The "E" in adorE

The "E" in adorE:     Jesus, I adorE you...I like you sooooo much .......because you ENABLE us and you have a power that ENABLES you.  You "supply us with the means, knowledge, or opportunity to be or do something. You make feasible or possible"        " Praise be to the Lord, the God of Isreal, because he has come and has redeemed his people.......to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to ENABLE us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." Luke 1:68 & 74-75         " But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that ENABLES him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."  Phillipians 3:20-21     I adorE you, I am incredibly fond of you because you hate EVIL. You hate "anything that is undesirable because of its injurious effects; what causes an undesirable condition, ruin, injury, pain, harmful ...that which is destructive."    " "To fear the LORD is to hate EVIL." Prov. 8;13   "Your eyes are too pure to look on EVIL." Habakkuk 1:3     You are the ONE I adorE, Jesus, becasue you are an EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE.   " God is our refuge and strength, and EVER-PRESENT help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with surgin. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where Most High dwells. ....Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us." Psalm 46:   Merry Christmas eve. "O come let us A-D-O-R-E him." Let us be profoundly impacted and in love with Jesus. Let us like him soooo much and be used in helping others come to adore him as well. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy lInk "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 & 26

The "R" in adoRe

The "R" in AdoRe:   1. Jesus I adoRe you because you are the RADIANCE of God's glory and the exact REPRESENTATION  of his being.   "In the past God spoke to our forefathes through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the RADIANCE of God's glory and the EXACT REPRESENTATION of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Hebrews 1:1-3     2. I adoRe you, Jesus, because you gave your life as a RANSOM (the price or payment demanded or paid...a redemption from sin and its consequences.......to obtain the release of a person by paying a certain price)   "..the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a RANSOM for many." Matthew 20:28   "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a RANSOM for all men." 1 Timothy 2:5    3. I adoRe you, Jesus, because you are REAL!!!   "For my flesh is REAL FOOD and my body is REAL drink."  John 6:55   4. Jesus, I adoRe you because you have RECONCILED me.   "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies we were RECONCILED to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having een RECONCILED, shall we be saved through his life." Romans 5:8-10   "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who RECONCILED us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of RECONCILIATION: that God was RECONCILING the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. ...We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be RECONCILED to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:17-21   5. I adoRe you, because you REDEEM, you are a REFUGE, you REIGN, you RENEW, you are the RESURRECTION, you REWARD, you are RIGHTEOUS, you RESCUE, you are a ROCK, you are ROYAL, etc................ and on and on and on......You are worthy of all our RESPECT and REVERENCE.   Blessings from Bombadil. May we REFLECT on some 'R' REASONS to adoRe him today. Kristy "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 & 26

The "O" in adOre

The "O" in A-D-O-R-E......................   I AdOre you Jesus because you are the "One and Only."   "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the ONE and ONLY, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14   "Noone has ever seen God, but God the ONE and ONLY, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." John 1:18   "Now this is eternal life: the they may know you, the ONLY true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3   "To him who is ABLE to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the ONLY God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Jude : 24 & 25   "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the ONE whom God appointed as judge of the living and dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:43     I adOre you Jesus because you OVERWHELMED the people you encountered with amazement and wonder:   "People were OVERWHELMED WITH AMAZEMENT. 'He has done everything well, they said. ' He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak." Mark 7:37   "When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw JESUS, they were OVERWHELMED WITH WONDER and ran to greet him.' Mark 9:14 & 15   I adOre you Jesus because you are OMNICIENT, OMNIPRESENT, and OMNIPOTENT:   OMNISCIENT-  having total knowledge; knowing everything   "Nothing in ALL of creation is hidden from God's sight." Hebrews 4:12       OMNIPOTENT- Having unlimited or universal power, authority or force.   "Is ANYTHING too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18: 14     OMNIPRESENCE- the fact of being present ........everywhere.   "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there;. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the se, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast..." Psalm 139:7-10     As a woman, would you rather have your lover simply tell you he "adores" you or be specific about the reasons why he adores you? May we adore our "Lover" the way we (I'm sure not ALL of you prefer this, ...but I sure do) desire to be adored..........very specific and detailed. As you sing, "O come let us ADORE him" this Christmas, may these words and reasons for adoration come to your mind. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link     "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 & 26

A lONG blog on reasons to ADORE Jesus.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is, "Oh come let us ADORE Him."  I believe that is what christmas is really about. However, it takes THINKING ABOUT HIM, knowing him, remembering experiences with him  and how he is revealed through Scripture to REALLY do that. So this week before Christmas, I am filling my own mind with reasons to ADORE him through taking each letter of the word A-D-O-R-E each day of this week and finding reasons to adore him.  I thought I'd share what I'm meditating on with you. I want my own soul to TRULY/SINCERELY adore him this season.  Since I was out of town yesterday, I'm going to double up and look at A and D.   1.  He is ABLE.           "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is ABLE to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he doesn't, we want you to know, O king, that we will NOT serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18            "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is ABLE to make him stand." Romans 14:4           " And God is ABLE to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8             "Now to Him who is ABLE to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to HIM be glory in the church....." Ephesians 3:20                "Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is ABLE to save completey those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:24-25    2. He is ABOUNDING (  to be filled and overflowing with) in love.                "The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, ABOUNDING in love and faithfulness, maintining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6                " You are forgiving and good, O Lord, ABOUNDING in love to all who call to you." Psalm 86:5     3. He is ALMIGHTY ( all powerful, omnipotent, having unlimited power & authority)           " I am God ALMIGHTY; walk before me and be blameless." Genesis 17:1           " Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe  the limits of the ALMIGHTY? They are higher than the heavens - what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave- what can you know?" Job 11:7-8           " Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD ALMIGHTY; the whole earth is full of his glory."  Isaiah 6:3     4. He is AWESOME ( inspiring awe...an emotion of mingled reverence, dread, & wonder inspired by something majestic. Respect tingled with fear for authority)          " Who among the gods is like you, O LORD?  Who is like you- majestic in holiness, AWESOME in glory, working wonders?" Exodus 15:13           " Do not be terrrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and AWESOME God.' Deuteronomy 7:21            " For the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and AWESOME, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."  Deuteronomy 10:17 & 18            " How AWESOME is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth."  Psalm 47:2       And now for the "D"   1. He is our DEFENDER ( makes us safe from danger or attack. Protects us from danger or harm; shields & guards)              " The people of Isreal are oppressed, and the people of Judah as well. All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go. Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously DEFEND their casue so that he may bring rest to their land." Jeremiah 50:34                " My dear children, I write this to you so 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     2. He DIED for me/us             " Very rarely will anyone DIE for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own LOVE for US in this: While we were still sinners, Christ DIED for us" Romans 5:7-8              " For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ DIED for OUR sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living...." 1 Corinthians 15:3-6                "He DIED for US SO THAT, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him." 1 Thessalonians 5:10     3. He will DELIGHT in me/us/those who draw near to him and love him                  "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take GREAT DELIGHT IN YOU, he will quiet YOU with his LOVE, he will REJOICE over YOU with singing." Zephaniah 3:17   4. He DELIVERS (releases/rescues from bondage, danger,or evil of any kind; sets free)me/us             " Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But his happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has DELIEVERED us from such deadly peril, and he will DELIVER us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to DELIVER US, as you help us by your prayers." 2 Corinthians 1:9-11               "But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Arise, O LORD! DELIVER me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes DELIVERENCE."  Psalm 3:3-8                " O Sovereign LORD, my STRONG DELIVERER. who shields my head in the day of battle.' Psalm 140:7             Now, may we add our own personal experiences and testimonies to these truths making them REAL and INTIMATE.........the stuff deep love and adoration is made of. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link                       " "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 & 26

Adore Him!

" O come let us ADORE him...."   Adore- to love deeply; to like very much; to worship and revere     May we ADORE him very much today. May we delight in Him all day and all that he is. May we train our minds to think about HIM sooooo much more than we think about ourselves. Our souls will be happier and more peacful if we do. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy link   "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 & 26

Quick to listen

Yesterday, while running on the treadmill at the YMCA, a friend came and ran next to me.  We were chit-chatting away until I finally got to the place where I really couldn't talk much more. I finally had to say, " I can still listen but I won't be able to chat for a few." I immediately thought:   Listening is better anyways according to James 1:19 & 20     "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires......."   Later last night, I needed the last part of this truth as I'm always more tired at the end of the day when my children seem to be more wired. I get tired..........they get wired. Ahhhhhhhhh!  It is a great temptation for me to get angry at them in the evening and I need these words constantly being whispered in my ear. May these words of God direct our steps and behavior today to the Glory of God. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy   "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 & 26

INVISIBLE

During this season of Invisible to the eye but incredibly REAL germs causing the flu, may we remember the INVISIBLE BUT INCREDILBLY REAL GOD:     "He is the image of the INVISIBLE GOD..." Colossians 1:15    "By faith, Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because HE SAW HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE." Hebrews 11: 27    "But when you pray , go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is UNSEEN (invisible)." Matthew 6:6   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link   p.s if you have young boys you might want to pass along these verses to them because they lOVE invisible super heroes.  And our God is the SUPEREST OF SUPER HEROES!     "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 & 26

The Voice of the Martyrs

This morning I spent my time reading one of the most disturbing, challenging, inspiring magazines/ newsltters out there (in my opinion), It's called "The Voice of the Martyrs." Everytime I read it my  soul is disturbed & inspired for the rest of the day.........sometimes week. It's a very small magazine (if you can even call it that) that shares how our fellow Christians/believers are being persecuted around the world simply for believing and gathering together to worship Jesus.  There is soooooo much persecution and torture going on across the ocean for so many people who choose to follow Jesus and not deny his name. Churches and homes are being burnt down, guns & machetes being used, fathers, mothers and children being killed simply for believing that Jesus is the way to God.         We are so "safe" here in America (at least at this time). We can gather, share our faith, and believe in Jesus with no real fear of being persecuted or tortured. May we NEVER take that for granted. That is NOT the case for soooooo many of our brothers and sisters around the world.   Their committment to not denying his name and sharing about him with others knowing that it might very well mean death for them inspires me to be faithful. The verse that Voice of the Martyrs has adopted as their mission verse is Hebrews 13: 3. ' I'll share Hebrews 1-6 simply to get a little more of God's words in our hearts today:     "Keep on LOVING each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. REMEMBER THOSE IN PRISON, AS IF YOU WERE THEIR FELLOW PRISONERS, AND THOSE WHO ARE MISTREATED AS IF YOU YOURSELVES WERE SUFFERING. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral . Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,   'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'   So we say with CONFIDENCE,   'The Lord is my helper; I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"   May  we hold to the name of Jesus .............no matter what!!!! Just like our fellow believers across the ocean. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link   p.s if you'd like to order this newsletter and be disturbed and inspired with these true stories happening today, you can do that by contacting The Voice of the Martyrs at:   1-800-747-0085   or   e-mail: thevoice@vom-usa.org   website: www.persecution.com "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 & 26

Mom Monday

"But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers/sisters, LOVED BY THE LORD because from the BEGINNING God CHOSE YOU to be SAVED through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through BELIEF IN THE TRUTH. He called YOU to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers/sisters, STAND FIRM and HOLD TO THE TEACHINGS we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who LOVED US and by his grace gave us ETERNAL ENCOURAGEMENT and GOOD HOPE, encourage YOUR HEARTS and STRENGTHEN you in every good deed and word...................... May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.......and as for you brothers/SISTERS, NEVER TIRE OF DOING WHAT IS RIGHT." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 3:5, and 3:13     As we mother our children today may we think about how much God loves us and them and may we think about How Jesus persevered and "for the joy set before him endured the cross." Keep the joy set before you of reaping a harvest someday of all you have poured into your children.  May we "never tire of doing what is right." Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, help us God. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link "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 & 26

Made for interacting........with God

As I was sitting here at my computer this morning and my 12 year old son was sitting out on our front steps waiting for his bus to come, he popped his head back in the door to say,   " I think it's cool that the FIRST day of snow is on the FIRST day of December."     I agreed with him and he went back out to continue waiting for his bus.   As soon as the door shut I said to God, "I LOVED that! I LOVED that he just told me that. Why did I love that???"     I belive the answer lies simply in this...........Life is about relationships.  Relationships with each other and more importantly, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   In James 5:13 it says;   " Is any one of you in trouble? He should PRAY. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of PRAISE.  Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to PRAY over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord....."   I wonder if God himself, the Creator of the Universe, feels touched and thinks, "I LOVE that my child just shared a thought he had, a piece of himself, with me. I LOVE when my child RELATES ( has  a connection with; interacts in a meaningful fashion) WITH ME."   Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............I'm sure He does. The Bible is full of Him compelling us, drawing us into RELATIONSHIP with him. That is actully WHY we were made:   "All things were made by Him and FOR HIM." Colossians 1:16    How fun it is to think about touching the heart of God with our relating/sharing/praying/ drawing near to him.   Until the day we meet Him face to face to see all that really went on when we interacted with him here on earth, may we pray when we are in trouble, may we sing to him when we are happy, may we pray to him with others when we are sick, and may we touch the heart of God just like my son touched my heart this morning with such a simple little interaction. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link   ."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 & 26

Mom Monday

How about I encourage you with what encouraged me last night.          Last night, the Link 7 gathered in our living room around our Christmas tree and fire in the fireplace and listened to the 'Family" stories offered on the radio, 91.3 (Wcsg) every Sunday night  from 7:30- 9pm.  They call it "Family Night" radio and play a bunch of different fun stories that pour a little of God's words into the souls of our precious children (and ourselves as well). The one that ministered to me most last night was one about the long car ride to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving.  It was the kind of car ride that included lots of sibling bickering, annoyances and that wonderful whining and complaining with phrases like, "I'm hungry," "Mooooommmmmmmmmm (in that very distinct sing-songy  voice/tone)...............he touched me", "How much longer?...Are we almost there???". If any of you have or have had older children that can speak and have more than one,  I am sure you know what I am speaking of.  At one point in the program Rob, my husband, and I looked at each other as if to communicate "Did they use OUR children for this broadcast?"   It sounded oh soooo familiar.   At the end of the very loooong, 9 hour car ride for this family, while everyone else was annoyed and unthankful, one of the children in the show articulated that he was soooo thankful for the car ride because it was the only time they could all be together where no one could go anywhere else or do anything else.   As you mother your PRECIOUS children, KNOW that whatever you are going through, EVERY OTHER MOTHER has gone through it as well. Sometimes it is easy to feel like you are all alone and you are the worst mom in the whole world because your children are whining and complaining and bickering, etc.......... May we certainly do all we can do to continue to help our children become delightful, thankful, kind and peaceful children through our training, prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit.   However, may  we also accept that we are NOT the worst parents because our children still aren't perfect and may we focus on all the reasons we have to be thankful rather than on all the annoyances in life.   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link     "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 & 26

Happy Thanksgiving!

May we be the most thankful women!!!   It's a TERRIBLE thing to be "ungrateful."   " There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be .....................UNGRATEFUL............." 2  Timothy 3: 2   Ungrateful- 1. Without a feeling or expression of gratitude, thanks or appreciation.     During this Thanksgiving season, may our minds be FULL & OVERFLOWING with thankfulness and EXPRESSIONS of appreciation....to:                                                                          * Our God                                                                          * Our parents & parents-in-law                                                                          * Our children                                                                          * Our husbands                                                                          *Our friends                                                                          *Our children's teachers                                                                          * Our Pastors/teachers                                                                          * Our mailmen                                                                          * etc....(every soul you meet)   May we be soo busy being Thankful for all we have that there is not room for negativity and ungratefulness.  Happy Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for all of you women who are hungry for more of Him. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link

Be on your guard!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired of my people being brought down. May these words sink deep and produce in us women who believe a FIGHTING (not with weapons of the world, but weapons of truth) SPIRIT:   "BE ON YOUR GUARD; stand firm in the faith; be men/women of courage; be strong. Do everything in LOVE.' 1 Corinthians 16:13     There are forces and things in this world that want to destroy us. May we be on our guard- For the sake of His name. For the sake of our own soul's peace and joy. For the sake of our families. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link "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 & 26

Mom Monday...."He doesn't grow tired.."

Being a mom has certainly revealed 2 things about myself and motherhood:            1. I get tired. Mothering can be exhausting. I find myself falling asleep many (if not most) nights while I am tucking my children in bed. What could be a half hour routine becomes a few hours because I fall asleep in almost every child's room. I have frustrated them on more than one occasion as I try to read them a bedtime story and fall asleep while reading only to wake up to being gently hit on the arm and told to "wake up."              2. I am in great need of wisdom and understanding. Ahhhhhhhhhh! Not a day goes by that I'm not calling out to God for help in understanding what my children need from me  or how I should interact with them that would most reveal God and his wisdom. Right now I have an almost teenager...do I need to say much more???   I take great comfort in this truth found in Isaiah 40:28 & 29   "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. HE WILL NOT GROW TIRED OR WEARY, AND HIS UNDERSTANDING NO ONE CAN FATHOM. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."   As a mom, on those days when you feel exhausted or very unwise/fooish/ignorant/etc.... (which for me is actually almost every day), may we take comfort knowing that there is a real God out there who does not get tired and who has all the understanding you need. You/we aren't doing this parenting thing alone. God says that he helps us:   "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,for I am your God. I will strengthen you and HELP YOU; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10    and   "Even to your old age and gray hairs (which are unfortunately appearing more and more) I am he, I am he WHO WILL SUSTAIN YOU. I HAVE MADE YOU AND I WILL CARRY YOU; I WILL SUSTAIN YOU AND I WILL RESCUE YOU."  Isaiah 46:4   Call on Him. Draw near to him. Wait for him. Trust him. Be alert to him. Worship and adore him. Thank him. Wrestle with him ("I will not let you go unless you bless me." Genesis 32:26) Love him. Obey him.   May we adore the One ( & only) today, who doesn't grow weary and whose understanding we can't fathom. When (not "if" ) we are exhausted, say to him, "I'm soooo glad that YOU don't get tired, God. I'm so glad I am not in this journey of raising this child/these children all alone. Thank you that you will sustain me one day at a time."   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link "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 & 26

Isaiah 42

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I willl put MY SPIRIT on him and he will bring justice to the nations . He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; HE WILL NOT FALTER OR BE DISCOURAGED TILL HE ESTABLISHES JUSTICE ON EARTH.   This is what God the Lord says- he who CREATED THE HEAVENS and stretched them out, who spread out the earth AND ALL THAT COMES OUT OF IT, who gives BREATH TO ITS PEOPLE, and life to those who walk on it;............................   I the lord have called you in righteousness; I will TAKE HOLD OF YOUR HAND. I WILL KEEP YOU AND WILL MAKE YOU to be a covenant for the people and a LIGHT for the Gentiles, to OPEN EYES THAT ARE BLIND, TO FREE CAPTIVES FROM PRISON AND TO RELEASE FROM THE DUNGEON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS.   I am the LORD; THAT IS MY NAME! I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY TO ANOTHER OR MY PRAISE TO IDOLS..."   Isaiah 42:3-8     Meditate on all these words. Blessings from Bombadil. Remember....we are alive today because He has chosen to continue to give us breath and life. We are alive for a reason today. Kristy "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 & 26

"You promised!"

Have you ever heard these words ( or said these words) from/to your children, a friend or anyone else in your life:   "You promised!!!" or "You said................"   I heard those words come out of one of my daughter's mouths the other day and I was immediately reminded that I too, can say that to God as his daughter.   "But God, you promised!!!" and according to Hebrews 6:18 , "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE."   "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he PROMISE and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19   Do you know what God promises????? You/we just might want to spend some time in his word finding out just what he promises. Then, as his daughters, you/we might want to very respectfully remind him and ourselves that "He promised..."   I know one thing He promised that I'm holding out for today. He said in John 14:21,   "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and SHOW MYSELF TO HIM."   My prayer:   "Show yourself to me today, Jesus! I want to see you! You Promised! You said that if I have your commands and I obey them that I love you." And you said, "Whoever loves you will be loved by God and you and that YOU WILL SHOW YOURSELF."  I want to see you today. I want to experience and know your reality in a fresh, tangible way TODAY. Open my eyes, whisper to my spirit, reveal your most AWESOME self to me today in a way that is undeniably YOU. You don't promise and then not fulfill. That's not the kind of God you are."   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link   "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 & 26

"Proper time and procedure"

Let this truth guide you in all of your ways today:     "There is a PROPER TIME and PROCEDURE for EVERY matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him." Ecc. 8:6   However this applies to your situation today............apply it!!! There is a right time, a proper time for what you long for. There is a right way of effecting something, right steps and course of action. Though your misery (prolonged or extreme suffering; a state of great mental, emotional, or physical suffering) may weigh HEAVILY upon you.............hang in there!!!!  Wait for God's perfect timing. Do life His way.............pray, wait, pray some more, wait some more, trust him to give you the best in his time and in his way. Don't take matters into your own hands because you want "IT" and you want "IT" NOW!!!!!! He wants what is best for you.........and for your people around you.................WAIT for that "proper time................WAIT for that PROPER PROCEDURE................despite the suffering you are going through right now...............it you walk close with your God, trusting him to provide and make things happen...........you will be RICHLY REWARDED!!!!!!!  And you will KNOW when it's the right time and way...........it will be HIS doing, not your own. It will b epeaceful, much easier than forcing something to happen, it will be right ..........and you will KNOW it deep in your soul.  May your life on this earth be RICH, ABUNDANT, AND FULL............because you trusted that his words are true and you  waited for "the proper time and procedure thought your misery weighed heavily upon you."   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy LInk "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 & 26

Mom Monday

Happy Mom Monday....................If I may pass along a favorite quote of mine that applies to all things in life, especially mothering.   " We are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ORDINARAY (dishes, laundry, cooking, etc...........) things with EXTRAORDINARY LOVE." - Jean Vanier     May you do many of your ordinary things today with deep, sincere, joyful, extraordinary, God-given LOVE.  Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy "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 & 26

More feathers

I had a little bit of a difficult night the other night. A conversation that needed to happen, perhaps some truth that needed to be spoken. The details aren't important. As I lay there crying, my soul was screaming to God, "I love you! I want to honor you and please you with my life. I cannot wait to see you as you REALLY are...I long to know all that is right and true....I LONG for you God."  Then I fell asleep.       The next morning I came to my computer, as I do every morning, and there, just underneath the screen and above the keyboard was a little white feather. How it got in that specific spot where I go every morning, I have  no idea. Where it came from....Who really knows?? All I know is the night before my soul was SCREAMING for God, and the next morning I find a little white feather seemingly appearing out of NOWHERE.    Now, let me remind US of these words:   "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." ...He will cover you with his FEATHERS, and under his wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:1   I know I've written about this before. I'm only seeking to give a testimony/witness of my life experience.   I cannot prove a thing (although I do have the feather taped in my journal), I only know there is reason in Scripture to believe this feather may be a gift from God and it sure makes my soul SOAR WITH JOY to believe that TRULY He is surroundeing me and covering me with his feathers.???????   "You will seek me and FIND ME when you seek me with ALL YOUR HEART."   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link     "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 & 26

May the Message ring out from us....

"The Lord's MESSAGE rang out from YOU not only in Macedoinai and Achaia- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS to serve the LIVING and TRUE GOD, and to WAIT FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN, whom he raised from the dead- JESUS, who RESCUES us from the COMING WRATH." 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10   May his message ring out from us and may our faith in the living and true God become known everywhere we go. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link "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 & 26

A friend's story

I have a dear friend who has made the choice to believe in and follow Jesus. Over the years God has continued to reveal Himself to her in so many ways. Just recently, she had deeply desired to live in a house on a very specific street in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has lived in apartments for years and was really desiring an actual house for her and her children. There was one particuar street that was close to her daughter's day care and her boys school so, knowing that she can go to her heavenly Father about ANYTHING and simply lay her requests at his feet, she began asking him to provide a house for her on this  very specific street.  I am not sure how many streets there are in Kalamazoo, but I do know there are A LOT.  Understand then, that this is a pretty BIG ask.        A few weeks after bringing this request to Him again and again, a woman that both my friend and her mom know, crossed paths with my friend's mom at a local store.  This woman who "just happened" to be at the same place at the same time as my friend's mom, and who "Just happened" to live on that VERY SPECIFIC street that my friend had been asking God for, "just happened" to have a house on that street that she "just happened" to decide to rent, and "just happened" to ask my friend's mom if she might know anyone who would want to rent a house on that VERY SPECIFIC STREET THAT MY FRIEND HAD BEEN PRAYING FOR.   Are you kidding me??? There is ABSOLUTELY NO "JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!"   This is the Ruler of all Creation, The One who "every bird belongs to," the One who says, "call on me and I will answer you," the One who SEES my friend and LOVES my friend, the One whom "Nothing is too hard/impossible for"....this is GOD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH who says;   " 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   May this story of my friend's experience with answered prayer remind you that we are called into the most amazing and greatest RELATIONSHIP ever. May this remind you that once we have said "Yes" to Him and have received his gift of  forgiveness for our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus that we can come to him about anything. He is  REAL. He is ALIVE. He is our Father in heaven and loves to bless those who call on his name. As you pray, as he answers your prayers and you personally experience him and come to a deep belief that he REALLY SEES YOU AND CARES, may you fall DEEPLY in LOVE with Jesus that only grows deeper and deeper each new day. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link     "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 & 26

Mom Monday

Hey guys. Sorry for the lack of e-mails last week but I was using my early morning times to pray for and prepare for our Women's retreat at the River this past weekend.  We had an awesome time as we spent time together pursuing the topic of "Messages."   So, as I wish you a happy "Mom Monday" I thought I'd continue on in this "Messages" theme as it relates to being a mom.   God's word says to "Watch your life and your doctrine (the principles presented for belief..what you believe to be true) CLOSELY." 1 Timothy 4:16   When you take inventory of your life as a mom and what messages you are sending to your children, what beliefs you are passing on through your actions, what is it that your children are hearing through your life?   What messages SHOULD we as women who love Jesus be sending to our children through our words & actions?           1. You are DEARLY loved soooo I will be kind, patient, unselfish, not easily angered with you.       2. I love God/Jesus and His words more than anything else.       3. I love your daddy very much       4. After God and your daddy, YOU are my # 1 priority       5.You are sooo special and I do NOT compare you to your siblings or anyone else       6. I trust God & won't will not allow anxiety or worry to rule me.       7. I want to provide for you but I do NOT want to spoil you.      8. Other people matter VERY MUCH!      9. I am trying to do myself, what I am asking you to do.     10. I fail often and am in need of mercy just like you.     etc, etc, etc,............there are so many messages we are passing on (or NOT passing on)  all throughout the day depending on what we say or don't say, do or don't do. May we watch our lives carefully to make sure we are sending the messages we want to send. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link       "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 & 26

Esteemed by the Father

I went to a sports "banquet" for one of my children this week. Receiving a reward or recognition for a job well done can be fun, HOWEVER, that still leaves me feeling a little empty. It's NOT about us  (or our children) doing things well so WE receive the glory. It's all about HIM.   "HIS PLEASURE is NOT in the STRENGTH of the horse, nor his DELIGHT in the LEGS OF MAN; the LORD DELIGHTS in those who ( who what? Do what?  What does the Lord delight in?) FEAR HIM, who PUT THEIR HOPE IN HIS UNFAILING LOVE." Psalms 147:10 & 11   "Let NOT the WISE man boast of his WISDOM or the STRONG man boast of his STRENGTH or the RICH man boast of his RICHES, but let him who boasts boast about this: That he UNDERSTANDS and KNOWS (what? understands and knows what? who?) ..ME, that I am the LORD, who exercises KINDNESS, JUSTICE, and RIGHTEOUSNESS on earth, for in THESE I DELIGHT," delcares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:23 & 24   "This is the one I ESTEEM: He who is HUMBLE and CONTRITE IN SPIRIT, and TREMBLES AT MY WORD."  Isaiah 66:2     "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of WHAT HE HAS AND DOES- comes NOT from the FATHER but from the world. The world and its desires PASS AWAY but the man who DOES THE WILL OF GOD lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17   May we, and our children, seek recognition from the Father. May we seek to be esteemed, delighted in by HIM. May we fear him, put our hope in HIS unfailing love, boast about understanding and knowing him, may we be humble, contrite in spirit and tremble at his word, and may we do His will.  It is HIS opinion of us and delight in us that REALLY matters. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy     "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 & 26

He KNOWS what you NEED.

"Your Father KNOWS what YOU NEED BEFORE you ask him." Matthew 6:8   Say this to God today:   "You know what I need today." You know what is NECESSARY  for me to live, REALLY LIVE, today. You are very aware of what you desire to do in me today. You Know where there is POVERTY in my soul and what will bring TRUE RICHES.     I am NOT ALONE in this world. YOU, THE LIVING GOD, see me and know what I NEED... You have gone BEFORE me today. Open my eyes to see YOU and how you are providing for me today.     Thank you! Thank you for knowing what I REALLY NEED. I hardly know what I need myself. Thank you for KNOWING. " AMEN!   Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link "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 & 26

A photo shoot

We had a Link family photo shoot last night  here at "Bombadil" with an amazing photographer, Brian Wolfe. We had soooo much fun capturing each of our children doing what they LOVE to do at our home.   We got some great shots of Jake playing hoops, Max jumping on the trampoline, Zeke climbing a tree with his beloved monkey, Reese swinging on the "monkey bars", and Elyse cuddling with her favorite blanket while playing the harmonica ( a girl after my own heart) on the hammock.  Of course, Rob and I  had to get our photos taken too doing one of our favorite things: hugging and smooching under the arbor (ooooohhhhhhh.....actually, we both felt a little uncomfortable and like to save our smooching and hugging for more private places than under the arbor in front of our house). My husband, who actually HATES getting his pictures taken mentioned after all was said and done, that it was a GREAT evening.  When I asked what the difference was between having Brian come to our home and take pictures this way vs. going to "Sears" or somewhere else  he said,     " Brian didn't force us to look a certain way. He let us and our children be ourselves and simply do what we love to do."   Before the photo shoot, I read this verse to my children:   " Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth- everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for MY GLORY, whom I formed and made." Isaiah 43:6 & 7   I wanted to make sure my children knew that this photo taking session isn't about us, but about bringing God glory through our lives and who he made us to be.   Oh, how it brings God glory when we are who he made us to be, not something we are "forced" to be, something unnatural.   I couldn't help but worship God as I saw each of our children, soooooo different, so unique, having freedom to do what they love to do.   What kind of God comes up with a way to make billions of people, all with a different fingerprint, with different likes and interests, and yet all a part of a family, a small group, where they are all "One," belonging to the other members.   May you do what you love to do and do it with all your heart. You bring God glory by being YOU! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link     "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 & 26

Praise his name!

I went to a shower this weekend for a friend who DEEPLY desired to have a baby but was unable to get pregant for almost 5 years.  After 5 years of longing, waiting, praying, crying, believing, more waiting, wondering, hoping, more believing, etc...............she is expecting and the joy is deep.   "A longing fulfilled is SWEET to the soul." Prov. 13:19   "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children." Psalm  113:9   Listen to the rest of that chapter:   "Praise the Lord. Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory is above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. He settles the barren woman in her home, as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord."     If you are in the middle of waiting for something as a mom (or not as a mom) ...........hang in there. Keep praying, keep seeking, keep believing. His name is to be praised. Praise his name today from the rising of the sun until it goes down. Teach your children to do the same.  He is at work. He is the God of perfect timing. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy "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 & 26

An unopened love letter

I LOVE my children soooooooo much! I love to write them little notes to express that love, to encourage their souls, to offer them some words of wisdom and counsel. I pour all of me into these little notes, thinking very carefully about what it is that my children need to hear. I know and believe that words are POWERFUL.  I know that Jesus says:   "The WORDS I have spoken to you are spirit and they are LIFE." John 6:63 His words bring LIFE and as a mom I want nothing more than for my children to have REAL, DEEP, LIFE.   So, when I went into one of my children's rooms the other day and found one of the notes I had recently written which contained much LIFE for this child's soul, UNOPENED,...... I sighed involuntarily. My heart GROANED. I thought to myself,   "Ohhhhhhh, WHY did this precious child NOT read my words. All that time, thought , and LIFE I poured into this note only to find it sitting on this desk..........almost a week later..........unopened."   I Immediately said to God, "I get it, God. Oh how it must grieve your heart when we don't open your 'LETTER.' So much time, thought, wisdom, sacrifice, truth, hope, encouragement, counsel, and LIFE offered to us and yet for whatever reason, we treat your letter carelessly, missing out on soooooo much goodness for our souls."   PLEASE...........Don't let His "LETTER" sit unopened on your desk. READ IT! It is a LOVE LETTER. Your Father in heaven has something to say to you today. He knows exactly what words you need today. Whether they are words of correction (which is LOVE) or encouragement, He has words for you. He will not force you to read his words, but I can assure you and know with all my heart that God DEEPLY DESIRES you to read them. He loves you WAY MORE than I love my children. I know how grieved my heart was when I saw my  life-giving note unopened. How much more would the heart of "LOVE" and "LIGHT" be grieved  when we don't read and take to heart his words.   " Man does not live on bread alone but on EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God." Deuteronomy 8:3   "How does a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your WORD. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your WORD in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be toyou, O Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I WILL NOT NEGLECT YOUR WORD." Psalm 119: 9- 16   "Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you RICHLYL." Colossians 3:16   "For the WORD OF GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12   "Take to heart all the WORDS I have solemnly declared to you this day, SO THAT you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are NOT JUST IDLE WORDS for you- they are your LIFE." Deuteronomy 32:46-47   "FIX THESE WORDS OF MINE IN YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on your doorframes of your houses and on your gates, SO THAT your days  and the days of your children may be many..........." Deuteronomy 11:18- 21   Blessings from Bombadil...........home of an unopened love letter, sitting on desk SCREAMING to be opened so that a precious soul can have LIFE!!!!! Kristy Joy LInk "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 & 26

Misrepresenting the King

Did you know that you can study God's word, really love God and Jesus, think that you know Him and still speak wrongly of him or misrepresent him???      In the book of Job, Job falls into some extremely difficult times and so 3 of his friends go and sympathize with him and comfort him. They stayed with him for 7 days and didn't say ANYTHING (that's amazing in my opinion).  They just sat with him and mourned with him. After the 7 days, ...they spoke.  They each knew God's words. They each THOUGHT they were speaking truth. In the end of the chapter, God says,   " I am ANGRY with you and your two friends BECAUSE you have NOT spoken of me what is right." ........My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your FOLLY. You have not spoken of me what is right...." Job 42:7 & 8     Ahhhhhhhh! I think I did this a few weeks ago. I am finding myself crying out to God saying,   "Oh God.........PLEASE don't let me misrepresent you. You are sooooo good and do everything right.  PLEASE forgive me where I have lacked wisdom and knowledge and been a fool"   May we continue to press on to know him, to know his words and his HEART, to know how he would respond to each person in each situation.   His word says,   "It is not good to have ZEAL without knowledge." Prov. 19:2 and "I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge." Romans 10: 2   May we be extremely careful how we represent the King...Our King. When we fail and perhaps speak of him wrongly, may we acknowledge our "folly" and seek forgiveness and continue to grow in more and more wisdom and knowledge. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link       "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 & 26

Mom Monday!

Yesterday, I ran the G.R. half marathon with some friends. Every time I run a race, one of my favorite parts is running through the areas where a water station is set up, loud music is blaring, and people are everywhere cheering us on. Running the race gets tiring.There are times I think "Why am I doing this?" There are times I am sooo tired and I really want to quit.There are times that I am simply persevering and trying to focus on crossing the finish line. I will be really low on energy and then I will go through those stations where people are yelling, "You can do this!" "Your'e almost there." "Come on...hang in there ...your'e looking good." All of a sudden, I have a little more energy. I'm encouraged and have a little bit more strength to keep going. Then I think to myself, "This is JUST a race. It's JUST a run. It really has no meaningful significance. Look at all these people who come out here to encourage and support all these runners."      I wonder how we/I  are/am doing in encouraging and supporting people in the race of REAL LIFE. Life gets tiring. Moms get tired and think "What did I get myself into?" Maybe you are at that place in life as a mom where you are low in energy, want to quit, are simply persevering, and are in desperate need of some encouragement as a mom.  Well, allow me a moment to be your "water station, cheering section, and music blaring."   Did you know the Bible compares life to a race; Here is some water for your soul:   "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and 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, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4   "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 the 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 I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27   "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 & 8    Here is some encouragement:   "Come on moms! You can do this! God is with you and loves your children more than you do."   "This time goes fast! Make the most of pouring into those precious souls. This is your window of opportunity!!!"   "You are making a HUGE difference in the lives of your children."   "Life is about LOVING GOD AND LOVING PEOPLE.  God desires you to LOVE HIM by LOVING your husband (His boy) and your children well. You are not 'JUST"  a mom...................you are GOD's hands and feet"   "You are AWESOME and have an AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY! YOU CAN DO THIS!"   "The finish line is coming, and you don't know when...run in such a way to win the prize.'     If I could play you some music, I would play you the song..........Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... "ALL YOU MAMMA LADIES, ALL YOU MAMMA LADIES..."   Run this race of motherhood and passing on the FAITH to your children STRONG!!!! YOU CAN DO IT! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link       "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 & 26

Bewilderment from Bombadil

I have been CAPTIVATED by the rescue mission of the Chilean miners. All the time, all the money, all the people waiting, praying, hoping, and all the tears and celebration of them being rescued is BEAUTIFUL...................and convicting. I am finding myself really wrestling with this:   "Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell...." Matthew 10: 28   "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life..." John 5: 24   So much given to rescue 33 bodies of men and rightly so. It is beautiful! But oh, if it is the soul that is eternal, I am asking myself, how much am I willing to give to rescue the souls of men. And I am saying, "Kristy, do you really believe what you say you believe???"   Bewilderment from Bombadil.............Kristy   "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 & 26

over a game of chutes and ladders..

Last night, over a good game of Chutes and Ladders(in which I kicked some serious bootie...hee, hee), some things came out and were discussed at the Link family dining room table. Allow me to share the two truths that were discussed:

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

Oh my friends.........may we NOT be reckless with our words. Once they are out there, they cannot be taken back. Words do sooooo much damage.

When someone has been reckless with their words and done the kind of piercing of the heart that a sharp sword can do, may we obey Romans 13: 20 even though our human nature desires what is contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'

DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD."

May we know His WONDERFUL words. May we OBEY his WONDERFUL words. May we bring more love, more joy, more peace, more righteousness .........more of the KINGDOM OF GOD to our world. May we play more games with our children/people so that issues of the heart come out.
Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

"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 & 26

Mom Monday

Happy Mom Monday. If you are a mom, welcome to the world  of understanding the
heart of God in a deeper  way.

This week I had a friend call me and ask if I ever call my husband bawling over
the stubborn disobedience of one of my children??? I replied with, "Weekly."
That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. If I'm not callling my
husband bawling, I'm pouring out my  sad and weary soul to my Heavenly Father.

The only words I could give to my friend was to use these experiences to
understand the heart of God and how we make Him feel when we don't do what He
says to do. God reveals himself as "Father/parent/mother" in Scripture. He feels
the same way about us as his children that we feel about our precious gifts when
they disobey us.

It's funny/sad how we are as humans where we can be appalled that our children
won't do what we say and then we turn around and do the exact same thing to God
without giving any thought or care to how we make him feel as our "Father" in
heaven.

As I have experienced the pain of stubborn, disobedient children, my prayers
have become more intense for God to help ME be an obedient child.

In Phillipians 3:10 it says,

    'I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the FELLOWSHIP
OF SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS....."

As we parent our children, may we view it and accept it as part of "the
fellowship of sharing in his suffernings."
May we embrace it as part of a journey of growing in knowledge and in deeper
understanding of the heart of God. I am suffering this morning as I grieve over
some sin in one of my children's lives. I am keenly aware of just how much Jesus
hates sin because sin destroys. I am fellowshiping with Jesus, today.

Being a mom is hard on the soul, but oh the depth of understanding we can come
to as He opens our eyes to how our lives affect him.

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

"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 & 26

Glow -in-the -dark..........

If you have children, and probably even if you don't, I am sure you've seen the
newest rage.....Silly bands. They are these tiny little bracelets that come in
hundreds of different shapes/forms (ie: cars, animals, princess themes,
etc...you name it and there is a silly band in the shape of it).  While my
daughter, Reese, and I were cuddling in bed yesterday she was showing me all her
latest "s.b.'s." She got really excited to show me her "glow in the dark" silly
band and pulled the covers over us to show me how it glowed. I believed her that
it was a glow in the dark silly band, but it sure wasn't very "glowy." That is
UNTIL I showed her a trick and held the bracelet up to the light for awhile. She
was AMAZED at the difference. Holding the bracelet up to the light for awhile
truly made it a GLOW-IN-THE-DARK bracelet. God desires us to "glow in the dark"
too.

"God is LIGHT; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your
servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,"
made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:5 & 6

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life." John 8:12

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do
people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and
it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

The key to glowing in the dark isn't trying harder to be light. The key is
asking Jesus Christ to come dwell within you and to ask him to get rid of any
darkness in your soul. The more we say "NO!" to ungodliness/darkness and the
more time we spend with THE LIGHT (Jesus) through prayer, letting his words &
Spirit dwell  in us richly, the more his light will shine through us.

May we do what we were meant to do as followers of Jesus...May we GLOW
-IN-THE-DARK today. May we hold ourselves up to the One True Light that we may
be fulll of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, GENTLENESS,
FAITHFULNESS, AND SELF-CONTROL. Blessings from Bombadil. ....home of a few
glow-in-the-dark silly bands and HOPEFULLY 7 glow-in-the-dark people. Kristy
LInk"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 & 26

"Follow.."

While I was tucking Elyse,my 3 year old daughter,in bed the other night,
seemingly out of nowhere she said to me, "I don't want you to die."  Desiring to
get to the heart of why she said that I simply asked her, "Are you worried that
mommy might die?" She responded with, "Ralfie died." Ralf was our Newfoundland
puppy that died a few months ago. Believing that I AM going to die sometime and
not having any idea or control over when, I didn't want to speak falsely and
say, "Oh honey, mommy isn't going to die." So instead, I chose to say, "Well, we
all are going to die sometime,but when I do die, I will be with Jesus where it
will be perfect and I will wait for you there." Wondering how she would respond
to that, I waited patiently for her to formulate her next thought. After a few
seconds she said,

"I will FOLLOW YOU THERE."

I haven't been able to get those words out of my mind.

She loves me deeply as her mommy. She desires to be with me. So she'll FOLLOW
ME.

FOLLOW- to come or go after, move in the same direction; pursue, to accept the
guidance and leadership of, ; to be governed by, obey; to listen or watch
closely

"Do not FOLLOW the crowd in doing wrong." Exodus 23:2

"Be careful to FOLLOW my decrees." Lev. 18:4

"Learn them and be sure to FOLLOW them." Dt. 5:1

"The Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross and FOLLOW me..." Matthew 16:24

"Jesus' sheep FOLLOW him because they know his voice." John 10:4 (good buddy...)

"FOLLOW the way of LOVE...." 1 Corinthians 14:1

"They FOLLOW the Lamb wherever he goes.' Revelation 14:4

Ahhhhh...May we love Jesus and his words deeply. May we desire to be with him
wherever he is/goes. May we FOLLOW him all the way to heaven.

It is not a church we FOLLOW. It is not a man we FOLLOW.  It is JESUS, who loves
us and said,

"Father, I want those you have given me to be WITH ME where I am, and to see my
glory." John 17:24

Blessings from Bombadil.......home of a little girl who wants to follow her
mommy to heaven and home of a mommy who wants to learn more and more what it
looks like to follow, pursue, be governed by and obey Jesus. Kristy Joy LInk

 "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 & 26

Happy Mom Monday.

I was standing in my bathroom the other day and I cried out to God, "Ahhhhh!
Raising children is soooo hard!" The intensity of my longing for there to be
peace, love, joy  and righteousness ( a.k.a. "The kingdom of heaven" Romans
14:17) in the hearts of each of my children, in myself and in my home is
stronger than my longing for a hot cup of coffee with LOTS of vanilla creamer 
in a cool mug on a cold, sleepy morning. My insides groan with a painful longing
for all of the Links to be like Jesus. All of a sudden, this truth from God's
word popped into my mind:

"My dear children, for whom I am again in the PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH  UNTIL Christ
is formed in you...." Galatians 4:19

"The pains of childbirth.." Ahhhhhh...I KNOW those pains. They are PAINS. There
is definately groaning and longing involved in childbirth.  There is a goal in
mind,....."GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!"

So, there is a goal in mind for our children and for us.............."Christ
formed in them/us."

Ahhhhh Christ...the perfect one, selfless,merciful,  obedient, loving, joyful,
peaceful, kind, patient, good, gentle, faithful, and self-controlled.
Mmmmmmm...everything beautiful. Everything I want to be.

Like childbirth, it WILL be painful, but oh the joy in the end when Christ is
"formed."

May we pray, teach, believe, set an example, discipline & groan, and be
patient,strong,merciful, persevering and hopeful  until Christ is formed in
us and them,our precious gifts/rewards from above.

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy

p.s. How does Paul even know about the pains of childbirth???

 "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 & 26

"A Thankful heart is a happy heart...."

    While volunteering in the Preschool room at our church on Sunday, I was
incredibly blessed. I was blessed by all the children and their smiles &
imaginations. I was blessed by the opportunity to pour some love and Jesus into
some precious little souls. I was blessed to offer other parents the opportunity
to go worship child free (as I myself deeply appreciate and understand how
wonderful that can be). I was blessed by the company of my friend who responded
to God's prompting to answer the "111" call for help in the preschool,  and I
was REALLY blessed by the VeggieTale video we watched. It was the
Madame Blueberr one on "Thankfulness."  I suppose it struck me because I know
how my own heart can get at times, I experience my children's unthankfulness and
hunger for more and more things at times, and to see  and experience the BEAUTY
of a Thankful heart is soul-stirring. When faced with an opportunity to be
unthankful and to throw a fit, whine, complain, to want more and more new
things, the children in this video sang this song (which, by the way, I have
been humming ALL WEEK):

    "I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground
For His love that's all around
That's why I say thanks EVERYDAY (EVERYMINUTE)!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That's an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cuz He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks everyday!

Thank you Dad for our day,
For our trip to the mall,
For the time just with me,
For my big red bouncy ball (the very small thing his dad could afford
when he REALLY wanted a train set) !
For the fun that we had,
I'm so happy you're my dad,
That's why I say thanks everyday!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start!
For a God who really cares
and he listens to our prayers,
That's why I say THANKS everyday!

"Give THANKS in all circumstances...." 1 Thess. 5:17

"There willl be terrible times in the last days. People will
be.......UNGRATEFUL...." 2 Timothy 3:2

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us BE
THANKFUL, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.." Hebrews 12:28

May we have thankful hearts this day. May we continually encourage our children
to have thankful hearts. May we make the teaching of our King attractive through
our obedience of being thankful. May we believe that good sermons can come from
anywhere........we don't just have to be in church............we can even get a
good sermon by helping out in the nursery or preschool. Blessings
from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link 

 "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 & 26

"Be alert"

I got stopped at a red light behind a van yesterday that had all kinds of bumper
stickers.  I LOVE when that happens because I enjoy seeing what people think or
love  deeply enough to display on their vehicle.  The first bumper sticker on
this van that stood out to me said,

" I'd rather be getting a tatoo."

I thought, "Hmmmmm....this person and my husband should meet."

The second one that captured my attention was one I have seen before and was
as equally disturbed as the first time I saw it. I may have even written about
it in a previous e-mail. It said,

" I like their Jesus/Christ, but his followers are so unlike him." (or something
like that)

Ahhhhhhh! No!

"Help me be like you, Jesus!!!" was a prayer that screamed it's way to heaven
quickly.

Interestingly, when I caught a glimpse of who was in this van, ..............it
is a neighbor of mine. Perhaps someone else thinks this person and my
husband should meet.????

"My Father is ALWAYS at his work to this very day, and I too, am working." John
5:17

" Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on th child
she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have
engraved you on the palms of my hands..." Isaiah 49:16

In other words: "YOU are God's tatoo!"

"Be ALERT and always keep on praying." Eph. 6:18

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link

 "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 & 26

The rainbow

Did you see it last night?????Wasn't it AMAZING???? You would have only seen it
if you live in Kalamazoo, Michigan....well, it's POSSIBLE you could have seen
it/one too if you live somewhere else........Heck, I was in Ireland and I saw
it/one a few weeks ago........but I'm speaking of the specific RAINBOW that
appeared soooo bright in the clouds around 7/7:30ish p.m. It was a PERFECT
bow from one end of the sky to the other. Ahhhhhhhhh........breathtaking.  After
spotting it first while taking a step outside, I quickly ran back in the house
calling all Link family members to come outside if they wanted to see a
beautiful rainbow. In less than 10 seconds all 7 LInks were standing outside on
our back steps staring in awe of this beautiful creation. Elyse, our 3 year old
said, "That's beautiful! It's the first rainbow I ever saw."  Jake, our 12 year
old grabbed the camera and began taking pictures like crazy. Max, our 10 year
old, and myself ran down the street making sure that anyone who was outside saw
this "Sign in the sky."  Even more breathtaking than the rainbow itself, are
these words:

" And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you
and every living creature with you, a covenant for ALL GENERATIONS TO COME
(that's us!): I have set MY RAINBOW in the clouds, and it will be the sign of
the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth
and the RAINBOW appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me
and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters
become a flood to destroy  all life. WHENEVER the RAINBOW appears in the clouds,
I WILL SEE IT AND REMEMBER the everlasting covenant between GOD and all the
living creatures of every kind on the earth." ' So God said to Noah, "This is
the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the
earth." Genesis 9:12-17  

Take a moment today to ponder the rainbow.....excuse me, "HIS RAINBOW" (VS. 13)

ROYGBIV= red,orange,yellow,green,blue,indigo,violet.

Why the colors?
Why the bow/arc shape?
Why high in the sky, in the clouds?
How in the world does that happen?
What kind of mind & heart is behind that?
What is He saying to us through it?
Do you hear him?

May we worship the Creator behind the creation today. Blessings from Bombadil.
Kristy Link

"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served CREATED
THINGS RATHER THAN THE CREATOR- who is forever praised. Amen!" Romans 1:25
"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 & 26