Two Years and Counting

I can hardly believe that today is my two-year blogging anniversary! It seems like just yesterday that my heart was burning with passion to share God's love with others on a blog of my very own. I remember asking my parents what they thought. I remember the delight with which I first wrote. How I planned out each week with care making sure that not one went by without my writing.

Since then I have ups and downs in my blogging adventure, I have had weeks where I could not stop writing and others where I did not write at all. My faith has been tested more then a time or two since I first launched this site, and each time God has been faithful to see me through, and I guess that is why I am here writing today. I have nothing really special to say, these last few days have been tough. Apathy towards that which I once was so passionate about has lulled me to sleep, realizing this has "rocked my world" in the quietest sense.

I needed today, I needed this review of the last two years, I needed to remember that God has always been faithful and cling to the fact that He will continue to be as I wind my way through new and difficult paths.

If I could have looked ahead to today two years ago, somehow I doubt I would have even guessed where I would be and what all would happened. I had a different set of fears then, yet, would I have changed a thing? Yes, I have had times that were less then thrilling, some down right hard, but looking back I can see God's hand so clearly in it all. What I might have thought then were just senseless troubles I can see now were used to grow me and prepare me for today. No, I do not think I would changed things that much. I would have liked to have been more faithful with the time the Lord has given me. I would have liked to have loved more fully. Yes, I would have changed some of the ways in which I handled life, but not what happened in my life.

So, what have your last few years looked like? How have you seen God's hand in your life? Taking a minute to go over what has happened is sometimes a good way to remind us to try harder, do better, and it especially has a way of making us praise God all the more for His rich blessings.

"Sometimes God brings us to the place where

we are between the Rock and the hard place to show us that

He is the Rock that is breaking us and making us more

Christlike, that He is the Rock that we are

pressed up against." ~ Unknown

Joy, Even at All Hours of the Morning

I am probably about to break some type of record. Two post in less then twenty-four hours. All kidding aside though, something happened that has been so amazing that I could not help but take a minute to share it with you.

 

The night before last I woke up at 3:30 (And yes, I mean AM!) and drifted in and out of a restless sleep until 7:00. At that time I was like, "Forget this trying to sleep. I'm getting up. I've had more then enough." Suffice to say, by 10:00 PM last night, I was more than ready for bed! I went to bed praying for a restful nights sleep. Guess what? At 4:47 AM I woke up... I was less than thrilled, but was not ready to get up for the day, so I put on some music and tried to fall back to sleep. But did not. People in need of prayer drifted into my mind and I began to pray. After a few hours I drifted off and caught one last hour of sleep which I was so grateful for. I got up, but as I thought about complaining to my sister about my lack of sleep I laughed. Complain? How could I? The sleepless nights were a very interesting answer to my prayers. Really!

 

Last weekend I asked God to do what it took, to basically "break me and make me" drawing me closer to Himself. I said, "Whatever it takes, Lord, I just want to be closer to You."

 

Sleepless nights pushed me to pray, drawing my heart one step closer to my Father. It wasn't the answer to prayer I was looking for, but it was an answer to prayer. My heart is singing praises to the Lord...for sleepless nights. :)

Whispers About Prayer

"He who kneels most stands best." ~ D. L. Moody

I am quite sure I have used this quote before, but the truth is it needs to be repeated again and again, remembered every single day of our lives. I am not just saying this because it sounds good. I am saying it because I know it to be true. I had a heart aching revelation a few days ago, I was more the center of my life than God was. As I began to sift through all my emotions I began to see that it all had not happened over night. It never does. Has it ever happened to you? God is your everything, your every other thought is a whispered prayer of praise. You get busy, you get distracted, you get tired. Before you know it you are now the center of your own life. God is somewhere on the outskirts whispering to get your attention, to reclaim your loving devotion. You sing your own praises, troubles, and "wisdom" so loud that you block out His still small voice. You do not even realize it. One day you wake up and all that you truly loved about your existence lies in crumbled ruins at your feet. When you are here, what do you do?

Through the wispy cool of a spring morning, with the sunbeams hazily swirling their magic touch around her willowy figure, wrapped in a soft white dress, her head bowed low in shame the young woman wound her way slowly down a winding path through the garden. Roses blossomed sending their sweet fragrance to mingle the the air around her golden-brown curls, their dewy faces lifted with wide smiles. Yet, the young maiden saw them not. Her face showed signs of reluctance in her journey, yet a wistfulness too.

"He will be so terribly disappointed in me. How could I have been so foolish. Why was I so blind! How can I face Him?" the rush of sorrowful thoughts tumbled through her brain. "Oh, but I do want to be able to look into His face again. Feel Him so near. Hear Him call me His child in His tones so tender and loving."

She does not even notice how her feet move faster, her pace doubles. Thoughts full of longing for her Father continue and her longing to stand before Him grows stronger with each second. Suddenly she rounds the bend and there He is, seated upon His throne. She throws herself at His feet.

"Father, I was such a fool! Can You ever forgive me?" Tears stream down her once rosy cheeks, now pale from her lack of time spent in the Son.

I glance away, my eyes misty, as the Father of all creation takes His wayward child into His arms and holds her close. Because that child has been me more times than I wish to remember.

How easily we forget. How easily we stray. How I thank my Lord for His mercy and grace. For His patience with His foolish daughter.

Pray always. Every minute, every hour, every day, always. If you want to stand well and on firm ground through all of life then don't stop. D. L. Moody's words are so true! Prayer is the cement that holds our solid foundation together. We must treasure it. Always.

Take All To Jesus

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
Oh, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

Oh, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!
~ Chris Rice

This is one of those songs that always speaks to my heart. I am a sinner who wonders around in this world of sin, sometimes is an lost and aimless fashion. I am one in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I seek Him, I run to Him, I dance with Him. Maybe you needed these worlds today like I did. If so, this is for you.

Seek Him As Gold

December 1, 2010

"Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5)

~*~

Last night when I went to bed I found my heart in turmoil. All day I had been struggling because I knew that God was asking for some of my time. He wanted me to take time out of everything else for Him, and for Him alone. Distractions, things that "had to be done" filled my day. As bedtime drew near I felt Him pleading with me to just take a few moments to talk to Him. I didn't want to, and yet I did. I wanted to watch a movie, but I knew that God wanted me to not do so and just be still and listen. I argued with myself as I prepared for bed and then ended up watching the movie. "God, I do love You and I want to be close, but I did all that I knew how and it backfired last week. Why should I try again tonight? I am tired. I don't want to talk about it."

It was a mistake. I knew it then just as I do now. As I went to sleep tears trickled down my cheeks. "I am sorry God..." I whispered, "I just don't want to be disappointed again. I know myself too well. I know that no matter what I do, I always slip away from You after a while because I just cannot seem to keep up my guard. I am tired of the struggle. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do..." Somewhere along about that time I feel to sleep.

When my alarm went off this morning I reached for my Bible, prying my eyes open, as I shuffled through its familiar pages. I was going to try again. I had known when I went to bed the night before that I would. I can never give up on God. I have been close to His heart before, I was so happy there. I cannot help myself. I am pulled to His presence like a moth to a light on a pitch black night. He is my light. My hope. My future. Human nature causes me to stumble, to trip, to want to lie on the ground and never get up. But He pulls me on.

With this knowledge I opened up to my Proverbs for the day and found words there that were like a flash of lightening. "If you seek her (understanding) as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD." All the sudden I made a resolve. I have always sought the Lord. I have always wanted what He has to offer, peace, joy, fulfillment. Yet, as much as I have desired these things, have I ever sought Him like a treasure seeker in search of gems and precious medals? Have I ever been that diligent? I have awoken day after day committed to seeking Him all day long?

God is amazing. When you reach the point where you feel you just cannot keep trying, He reminds you to look deeper, seek harder. He also reminds you that you cannot stay in close fellowship with Him on your own strength. In our weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). Isaiah 40:31 says: "But those who wait on the LORD, shall renew their strength." "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10), God promised Israel. If God promised to be with, and strengthen, His children then, do you not think that He would say the same to His children today?

"Today is a new day with no mistakes in it," as Anne of Green Gables would say. Today God has blessed me with another chance at learning to love Him as He has called me to do. Sacrificing selfish pleasures for the sake of walking with the Almighty should never be so hard, but it is. Yet, even though it is a daily battle, I find that I cannot help but get back up each morning, struggle to put on my armor and prepare for whatever battles may lie ahead. God is who I am. Once you see the Light, there is no way for you to go but up. Oh, but that one day I could say that not only is God who I am, but I am who God is...

Do Not Worry

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more then clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they? Which of you by worry can add one cubit to his stature?"

Matthew 6:25-27

How many times each week do I catch myself worrying about some matter or another? If I should write down every little worry, I am afraid I could fill a small book in a matter of months. In fact, I once read about a man who did just that. Every time he had a worry he wrote it down, then refused to worry about it any longer until his worry day. Every week on his worry day (Wednesday, I believe) he would read over his worries from the last week and see what had become of them and if he still had cause to worry about them. Do you know that of all his hundreds of worries, only a few amounted to anything?

We find comfort in thinking that we somehow can change whatever may happen by fretting over it. In reality, if we just chose not to worry, we would be happier. After all, not much of life is worth our worry anyway, as "Mr. Worrier" found out.

Take down your Bible and read what the Lord has to say about worry. I have always loved the line, "Which of you by worry can add one cubit to his stature?" Not I. I may have added a few wrinkles to my face, but I definitely have not grown any taller because of my worry.

It is out of our hands. God has it under control. Whether you have been worrying about your school grades, or about not having a job. God has it all under control. Yes, I do know that that does not guarantee that we will like His outcome, but I firmly believe that the Lord's ways are higher then my own (Isaiah 55:8-9) and I trust that His ways are best, even at those times when I just can't "see" the good.

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You" (Isaiah 26:3). This is my verse for the week. I have no reason to worry. I just need to keep my mind focused on my Father. He has it all under control.

Peanut Brittle

Peanut Brittle

3 c. sugar
1 c. white corn syrup
1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt
3-4 c. raw peanuts
1 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. butter
2 tsp. backing soda

Mix sugar, syrup, water, and salt together. Cook over low heat until sugar dissolves. Add peanuts and stir constantly until mixture reaches hard crack. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Mix then add baking soda. Mix thoroughly. Pour into 8 buttered 9 inch pie pans. Spread as thin as possible. Let cool until tacky, then cut in half and turn over to finish cooling. Break
and eat, or store between waxed paper and store. It freezes well.

Our dear neighbor just taught us how to make this. It might not turn
out the first time you make it. It takes practice, but once you get it
down it is soooooo good! :D It makes a great Christmas time treat, or
gift.

Friends and Proverbs

"A generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." ~ Proverbs 11:25

I have made it a habit in recent years to read a chapter of Proverbs every morning. Just when I think I have found every really good verse, you know the ones that just pop off the page and hit you between the eyes, I find another. A week ago I was reading along and savoring the words of wisdom. I stopped now and then to ponder a verse, or whisper a prayer, as I neared the end, there was verse 25. It just popped right up off the page and socked me good and hard.

Now, all my life I have been taught how it is "more blessed to give then to receive" (Acts 20:35). So the first part of the verse was good and wise, but it was the second half that really spoke to me. "He who waters will also be watered himself."

Sometimes when you are reading God's Word, the phrases means something to you that they do not necessarily mean in the context of the scripture itself. That is how it was with this verse.

Lately I had been thinking a lot about how my friends have been really important to my spiritual growth this last year. When I read this verse I was hit with the question that while they were helping me to grow, was I also helping them to grow?

When did I become so lazy? I used to find joy in daily encouraging my friends. Through scripture, quotes, prayers, or just by discussing life's challenges with them. Looking at my friendships of the past few years I have found how empty many of them have become, and just
because I do not take the time to really care. It is much easier to just send them little updates about what I have been doing, then to ask how I can be praying for them. It is much less time consuming to just not share what I've been struggling with with them, because they might ask me questions that I cannot answer without some heart searching. Sometimes it is easier to just say "Aww" and "I'll be praying for you" and not take the time to dig to the bottom of the issue.

When I read the words, "he who waters will also be watered himself," I thought about how I desire for my friends to water me spiritually, to encourage me, pray for me, help me through what I am going through. Yet, at the same time I have not been willing to do that for them.

Friendships take work as well as love. If I am not careful, all my friends will just fade out of my life. If they do not find any encouragement in our relationship, then they will cease to put as much energy into it. With both of us not working at it, it will fade away, and I do not want to loose my friends.

So, it is my turn. I need to step up, take the time, and care for those I love. Take time to listen, time to write encouragement, time to challenge, time to listen. I need to just take time to water my friendships so that they will blossom and grow. May we grow to be like iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). And may our friendships grow sweet, and delight our hearts, like perfume (Proverbs 27:9). And in the process, maybe we can bring delight to our Heavenly Father's
heart.

What kind of friend have you been? Are there some things that you need to work on, like listening better, or encouraging others through scripture? Are your friends important to who you have become? What can you do to be a blessing to them? Don't wait until tomorrow, be a
better friend today.

Is God Number One In Your Life?

Everyday we all speak of busy schedules and rush hither and yon to get everything on our extensive lists done. But how many of those stress creating, busy makers, are really heavenward focused? How many of those "have-to-get-done-s" are done because they are expected of us by others, and we want to look good in the eyes of those same others? If I told you that you would die before today was over, which items on that to-do list would you like most to accomplish? How is that for putting your life into perspective?

I do not know about you, but I would like to die knowing that I had taken time for God this morning, and that all was right between us.

When you look at you list of things to do, do you have items like: check Facebook, watch a (specific) T.V. show, go shopping at the mall with you girlfriends. If so, maybe you need to take some time to look over you priorities and tweak your list of "to-dos." Taking time for fun is not always a bad thing, in fact it is often times a good thing, so long as we do not go overboard. We all need down times and rest, and I do not think God begrudges us either of those, or fun. At the same time, if we are not making God our number one priority each day, then I have a feeling He would have a thing or two to say to us about it. :)

"Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:33).

What Are We Missing?

My brother and I were talking not long ago about how easy it is to judge others for living differently then we do, and how even how if there is nothing Biblically wrong with how others live, we often judge them harshly. False pride tells us that we are better somehow. How foolish we humans can be! As I go through each day, and each stage of life, I am finding more and more how pride plays a huge roll in the fallen-ness (if you will) of our world at large, as well as our own little personal worlds.

Again and again God brings to mind the verses from Matthew 7 that tell us to not always be jumping to point out the speck in our brothers eye, while ignoring the beam in our own. How many times I find myself saying, well she/he has a problem and this is the root of it, and this is what needs to be done to fix it. Stop. Wait! What does God say. Look at my life first. Seek out the wicked ways in me. And oh, how many there are!

God has a way of reaching down and shaking us, opening our eyes to our half-blinded view of things, and saying, "Hey, this is the whole picture."

Have you heard the song by Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes? It talks about God giving us His eyes so we might see. I really like the lines where it talks about us having God's eyes. It reminds me to look deeper, to seek Him in what is happening. There are so many things that we are either too busy to see, or to prideful to see. To see others through His eyes... Just thinking about it makes me smile. How much better our world could be if we could learn to see each other through the eye of our Heavenly Father.

"Give me Your eyes for just one second

Give me Your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me love for humility."

~Brandon Heath Give Me Your Eyes

Super Yummy Chocolate Frosting

1 cup butter (softened)

1 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 - 1 cup milk (I found 1/2 c. is just right)

4 cups powdered sugar

The original recipe said to add the milk last, but I found that it is best to mix 1/2 cup of milk with softened and creamed butter and the vanilla. Then add the cocoa. Mix in well. Then add the sugar slowly. Otherwise you end up with lots of clumps of cocoa and sugar. :)

This is so good you might just want to eat it by itself. Frosts a three layer round cake.

Hello to 2011 (Finally)

Dear Readers,

I know that all of you probably thought that I had dropped off the planet, but no, I am still every much on earth, and very much alive.

Wow! January is almost over already and I am just posting!

The truth is that I have thought about sitting down to write numerous times in the last several weeks, but have been so busy with some changes that are happening in my life that I have not had the time.

I am sorry if you have been checking in each week and have been disappointed at my lack of activity. I will try to make it up to you in the best way I know how. Posts here we come!

Thanks for always being so understanding.
God Bless,
Kathryn