal 3:7

What I know now, is that God was challenging my weaknesses. He gave you and I the capability to choose him out of our own will. He patiently waits wanting to rescue us, but it is our delay that pains him further. He is a God of compassion for his children, not a dictator.

" This day I call Heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death. Now choose life, so that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give your fathers, Abraham, Issaac and Jacob." ~Deu 30:19-20


When he finished refining me, he bent down and ignited my spirit causing it to rage with a burning passion and thirst for him. His love poured out like a raging flood over me, leaving me refreshed. His wind wrapped around me wrapping me in his seal of protection. love. A love far greater than ANY love I have ever or will ever know. Now that his power is made perfect in my weakness, like a firework......he is ready to set me off ...creating a light to shine in a world of darkness.

" They overcame the adversary by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." ~ Revelations 12: 11

Today we have been called to return to our first love....Him! He is anxiously awaiting our return, and ready to ignite our spirit and set us free!

Be Blessed!
Kristen

We're Networking!

Gossip. I am sure that this is not a topic that we are all too fond of. It hits deep for two reasons:

1. We are all guilty of it
2. We are all victims of it.

Before I go any further, I want to take a moment to say that I too have been guilty of it. It is an easy trap that leads to a vicious cycle of hurt. I also would like to take a moment to apologize to those that have ever been hurt by my words. It was not intentional....and I sincerely apologize.

With that said, I have always wondered in the back of my mind why so many people feel the need to gossip. Although men are guilty of this too, I find that it particularly effects women.
I suspect that it has a great deal to do with how women are created to be relational.....and gossip has just become a nasty by-product.

Take a moment to think of a time that you were hurt by gossip. I am sure the sting still feels heavy on your heart. Gossip can pack a mean punch, and God actually has a lot to say about it.

"What dainty morsels rumors are-but they sink DEEP into ones heart" ~ Proverbs 18:8
" The tongue has the power of LIFE and DEATH...." ~Proverbs 18:21
" A gossip BETRAYS a confidence" ~Proverbs 11:13
"A trouble maker plants seeds of strife, an gossip SEPARATES close friends"~ Proverbs 16:28

The bible even warns us about associating with gossip

" A gossip tells secrets, so don't hang around someone who talks too much " ~ Proverbs 20:19

Freely speaking your mind with words that are intentional will seek to destroy others, kill relationships and ruin your credibility. It also leads to something even harder to get rid of....insecurity and jealousy( that is a whole other issue!). Even though I have been guilty of gossiping before....almost always this thought has never left my mind during the process:

"If they will gossip to me about others, do they gossip about me with others too?"
I am smart enough to know that the answer is...yes!

I read somewhere that speaking of others is not always bad, and I think that should be noted. However it is the content that separates casual talk from gossip.

Here is a tool I found that spoke deep to my heart. I hope you will find it as helpful as I have. I want to encourage you to speak life into your friends and to your friends this week. Don't give gossip the credibility it doesn't deserve. Do your part to stand apart from those that use casual gossip in their daily language. At the end of the day you will be encouraged, refreshed and blessed for stopping the spread of hurt! I challenge you to THINK, and not let a passing thought become someone else's unfortunate reality.

- T – is it true?
-H – is it helpful?
- I – is it inspirational?
- N – is it necessary?
- K – is it kind?

Hey! Can somebody get me a Hearing Aid?

Disclaimer: Give this post a chance. The story might be very different from the cover.....

Come as you are, as you were

As I want you to be

As a Friend, as a friend

As an old enemy

Take you time, hurry up

The choice is yours, don't be late

Take a rest, as a friend

As an old

memoria, memoria

memoria, memoria

Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach

As I want you to be

As a trend, As a friend

As an old

memoria, memoria

memoria, memoria

And I swear that I don't have a gun

No I don't have a gun

No I don't have a gun

No I don't have a gun

No I don't have a gun

Memoria, memoria

As I was running today, the same music I always listen to started to sound quite differently. Ever since Nirvana catapulted to fame in the early 90's with the release of his second album Nevermind, I have always felt a eerily strange connection to his music. Even though I was just a young girl at the time, I vividly remember his death on April 5, 1994 rocking my little world. BUT today...as I listen to his words-- I hear a much different song. A song reminding me of two things: One- God uses the most unlikely of vessels to carry his message (yes, even Kurt Cobain). Two- He doesn't care what you have done or where you have been...he loves his children REGARDLESS.

NIRVANA- An ideal condition of rest, harmony, stability, or joy. I am sure there is much irony within that definition. I typed out below what I heard today in place of my old familiar favorite.

Come now as you are, I don't care where you have been

Come as I know you can be

As a friend, Yes I am your friend!

Why do you insist I am your enemy

Take your time, but don't wait too long

I have given you the choice, I have been waiting

In me you will find rest, In me your friend

Don't worry about your past, it is an old

memory, memory

memory, memory

Come to me right where you are. Dirty and unclean.

You have tried to clean things your way..soaking yourself in bleach

This is how I want you to be, see because now you need me

You have lived like many others as a trend, As your friend I can set you free

Let's make your past an old

Memory, Memory

memory, memory

And I swear that I don't have a gun

Know that I came to protect you, not harm you

Know that I came to set you free so that by me you could have life not death

Know that I am the truth, the light and the way

Know that through me you are set free

Making your past an old

Memoria

" For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes" Psalm 54: 7

Feel free to check out the song on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOL5cpwTkes

Till the wind moves me,

Kristen

Trust...a bitter pill to swallow

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow." ~ Psalm 51:6-7

Yesterday, i was given a book called The Shack. Today I read it to completion. I will not say too much as I do not want to give away the plot (nor it's details) for those who haven't read it. What I will say is that I was taken by complete surprise. I have always felt that I had a pretty realistic perception of who God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit are and how they relate to who I am and the world we live in. The Shack helped to paint a vivid picture in my mind that allowed me to check my perceptions at the door.

This book shed light on how self-serving, uninformed and unreliable our perceptions and expectations can be. God formed us in his image, and we were made to love and be loved by him. Yet those same perceptions and expectations we set for ourselves (and sadly, others) act as a limitation to the purpose in which we were created. I personally believe it is because of this limitation that we often find ourselves so hurt and disappointed by others. It is also my belief that we allow that same hurt we experience to fester causing us to distort how we view God and our relationship with him.

Simply put, people have a hard time trusting God because they can't trust people.

At one point or another, we have all been hurt by someone. We have all been lied to, cheated, disappointed, confused and worn down. Some of us have even been angry at God...thinking that he had something to do with the predicament that we placed ourselves in. If you allow your faith and trust to manifest by placing it in other earthly individuals, then expect to feel.......... lied to, cheated, disappointed, confused and worn down. It is a vicious cycle, with a serious consequence.

Instead......protect yourself with your relationship with God, and do your part to help tear down perceptions by building relationships with others built on your purpose...LOVE. Unlike humans.....God's love is perfect, and we should think about how awesome that really is to have a father who loves us UNCONDITIONALLY!!!How great would our world be if we could say the same of ourselves and others?

Even though we should place our trust in God, some will continue to place their trust in others. With that said, please think about the impact that you may have when others seek your trust. How you handle their trust may speak volumes to them about the kind of relationship you have with the man above. Careful to honor their trust, as though it were your own.

"Cursed is the one who trust in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose hearts turn away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

BUT BLESSED is the man who trust in the Lord, whose CONFIDENCE is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit.

The HEART is DECEITFUL above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

I the Lord search the Heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve" ~ Jeremiah 17: 5-10

http://www.theshackbook.com/

Be Blessed!

Kristen

Morning cup of Joe- food for thought

This post today is for my dear friends, and those that I may not know, who are struggling with their current job. I don't have enough fingers on my hand to count the number of people I know that are personally struggling with work related issues such as dealing with co-workers, loss of a job and/or their current place of work. We are currently in a disturbing time where hope is quickly diminishing, and jobs are as fleeting as the wind. Many probably feel that they should sit quietly and endure for fear of having no job at all. The old saying comes to mind "something is better than nothing at all." I however say "Maybe not."

I have been there not too long ago. I found myself desperately searching for a hand to reach out and grab me. A hand to pull me up and out of the sinking hole I was falling deeper into. I know what it feels like to feel so off the shoreline, disoriented not even knowing which way leads to out. I know what it feels like to have nothing left to give, yet some how people continued to take from me. I know what it feels like to have every ounce of joy stolen from deep within. I know what it feels like to feel stuck, and unable to push back the tears daily (trust me..I know). I know how pressure feels when it is so thick you can't breath .More than all the above....I know that God will make a way out if you put your trust in him. I know that if you can be still and know that he is God, his plans for you will far exceed those you are are making for yourself. In the end, he will justify the means it took to get you there! I am reminded that if God is for us, then who can be against us!

" Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." ~ Psalm 46:10

It is my personal belief that when you start to become hopeless...you are chartering in a dangerous territory. Sometimes the storms and waves that we face will cause us to drift far from where we are supposed to be...its a natural tendency. Once that happens...despair and bitterness set in, and you just want to give up or check out. It is normal. Please don't let this be you.

If anyone reading this feels an ounce of what I have described above please know that there is hope and there is a purpose. I encourage you to surround yourself with people during this time of confusion that will pour life into you. In the midst of my storm, I was fortunate enough to have a handful of solid life-giving relationships that I help to establish (some of which God used to help lift me up and out to place me on solid ground). For them (hopefully they know who they are) I am eternally grateful!!!!!I also found much encouragement in the book of Job from the bible. I always thought it was ironic how I ended up turning to the book of Job anytime I found myself stressed about my Job! Don't be too overwhelmed to turn to the bible and read of what those before us endured, and where they found their strength. Be encouraged by those who also reached the breaking point like Job, and the Apostle Paul.

Funny side bar (actually not too funny)... I think that most people (perhaps even some Christians) think that the bible and the people in it are all fictional characters with fictional life experiences. Simply put...NOT TRUE! The bible and Christianity are one of the few, if not the only, foundations of real life accounts from real people that is still relevant today.

For me, I find that when so much is taken out of me....I need that much more poured in to keep me afloat. Communicate with God to develop your plan, lean on your life-giving friends (use them as a resource and support) and above all..... keep the FAITH!!!

"faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." ~ Hebrews 11:1

Still to this day, I am trying to understand what I was supposed to learn from my own situation. If nothing else...I know that I am supposed to share it with you. It is my hope that you can draw a source of encouragement from it.

Be Blessed!

Kristen

"The Gift"

In my new found love of blogging, I have found myself uplifted and encouraged by the stories that I have read. Some of them are so incredible that I find it hard to fathom the amount of strength it must take. Most of them can be found in the inspiration section on my page. As I read what others are doing across the world, it is easy to feel small, unsure and unequipped to do what has been asked of us.

Most of us have been taught to tell the story that is written, but how many of us have spoken those words into existence in our own lives and the lives of others? Living in America it is simple to take for granted our daily pleasures. Why is it that we wait till we are alone and standing in the darkness to search for God to be our lighthouse? "Don't forget what has been promised in the light while standing in the darkness"

So as I am feeling small, I want to encourage others that God doesn't count the size of the gesture, but the size of your heart and your love for others.... as well as for him. It is in our love for others that we truly recognize the power and are able to experience God's love for us.

"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." ~1 John 4:12


Pictured below are the nativities that I will be making for Christmas this year. Each piece is hand made, molded from clay. The set includes 5 pc Nativity (Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Lamb and wire star) as well as the hand stained shadow box. If interested please email me at Cris10h@aol.com for details. Click on the Card above for contact information.


Be Blessed!
Kristen

"we interupt this marriage to bring you football season"

Fall is here, and you know what that means....WAR EAGLE! It is no longer about that time, because that time has now come! Time to spend with friends and family tailgating, stuffing our faces, letting the chills come as the eagle circles the Shug Jordan stadium and last but not least...remembering how great it was and still is to call Auburn...HOME!

This weekend Brian and I went down to Auburn to stay with his parents in their RV. We had a blast, and I can't describe to you how awesome it felt to be back on the loveliest village in the plains! Auburn truly is God's country. At one point during Tiger Walk Brian made the statement as we watched the endless amount of college students passing by (talk about feeling older ;). He said "Man, we just didn't know how good we had it when we were down here..did we?" Truth is....I knew it then and I still know it now. Although our time was short there this weekend, it felt good to be home!
Watching the Eagle take flight is something that other non-Auburn fans admittedly are (and should be) jealous of

We sat with Beau and Whitney Mosley. Beau and Brian were summoned to play a game of corn hole with Aubie during the game. All in all we had a AUsome weekend, and Auburn winning against La Tech was the icing on the cake! Now that we have made it back to Birmingham, it is time to rest and get ready for church tonight @ Highlands and Labor Day tomorrow!

Till' the wind moves us!
Kristen and B

The Day After Christmas

So.....I am new to the Blog. Quite surprised it has taken me this long to land here....but then again, I am not at all surprised at my late arrival. Brian and I had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. We topped the day off with " the curious case of Benjamin button." A fantastic movie! It was the perfect mix of Big Fish, Meet Joe Black, Forest Gump and one other movie that escapes me at the moment. None the less, it served as a reminder that we should make the most of the opportunities we are given. If we wait for the circumstances of our life to change, then we are likely to miss the one thing we were waiting to experience all along. Some say the movie was sad. I say those that were saddened by the movie, are the very ones that realize they have missed one to many opportunities. They missed the opportunity to tell someone they love how they felt or feel, the opportunity to move on to the next phase of life, the opportunity to let life take its course or just the opportunity to live in general. Its never to late or to early to change your circumstances. It just takes the sheer will to do so.

With that said....Christmas was wonderful, Brian and I are looking forward to a new year full of possibilities, Benjamin Button is a must see film....and Brad Pitt is welcome to our home at anytime ! ( Just a funny....of course Brian is my Benjamin Button...I knew that opportunity the minute I saw him)!!

Till the wind moves me~
Kristen