Have I ever told you guys just how much I LOVE Gods' words. I LOVE THEM! They are like honey to my soul and fill me with such hope, peace, strength...
Last night Rob and I had quite a ....a.......well, let's just call it a "HEATED discussion." It's probably THESE kinds of "discussions" that COULD lead down a dark road. BUT NOT FOR A WOMAN WITH GOD'S WORD AND A WOMAN OF PRAYER. I woke up this morning sad, frustrated, weary, but NOW, after having spent time in God's word and simply sitting with Him, NOW, this day is FULL OF OPPORTUNITY. I actually feel like I'm on a treasure hunt, seeking out wisdom and where I have been wrong and right according to God's word. He is taking me DEEPER, into MORE TRUTH and MORE WISDOM....more of Himself.
EVERY EXPERIENCE WE HAVE IS AN OPPORUNITY TO GET MORE WISDOM AND MORE OF GOD'S TRUTH....TO KNOW HIM & HIS WAYS BETTER.
God's word says, "Give thanks in all circumstances"- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I am so thankful for our heated discussion last night as it has given me a hunger to know more of God's ways, to understand more of myself and what branches God might still have to cut off to make me more fruitful.
Do you know what His word says about wisdom?
Do you know what wisdom is?
WISDOM is the understanding of what is true, right, or lasting.
" My son (daughter), if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you look for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5
"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forge my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. THOUGH IT COST ALL YOU HAVE GET UNDERSTANDING." Prov. 4:7
May I encourgae us all to not get struck down by the situations and circumstances of life. May we see them as "OPPORTUNITIES." Every day we have the choice to get mad, sad, depressed, etc...OR we can press into God and His words getting to know Him and His ways better and better leading to more and more life, peace, and joy. May we choose the latter. Enjoy your opportunities today. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
FW: People are hurting.
I had a CRAZY experience at the store last night. When I arrived at the store I sat in the parking lot for a bit finishing up a phone call. I had opened my door preparing to get out but since there were no cars beside me I lingered with my door open and continued on with my phone conversation. As soon as I noticed a car wanting to pull into the space next to me I shut my door and gave a polite wave to say "sorry my door was open taking up this space." I looked into the car that had just pulled in and smiled at the woman and her son who were now my parking lot "neighbors." I finished my phone call and went into the store.
As I entered the store I was greeted by this woman and her son. At first I thought it was a friendly greeting when she smiled at me and said, "I saw you out in the parking lot." It wasn't until her next sentence that I realized I had done something to offend this woman. She proceeded to "GO OFF" on me about something I was truly CLUELESS about. As she YELLED at me in front of everyone in the store, I sought to understand why she was soooo upset. After being completely taken off guard, I said in reply to her yelling, "Pardon me?" trying to say it in the correct tone of truly seeking understanding and not wanting to sound defensive. I was met with the response of "OH, SO YOUR DEAF NOW TOO. UGHHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU. GET A HEARING AID LADY." As she walked away continuing to mumble out loud something I still couldn't really understand, I stood there feeling like I had just been punched in the gut and thus began the conversation with my "Father" uttering in my heart the words, "Ouch, God. That hurt."
As I strolled through the store (The "$ store " on Westnedge to give those of you in this area a mental picture) I took many deep breathes, prayed many prayers for both the woman and myself, and let the sting of the encounter be healed by many of His truths. As I went from aisle to aisle I continued seeing the son of this woman. Every time I would turn the corner and he would catch a glimpse of me he would run away. He was probably about 9 years old. I wondered how embarrassed he felt for the behavior of his mom and pondered how many times he had experienced situations like this causing him to want to run and hide from the people his mom had hurt. I felt sad for him. After seeing him for the 3rd time I tried to whisper words of peace to him letting him know it was okay and I wasn't angry. He just ran away again. I was reminded of how much our silly behavior affects those we love. I immediately cried out to God for more wisdom (in my heart of course. That would be VERY EMBARRASSING to have a mom that cried out out loud to God in the middle of the store. I at least have a little wisdom) that I may be a blessing to my children, not an embarrassment. I felt very sad for him.
I was in that store for quite a while trying to find just the right things for my daughter, Reese's, 4th "Princess" birthday coming up. After wondering how to handle this situation and questioning God whether or not I should approach this woman again and after having been in the store for at least 45 minutes now continuing to catch glimpses of her, I decided I would apologize for whatever I did that offended her. She clearly had not been talking to God and didn't seem to be any more "cooled off". I finally figured out that my offense was "gawking at her" when I had looked into her car. She went on to say some more hurtful words as the Spirit of God roused within me great compassion for this woman knowing that there must be some great wounds in her soul. After walking away from me clearly exasperated, she came back to me and said, "And for your information, I had to come in here tonight and tell a friend of mine someone she loves is dying of cancer." Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. There it is. There is the possible (if not just one) source of all this anger. After telling her I was sooo sorry for her pain I decided it was time to check out.
As the sales clerk was scanning my items, I commented on the bird candle holder that was being rung up. I told her how I loved the little candle holder because it reminded me of God's words that say "Are we not worth more than many birds." (Matthew 10:30). She began to cry telling me how it was her daughter's boyfriend who died in the major car wreck of last week and how a few months ago they found her brother- in -laws remains out on a highway nearby. As I listened to her share her pain and watched as the tears flowed freely from her eyes (there was no one behind me in line) I thought to myself and spoke to God, "Oh God- there is soo much pain in the souls I encounter......sooo much hurt."
May I encourage us all to be very alert to every soul we encounter. We have NO idea what is going on in their world and why they act the way they do. May we be women who seek to look past the outward apperance of things, and wait on God to reveal the deeper things of the heart. May He shower us with His strength and the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is a world out there that we will be entering today that desperately needs the touch of our Father. May we be wise. May we walk closely with him ready to be used by him at any moment bringing his kingdom of "peace, joy, and righteousness" EVERY WHERE WE GO! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy
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As I entered the store I was greeted by this woman and her son. At first I thought it was a friendly greeting when she smiled at me and said, "I saw you out in the parking lot." It wasn't until her next sentence that I realized I had done something to offend this woman. She proceeded to "GO OFF" on me about something I was truly CLUELESS about. As she YELLED at me in front of everyone in the store, I sought to understand why she was soooo upset. After being completely taken off guard, I said in reply to her yelling, "Pardon me?" trying to say it in the correct tone of truly seeking understanding and not wanting to sound defensive. I was met with the response of "OH, SO YOUR DEAF NOW TOO. UGHHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU. GET A HEARING AID LADY." As she walked away continuing to mumble out loud something I still couldn't really understand, I stood there feeling like I had just been punched in the gut and thus began the conversation with my "Father" uttering in my heart the words, "Ouch, God. That hurt."
As I strolled through the store (The "$ store " on Westnedge to give those of you in this area a mental picture) I took many deep breathes, prayed many prayers for both the woman and myself, and let the sting of the encounter be healed by many of His truths. As I went from aisle to aisle I continued seeing the son of this woman. Every time I would turn the corner and he would catch a glimpse of me he would run away. He was probably about 9 years old. I wondered how embarrassed he felt for the behavior of his mom and pondered how many times he had experienced situations like this causing him to want to run and hide from the people his mom had hurt. I felt sad for him. After seeing him for the 3rd time I tried to whisper words of peace to him letting him know it was okay and I wasn't angry. He just ran away again. I was reminded of how much our silly behavior affects those we love. I immediately cried out to God for more wisdom (in my heart of course. That would be VERY EMBARRASSING to have a mom that cried out out loud to God in the middle of the store. I at least have a little wisdom) that I may be a blessing to my children, not an embarrassment. I felt very sad for him.
I was in that store for quite a while trying to find just the right things for my daughter, Reese's, 4th "Princess" birthday coming up. After wondering how to handle this situation and questioning God whether or not I should approach this woman again and after having been in the store for at least 45 minutes now continuing to catch glimpses of her, I decided I would apologize for whatever I did that offended her. She clearly had not been talking to God and didn't seem to be any more "cooled off". I finally figured out that my offense was "gawking at her" when I had looked into her car. She went on to say some more hurtful words as the Spirit of God roused within me great compassion for this woman knowing that there must be some great wounds in her soul. After walking away from me clearly exasperated, she came back to me and said, "And for your information, I had to come in here tonight and tell a friend of mine someone she loves is dying of cancer." Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. There it is. There is the possible (if not just one) source of all this anger. After telling her I was sooo sorry for her pain I decided it was time to check out.
As the sales clerk was scanning my items, I commented on the bird candle holder that was being rung up. I told her how I loved the little candle holder because it reminded me of God's words that say "Are we not worth more than many birds." (Matthew 10:30). She began to cry telling me how it was her daughter's boyfriend who died in the major car wreck of last week and how a few months ago they found her brother- in -laws remains out on a highway nearby. As I listened to her share her pain and watched as the tears flowed freely from her eyes (there was no one behind me in line) I thought to myself and spoke to God, "Oh God- there is soo much pain in the souls I encounter......sooo much hurt."
May I encourage us all to be very alert to every soul we encounter. We have NO idea what is going on in their world and why they act the way they do. May we be women who seek to look past the outward apperance of things, and wait on God to reveal the deeper things of the heart. May He shower us with His strength and the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is a world out there that we will be entering today that desperately needs the touch of our Father. May we be wise. May we walk closely with him ready to be used by him at any moment bringing his kingdom of "peace, joy, and righteousness" EVERY WHERE WE GO! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy
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Monday, August 3, 2009
"Running for daddy"
I don't think there was a dry eye when she crossed the finish line. "She" was Cassie Stersic, the 8 or 9 yrs old daugther of the man who Cran Hill Ranch (the camp I went to this weekend)had named their triatholon after in order to honor his name and memory. Tim Stersic had run this race for the last seveal years with great seriousness. He swam, biked, and ran with all intention of winning. I believe last year he did win (or at least came in second) and then two weeks after running this race, Tim unexpectedly finished his REAL race and was taken home to be with his Creator, Father, and Friend. He, like Paul would be able to say,
"I have fought the good fight, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7
What was it about Cassie, Tim's daughter, crossing the finish line that brought everyone to tears? I can't neccessarily speak for everyone else but for myself it was her shirt. She wore this shirt that had printed on the back "Tim Stersic" and on the front of the shirt, the part we all saw as she crossed the finish line just under one year after her daddy was taken from her, was printed, "RUNNING FOR DADDY."
I can't get those words out of my mind.
As I watched her cross the finish line I felt very mixed emotions. I felt incredibly sad over her loss and an intense hatred for death. I also felt incredibly inspired. I wanted to be like her. I wanted a shirt like hers. I believe her shirt whispered our mission as believers.
Tim was her daddy, her "Abba". She knew him intimately. She knew that he loved her deeply. She experienced him on a daily basis as he "fathered" her, providing for her needs, teaching and training her, loving her. And now, having loved him as her father she was running her race to honor his name.
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 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. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
As Cassie ran, carrying around in her body the death of her father, something happened in my spirit. I found life at work in me. I found myself inspired to run my life race for the honor of my "Daddy." Cassie knew her father loved to run, so she ran to honor his name. We know that our "Father" loves to LOVE, so we LOVE to honor his name.
Scripture is clear and full of truths that speak of this as our very mission in life- to run for the sake of His name, His glory, His honor. "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." As we carry around in our bodies the death of Jesus, all he went through out of love for us, all he has done to provide for us and to teach us,the hope he has set before us, may we be infused with a passion to make him known and bring honor to his name.
May we all know God and Jesus as "Abba". May we all run our race (live our life) "for our daddy"...to honor him and his name. As the world watches, and sees us cross our finish line someday still wearing our "shirt" may they be moved to tears and be full of desire to know this One we run for.
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame...." Hebrews 12:1 & 2
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in he games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly....." 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link
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