A journey

So I spent 11/2 hours typing up an encouragement this morning seeking to make it EXTRA encouraging as I will be gone until a few days before Easter. I went to hit "send" at 7:45 a.m. and the computer froze not allowing me to do anything. I thought I'd leave it and get breakfast for the kids,hoping to come back to it in a few minutes. When I came back to the computer, my precious son who was also experiencing the "computer freeze" turned the computer off to try to fix the problem and you can guess what happened to my message. GONE!

Now I have 10 minutes before we take a journey to Florida to visit my parents for Spring Break.

God's word says in Ecclesiastes 6:11, "The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?"

So with very few words the point of my encouragement this morning ,in light of our family going on a journey with the final destination of Orlando, Florida' is this:

Remember that this life is a journey. It is NOT the final destination.

JOURNEY; to go from one place to another

This is our time to go from the place of not believing and not knowing God to the place of being fully convinced of the reality of Jesus Christ and falling in love with Him.There are only 2 final destinations my friend- life with God forever (heaven) or life without God .......forever (Hell). Now is our time to make sure we are on the right road taking us to that final destination. The road map says,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life, and noone comes to the Father except through me." - Jesus

I'm out of time. So sorry about the problems this morning. May I encourage you my friends to consider more about the journey you are on and your final vacation/resting spot. You are loved. Blessings fom Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. I will write again when I return...........Kristy Joy Link

Test me, God!

It has been another morning that I've needed for myself to say this to my God,

"Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
-Psalm 139:23 & 24

He is showing me some "offensive" ways in me.

Offensive- Disagreeable to the senses; Causing anger, displeasure, resentment; unpleasant effects to the senses and feelings

His word says "The Counselor, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said."
-John 14:26

There are 2 different passages that keep coming up in my mind.

1. Numbers 13 & 14- The story of Caleb and Joshua reporting on exploring Canaan. 12 people went out to check things out. When they returned 10 of the people focused on the problems and the size of the giants. They said, "We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
Only 2, Joshua and Caleb, focused on the size of their God and His words to them. They said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.........if the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, and will give it to us. ......The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." Num.14:7-9

Only 2 pleased God. Guess which ones.

It is offensive to God when we are negative; when we focus on our problems and not the size of our God. GUILTY!!!!

2. "Your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." 1 Peter 3:4-6

GOD'S IDEA OF BEAUTY:

*Hope is in God.......Your confidence is in Him.....you TRUST Him....you believe He is working even when you can't see
*Submissive to husbands...............surrendering to their will or authority....yielding to their opinion........placing self under....to consent or comply passively without protest......remain at rest.....silence signifying acceptance
*Doing what is right............despite the temptation to do otherwise.....despite the war within.....laying down own life/will/desires for sake of God's ways
*Not giving in to fear.......NOT conceding, NOT acknowledging as true, NOT granting your fears....those things that make you anxious or afraid.

I'm not feeling very beautiful to God right now. However, I LOVE this mirror he is holding up because He is making me beautiful. I WILL BE BEAUTIFUL TO HIM AS I CHOOSE OBEDIENCE, AS I LET HIM HAVE HIS WAY WITH ME.

May I encourage you my dear fellow women on this journey and those intent on doing life God's way ....the Higher (although certainly not easier) way........may you continue to " above all else, guard you heart (all of your thoughts and ways) for it is the well-spring of life." Prov. 4:23. May I encourage you to not focus on your problems but on the God who says, "Is anything too hard for me?" and "Nothing is impossible for him who believes." May I encourage you to seek to be beautiful to God. Look in his mirror regularly. Don't give in to your fears..........put your hope in God my friends. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy joy Link

Fw: goodness

Last night a bunch of women enjoyed getting together and talking and reflecting on the fruit of the Spirit, "Goodness" led by Kelli Luke. It was a wonderful evening. This truth keeps ringing through my ears,

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24

Kelli did an excellent job of "spurring" us on.

SPUR- to incite;prompt;stimulate;to rouse to activity;provoke to action;stir up, urge on

A good teacher is suppose to make us hungry and thirsty for more and that's exactly what Kelli did last night. I was looking forward to waking up this morning and spend more time reflecting on goodness. Listen to this definition and these truths about "good"/"goodness"

GOOD- Having positive or desirable qualities; not bad or poor.2. Serving the end desired 3. not spoiled or ruined; able to be used 4. In excellent condition; whole;sound 5. complete; thorough 6. genuine; real 7. Full; pleasant;enjoyable 8. of moral excellence 9. well-behaved;obedient 10. valuable & useful

"God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light. God saw that the light was GOOD." Genesis 1:3
"God called the dry ground 'land' and the gathered waters he called 'seas'. And God saw that it was GOOD." Genesis 1:10
"God made two great lights- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars...God saw that it was GOOD."

It wasn't until "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" that he said, "it was VERY GOOD." Genesis 1:31

Then came the Fall, sin entered the picture....and we can agree with Paul, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ...As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out......What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? THANKS BE TO GOD-THROUGH JESUS CHRIST." Romans 7:15-25

Jesus comes and fufills this truth, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a new heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36;26

So we become "VERY GOOD" once again. IF YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT OF JESUS WITHIN YOU- YOU ARE VERY GOOD! NOT JUST GOOD- VERY GOOD!

Listen to some more of these "good" verses:

"Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD." Psalm 34:8............Have you tasted? What is holding you back?

"Trust in the Lord and do GOOD"- Psalm 37;3

"No GOOD thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11

"You are forgiving and GOOD, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you." Psalm 86:5..........are you calling out to God?

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are GOOD, and what you do is GOOD." Psalm 119:67 & 68

"It was GOOD for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees." Psalm 119:71.......Could you be afflicted right now b/c God wants you to learn about Him?

"A cheerful heart is GOOD medicine." Prov. 17:22........................Are you good medicine to yourself and others?

"He who finds a wife finds what is good." Prov. 18:22.......If you are a wife- you can be a really good thing for your husband.

"She brings him GOOD, not harm, all the days of her life." Pr. 31:12 How's it going wives? Are you bringing him good or harm?

"Do GOOD to those who hate you."Luke 6:27......What!!????? God's ways are higher- goodness melts a hard heart

"Hate what is evil; CLING to what is GOOD." Romans 12:9........hold on tight, remain close, resist seperation from what is good my friends. HATE EVIL!

"Let us not become weary in doing GOOD, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP!" Galatians 6:9.......don't give up. hang in there

"Fight the GOOD fight of the faith." 1 Timothy 6:12............life is war. life is a fight....now fight- the good fight. Don't fight all the bad fights.

""Being confident of this, that he who began a GOOD work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil.1:6........God is the one who is reaching down to you and initiating a good work in you. He will finish you. Give Him access to every part of you. He will present you "blameless"

Oh how I love God's words. Oh how I love God. There are so many more truths about "goodness" but I'm out of time. In this world that seeks to cause us to doubt the goodness of God- May I encourage you to let these words "dwell in you richly".May His goodness draw you to Him. Could the One who made the sun, the moon, the flowers and everything else be anything else but good. Could it be true that God's great desire for us is simply to "enjoy Him and bring enjoyment to others"????? You know- the 2 greatest commandments- "Love God and love people." Is God really that good that He wants us to have the richest, most abundant and full, joyful, overflowing, best kind of life? I believe it! Doesn't even the word "good" speak of God? It just has an extra "o". Maybe to remind us to say "O God!" Not "O God" as a swear word, taking His name in vain, but rather an "O God- everything in me cries 'you are soooooooooooooooo good.......I am in awe of you." May I
encourage you to walk into this day believing in the deepest part of you that if you have the Spirit of Jesus in you YOU ARE VERY GOOD! May I encourage you to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

P.S Saturday evening at 6:30 I will be at my friend, Amanda's house, doing a GOOD thing. I will be praying over her house and doing a "clean sweep" of all that is evil and bringing God's light and goodness adding to her home things that will spur her on to fight the good fight. I welcome all who know her and even those who don't to come join me. She has given me permission to send this out to anyone. E-mail me and let me know. : )

Sacrifice

I have been asked, for the sake of our blog site, to use plain text....no stationary with beautiful colors, pictures, something that creates an emotion and stirs the soul. For some of you more left brained folks this may be just fine ,but for those of us right brained people who crave beauty and art like we crave that warm, just out-of-the-oven, homemade chocolate chip cookie this is a bit of a struggle.......a sacrifice.

SACRIFICE- Giving up something highly valued for the sake of something considered to have greater value.

What do you know about sacrifice? Some of you probably know A-LOT! Have you ever been asked to sacrifice something? I wish I could sit down for coffee (with lots of creamer) with each one of you and hear your personal stories of sacrifice. Have you ever been on the receiving end of that most beautiful word? Well- whether you know it or not ,you most certainly have.

"But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the SACRIFICE of himself. Just as man is destined to die once and after that face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he WILL appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those WHO ARE WAITING FOR HIM." Hebrews 9:26-28

"My dear children, I write this to youso that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning SACRIFICE for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1 & 2

JESUS CHRIST GAVE UP HIS LIFE (THAT WHICH WAS HIGHLY VALUED) FOR THE SAKE OF PRESENTING YOU TO GOD AS "BLAMELESS & FAULTLESS" AND HAVING YOU WITH HIM IN HEAVEN FOREVER ( THE SOMETHING CONSIDERED TO HAVE GREATER VALUE).

It is in believing and understanding all that Jesus has done for us that we then can offer our own sacrifices, which He asks of us. Jesus himself said this,

" The world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14:31

"Therefore I urge you, brothers(sisters) in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise- the fruit of lips that confess his name." Hebrews 13:15

May I encourage you today to either refresh yourself or seek to understand for the first time what Jesus gave up for you. Seek to understand just how much He loves you and wants you to live life with Him here and now and in heaven forever. Let it sink deep into your heart just how valuable you and your soul must be if Jesus thought that you being with him was worth MORE than his own life. As you let that TRUTH linger and sink WAY, WAY DOWN, then may I encourage you to offer yourself as a "living sacrifice". What does that mean? What does that look like? Well- it can mean many things and look like all sorts of things. I believe that is question all of us have to bring before God asking Him what that looks like for us, personally. Something that is a huge sacrifice to me may not be to you and vice versa. It is no sacrifice at all for me to stay home with my children. I have wanted to be a mom all of my life. Perhaps for some of you it would be a huge
sacrifice giving up a career for a time (something highly valued) for the sake of investing hugely into the lives of your children (of greater value). I'M NOT SAYING MOMS SHOULD NOT WORK! PLEASE, DON'T HEAR ME SAY THAT. But it is possible that God may ask you to make a sacrifice for a time in that area. It is a huge sacrifice for me to let go of some of my own opinions, my own will, my own sinful desires (highly valued) for the sake of obeying God and bringing glory to His name (of greater value). It is a sacrifice for me to not use stationary (highly valued) for the sake of these going to the blog site more easily (of greater value). May I encourage us (myself included....I'm being very convicted right now) to be women of sacrifice for the sake of His Name!

May we, out of a depth of love for the Creator of the Universe and the Rescuer of our souls, be able to say this with all integrity:

" I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that COST ME NOTHING." 2 Samuel 24:24

Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

Iron sharpens Iron

I'm so sorry you didn't hear from me yesterday. Thursday night, I had a long conversation deep into the evening (well- much later than I'm used to staying up anyways) with some wonderful friends (my husband being one of them). We were discussing some of "my ways" that just don't seem quite right to them. So, I needed yesterday morning to sit with God, His words and His Spirit, and continue to process what had been discussed.

It is this experience that I desire to encourage you with today.

I am so thankful to have men and women around me who love Jesus, His ways, and a truly healthy and free soul. It is a joy to journey with people who have discernment and are committed to engaging in the tougher discussions, speaking the truth in love, in order to bring more freedom, more health and more "Christlikeness".

These men, who are around me and are impacted by me and my actions, brought up something they noticed that just didn't seem right. They "spoke the truth in love".

"Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15

"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Ephesians 4:25

I have a relationship/friendship with these men and I know that they love me, care about me, and desire to see me more free. Something I did, a way I responded to a few situations did not sit well with their soul. So instead of burying that and ignoring it, they decided to bring it to my attention.

My first inner response was "defensiveness". However- I am sooooooooo thankful for the Words of God. Listen to the way God counsels us to handle such situations:

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning."
Prov. 9:7-9

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Prov.11:2

"Righteousness delivers from death." Prov. 11:4

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."
Prov. 12:1

"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Prov.13:10

"He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded." Prov. 13:13

"He who answers before listening-that is his folly and shame." Prov. 18:13

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."
Prov. 18:2

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to death."Prov.14:12

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." James 1:19
(I have a HUGE ear in my home..thanks Nik.....to remind me of this truth)

So as "my ways" were brought up for discussion my first human nature response was to be defensive, air my own opinion and not listen to another side, go the way that seemed right to me, scorn instruction and hold on to my pride. HOWEVER- I HAVE GOD'S WORDS AND HIS SPIRIT! Throughout the entire discussion all these words were ringing through my ears guiding me (at times, my husband had to help remind me of some of these truths ).

So now, after hearing their hearts and trying to understand, I'm forced into the arms of my "Father" which is what I was doing yesterday and this morning. He is called the "Overseer of my soul." It is with Him that I am sitting and asking Him to reveal to me where I may be in error. It is with his Word opened that I am seeking what is true and seeking to be honest with my heart. It is with Him that I am asking "Why?" "Why, am I responding that way? Why do I do the things I do and feel the way I feel? What is the motive, the hurt, the fear, the lack of knowledge behind my actions? It is with his words that I am fighting off my ways that are not wise and tempting. I have a ways to go to fully understand myself, my ways and what I need to do differently but I am determined to fully engage in the process believing that God is using this to sharpen me, refine me, and lead me into more righteousness which in the end leads to more life, more peace, more freedom and more joy.
May I encourage you to surround yourself with people who may not (will not)be perfect but who are on the journey of life with Jesus seeking to live life his way(through much trial and error....falling down and getting back up). May I encourage you to invest in the lives of the people God surrounds you with and be committed to speaking truth in LOVE and not being afraid to go to some deeper more difficult places for the sake of more life,peace, joy and righteousness ( "The Kingdom of God" Romans 14:17) May I encourage you to let the words of Christ"Dwell in you richly" so that you may be guided in wisdom and become all that he wants you to be. Refuse to be creatures who "follow mere instinct" and "Speak abusively against whatever they don't understand." Jude 1:10. We are so deeply loved- more than I understand. His plans and desires for us are soooo great- may He have His way with us. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

"Grain must be ground to make bread." Isaiah 28:28

Mirror

While in Pilates the other day, my instructor was encouraging us to use the mirror. She said, "The mirror is not there to beat you up but rather to help you in seeing your form and seeing if you are doing the exercises right leading you to the desired outcome" (or something close to that).Mirror? Mirror? Did she just speak about a mirror being used to reveal the real you and using it as a tool that HELPS? Well well, well,- I just happen to know a verse that speaks about the same idea in spriitual terms.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a MIRROR and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks INTENTLY into the perfect law that gives FREEDOM and CONTINUES TO DO THIS-NOT FORGETTING WHAT HE HAS HEARD, BUT DOING IT-HE WILL BE BLESSED IN WHAT HE DOES."- James 1:22-25

The Bible is a mirror! It reveals the real us- our hearts, our attitudes, our thoughts. It's given us to HELP us, to bring freedom; NOT to beat us up.

MIRROR- 1. Anything that faithfully reflects or gives a TRUE picture of something else.
2. Something worthy of imitation; a model

I remember the first time the Bible really became a mirror to me. I was reading Phillipians 2:20;

"I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."

I was immediately pricked in my spirit. I read it a few times through and I asked God, "God- is this me? Am I only looking out for my own interests? Am I genuine in my concern for people's welfare? Help me God! I deeply desire to be genuine and to lay aside my own interests for the sake of yours, but I think I need your help."

Then came those "wife" verses;

"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping." Prov. 19:13

and

" A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones." Prov. 12:4

When I read those verses for the first time as a new, young wife it did two things deep in my soul. First, it held out a reflection of the true me at that time. I was being a bit quarrelsome and thus being annoying- like a constant dripping. YUCK! I didn't want to be like that. However, it wasn't until I looked in the "Mirror" and saw my flaws that I realized what I really looked like. The second thing it did was it gave me a model, something worthy of imitation, something good that God desired for me and that deep in my soul I knew I wanted. What wife wants to be like "decay in her husband's bones?" What wife does not want to be her "Husband's crown"?

After "looking in the mirror" and deciding to NOT go away and "forget what I look like", but rather "doing what it says" (stop quarreling and become a woman of noble character) I can tell you that what I experienced was FREEDOM.

FREEDOM- 1.The condition of being free of restraints
2. Liberty of the person from slavery and oppression
3. Exemption from unpleasant or onerous (troublesome/burdensome)conditions.(it is burdensome to be decay in your husband's bones...but one reaps what she sows)

Reading God's word and knowing that there is ONLY ONE who is perfect, that He gave up his life to present me as "faultless & blameless" if I will simply repent(change my direction) and admit that I am not perfect and need someone to come rescue me/save me from all my "yucky" ways and selfish heart, and knowing that He deeply loves me and desires me to be "blessed in what I do", gave me such liberty. Oh yes- I can say with deep conviction that I have experienced the Bible to be a WONDERFUL MIRROR that if I choose to believe and obey brings such sweet freedom.

May I encourage you to look in the "mirror" and be honest with what is revealed. May I encourage you to not walk away from that mirror and forget what it says but rather, "Do what it says and ...be blessed!" May I encourage you to change your thinking if you must and see the Bible, NOT as something to beat you up, but rather as something to be helpful in bringing you freedom and blessing. God is for you! He loves you soooo deeply. His desire for you is to know GREAT joy and peace.However, it will not come if you avoid/ignore the "mirror" or simply just don't do what it says.

"Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Galatians 6:7

Know this- you are deeply loved no matter what you choose. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

wounded

There lived a happy family with 5 children; 3 boys and 2 girls. Although the boys were "all boy" and loved doing all kinds of adventurous things, and although one had lived for 11 years, another for 9 and the third son for almost 7 years, none of them had broken any bones................until yesterday......St. Patrick's day.

After school yesterday, while we lingered at the playground enjoying the WONDERFUL weather, Zeke jumped off one of the pieces of equipment and broke his right arm. Rob spent many hours in the E.R. comforting and loving our son through this first (although probably not last if he follows in his father's footsteps) broken bone experience. So, we've got a wounded one over here, one of the millions who has been wounded by accident, not by choice or on purpose like someone else I know,someone who WILLINGLY laid down his life FOR YOUR SAKE AND MINE.

"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
HE HAD NO BEAUTY OR MAJESTY TO ATTRACT US TO HIM, NOTHING IN HIS APPEARANCE THAT WE SHOULD DESIRE HIM. HE WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED BY MEN, A MAN OF SORROWS, AND FAMILIAR WITH SUFFERING. LIKE ONE FROM WHOM MEN HIDE THEIR FACES HE WAS DESPISED, AND WE ESTEEMED HIM NOT.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. BUT HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.
WE ALL, LIKE SHEEP, HAVE GONE ASTRAY, EACH OF US HAS TURNED TO HIS OWN WAY; AND THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL.
He was oppressed and afflicted, YET HE DID NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH, he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgement he was taken away, and who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, THOUGH HE HAD DONE NO VIOLENCE, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT IN HIS MOUTH. Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. AFTER THE SUFFERING OF HIS SOUL, HE WILL SEE THE LIGHT OF LIFE AND BE SATISFIED; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because HE POURED OUT HIS LIFE UNTO DEATH, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors."-Isaiah 53

As I write, I am watching Zeke scoot down our stairs in great pain, because of one broken bone in his arm that he would never have broken on purpose. Then I think of Jesus, who

'his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness." Isaiah 52:14

He willingly gave up his life and said,

"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." John 10:18

May I encourage you today to hold in the forefront of your mind today all that Jesus went through so that you and I could be at peace with God. Like the disciples, May

"We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body." 2 Corinthians 4:10 & 11

Our great mission is to reveal his life through our mortal body- His incredible goodness, love, mercy, compassion, truthfulness, tenderness, gentleness, and seriousness toward sin and all that destroys His wonderful creation.

May you find comfort in knowing that Jesus knows what it feels like to be rejected, unattractive physically, despised and rejected, familiar with suffering and sorrows. May you be thankful today for his sacrifice and may you not break your arm or anything else today. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kirsty Joy Link

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patricks Day! I LOVE St. Patrick's day (almost as much as pure maple syrup). I was talking to a friend yesterday, while wearing some cool shamrock sunglasses, and so our conversation turned to this special day. I told her how I love St. Patrick's day and immediately she began talking about how she use to love it when she lived in Chicago and had time to enjoy the day and the "festivities" (the beer drinking). I had to quickly explain that the reason I love it is actually because of the man being honored - St. Patrick.

Are you aware of St. Patrick's story? It's an awesome story. At the age of 16 years old he was kidnapped by Irish marauders and taken to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. For 6 years he had to take care of his Master's flocks. It was here, in his captivity, where his preperation for his future began. He began a relationship with God, talking to Him all day long and falling in love with Him. He "acquired a perfect knowledge of the celtic tounge in which one day he would announce the glad tidings of redemption." He became familiar with all the details of Druidism from whose "bondage he was destined to liberate the Irish race." After 6 years, he escaped and went back to his homeland of Scotland (I believe.....don't quote me on that). Upon his return ,his heart became set on becoming a priest and then going back to the people of Ireland who had kidnapped him and sharing with them the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. Rob heard last night from the man in charge of planting churches that St. Patrick was the best church planter that ever lived as he began 700 churches.

May I encouarge you today,to first of all wear green so you don't get pinched . May I encourage you to get on-line and read about the life of St. Patrick and celebrate this man and all that God did in him and through him rather than simply celebrating green beer. May I encourage you to find hope in his story. Could it be that you are in your "6 years of slavery" right now? Has life not gone the way you wanted it? Is life hard right now and are you feeling all alone? Could it be that God could use this season of your life to draw you close to Him and prepare you for your future calling? St. Patrick made the best of his circumstances by talking to God and listening to Him and what He would want to teach him all day long. He could have grown bitter and complained for all those 6 years. He could have let his heart get hard and been fruitless for his entire life. He chose a different way.Instead, he learned the language of the Irish. He learned all he could about Druidism. God used those hard years to prepare him to go back to Ireland and change it forever! Oh my friend- whatever your circumstance is- you are not alone. God can use what you are going through right now to bring comfort, healing, truth, freedom, and salvation to many other people if you allow Him to have His way with you. Don't give up hope wherever you are. Don't give in to bitterness.

"And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God's sight." Hebrews 4:13

"For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

If St. Patrick would have taken his life, which I wouldn't be surprised if that thought ever crossed his mind given his circumstances, he would never have become all that he became. He would never have known the joy of being used in God's service. Ireland (which Rob and I are suppose to visit this year for our 15th anniversary ) would have remained in its state of bondage. GOD CAN USE YOUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES , NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT, TO PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE CALLING!!!!!!!!


I wonder if St. Patrick knew this Psalm:

"O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tounges. With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me,
BUT I AM A MAN OF PRAYER." Psalm 109:1-4

May I encourage you to be a woman of prayer!

Now- make sure you buy a shamrock shake from McDonalds (St. Pat used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the Irish people), wear green, and honor the man who brought Jesus to Ireland. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water anothers soul (maybe you want to buy that person behind you a shamrock shake and wish them a "Happy St. Patrick's day!) Kristy Joy Link

St. Patrick's prayer:( passed on since 493 A.D....amazing)

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in the Fort, Christ in the poop deck, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me........."

Every Sunday evening the Link family gathers in the family room to have a little "family worship" time. We sing (some of us), dance (zeke and Reese), thank God, read God's Words, and look in our "Incredible" box (an old game box of the "Incredibles", the movie) to find a verse to memorize for the week that will help make us "incredible". Well, this Sunday we decided to switch things up a little and go to the Kalamazoo Nature Center to celebrate "Pure Maple Syrup Days". For those of you who don't know me, I am a HUGE fan of pure maple syrup. Everything about MY "sweet nectar from heaven" (Rob's "sweet nectar" is Mt. Dew......not nearly as "pure" ) causes me to worship my God, hence, the trip for "family WORSHIP".

I see God and His words throughout the complete history and process of PURE Maple syrup.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." Prov. 25:2

Hidden inside these special Maple trees is this wonderful little treasure of 2% sugar. A treat, hidden that was discovered and passed down from one generation to another (may we make sure we are passing down our "discoveries/treasures/ experiences with God to our "next" generation.) This huge, mysterious God has given us and still has for us so many little hidden "treasures'. It is to our glory to search for them and find them. Don't hate the search. See it as an adventure. Every day is a new day to discover something new, something hidden that He is waiting for us to find, something new about Him.

The process of making PURE Maple syrup is AMAZING. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make just 1 gallon of "the treausure." Never again will my children waste one little lick of the PURE stuff.(forget manners- they'll be licking their plates clean at the Cracker Barrel )Keeping in mind this process and all the labor, all the hours that goes into making this syrup truly makes it so precious.

Are you aware of the process that went into making YOU pure? Do you know ALL that Jesus had to go through in order that you would be able to be called, "Without blemish, and free from accusation"? It's much more amazing than 40 gallons of sap. It's much more precious- Him giving up his life for yours. May we never, ever, ever take it for granted! May we search it out until we completely understand (if we ever fully can?) all that He did for us on the cross.

Now, for the word "PURE".

PURE- free from impurities;full strength;complete;
thorough; without faults;containing nothing inappropriate

'How can a young man keep his way PURE? By living according to your word." Psalm 119:9

"Your eyes are too PURE to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong." Habbukuk 1:13

"Blessed are the PURE in heart, they will see God." Matt.5:8

"Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept PURE." Hebrews 13:4 (because God is sooooooo good he wants His children to have "FULL STRENGTH" in the bedroom)

"Keep yourself PURE." 1 Timothy 5:22

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we wil be has not yet been made known. But we know that WHEN (not if) he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him PURIFIES himself, just as he is PURE." 1 John 3:2&3

"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, PURIFIES us from ALL sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and PURIFY us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1 John 1:7-10

"By one sacrifice he has made PERFECT FOREVER those who are BEING MADE holy." Hebrews 10:14...................we are in the "process" of becoming PURE- full strength, perfect, as delicious and wonderful, to God and people, as PURE MAPLE SYRUP.

May I encourage you to LOVE that which is PURE. Imitation cannot compare! God is soooooooo good. He DEEPLY DESIRES you to have what is BEST!

"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the BEST from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." Isaiah 1:19

May I encourage you to welcome and engage the purifcation process. Accept what Jesus has done to make you pure and then do your part by purifying yourself, keeping yourself pure, and confessing your sin that you may be pure. When I left the sugar shack where everyone had a sample of the "treasure" I saw many cups thrown in the garbage with still a lot of syrup in them. I couldn't help but cringe at the waste and the seemingly lack of appreciation for all that went into making the syrup. May I encourage you to not "throw away" Jesus and all he has done for you. You are soooo deeply loved. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul.. And may you eat some PURE MAPLY SYRUP today and ENJOY! Kristy Joy Link

sighing?

Do you ever find yourself "sighing"?

SIGH- To exhale audibly in a long deep, breath as in SORROW, WEARINESS (tired; discontent resulting from what is burdensome or boring) OR RELIEF; To feel YEARNING; LONGING; GRIEF; MOURNING; To Lament

I have heard myself sighing a lot lately. Then I noticed a lot of other people sighing as well. I've been wondering, "What is that?" Why am I sighing? Why are they sighing? Do you/did you ever sigh on this earth, Jesus? If yes, why?

"Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then spit and touched the man's touge. He looked up to heaven and WITH A DEEP SIGH said to him, ' Ephphatha!' (which means, 'Be opened'). At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly........People were overwhelmed with amazement." Mark 7:31-37

Why a "deep (profound, intense,extreme;profoundly absorbed or immersed) sigh"? Is it because of your sorrow; your deep mental anguish or suffering because of injury or loss; sadness? Is it because of your profound and extreme yearning (strong and deep desire; feeling deep pity; sympathy; or tenderness)and longing for men to be healed?Is it because you are such a compassionate and good God and at the deepest part of you ,you hate what hurts your people?

Then right after he fed 4,000 men with 7 loaves of bread because he had, "compassion on these people" the Pharisees came to him and "To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He SIGHED DEEPLY and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." Mark 8:11 & 12

Why this sigh? Is this a weary sigh? Tired, worn-out and burdened, by the people on this earth that don't believe you are who you say you are and you can do what you say you can do? Interestingly, a chapter later from this you say;

" O unbelieving generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?" Mark 9:19

I'm still not sure why I'm sighing. Maybe I'm tired of all the pain I see here on earth? Maybe it's that longing for my true home, for paradise. Maybe I'm just plain tired from all my responsibilities (which I actually love but can be tiring at times). Maybe I'm bored and want to experience MORE- more of God, more of His power, more of his healing touch so I too can be "overwhelmed with amazement" (Mark 7:37) or "overwhelmed with wonder" (Mark 9:15).I'm not sure why I'm sighing but I am happy to know I'm not alone in my sighing. I'm happy to know that Jesus himself knew what it meant to sigh and that his sighing seems to be full of compassion, longing, and weariness over unbelief. So for now, I will pray this prayer:

"Give ear to my words, O lord, consider my SIGHING. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
*Psalm 5:1-3

May I encourage you to consider your own "sighing". What might God be trying to whisper to you and teach you through it? May I encourage you to KNOW, KNOW, KNOW that Jesus knows what it feels like to live here on this earth. Read Hebrews 2:17-18 and Hebrews 4:15 to see more about how Jesus can sympathize with us. May I encourage you to pray the prayer of the father of the boy with the evil spirit when he cries out,

"Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." Mark 9:24

May it not be said of us by Jesus himself, "oh Unbelieveing generation- how long shall I put up with you?"May I encourage you to cry out to him, to lay your requests before him each morning and WAIT IN EXPECTATION! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

Reminders

"These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress(to apply with pressure;produce a vivid perception or image of; affect or influence deeply) them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."- Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 is similar.

These are the verses that have had the most influence over Bombadil (my home). These are the verses have influenced my belief that being a mom is one of the most important jobs on this earth. These pieces of truth have given me a vision for my home.

The time I have with these gifts (my children) God has given me is sooooo short in the big scheme of things.

Proverbs 4:3 says, "When I was a boy in my father's house, STILL TENDER, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, 'Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live."

I am seeking to impress and make a VERY STRONG INFLUENCE on my children and make a "vivid perception" while they are "still tender" and in my home. NOW is my time to teach them and train them in the ways of God so that when they leave this home they will have "images" in their mind that will help them "live".

So my home is FULL of God's truths, more in symbols and things that would cause myself first and then my children to think about God's words. I really can't walk anywhere in my home without thinking and being reminded of God's words. So let me just take you through a walk of Bombadil.

THE LIVING ROOM:

"Meditate" sign- " I will meditate on your wonderful works." Psalm 145:5

A scale/Balance- " The man who fears God will avoid ALL extremes." Ecclesiastes 7:18

A treasure box (which holds my Bible)- "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also."

A rock that says "rejoice" (thank you M & C)- "Rejoice IN THE LORD always."Phil.4:4

A "jar of clay"- "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

A big key- "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the KEY to this treasure."- Isaiah 33:6

A lamp with feet which is placed upon a Bible- "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path."- Psalm 119:105

A grasshopper- "Do you not know?Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers." Isaiah 40:21 & 22

A globe- "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. ....Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?- Isaiah 66:1

A sheep- "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." John 10:11
"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:3

etc...etc....etc......

THE BATHROOM

A red bathtub- "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."- 1 John 1:7

A brown shower curtain with cool crosses all over it- "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.....If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of him WHEN he comes in his glory......" Luke 9:23

A "HOPE" sign- "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

THE DINING ROOM

ETC......ETC........

THE HALL

Armor- "Put on the full armor of God"- Ephesians 6: 11

A knight- "Above all else- guard your heart,for it is the well-spring of life" Prov 4:23

KITCHEN

ETC....ETC....

SUNROOM

A stained glass of a rooster - "Before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.' But Peter insisted emphatically, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And all the others SAID the same." Mark 14:30

A hanging star candle holder- "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked generation,in which you shine like STARS in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:14

May I encourage you to first of all "impress" upon your own heart the words of God. Surround yourself and your home with them that you might know God and His ways and LIVE! Then produce a "vivid perception' for your children OR all those who enter your home. BE CREATIVE! Some of you already do this sooooo well. Your homes are FULL of HIM (J.H). Some of you are incredibly creative (Ms. "Wonderfully Made" & Ms. B.Foxy mama & many, many others). I encourage everyone to go to either the Dollar store, Hobby Lobby, T.J. Max, just to name a few and find a symbol that speaks of God and His words to you so that every time you look at it- you are reminded of his truth which we so desperately need on a daily/hourly basis. You are deeply loved. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul (heck- while you are out picking something up for your home- pick up something for another soul's home that needs a little spiritual reminder). Kristy Joy Link

Focus on what you are getting!

Words are powerful. There is no doubt about it. They affect the soul either negatively or positively. I remember some words I heard off of t.v. awhile ago and they actually had a very positive effect on me. These words came off of a commercial advertising some diet plan and said,

"DON'T FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE GIVING UP, FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE GETTING."

I liked that. So, I use those words sometimes in effort to help me get up in the morning to meet with God. Sleeping in can be tempting- but I KNOW that if I choose sleep over filling my mind with God's words, casting all my cares on Him, interceding (to plead/pray on another's behalf), praising and thanking Him, Preparing my mind and heart for the day ahead, it will come at a cost. What I get from getting up early and spending time with God far outweighs the reward/pleasure of sleeping in. When I meet with God what I get is:

* peace
* joy
* strength
* focus
* purpose/meaning
* answers to prayers which causes my faith to grow and my love for Him to increase
* a depth and richness of soul
* knowledge of the Holy One
* swords to use throughout my day in the battle and to help fight temptations meant to harm me
* a thankful heart vs. a negative/complaining heart
* a pure heart through seeking forgiveness for anything offensive to my God (a pure heart sees God.....Matthew 5:8)
* "the word that sustains the weary" Isaiah 50:4......food/nourishment for other hungry souls
* the opportunity to be "useful to the Master and prepared for any good work." 2 Timothy 2:21
* Discernment/wisdom/Truth
* love.........and the rest of the "fruits of the Spirit"- Galatians 5:22
* preperation for the day ahead leading to a richer/fuller/more meaningful experience

What I get when I sleep in is:

* a few more hours of "pleasure"
* missed opportunities for all the things mentioned above


So, you tell me what seems to be the better choice in the end.
'Don't focus on what you are giving up, focus of what you are getting."

As I awoke this morning and looked at my day ahead, I began thinking of the "Gathering of believers" (church) that will take place this evening.

God says, "Give thanks in all circumstances" 1 Thessalonians 5:18. So I gave thanks that

*I live in a country where I can meet with other believers without fear of being persecuted (although I think our brothers/sisters in those countries where there is not religious freedom don't EVER take their gatherings for granted)

*there are other people around me that do believe in the ONE, TRUE, LIVING GOD

*we have a building to host the gathering
*we have access to the "words of God"- I can't imagine being without them.

Then I began to "prepare my mind" and "arm myself with the attitude of Jesus". I looked up verses that talked about WHY we gather. I asked myself why am I going tonight? What is the purpose?

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." - Romans 1:11

MY PRAYER; 'OH GOD- MAY I BE USED BY YOU TO HELP STRENGTHEN PEOPLE TONIGHT. WILL YOU USE SOMEONE TO STRENGTHEN ME TONIGHT? MAY I ENCOURAGE OTHERS IN THEIR FAITH AND MAY MY OWN SOUL BE ENCOURAGED BY OTHER'S FAITH."

"I will continue with all of you for your PROGRESS and JOY in the faith so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Phillipians 1:25

MY PRAYER: "IT IS FOR PROGRESS AND JOY IN THE FAITH WE ARE GATHERING. IT IS FOR PEOPLE'S JOY TO OVERFLOW BECAUSE OF YOU, JESUS THAT WE ARE MEETING TONIGHT."

" See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily (hence these DAILY e-mails), as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness (deception, misrepresentation, a trick, falseness,misleading, dishonest, the deliberate concealment of truth with intent to lead another into error or disadvantage)"- Hebrews 3:12

MY PRAYER: "FATHER, AS WE MEET TONIGHT MAY PEOPLE BE ENCOURAGED IN THEIR FAITH SO THEY DON'T TURN AWAY FROM YOU, SO THEIR HEARTS DON'T BECOME HARD BY ALL THE THINGS OUT THERE SEEKING TO LEAD ALL THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE AND CREATED INTO ERROR AND DISADVANTAGE."

So now, after having prepared, I'm more excited for tonight. It is a great honor and blessing to be able to gather together. I will go intent on seeking to strengthen others and be ready to receive any strengthening He might have for me. I will go with a thankful heart, joyful at the privilege for gathering and not as "something to do", "going through the motions"............. realizing that meeting with other believers can make a difference in simply having the strength to make it through another day and not being deceived in what life is really all about.

May I encourage you today to focus on what you might "Get" from meeting with God on a daily basis not on what you'd be giving up. May I encourage you to prepare those minds and hearts of yours through reading and doing the word of God that you might get the most out of this precious gift of life God has given us. You are deeply loved. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. You are all welcome to join us this evening for the strengthening of your soul at the River downtown from 6:30-8:30. Kristy Joy Link

Mercy!

Have you ever heard the quote that says "something" like,

'We remember 10% of what we hear, 20% of what we see & hear, 30%.......................................... and 90% of what we experience."?

I often will say to God, " Oh God, I don't want to just read about you and hear about you I want to EXPERIENCE you through something very personal. I want to learn about you through my own stories and experiences so my faith and belief in you is DEEP and REAL. Would you please give me an experience with you today ? Would you open my eyes so I can see you and will you teach me, reveal to me your truths."i

So, 2 years ago, I attended a Beth Moore conference near Detroit with a group of AWESOME women from the River. We arrived at our hotel and got all settled in our rooms. I put my key to our room in a very specific spot so I knew right where it was. When my friend, Kelli, needed to get into our room and asked for my key ,I was sooooooo pleased to get into my purse, into my inside pocket where I KNEW I put the key, and grant her request. This brought me such incredible joy because if you haven't picked up in some of my previous e-mails, I can be a bit of a scatter brain. I don't want to be, I just ALWAYS have a lot of things on my mind and it takes great effort for me to be very mindful ALL THE TIME of where I put things. So, I proudly handed the key to my friend thinking to myself, "Good job, Kristy! You did it! Rob would be so proud of you (Rob is my husband, who when we were dating knew when I would borrow a pen from his drawer because I didn't put it back in the EXACT spot. It probably helped him that his dad was a military man training him in these skills since he was 1 day old )." This losing things is a real sensitive issue for me because I really want to be like Rob and all those other anal people who never lose things, I'm just not (yet.....nothing is ever hopeless). So when I do know right where something is I throw a little party for myself inside my heart. This was one of those nights. We had a great Friday night enjoying the conference and each other. But then came Saturday.

Saturday morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast together and then headed over to the conference. As we were all waiting in line to get in, everyone began looking for their tickets to have ready at the door. I began looking for my ticket, ......and kept looking, and looking, and looking ,completely emptying my purse searching every nook and cranny and coming up with NOTHING. I couldn't believe it. Just yesterday I had felt soooo good about myself, like I was really improving and getting this "putting things in a certain spot, and being MINDFUL of that spot, all the time" thing. I WAS SOOOOO MAD AT MYSELF. My dear, precious friend, "Smelly Kelli" ( I'm "Stinky Linky) stayed with me as I trudged back to the van to look in there. No ticket. The hotel was too far to go back to so I had to face the reality that I might not get into the conference. There was nothing I could do. I was COMPLETELY at their mercy.

I scanned all the ticket takers looking for the one who just might be merciful. My eyes landed upon this older woman with a smile on her face. I approached this woman who would hold my day in her hands with my shoulders humped over and my eyes looking down at the floor not wanting to make eye contact with anyone out of my shame. She must have been watching me sheepishly approach her because before I could say a word she said to me, "Did you lose your ticket?" I just shook my head yes. I will never forget her response to me. She said in the kindest, most merciful voice, "That's okay honey, I have a ticket right here with your name on it. Come on in!" I had just barely entered through the doors when "hundreds" (not really that many, but a lot of them)of truths of God began flooding my mind.

Immediately, this verse popped into my mind:

" To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men- robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. HE WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK UP to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have MERCY on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." -Luke 17:9-14

"OHHHhhhhhh! I get it God! This is what it will be like at heaven's doors. Only the people who have "lost their ticket" and who "won't even look up" and fall on the mercy of the One who holds their ETERNAL LIFE (a little bit more than a day)in his hands will be allowed to enter."

"So, you, God ,are like the kind, merciful ticket taker lady deeply delighting in offering me mercy and having a ticket ready for me with my name on it. Jesus is that ticket. I simply just have to humble myself and admit I 'lost my ticket' (I'm messed up) and fall on your mercy and receive Jesus, my "ticket"."

I will guarantee you I was the happiest woman in that arena. I had just been given MERCY.

MERCY- Kind and compassionate treatment of an offender, enemy, or other person under ones power. Reprieve from a fate of considerable severity without further implication. A disposition to be kind and forgiving. Something for which to be thankful for; a fortunate occurence.

When you know you don't deserve something, but get it anyways; when you know you fail and mess up alot and all your offenses are not held against you; when there is nothing you can do to enter a place you really want to be in and you are allowed in, that is something for which to be VERY, VERY thankful for. I was walking around that arena (after I stopped crying and sharing with the ticket taker how thankful I was and how she was like Jesus) with an INCREDIBLY thankful heart.

As I was walking to my seat, God began revealing more truths to me. I found myself going from feeling very, very, thankful for mercy, to feeling very, very ashamed. There were thousands of women in that room and I began to hear one of those evil whispers, 'You're the only one who is in here because of mercy. Everyone else knew right where their ticket was. See all these women- they deserve to be in here, but not you. All these women are better than you, Kristy. YOU LOST YOUR TICKET. How irresponsible of you. You don't belong in here with all these "responsible" women"

I found myself "hating" (not really) all these other women walking around proudly because they "deserved" to be in here and I didn't. I was soooooo aware of my own shame and "sin" (weakness). I thought, "God, is this how people feel when they come to church? Do people walk around with their shame heavy on their hearts and minds?" Do people think that everyone else that gathers to worship you is there because they "deserve" it and because they do everything right? Do people that come to church think that everyone is looking at them, knows their "sin" and is judging them for it ? No wonder people wouldn't want to come to church. No one else in that arena knew that I lost my ticket but I felt like every woman there was staring at me and thinking to themselves and whispering to their friends, "That's the woman who forgot her ticket". I wanted out. I did not want to be "that" woman.

Then something wonderful happened. Another truth emerged. After I had finally made it to my seat through all my torture in my "inner man", God gave me an insight. I realized that Heaven will be like, and church should be like, Beth Moore standing up on the stage in front of these thousands of women and simply giving these words;

"Would those of you who lost your ticket and are simply in this room solely on the mercy of the ticket taker, please stand up?"

I would stand up, scared to death, that I would be the only one ,but much to my surprise I would see the ENTIRE room of women standing there. " What!?! You mean to tell me this whole time I thought I was the only one who was messed up and I thought that everyone was judging me, but we are all actually in the same boat? All these women in here are only here because of MERCY? They are not all judging me? They know what it is like to not be perfect? They are not all thinking about me and how bad I am but rather worshipping the "ticket taker" (God) for His wonderful mercy of letting them in here." Ahhhhhhhhhhhh- all of a sudden all these women I "hated" (not really) felt like "sisters". We were all together JUST SOOOOOOOOOOOOO THANKFUL FOR MERCY AND FOR BEING ALLOWED TO ENTER.

I will never enter church the same since that experience. I will never take another day or my acceptance into heaven for granted since that experience. I will live every day of my life just thankful that our God is a merciful God.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in MERCY, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved..........For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it it the GIFT of God- not be works, so that NO ONE CAN BOAST. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
---Ephesians 2:4-10

May I encourage you to not live someone else's faith, to not just read about God or hear about him, but ask Him to give you your own personal experiences with him. You are here to fall in love with Him. You won't fall in love with him if you don't experience Him personally. He has soooo many things He wants to teach you and reveal to you through your own experience- just ask Him. He says in James,

"You do not have, because you do not ask God."

Ask Him. May I also encourage you to seek to understand mercy- His mercy. It is out of this very important understanding of the mercy that he has bestowed upon you, that you in turn can be a "worshipper" and then in turn offer mercy to others.

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to LOVE MERCY and to walk humbly with your God."
----Micah 6:8

If you were to come to "Bombadil" (my home) you would find hanging over one of my arched doorways the words, "Love Mercy". May it be! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

Strangers

Have you ever moved to a new place and felt like a stranger, an outsider? I know my dear friend, Becky Rice has. She was my best friend in Kalamazoo for 10 years until she moved away to Virginia . We would have lots of conversations of how hard it is to move. It sure is a lot more comfortable to stay in the same place with the same friends. But what if life is NOT about being comfortable? What if we are to feel like strangers for our entire life journey?

I found myself reading in 1 Peter this morning. What I found was the word "Stranger" and "alien" used 3 times.

1."To God's elect, STRANGERS in the world......................who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ "(did you know you were chosen FOR obedience to Jesus?)- 1 Peter 1:1


2."Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as STRANGERS here in reverent fear." 1Peter 1:17

3."Dear friends, I urge you as ALIENS and STRANGERS in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11

ALIEN- Belonging to another place, society, or person: not one's own; a member of another family, peole, group; an outsider

STRANGER- A foreigner, newcomer or outsider; a visitor or guest

FOREIGNER- situated in an improper place

OUTSIDER- one who is detached from the activities or concerns of the community in which he lives.

VISITOR- One who pays a visit; to go or come to see a place; A stay or sojourn (to stay for a time, a temporary stay) as a guest

GUEST- a recipient of hospitality at the home or table of another

TEMPORARY- to enjoy for a limited time

Interestingly, as I was looking up these words and was reading the definition for "temporary", I came across a quote under that definition:

"Do not allow any TEMPORARY (impermanent, transient) excitement to DISTRACT you from the real business." - C.S.Lewis

This was the same quote I came across a few days ago when I was looking up the word "Distract".

Are we really suppose to be strangers here? Are we really people situated in a improper place? Is it true that we are just visitors, guests that are here for a temporary time to enjoy and be the recipient of God's hospitality pointing us to Him and His goodness? Do we really belong to another place and are called to not get so caught up with the concerns of this world? (not meaning that we don't invest in the world and care deeply about what is going on around us- but rather what is spoken of in Luke 8:14:
"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures, and they don't mature"....the concerns of this world don't choke us......we remain untouched because of our hope for heaven)

Well- according to Scripture, this is absolutely true. Listen to these other words of His:

" Instead, they were LONGING for a BETTER country- a HEAVENLY one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:16

" Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am..." John 14: 1-3

" Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 5: 1-5

"Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where theives do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 & 20

Although I love my home, my husband, my children, my mom and dad, my brother and sister, my in-laws,and my friends DEEPLY, I hold them very loosely believing with all my heart that THIS IS NOT MY HOME. Although they are INCREDIBLE GIFTS from my father above they are given to me to enjoy for a time and to point me to the goodness of God- and make me want HIM more. I live with an ache in my soul, a groaning that Ephesians speaks of. I long for a place where there is no more pain, where it is ALL love, ALL light, where everything is right and "God is ALL in ALL." I often feel like a stranger, a foreigner- a woman who is living in an improper place. My home is heaven. There is no place like home.

May I encourage you to not get too comfortable on this earth. According to Scripture, you ought to get use to feeling like a stranger here. This is not your home. You were made for a different place, a better place. My children have all awoken, some are throwing up, some are crying and need their mom. I've gotta go. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

freedom

I'm beginning a new stage in parenting. I deeply desire to know more of the inner-workings/ inner thoughts and feelings of my oldest son who has now entered the "preteen" world. The problem that has surfaced is he doesn't want to let me into that world. I was asking him some questions the other day about his life and quickly had the door slammed in my face when he responded to my statement of, "I'm your mom, I love you and just want to know you," with, "Well I don't want you to know everything about me." OUCH!!!!!! That was a hard pill for me to swallow. It's time for me to go sit in my "THINK" chair. So here is a little "THINK WITH LINK":

If I am going to do this parenting thing right and wisely,it is time for me to act according to knowledge and not how I feel (because I feel like locking him in his room until he tells me everything but for some reason I don't think that will work or is wise, do you?)

" Every prudent man acts out of knowledge"- Prov. 13:16

So what is the knowledge I need at this stage in my parenting????? I believe it is the same knowledge I need, not just in this stage of parenting, but in life- at every stage. It is the knowledge that;

PEOPLE NEED FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.

"LOVE does not insist on it's own way/it is not self-seeking." 1 Corinthians 13: 5

I understand the wisdom in this truth when I;

"Do unto others as I would have them do unto me." Matthew 7:12

When I am forced to do anything- I don't want to do it. Although I know God loves me and wants a relationship with me, I don't know if I would want that if it was forced upon me.. It is the freedom He gives me to choose that actually draws me into His arms. One of the hundreds of God's truths that I love is this;

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. BUT IF SERVING THE LORD SEEMS UNDESIRABLE TO YOU, THEN CHOOSE FOR YOURSELVES THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD." Joshua 24:14 & 15

I understand this principle/truth/ piece of knowledge more clearly when I think of it in terms of marriage. I don't want to be with someone who is FORCED to be with me. I want to be with someone who has CHOSEN me because they want me. It is this truth, this way, in which God works. He has given us this time on earth to decide if we want to live life with him, live life his way out of a deep love and desire for Him and to be with Him forever or not. He will not force anyone to live with Him, serve him, love him if they don't want to. That wouldn't be love. Although God loves every soul and deeply desires each person to walk through life with him as their closest companion, heeding His counsel knowing it is best, He will not FORCE them. HE GIVES EVERYONE A CHOICE. As my heart deeply desires to know my son and have him share his heart with me, if I continue to try to force my way into his heart I will only drive him further away. I know this to be true in my mind- now I only need the strength, self-control ,patience and wisdom to keep my mouth shut and let him share with me as he desires, when he chooses, not because he is forced but because he desires and chooses to have his mom know him more.

May I encourage you, my fellow travelers, to first of all take all of your desires and inner struggles to God. It has been good for me to sit with Him and His Word to remind me of what is true so that I may walk in wisdom and hopefully in the end be blessed for it.

"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways." Prov. 14:8

God deeply desires good for us. He wants us to have good relationships with all people and Him. He has given us his words to guide us in wisdom and truth so that life will go well for us. However, he will not force us to read the Bible. He will not force us to put into action what we read. He loves us soooooo much that He gives us the freedom to choose. Well, I have made my choice. Serving the Lord DOES NOT seem "undesirable" to me, but rather VERY DESIRABLE as it is my observation and experience that "all His ways lead to peace." It is only in serving Him and walking in an intimate relationship with Him that I find meaning, hope, joy and love. Whatever it is you are dealing with, may I encourage you to give the people in your life the freedom they need. Do not force your desires upon them. It is not love. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul.

Kristy Joy Link ( a mother who will CHOOSE to put duct tape over her mouth so she doesn't nag her son w/questions)

Fw: Prayer request

Kristy,

Please pass on a prayer request to anyone who can join us in prayer. Twila was injured Friday, she had an accident and burned her hands face and neck, as well as burning her hair and eyebrows etc. After a trip to the E.R. She is on some meds and resting, and in some pain. The injuries could have been much worse and the prognosis is good, she was very fortunate!! I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks

LIFE!

After my water fiasco (which by many of your e-mails I'm happy to find out I'm not alone in dealing with water issues..........it's always so nice to know you're not alone isn't it????) my dad called me and was curious about how my husband handled that. He wondered if Rob responded in a gracious manner (which was his suspicion knowing the man Rob is) or did he spew forth frustration, anger, and shame leaving me in more agony over the situation. He's my father. He loves me and cares about me very much. I know this to be true in the deepest part of me as he has told me this and shown me his love through countless ways over the course of my 36 years of existence (THANK YOU, DAD). He knew very well the temptation for Rob to be angry and respond in an ugly manner but desired, for his daughter's sake, that he treated me gently knowing the fragility (susceptible to being broken or injured) of the human soul.
I was happy to tell my father that Rob was very gracious. He really didn't say much (I'm sure putting all his wisdom, knowledge, The Spirit of Jesus, and swords to use, one of which was probably,

" A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered."- Prov. 17:27).

I had to leave for the evening and when I came home I found this note:

"Hi honey,
I want you to know that it's alright. The basement has been wet a million times before. One more time won't hurt. Let's just consider this motivation for us to get the carpet up and the tile down. Don't be hard on yourself. Everyone I have ever met has made a mistake or two. Me more than most. One thing that wasn't a mistake was asking you to marry me. Peace and Joy, Rob"

Although we may not all have an earthly father who is physically present and concerned with how we are treated (which may I say again- I AM SOOOO SORRY. THE PAIN OF THAT IS SOOOO INTENSE , I KNOW), we DO all have a heavenly father who is deeply concerned with how others treat us (and how WE treat others). He sees all and knows all. When people treat you harshly, unmercifully, abusively........... (or vice versa), it grieves the heart of your heavenly father. Those people who hurt you or are hurting you will be held accountable before God. His word says,

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for EVERY CARELESS WORD they have spoken." Matthew 12:3

I share the words Rob GIFTED me with because I want you to know the power you hold in that small little vessel called the tounge.

"The tounge has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Prov. 19:21

Although he very well could have brought "death" to my soul, and I'm sure the temptation was there, he CHOSE to give me life. And now he will eat it's fruit. He has a wife that is incredibly grateful and respects him more than he will ever know, he has a father- in-law that is rejoicing over all those prayers he prayed for his daughter and all the training he gave her to wait for a godly, seriously devoted follower of Jesus (not just a church goer ladies......if you are not married yet- hold out for a man who is in love with Jesus and desires to follow Him.........he is worth the wait and you and your children will be blessed) husband, and he has a Father in Heaven who is pleased.

May I encourage you today to believe that no matter how others treat you, which is out of your control (mostly....your attitude can affect the way people want to treat you, but ultimately it is their choice)..... your Father in heaven loves you sooo deeply and desires all people to love you well. He truly cares about you. I would also like to encourage you to use that tounge, that powerful tounge, to bring life to people's souls......no matter how great the temptation to bring death. You will eat the fruit. It is your choice.

"Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool." Prov. 26:1

If you want to be honored, DON'T BE A FOOL.

Thank you to all who came to "Battle at Bombadil" yesterday for a "sister's soul". We had an awesome time praying for Amanda. It is what the "church" was made to do. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

Be alert!

I mentioned yesterday that there were two truths/reminders that came from my water fiasco (which the recovery process continues- I hear the fans and smell the "sweet" aroma as we speak.....or as I write) The second truth is this:

IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE DISTRACTED. BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE ARE NOT ALERT.

DISTRACT- Cause you to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; to side-track;divert

synonym- forgetful

opposite- ALERT

ALERT- vigilantly attentive; watchful; aware; prepared for danger or emergency

Listen to these words ( and not just any words.....truth, food for the soul, life, that which can free you)



" Be self-controlled and ALERT. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith......." 1 Peter 5 :8

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms...............With this in mind, BE ALERT and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph. 6:10 -18

"...you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregant woman (right Laurie Engbers who just gave birth to Mya Kate on Wed??????)........but let us be ALERT and self-controlled." 1 Thessalonians 5:6

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be ALERT! You do not know when that time will come."Mark 13: 32 & 33

I was "caused to turn away from my original focus" of laundry, I think, by the desire for an ice cold diet Dr. Pepper. I started to fill up my sink, which is huge. I thought, "I have time while this is filling up to go grab a little "pleasure" out of the little fridge in the room next store. What I forgot was that pleasure is powerful. Pursuing pleasure can cause us to lose focus, cause us to turn away from our original focus. My focus for that day was: laundry. What is the focus or what should the focus be of a Fully devoted follower of Christ?????

Is it not to know Him and make Him known????? Is it not to be preparing in this life for the life to come.....the eternal life.....the place where He will dwell among us and wipe away every tear from our eye, where there will be no more mourning, weeping, pain.........."PARADISE" (Kelly H...she signs all her notes, 'paradise'). Is it not to "store up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust don't decay"- Matthew 6:19 ??) Is our focus not to use everything He has given us to bring glory to His Name so that when we meet Him face to face we can hear those wonderful words,

"Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21

Is it not to be in "Godly Training" so as to prepare ourselves as 1 Timothy 4:8 suggests:

"Physical training is of SOME value, but GODLINESS has value for ALL things, holding promise for the present life and THE LIFE TO COME."

Scripture is clear. We do have a focus as believers in Jesus and His Words. NOW is our time to be alert and not distracted by all the pleasures in this world. There is a "life to come". What we do now, in this life, affects the life we have after our physical bodies are buried. So what is your, "Diet Dr.Pepper"???? What is distracting you from knowing God and making him known????What is keeping you from storing up your treasures in heaven? Jesus is coming back to this earth to take with Him those who love him and admit their need for forgiveness and mercy. He says to his Father,

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me before the creation of the world." John 17:24

But we don't know when. Accoring to Scripture - it could be anytime, ....today???? tomorrow???? Would you be ready to meet him? Would he take you with him? I have a friend who had a thief visit her home in the middle of the night. Incredibly scary experiece. ...completety unexpected.

May we follow Moses' example;

"He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of GREATER VALUE than the treasures of Egypt, because he was LOOKING AHEAD TO HIS REWARD.......because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:25

Certainly, God gives us things to enjoy. I am not saying don't engage in anything pleasurable; His word says,

"Command those who are rich in this PRESENT world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything FOR OUR ENJOYMENT." 1 Timothy 6:17

However, "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be .....lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

So, may I encourage you today to know your "original focus of attention"- To find God, to know Him, to prepare for meeting him, to walk everyday with Jesus as your guide seeking to love and heal the people he loves soooo deeply. May those "Diet Dr. Peppers" (while they are good in and of themselves...there is nothing wrong with a little pleasure) not distract you, not become your "God" and be your top priority, not become your reason for living. Your reason for living is soooo much higher than simply pleasure. You are preparing, NOW, for your future of life either with him or without him. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul (and one more time...not your basement!) be watered and may you water another's soul. You are deeply, deeply loved. I believe it with all my heart! Kristy Joy Link

Water

I'm thinking of changing the name "watergirls." Not really. I simply had more than my share of experience with water yesterday and I'd like to not even hear the word for awhile.
I was downstairs doing more Link laundry and needed to let a few things soak. I turned on the water in my big sink, and 2 HOURS LATER remembered to turn it off. Actually, that is not true. I didn't remember. I went downstairs to get something and much to my "delight' heard the carpet making "squishing" sounds. There in front of me was the water faucet STILL RUNNING and pouring out wonderful water. What are those words Jesus spoke?

"Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. EACH DAY HAS ENOUGH TROUBLE OF ITS OWN."- Matthew 6:34

Unfortunately, this "trouble of its own" was MY FAULT. I was the one who got distracted and was not being careful and focused. Although the desire is there to blame it on someone else, I CAN'T. I hate when that happens. Honestly speaking, I love to be able to blame other people and be free from responsibility. This experience reminds me of two important truths. I'll focus on one today and the othe tomorrow.

First- When something is your fault- REFUSE TO BLAME OTHERS........INCLUDING GOD.

" A man's OWN FOLLY ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord." Prov. 19:3

Learn to accept responsibility for your own "folly". The temptation to blame is passed on to us from the very first two, Adam and Eve.

"And he said, Who told you you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?' The Man said, 'The woman you put here with me- she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it." Then the Lord said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:11 - 13

Remember that temptation to do something is different than actually doing it. Jesus himself was tempted.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15

and

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

So when you are tempted to blame others and when you are accused of wrong;

1. Remind yourself- God loves you. Just because you did something wrong doesn't change his love for you. NOTHING CAN CHANGE HIS LOVE FOR YOU.

2. Pull out this sword, "This is the one I esteem; he who is humble (aware of one's short-comings; showing deferential respect; lack of pride) and contrite (humbled by guilt and repentant for one's sins) in spirit, and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:2 The perfect one isn't the one he esteems. It's the one who admits they are not perfect and seeks forgiveness that receives God's favor.

3.. Pretend you have duct tape over your mouth and don't say anything immediately when confronted.

4. Learn to say as the first thing, " I am soooo sorry." ..........and no more. Don't make excuses or blame others

5. "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so you may be healed." James 5:16

6. Pull out this sword, "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinion.' Prov. 18:2
Make it your goal to seek to understand the other person's perspective and why your actions have hurt them.

I imagine there are some of you out there who possibly have been blamed your whole life and IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT. To you I say:

" When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:23

and

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from his sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the one to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12

God has seen you your whole life. He knows what is true, what is your fault and what is not. Oh my dear friend- learn the freedom of entrusting yoursef to His care.

So- my children are stirring and I'm out of time. Please feel free to make this a dialogue. My time is so limited in the morning that I may neglect to say something out of lack of time or may forget to think of it from someone elses perspective and may not address your situation. I'd love to hear from you. My purpose in writing these is to encourage you in Godliness, in following Jesus hard-core, and to free your soul not burden it. So if, for some reason I say something that you question, please feel free to e-mail me.

May I encourage you to not be defensive but rather accept responsibilty for your own folly/error/sin/wrong-doing SO THAT more LIFE may come. Remember that sin brings death. We LOVE LIFE, JOY, AND PEACE! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul (NOT YOUR BASEMENT!) be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

P.s.- A friend of mine, Amanda, is a single mom raising 3 boys and 1 girl on her own. Her oldest son is struggling a bit. So, tomorrow, March 6 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. anyone who has a free hour please come to my home and we are going to :
BATTLE AT BOMBADIL!!!!! "The prayers of a righteous man are POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE." James 5:16

We are going to pray for my friend and ask God together (power in numbers) to strengthen her and heal her relationship with her son. Let me know if you need directions.

with all your heart!

Jake wanted a bagel. So- I told him to go down to the freezer and get them out. He came back upstairs empty handed. He told me he couldn't find them. I asked him if he looked hard and moved stuff around. He answered "no". I concluded he must have not REALLY wanted the bagel. Of course, when I went down to look, moving everything around, determined to find what I knew was there, I found the bagels!

I created something really special for Rob awhile back. Something I thought he would really enjoy. I hid it in our room in one of my drawers. I had put a lot of time into this project and was really excited for him to find it. I sent him in our room to find it, telling him where it was. When I went upstairs a little while later to see what he thought about my work I was deeply disappointed to find him almost asleep with no project in sight. When I asked him why he didn't have the project, he said, "Oh- I couldn't find it." I thought to myself, "What! It was right where I told you. You might have had to move some clothes around a little, but it was right there." I concluded he must not have REALLY wanted what I had for him because if he did, he would have looked for it until he found it.

At both of those moments, God's truths made so much sense to me;

"You will seek me and FIND ME WHEN you seek me WITH ALL YOUR HEART." Jeremiah 29: 13

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who DILIGENTLY/EARNESTLY seek him." Hebrews 11:6

I believe you probably understand this truth as well. You want to be PURSUED. You don't want a guy to call you once and if you don't answer just give up. NO!!!!! You want him to want you bad enough to do what it takes to get you.....right? Do you think that is in you because you are made in the image of God????? If that desire is in you to be diligently pursued because someone REALLY wants you, could it be that that is God's desire of us?

May I encourage you today to seek God WITH ALL YOUR HEART! Seek Him DILIGENTLY! Don't give up until you find him......and you will find him because His word says you will IF you seek him with all your heart. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

One of my favorite pictures gracing my mantle is one of my mom as a ten year old little girl sitting with her arms crossed displaying a precious ring on her right ring finger. This wasn't just any ol' ring. This ring symbolized she was part of a club- the "I Am His" club (I think that was the name of it- sorry if I'm wrong, mom). Although my mom grew up in a good home, with a loving mom and dad, it wasn't a home that passed on to her the deepest need and desire of the soul, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a little girl, my mom began receiving Scripture verses in the mail from this club which she would read with a flashlight under the covers of her bed. This began her love affair with the One who pursued her soul in her younger years.Her heart was stirred by the truths she read under those covers which sank deeply into her blood and led to a lifetime pursuit of this One who pursued her.
This picture of her is one of my favorites because it is a picture to me of My God pursuing my mom as a young girl, her responding to that pursuit and thus the beginning of my story. What is the saying? "Home is where your story begins."
My mom and I chatted on the phone the other day after I mentioned about her being close to a "perfect" mom. I told her she must have done something right because why do I feel so healthy? Why have I felt so "full" all of my life? She shared with me just how much work went on behind the scenes. She shared about ALL THE COUNSELING she had to go through, ALL THE HEALING of her own wounds, ALL THE SCRIPTURE she had to meditate on, ALL THE SCRIPTURE SHE HAD TO PUT INTO PRACTICE, ALL THE PRAYING, ALL THE BATTLING, ALL THE SACRIFICE so that her children might grow up "healthy." Wow!!!!!! I have no words in response to all she went through for the sake of her children.
My memories of growing up are of a mom who was ALWAYS THERE. She was around when I needed a hug or someone to talk to. She would always tuck me in in the evenings ,rubbing my back and praying for me. Her gentleness with me will echo in my mind and heart (except for that one time in the laundry room on Indian Hills.....remember that,mom?) until the day I breathe my last breath. She was always pointing me to Scripture with her life. We often had homeless people living with us and she was always on the phone (the kind with the cord- no cordless for her) comforting the brokenhearted. She gave me such freedom to be whoever it was God wanted me to be. Whenever I would come in from those late nights as a teenager, I would find my little light left on and a love note beside my bed speaking of her love and God's love for me. She worked hard at having a good relationship with my dad. She was such a respectful wife, kind and loving to him (except in the car...smile, smile, wink, wink....they have to know you have some weaknesses, mom) . I have many memories of them teasing each other, kissing (which I HATED/LOVED at the time) in the kitchen, and going on dates. That is not to say they did not have their struggles and moments of wanting to "quit". Oh- and they would probably be willing to share with any of you their story of wanting to quit. But they held on to God's truth that says,

"Another thing you do: you flood the Lord's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, 'Why?' It is because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 'I hate divorce,' says the Lord God of Isreal." Malachi 2:13-16

Probably my favorite memory is when I would be scared at night and have a bad dream, I was allowed to lay in between them in their bed for a little while until my heart was strengthened again. There was no safer place on this earth. I can still recall to this day the intensity of that "safe" feeling. In Psalm 62:11 it says,

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, Oh God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving."

I felt like I was in the middle of God. My dad, the strong one (who happened to be loving as well) and my mom, the loving one (who happened to be strong as well).

So, why do I share this with you? Please, know I share with some trepidation. I share hesitantly knowing this might arouse some intense feelings within you. My desire in sharing this is in no way to stir up painful memories for you ,knowing that this has not been the story for many of you. I could just weep thinking of all my friends out there who never experienced what I believe is God's heart for all His precious children. I am SOOOOO SORRY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DID NOT HAVE A GODLY FATHER AND MOTHER WHO PASSED ON TO YOU THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST FIRST, AND THEN THEIR OWN LOVE. My own heart grieves for soooo many of you.

I share this with you to encourage you to follow in my mom's footsteps of fighting, seeking counseling, allowing God to heal all those wounded places, letting His words dwell in you richly and obey His words that will be a blessing to your future generations and all those you meet. I will be eternally indebted to my mom for all the work that she put in behind the scenes so that I might grow up healthy and knowing the love of God from the moment I breathed my first breath on this earth. I write this to encourage you that JESUS CHRIST AND A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I often wonder what my life would be like had my mom thrown away those Scripture verses. Where would I be had she not responded to the truths she read and made Jesus her King, her Lord? I am simply reaping all that she sowed. I take none of it for granted and believe the truth deeply;

"To whom much is given, much is required."

I also believe deeply He uses all of our stories. "And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

He wants to work good from YOUR story. Your story isn't finished yet. May God get the glory from what He will do in and through your life as you surrender to Him. I love and care about you all. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy link. I am praying for you all today.