"Yes I am!"

The other day as I was sitting in the McDonalds playland, once again, I overheard an interaction between my daughter Reese and 2 little boys who happened to be there. I'm not sure what began this conversation and what it all involved, I only know my ears perked up when I heard these boys say to my daughter, "Your'e not a princess," and she responded very quickly and confidently with , "YES I AM A PRINCESS!!!!"

I imagine that our heavenly Father's heart must swell with at least as much joy (and I'm sure it's more) as mine when he see's his daugthers on this earth KNOW AND DECLARE THAT THEY ARE A DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH KING!

Isn't that interaction a common occurance in our own lives, inner thinkings and whisperings????The world and whatever evil voice that is that tries to convince us we are silly for thinking such things and there is no way we are the daughters of a King.

May we respond like my daughter with full belief and knowledge that indeed we are princesses. Reese KNOWS this because she spends A LOT of time with her mom who tells her who she is, and she trusts her mom.  Her mom KNOWS this because SHE spends a lot of time with her heavenly Father reading His words, and she trusts Him. He says in Ephesians 1:3-6;

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world, to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be ADOPTED AS HIS SONS/DAUGHTERS through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will- to the praise of his glorious grace which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

"To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...." John 1:12

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called CHILDREN OF GOD! AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE!!!!..Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."1 John 3:1 & 2

"Because you are sons/daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son/daughter; and since you are a son/daughter, God has made you also an heir." Galatians 4:6

When we hear the world (or ourselves) try to convince us, just like those little McDonald boys tried to convince Reese, that we are not the daughter of a King, may we be able to respond to those voices quickly and confidently that "YES, WE ARE PRINCESSES!" May we KNOW this because we spend A LOT of time with the King and we trust him. Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy Joy Link

p.s. I will not be writing tomorrow as I will be down in Indiana enjoying my mother-in -law

Remember

This morning, I have been spending time "REMEMBERING" all the good experiences and qualities with/of grandpa Link, my grandpa-in-law who passed away on Sunday. God desires all of us to REMEMBER.  He wants you and I to remember him.

" Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
REMEMBER the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced."
1 Chronicles 16:11 & 12

"The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is FOR YOU; do this in REMEMBERANCE of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in REMEMBERANCE  of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

My heart became more and more full this morning as I remembered grandpa. May your heart and mine become more and more full, full of joy, peace and hope, as we remember God's work in our lives, who He is, what he promises us,  and what he has already done for us. Everytime I go to the grocery store I buy myself some grape juce and bread and for as long as it lasts, in the middle of the  afternoon I have my own personal communion remembering what he gave up for me. Doing this often creates a thankfulnelss in my heart and encourages me in seeking to "lay down my life for the sake of my friends" just as he did and calls us to.    I don't always know HOW to do this but remembering him often causes me to at least acknowledge him and ask him how he wants me to sacrifice for the day.

May we all become really good "rememberers," - rememberers of Him! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link  

The blame game

I don't know why this happens, but I often get blamed for things that go wrong by my children. The other day, one of my sons came out of his room and started "yelling" (not really....but sort of) at me asking me where I put his belt. I hadn't touched his belt, had no idea where it was and had no idea why I was the one being blamed for his missing belt.  Well, I found the missing belt under my bed right by where he had been the day before.  This has happened many times where the blame for something gets thrown on me. It can be so hurtful as a parent, when all day long I am seeking to communicate my love to my children and then they blame me for something I had no part in and many times question my goodness or love for them during the "blame game."

Why do my children do this??? Or the better question is, "why do WE do this?"

Listen to Proverbs 19:3;

"A mans' OWN FOLLY ruins his life,
yet his heart rages AGAINST THE LORD."

Ugh! How many times have I done this to my heavenly Father hurting his heart by accusing him for my own folly, the way may children hurt mine???!!!!

May we be children who accept responsibility for our own foolishness and refuse to blame God for all of our problems. May we learn the wisdom and obedience he soooooooo desires us to learn.

I LOVE Psalm 92:14 & 15 ..........it says:

"They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, "THE LORD IS UPRIGHT;
HE IS MY ROCK, AND THERE IS NO WICKEDNESS IN HIM."

There is NO wickedness in our Creator. He is soooooo good and loves us more than we can imagine.

May we be like Job, who after losing EVERYTHING , "did not SIN by charging God with wrongdoing." Job 1:22

So the next time our hearts rage against God, desiring to blame him or accuse him of wickedness or wrongdoing- May we be quick to pull out these "swords."

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

life and death

Yesterday, Sunday, February 21st, 2010, after celebrating/acknowledging 2 different friend's birthdays, I received a call informing me that my grandpa-in-law passed away at 2:30ish p.m.  He will be deeply missed. I loved him very much.  Both of these experiences remind me once again of the preciousness of life and time on this earth.

God' s word says:

"There is a time to be born and a time to die........a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance......" Ecclesiastes 3:2 & 4

It also says;

"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure." Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

Knowing that death is the destiny for every one of us,  it is good to keep in one's heart the truth I wrote on a friend's birthday card:

" The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands....he himself gives all men LIFE and BREATH (Happy Birthday) and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men...he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this SO THAT MEN WOULD SEEK HIM  and perhaps reach out for him and FIND HIM, though he is not far from each one of us....."Acts 17:24-27

We celebrate birthdays because we have been given "life and breath" as a gift to "FIND GOD."

May we "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

May our entire lives be used to seek him,  to obey him by "loving Him with all of our hearts and our neighbors (all people) as ourselves", to  fall in love with him,  to learn to revere, stand in awe of him and trust him, to allow him to use us to make Him known to others, and to  thank Him profusely for his mercy to us  through Jesus......."the only name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12,  so when that day of taking our final breath comes, we will face it with the knowledge that we have lived our days on this earth with the end goal of meeting God in mind.

May we "rejoice with those who rejoice (on their birthdays) and mourn with those who mourn (as they pass from earth to eternity)" Romans 12:15, and sometimes all on the same day. May we  be thankful for it all and trust in the sovereignty of God as we,

"Consider what God has done:...When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other." Ecclesiastes 7:13 & 14

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

Max ...(and not mine)

A team from our church recently took a trip to Uganda to minister to the orphans and families there. Since they've been home, we've been hearing all kinds of wonderful stories. While listening to them share their experiences with both the people from Uganda and on the team, a desire has been stirred within me. It's probably NOT the desire you think. You might think that the desire to go to Uganda has been stirred, and although that is probably happening as well, that is not the desire I am speaking of. After hearing many people share about their trip, I want to meet Max. Max was the youngest (high school age) guy to go on the trip and one of the few that I have never met. I know nothing about Max except what I've heard people share that spent over a week with him. As I've been listening to them describe the way he spoke, the funny and kind things he said and did, the way he was with the Uganda orphans and the way his heart broke for the pain there, and
as I saw the delight in their eyes when they spoke of him, a desire has been stirred to meet this kid.  I really  would like to meet this one that I have never met but people  whom I love have experienced personally and shared stories about.  From this experience, a prayer poured forth from the depths of my soul:

"Oh Father, I want so many people to have a desire stirred within their souls to meet YOU because of my sharing of my experiences with you. I want to speak freely about the things you have said and done that reveal your incredible heart of love and goodness, compassion and mercy. I want people to see in my eyes  and hear in my voice the way I adore you and delight in your presence. I WANT PEOPLE TO WANT TO MEET YOU BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH YOU."

May we not be ashamed to speak your most holy name....JESUS!
May our speaking of you be as natural as my friends would speak about this guy named Max
May we be wise in the way we speak of you...not too much to turn people off & not too little to not stir a desire
May our speaking of you come not because we are told we "should" speak of you but because we can't help it, we are compelled by your love and our own personal experiences with you.
May we HAVE personal experiences with you and knowledge of who you have revealed yourself to be through the Scriptures so that we CAN share.
May we not speak of you from what we've heard other people say about you but rather from our own experience.  
You tell us we are the "salt of the earth." May we do our job and make others thirsty for you.

"Many of the Samaritans from the town believed in him BECAUSE OF THE WOMAN'S TESTIMONY, "He told me everything I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of HIS WORDS many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of WHAT YOU SAID; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man REALLY IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD." John 4:39-42

May we use this day, making the most of every opportunity, to make people thirsty to meet Jesus- the one they were made by and for. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link

p.s. Can someone from Uganda forward this to Max and let him know I'd like to meet him someday.

Be inspired!

As you watch, enjoy, and get inspired by the Olympics, consider this truth:

"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

We are in the most real, most true race of our lives. "Salvation is a gift of grace but rewards are earned," is a quote found in my Bible.  We cannot earn heaven but every day we have an opporutnity to "store up treasures in heaven."

Let yourself be inspired by the Olympians. If they are willing to go into such strict training for their own glory and crown, may we be willing to give it all we've got for the Glory of God here and now and a reward from our Father when we will meet him face to face.

Live your life today, knowing and believing that Your Father in Heaven sees everything you do and knows every reason you do it.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have NO REWARD from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I (JESUS) TELL YOU THE TRUTH, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret. THEN YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, WILL REWARD YOU." Matthew 6:1-4

Today matters. May we live in the light of eternity. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy LInk

"The words I would say."

I wish you all could have been in my living room  with me yesterday, hearing what I heard and seeing what I saw.....Beauty............pure beauty. I had front row seats to a "concert" given by two precious little girls I was watching for the afternoon.  Kailyn, 4yrs. old and her sister, Brooklyn, took center stage on the tile in front of my fire place while holding my daughter's guitar with one string left on it and sang a song their mom has filled their ears with many times (excellent work, Erika Guthaus). It's called, "The Words I Would Say" by the Sidewalk Prophets. These 2 little girls belted out this chorus:

"Be strong in the Lord and,
never give up hope,
you're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

.....From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father......

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10

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

"You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
As for God , his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD?
Who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like th efeet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights....
you stoop down TO MAKE ME GREAT." 2 Samuel 22:29-36

"Whoever wants to become GREAT among you must be your servant..."Mark 10:43

"My times are in your HANDS" Psalm 31:15

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn or settle on the far side of the sea, even there you HAND WILL GUIDE ME.."
Psalm 139:10

"So 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

"FORGIVE as the Lord forgave you." Colossians  3:13

"When you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you don't FORGET the Lord..." Deuteronomy 6:12

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth....he himself gives  all men life and breath and everything else...he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this SO THAT MEN WOULD SEEK HIM AND PERHAPS REACH OUT FOR HIM AND FIND HIM, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:24-27

"PRAY continually.." 1 Thess. 5:17

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and FAITHFUL IN PRAYER." Romans 12:12

May we belive these simple truths. May we do these simple truths. May we pass these simple truths on to our children and anyone else God places in our lives. May God be glorified! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link

Pure and faultless religion

"RELIGION THAT GOD OUR FATHER ACCEPTS AS PURE AND FAULTLESS IS THIS; TO LOOK AFTER ORPHANS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR DISTRESS AND TO KEEP ONESELF FROM BEING POLLUTED BY THE WORLD.; JAMES 1: 27

Observing my friends who have adopted children from orphanages, rescuing them from life without a mom or dad that love them, train and discipline them and live life with them teaching them all about God, is one of the most beautiful sights in the world to me. I agree wholeheartedly with God' words that this is sooooo incredibly pure and holy.

THANK YOU, on behalf of our Father in Heaven, to all of my friends out there who have  gone to extreme lengths and paid incredible amounts of money to adopt children. THANK YOU, THANK YOU,THANK YOU!

To all my friends who go on mission trips to places like Uganda ( and other places) simply to love on and care for children with no mom or dad, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

To all my friends who carve out time to invest in any child who does not have a mom or dad, wherever you are, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Oh, how our Father's heart knows the depth of heartache for children without their mom and dad. It is anguish, affliction, torment of the soul. How good He is, how loving his heart to desire us to be his hands and feet for these precious, precious orphans.

To all my friends who are moms and who have husbands that father their children, MAY WE NEVER, NEVER belittle this role we have. We have a holy job of loving, caring for and training our children in godliness. Your children would be in distress without you.

God had the best idea when he designed the world for children to have a mom and dad to love them and raise them.

If you are not a mom, and you long to be, PLEASE use that desire on all the "orphans" God leads you to.

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy joy Link

"crush"

I was praying about what to write this morning saying, "God,  what is it? What does someone need to hear this morning?  A little while later, I saw an empty milk container sitting on my counter that needed to go into the recycle bin. So, getting it ready for it's new little home I crushed it while saying, "C *R*U*S*H". Right after that, I looked down and there was an empty pop bottle with the word, "CRUSH" on it.  I immediately had a desire to look up the word "CRUSH" in God's word. Before I share God's words, here is the definition of "crush"

CRUSH-1. to extract or obtain by pressing or squeezing; 2. to break, pound, or grind into small fragments 3. To oppress severely 4. The act of crushing; extreme pressure 5. To break

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressionsm
he was CRUSHED for OUR iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:2-6

**JESUS TOOK THE PUNISHMENT WE DESERVE UPON HIMSELF.........BECAUSE HE LOVES US SOOO MUCH. THANK HIM FOR THIS TODAY.

"Then the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?"
"The woman said, "The serpent deceived me and I ate."
So the LORD God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this...... I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers: he will CRUSH your head,..." Genesis 3:13- 15

**FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME- JESUS DYING ON THE CROSS AND WINNING THE BATTLE WAS THE PLAN. GOD SEES THE WHOLE STORY. HE HAS A PLAN.

"The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet." Romans 16:20

***SATAN IS REAL AND GOD IS MORE POWERFUL THAN HIM. A DAY IS COMING WHEN THERE WILL BE NO MORE EVIL AT ALL. "BE JOYFUL IN HOPE."

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are CRUSHED in spirit." Psalm 34:18

**IF YOU ARE BROKENHEARTED AND CRUSHED IN SPIRIT TODAY, GOD SEES YOU, HE IS CLOSE TO YOU AND HE SEEKS TO HELP YOU AND TO REMOVE YOU FROM  A BURDEN, OPPRESSION OR DANGER. HE CARES ABOUT YOU SO MUCH.

Blessings from Bombadil. May you be drawn into his word all day today. Kristy Link

Fw: Calvary Love

I was told to pass this on if it inspired me..........it INSPIRED me. May it inspire you as well. Happy Valentines weekend. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Marya Pennings <mapennings@msn.com>
To: Jewel Kamphuis <gods_jewel@juno.com>; Erin Seaverson <erinrockwell@yahoo.com>; Sarah Bergren <sarahmaybergren@yahoo.com>; Michelle Bouma <beautyfromashes.mbouma@gmail.com>; Kristina Kuebler <skuebler@mei.net>; Rachel Erny <rme619-jewelry@yahoo.com>; Kristy Link <kristylink@att.net>; timtiffany Lanier <tntlanier3@yahoo.com>; Debbie Stanley <lcbiblecamp@cs.com>; Elaine Lemmer <eplemmer@yahoo.com>; Mom Lemmer <mflipflops@comcast.net>
Sent: Thu, February 11, 2010 3:21:32 PM
Subject: Calvary Love

Keeping in mind that we love imperfectly and that true love is supernatural....here's a word I heard this morning that inspired me and made me consider some things. Pass it on if it inspired you. Its take from "revive our hearts" broadcast from today, thurs feb11th.

Amy Carmichael, who we've quoted a number of times through this series, was really an ordinary woman who had an extraordinary love for people. One of my favorite pieces by Amy Carmichael is a piece called If. It's a little book that was written when a problem was brought to her about one of her fellow workers. I would just like to quote a portion of what she wrote. It speaks about how Calvary love is really the measure for our love. She said,

If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; 
If I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; 
If I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, 
Think an unkind thought without grief and shame, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in dealing with one who does not respond, 
I weary of the strain and slip from under the burden, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I'm afraid to speak the truth lest I lose affection, 
Or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," 
Or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; 
If I put my own good name before the other's highest good, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I hold onto choices of any kind, just because they are my choice;
If I give any room to my private likes and dislikes, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not give a friend "the benefit of the doubt," 
But put the worst construction instead of the best 
on what is said or done, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily; 
If I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, 
though friendship be possible, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If a sudden jar or jolt can cause me to speak an impatient, 
unloving word, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitterly toward those who condemn me, 
as it seems to me, unjustly, 
Forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I say, "Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget," 
as though the God, who twice a day washes all the sands 
on all the shores of all the world, 
could not wash such memories from my mind, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If monotony tries me, 
If stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge; 
If I make much of the trifles of life, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even of their little weaknesses; 
If I'm careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities 
to smooth their way; 
If I make the sweet running of household wheels more difficult 
to accomplish, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If interruptions annoy me, and private cares make me impatient; 
If I shadow the souls about me because I myself am shadowed, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If something I'm asked to do for another feels burdensome; 
If, yielding to an inward unwillingness, I avoid doing it, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; 
If I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; 
If I love to be loved more than to love, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden 
of my heart's choice, 
And I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I covet anyplace on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross, 
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.

---

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Psalm 142

" I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
I pour out my complaint before HIM;
before HIM I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me,
IT IS YOU WHO KNOWS MY WAY.
In the path where I walk
men have hidden a snare for me.
Look to my right and see:
no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."

Listen to my cry,
for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.

Set me free from my prison,
that I may praise YOUR NAME.

Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me."

Psalm 142:1-7

I don't know what you are going through today, but there is One who knows your way. Cry aloud to Him. Pour out your complaint and heart to him. He loves you and cares about you deeply. Hang in there! He is very aware of what you need. ("He knows what you need before you even ask." Matthew 6:8) His timing is perfect! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link, a woman who doesn't EVER want to take having the very words of God in her own treasure box in her living room for granted.

"To know me is to love me"

I shared with you last week about February being the "Month of Love" at Bombadil and how each of my children have a mailbox outside/in their room that I put something in each day. Well yesterday, each child received a game card entitled, "To know me is to love me." Each card had a different question and a certain number of points earned for getting the question right. They were all told to bring their question card to dinner. So at dinner last night, each person read his/her card, wrote down their answer on their card and then the rest of us tried to guess what that person would say. For example, my question was, "If there was only one store in the world that I could go to, what store would it be?" I wrote down my answer and as soon as everyone had writtten down their answer, each person shared what they had written down. I was happy to say that my family knows me and they all had written down, 'Hobby Lobby." This one was not too difficult to
know since every time I come home from that store I rant and rave about how much I love that store and the 50% off deals.  So each person received 5 points. After everone had gone we totalled up our points and discovered that Max, my 10 year old son, was the winner (much to his brother's delight....wink, wink).  There is something deep within all of us that longs to be known.  We are hurt when people who should know us after having spent time with us seem to not know us at all. Where does this come from? Does this whisper anything to us about us being made in the image of God? Does this reveal anything about why we are here? It's such a deeeeeep desire, to be known...............and so scary too. What does God's word say about knowing and being known?

"Be still and KNOW  (by experience) that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"O Lord, you have searched me and you KNOW me (intimately & personally). You KNOW when I sit and when I rise: you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. .............." Psalm 139:1-4

"Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME? declares the LORD."

"This is eternal life: that they may KNOW YOU,( ginosko- value you & place great importance upon you and live in relationship with..) the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to KNOW CHRIST and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings....." Phillipians 3:7-10

"Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, "I never KNEW YOU (ginosko- I've never been in approving connection with you). Away from me, you evildoers." Matthew 7:21-23

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you REALLY KNEW ME, you would KNOW my Father as well. From now on, you do KNOW HIM and have seen him." Phillip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you KNOW ME, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:6-9

"The man who says "I KNOW him" but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

"They claim to KNOW God, but by their actions they deny him." Titus 1:16

"He will punish those who do not KNOW GOD and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." 2 Thess. 1:8

"Now I KNOW in part: then I shall KNOW FULLY, even as I am fully KNOWN." 1 Corinthians 13:12

"Righteous Father, though the world does not KNOW you, I KNOW you, and they KNOW that you have sent me. I have made you KNOWN to them, and will continue to make you KNOWN in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:25 & 26 
1 John 2:4

We are here to find God and to KNOW HIM. Life isn't all about being happy, getting rich & owning more things, becoming famous or successful, doing everything you want or going everywhere you want, making the most friends, family,  being the prettiest or most talented, etc....................According to Scripture, life as God designed it is all about getting to know him, experience Him and fall in love with him, believing and enjoying the truth that He knows you intimately and personally. It is good to be known by and to  know other people, but our first priority should be getting to know God/Jesus. May you enter into relationship with Him first through acknowledging that Jesus is who he says he is and by admitting you aren't perfect and are in need of forgiveness,  then may you spend lots of time reading about Him in the Bible, listening to His words, talking with him and waiting for him to reveal more of himself through His Holy Spirit.

To know God, to REALLY KNOW HIM, IS to love him. To love him is to obey him. May it be!

Now, off to make snowman pancakes for yet another snow day. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

"How much do you like me?"

I have made a precious little friend in the day care called the "Tot spot" at the YMCA. This adorable little 3 year old girl is there to welcome me every time I drop off my daughter.  She always comments on my pink watch telling me that she likes it and when she can't immediately see it asking me if I have it on. Yesterday, I told her that I ran by her mommy for a few minutes and told her that I really liked her little girl. With a HUGE smile on her face and a curious tone of voice she asked me, "HOW MUCH DO YOU LIKE ME?"
Those words lingered with me for the rest of the day. Isn't that a question every girl, young and old, carries in the depth of their soul? A question they bring to their parents, friends, husbands, etc..........Oh how deeply we long to be liked /loved. Where does that question come from? Why is it in every single soul? Who is the question for , REALLY?

Colossians 1:16 says,
"All things were created BY HIM & FOR HIM."

We were made FOR HIM- , to love HIM and be loved by HIM, to please HIM, and to delight HIM and be delighted in by HIM.  

If we bring this question to other people we may be very disappointed. People fail us. We fail people.

But God, Ohhhhh, but God,

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I WILL NOT FORGET YOU! SEE, I HAVE ENGRAVED YOU ON THE PALMS OF MY HANDS;" (JESUS) Isaiah 49:15 & 16

"For God SOOOOO loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

" This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us....." 1 John 3:16

"Greater LOVE has NO ONE than this, that he lays down his life for his friends."John 15:13

If we bring that question of, "How much do you like me?" to God, the One we should bring the question to, his answer is soooo clear,

"I love you/like you enough to give up my life for you, to pay with my life for all the wrongs YOU have done."

"Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matthew 10:30

May we find our strength, our security and our joy in BELIEVING that God loves us more than anyone else ever will or could, and he loves us UNCONDITIONALLY. May we RECEIVE HIS LOVE.  And when others fail to love us/like us the way we hunger for may we turn to Jesus.  Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy

"Have you never read?"

I witnessed the most beautiful thing yesterday at our gathering of believers. As I walked into the room where hundreds of people were worshipping God through music and song my eyes focused first on one 2 yrs. old little girl who was raising her hands and praising God. I  then noticed another 3 yrs. old little girl who stood up on stage with her daddy dancing around while he played guitar.  What was it about that that was so beautiful, so heart stirring? I think it was this:

Matthew 21:16:
"Do you hear what these children are saying?' they asked him.
'Yes,' replied Jesus, 'have you never read,
"FROM THE LIPS OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS YOU HAVE ORDAINED PRAISE?" ( ' you've taught children to praise you' , or 'you've created praise')

and

Psalm 8:2 from the Message;

"Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
that drown out enemy talk,
and silence athesit babble."

It's so pure. It's so simple; It's so real and true. It's so from God. They hear the name and message of Jesus and they believe it and they accept it.I remember hearing the wonderful message of Jesus when I was a very little girl and knowing in the depths of my soul it was truth. I LOVED JESUS because I knew I was naughty but Jesus was perfect &  he  loved me so much he gave himself up for my naughtiness. I've been thankful to him ever since.

It reminds me of Matthew 18:1-4

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the  kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever HUMBLES HIMSELF like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

I love how Jesus said, "have you never read.....?" The Scriptures say that children will praise him and guess what?  Children praise him!

May we praise Jesus like little children and may we be careful to read Scripture because what the Bible says will happen is going to happen.  Jesus knew Scripture inside and out, used it to fight all his temptations saying, "It is written.....", and says,

 "You are in error because you don't know Scripture or the power of God." Matthew 22:29.

 May we not be in error. May we not hear him say to us, "Have you never read?..."      May we not be surprised by anything that comes our way because we know and believe God's words.
Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

"It is well with my soul"

As I was picking up my children from school yesterday, I chatted with a friend of mine who it seems the Lord has his eyes on. He asked me how I was and I responded with a very sincere "I am WELL."  As soon as I said it thoughts of the old hymn, "It is well" came to mind.

 

This morning, I looked up the history and words of that precious song and e-mailed it to this friend of mine. I'd like to share it with you all as well:

 

It is a song that was written by a wealthy Chicago lawyer named, Horatio Spafford in 1873 after:

 

*his son died of Scarlet fever at age 4yrs.

*all his real estate burned to the ground in the Chicago fires of 1871

*While sending his wife and 4 daughters away for vacation after all this heartache, the ship collided with another ship and sank, killing all 4 of his daughters.

 

*Inspired by 2 Kings 4:26

 

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL.

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL.

 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

 

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL.

 

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll:

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

 

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL,

IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL."

 

 

When Mrs. Spafford's life was spared during the sinking of the ship and the loss of her 4 daughters, she immediately recalled the words of a friend,

 

"It is easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

 

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

MAY THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED.'

In all this, Job did not SIN by charging God with wrongdoing."

Job 1:21 & 22

 

Oh my friends- none of us knows what today will bring, but,

 

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Phillipians 1:27

 

May all be well because we know he sees us, loves us, cares about us and has prepared paradise for us where "He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." Revelation 21:4

 

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

February........the month of love!

I LOVE February. I think it's because I absolutely love "LOVE" and this month seems to be the month of hearts, valentines/love notes, and love. I'm not talking just romantic/lover love, but simply 'LOVE" of all people. To make the most of this month, every February 1st I pull out these little mailboxes I have (from Target for $1. each) for each of my children and put them outside their door. Each morning I fill it with a love note along with some "God words" in it with perhaps a little treat of some sort. I find myself and my children excited every morning to open their mailbox and see what's inside. This morning's treat were these little animal drink holders. My son, Zeke, of course got the monkey one considering he's gone a little "ape" over monkeys. Jake and Max got the lion ones, Elyse got a pink dinosaur and Reese also got a monkey. Allow me to share just a few of the verses that went with each child's drink. May they encourage your soul as they
did mine:

Since Jake and Max received the Lion drinks, they got these verses:

 "And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is WORTHY to break open the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or one earth or under the earth could open the sroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was WORTHY to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, thee LION of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Revalation 5:2-5

Jesus is the ONLY WORTHY ONE. He was worthy for us. This verse goes on to say, 

"They sang a new song:
        'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
        because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God
        from every tribe and language and people and nation. 
        You have made them to be a kingdom and priests
        TO SERVE OUR GOD,
        and they will reign on the earth."

...and since lions are known for their courage;

        " Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of COURAGE; be strong. Do EVERYTHING IN LOVE."  1 Corinthians 16:13

Since monkeys have a way of making us laugh and bring joy to our hearts, Reese and Zeke received this truth:

"A cheerful heart is good medicine." Prov. 17:22

There are sooo many reasons we have to be thankful, so many miracles around us, so much hope and love given to us as believers, if we CHOOSE to think on all of those things we could bring healing and "medicine" to so many of the sad souls around us. May it be!

Elyse was with me when I picked out these drinks and she wanted the pink dinosaur for who knows whatever reason..probably the color.  Honestly , I didn't come up with a good truth that went with the dinosaur so I just gave her the same one I gave Reese and Zeke.

Happy February. May it be FULL of many expressions of love to all people. May this truth "dwell in you richly"

" The only thing that counts is FAITH expressing itself THROUGH LOVE." Galatians 5:6

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy

Be patient while repairs are being made!

The other day as I as walking through the YMCA, I came across a sign that said,

"PLEASE BE PATIENT AS REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE."

The hallway where the sign hangs is torn up a bit, not very appealing to the eye. The sign has been there for awhile now as  repairs take some time.

To make something more beautiful, to repair something that has been broken requires time, a season of disarray. Things often have to get worse and torn up before they can get better. It's not a pretty thing at the moment but in the end it will be better, more beautiful. It requires patience and vision of what will be in the end.

The same is the TRUTH for our lives. Perhaps we should all be wearing signs around us that say,

"Please be patient as repairs are being made."

Why can we be more patient, at times, with building projects than with each other- precious human souls?
 God is at work in each one of us, seeking to do some major repairs with a glorious end in view.  He is making us like his Son, if we are willing. In order to get there, however, things and ways about us need to be exposed and then repaired.

REPAIR- to restore to sound condition after damage or injury; fix. To set right; remedy; To renew; refresh.

If you find yourself in that "ugly",  waiting time requiring endurance until you become refreshed, renewed, restored to sound condition and beautiful, may you hold on to the hope that repairs are indeed being made. You will not be in this condition forever. "There is a time for every season under heaven.....a time to tear down and a time to build"...Ecc. 3:1.  Hang in there, increased beatuy is coming IF you allow the repairs to be made.

If you find yourself around many people who are in the process of being repaired (which is all of us), may you display GREAT PATIENCE. May you be like the One who gave up his life for us:

"Here is a trustworthy saying that DESERVES FULL ACCEPTANCE: Christ Jesus came into the world to SAVE SINNERS( to repair the broken)- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his UNLIMITED PATIENCE ("LONG-SUFFERING") as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY GOD, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:15-17

Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Joy Link

Gray hair

I could have gotten depressed yesterday as I picked off my 6th strand of GRAY hair that I found on the  black fleece I was wearing for  the day. I FOUND 6 PIECES OF GRAY HAIR..........ALL FROM ME.........................IN ONE DAY! I couldn't believe it. I found myself wondering if God was trying to speak to me about something involving gray hair. There certainly is a truth in God's word about gray hair:

"GRAY HAIR is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life." Prov. 16:31

or in the Message version:

"GRAY HAIR is  a mark of distinction;
an award for a God-loyal life."

I certainly know many people with gray hair who haven't lived a God - loyal life. I saw one on "Funniest Home Videos" last night when an 80 something old grandma was asked to speak into the camera and tell the world something she wanted them to hear and she chose the words, 'Tell the world to go to he.."  Ouch...........!

Our world places a lot of value on the young and "beautiful" in the worlds eyes. However, in God's kingdom,  having more years of learning wisdom, learning to fear God  and walk with Him is what is to be praised.

It's said again in Prov. 31:30:

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is vain (fleeting); but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

May we make it our goal to cherish wisdom, adore experience and years with God,and  accept life as God has ordained it through seasons of life. May we not accept the world's view of getting older but rather God's view which places such incredible honor and esteem on living many, many years and hopefully coming to the place of great wisdom and adoration of the one who we were made for.

"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord."
 Leviticus 19:32

May we live a "God-Loyal life"! Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy

"Im not.........................., Me............................................!"

My daughter,Elyse, woke up WAY TOO EARLY this morning. As I carried her downstairs I said to her, "I'm going to call you "earlybird"....you little earlybird." She quickly responded with, "I'm not "earlybird," mommy, me "Eassee"(the nickname her family has given her/short for Elyse).

She knows her TRUE name. She knows who she is.  Do you?Would you be able to quickly correct someone or yourself when you are called a different name............maybe a "bad" name?

Let me share a few truths from God's word that describes who we are as believers in Jesus:

When you hear someone or yourself calling you "unloved" can you reply back quickly,

"I'm not "unloved", me "CALLED, LOVED BY GOD & KEPT BY J.C."

"To those who have been CALLED, who are LOVED BY GOD THE FATHER and KEPT BY JESUS CHRIST."
Jude 1:1

When you hear somone or yourself call you "good for nothing," can you reply back quickly,

"I'm not a "good-for -nothing, I'm "CHOSEN FOR OBEDIENCE TO JESUS." 1 Peter 1:2

When you hear someone or yourself call you, "screw-up", can you reply back quickly saying,
"I'm not "screw-up", I'm "PERFECT FOREVER & BEING MADE HOLY"   (all b/c of what Jesus has done for  us) Hebrews 10:14

When you hear someone or yourself calling you " don't belong", can you quickly say back

"I'm not "don't belong", I'm "BELONG & ARRANGED JUST AS HE WANTED ME TO BE."
 1 Corinthians 12:14-18

When you hear someone or yourself call you, "All alone", can you quickly say back,

"I'm not "all-alone", I'm/me "NEVER ALONE." 

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

I could go on and on. May we know who we are today and what is really true about us as a believers in Jesus. May we be quick to fight back declaring who we really are. Blessings from Bombadil. Kristy Link