Warning, this post is not for the faint of heart. If Spiritual warfare is something that frightens you, then read on dear reader; this is for you.
This topic of warfare has been repeatedly pressed into the forefront of my mind over the past several days. Satan is attacking and I know its because God is on the move. When there is major revival going on among Christ's church, you know satan is going to fight back- but JESUS is THE KING OF THIS EARTH! In fact, just writing this blog is giving me butterflies, but I press on because I know Jesus wants to reach some of you through this. Listen up, He has something to say- and I'm praying as I type that He fully conveys His message and my flesh doesn't stand in His way.
Warfare comes in many different forms. We do battle in our minds everyday-taking captive every ungodly thought and banishing it from our minds (2 Cor. 10:5). There is oppression of our Spirit that feels as if all hope is lost, and its usually accompanied anxiety dread and fear. Another tricky form of spiritual warfare is numbness and complacency.- it keeps us lukewarm, knowing about Christ and doing nothing, NOTHING.- Revelation 3:15 cries, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" Finally, there are also physical events that can be only described as wholly unrighteous attacks of warfare. But take heart- we have all been there and God has been faithful to bring each and every one of us out of these times of oppression. He fights for us!
Psalms 55:18 states, "He ransoms me UNHARMED from the battle waged against me, even though many oppress me."
Yes, there is a battle raging in the heavenlies around all of us, but Jesus didn't come for nothing! He came to rescue us all from satan, and from sin, and bring us into the perfect peace of salvation with HIM. When- not if, but WHEN- we are attacked stop and praise Jesus, because it means you're doing something right. You're furthering God's kingdom in some way and satan wants it to stop- but press on! We have no need to fear in 2 Chronicles 20:15 and 17
"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's......You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." Though the context of this passage relates to the people of Judah and Jerusalem- I honestly feel that it perfectly applies to spiritual warfare- and I will explain further. You see, we cant see this battle, but God can. He knows every move the enemy makes- He's the ultimate war general because He knows every move and every trick the enemy will try. Nothing escapes Him. The battle is in the palm of His hands. The battle is HIS. All we need is to stand firm and take our positions as His army, on our knees.
Yep, I said it- ON OUR KNEES. This may feel like an elementary teaching- but we're going to talk about it, prayer. James 5:16 says that "the Prayer of the righteous is, powerful and effective." Prayer is our weapon of choice. In 2 Corinthians 10: 4 "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they (prayer) have divine power to demolish strongholds." That is our position: smack dab on our knees in prayer.- God is listening, and He's ready for you to sound the battle cry, because when you do- He will go to war, commanding His angels to surround you and fight to the finish! 1 Peter 3:12 states "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Membership of God's Kingdom has its benefits, we're on the winning side of this battle and God is against those who do evil. The Greek word for evil in this passage is "kakos," meaning specifically in 1 Peter "those who do evil, cause damage and harm." - aka. they're on God's hit list. As soon as we sound the alarm of prayer- they're toast, seriously.
Ephesians 6:10 commands us to "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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is God's draft for us to go to war. In this world, it is important to seek Christ daily asking for discernment to identify the devil's many schemes so that we may pray in power. In Colossians 4:2 Paul urges us to "devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Key words: being watchful.- We much be on our guard against the devil's schemes, and when we recognize them, we have to hit our knees.
A song called "I Put on Christ" by Laura Hackett states these words that pray over and over again: "Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil land. The battle is raging, The devil is raging, I don’t want to be sleeping, While the battle is raging, For my spirit is willing, But my flesh gets tempted, Rise up, my soul, and start praying, ‘Cause I don’t want to be defenseless.
I don’t fight as one who beats the air, Give me eyes to see and ears to hear, I put on Christ, make no provision for my flesh, Put on the whole armor of God, Leave no open door to darkness, And I take the scroll, I eat the scroll, I open up my mouth and speak forth Your word, And I take the sword of the Spirit, Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle, who trains my hands for war."
- look it up on itunes.
To encourage you farther, let me tell you of a hardcore, real life, RECENT story of God listening to the prayers of the righteous, breaking down strongholds, and banishing evil.
**Ok serious warning, this story contains hard and real life situations that are not suitable for children. Just in case there are any children reading this!
Topic: Sexual Slavery.
"Belgrade is an infamous stop on the new middle passage.-the new middle passage, is somewhere between where a girl is first lured and where she will be sold for sex night after night, its usually the slave auction. Here is where the slave-trader meets slave-buyer and decide together the worth of their human cargo; the buyers then transport the women to a sex-market. Thousands of women from Eastern Europe and Western ex-soviet states have stories that start when they are whisked away across the majestic Danube river and into the dark underworld of Belgrade to be traded to a slave buyer. But Belgrade is more than a trading post. Belgrade is the breaking grounds."
-side note, I'm apart of a group called Exodus Cry (http://www.exoduscry.com)that prays for the ending of sexual slavery. The spiritual warfare that goes on around this is intense. Ok now the recent breaking news.
"03/12/2010
BELGRADE, Serbia -- The interior ministry announced on Thursday (March 11th) the arrest of Milivoje Zarubica-Puja, the notorious "Balkan king of human trafficking". Zarubica-Puja, 45, was detained in a village near the town of Kursumlija, in southern Serbia, carrying fake ID documents. Zarubica-Puja was initially arrested in December 1999, during a police operation in Resnik, where 46 girls about to be trafficked illegally were found and about 180,000 Deutsch marks were confiscated. Several charges were filed against him in that case, including human trafficking, and he was sentenced to four years in prison. He failed to appear for sentencing and has been wanted ever since."
You need only to pray and Christ will break down strongholds, cast out evil and wage Holy war on satan.
Romans 6:19 says, "Be excellent at what is good be innocent of evil and the God of peace will soon crush satan underneath your feet." He will crush satan, but He wants to use our feet to do it.
Free up your feet and get down on your knees,
Kate
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The 2010 Winter Olympics- Vancouver
Sadly, this post is not deep nor shall it be life changing- but some could definitely call it spiritual if you love the Winter Olympics and all that it encompasses like I do. =) (If you've never been skiing- its entirely a God experience- and I dont want to hear any arguments against it- you know who you are ;)
- SO here is my critique per say of the Winter Olympics thus far.
Curling:
= rediculous. Have you EVER watched a curling match? Its like watching someone play golf. It might be the slowest most uneventful game I have ever witnessed.- and I say that from experience. I sat down to watch a game for the first time yesterday that took TWO hours- two WHOLE hours of what, sliding a 'stone' across some ice?....Rough.
Cross Country Skiing:
Hands down the hardest sport at the Olympics. The amount of strength it takes to ski UP a hill- is intense. Now, imagine skiing up a mountain as fast as you can for 9ish miles with the altitude and the air pressure working against you....intense for sure.
Alpine Skiing:
is INCREDIBLE!!! I'm a girl that likes speed - not the drug- but the thrill of pointing your skis down hill and the wind in your face- well, there's just nothing like it. Anyways, I envy these few that can race down the mountain at speeds I can only dream of. Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller- I love ya'll. :)
Free Style Skiing:
EASILY IS GUTSIEST SPORT OUT THERE!!!!! From Ski jumping to aerials where these people just launch themselves up four stories in the air and then proceed to twist and flip multiple times and THEN try to land on their skis successfully....ummm ya, I cant even imagine putting my life at this kind of risk. Hats off to you my friends, hats off to you!
Hockey:
Men's Hockey is just a little too "hands on" for me and women's hockey....well it just makes me wonder...otherwise not much too say about this sport, and to be honest not too much I wanna say (to be quite frank.) =)
Snowboarding:
Ok I'm going to admit something no skier should ever have to- BUT I'm an honest girl, so here goes. Snowboarding is my FAVORITE sport at the Winter Olympics. Yes, yes I said it. ITS JUST THE BEST TO WATCH! My snowboarding experience is limited to one day of torture back in the Spring of 2006- which therefore makes me look up to the likes of Shaun White and Hannah Teeter all the more. And dont even get me started on Shaun! Not only is he the best at snowboarding BUT he works throughout the year making up new tricks on the superpipe- not only placing himself as a master of the board but also furthering the young sport and taking it to heights the pioneers never thought possible! (Snowboarding began in the early 1980's as a take off of the monoski-or skiing with just one larger ski- which is now a dying form.)
Figure Skating:
is cool- when its a girl - and even sometimes its cool when its in pairs; but I'm sorry I just cant get into men's figure skating. Something about a man in a unitard just seems wrong!- Even if its the now gold medelist, USA team member, Evan Lysacek, who some claim is cute, its just not ok with me. No matter how much you claim he can pull off that uni- you should take a second and realize what you just said. We need to check ourselves people. THIS IS NOT OK!
Speed skating:
is a notable sport. Its just like a normal race, but on skates. And after watching the race with Apollo Ono and seeing those two rib-jabbing Koreans fall and colide with the wall- I realized that its much more of a contact sport than I originally assumed. And yes, there is unitard involved for the men- and NO I'm still not ok with it, but at least they look like men while wearing it. I mean they have to wear a helmet for goodness sakes and they're at least racing; while ole' Evan is wearing sequins and feathers. I'm just sayin'.
Luge and Skeleton:
I recently found out what "Skeleton" is. It's when you throw your body down the luge track (where-stating the obvious here people- one has already died this Olympics) HEAD FIRST. This sport get's my DUMBEST SPORT award. If anyone is thinking about becoming a luge-st or a skeleton-ist, can I plead with you to just throw yourself off of a bridge instead?! its much safer.
Sidenote: While letting my mother read this blog, she exclaims- "I LOVE HOCKEY! HOW CAN YOU NOT?!" So there you have it people. Gena loves the head-butting, body-slaming, teeth knocking, shin-hitting, known as Hockey. Oh Gena, you never cease to surprise me. ;)
So like I said- not a deep blog, but hopefully its been entertaining.
Wishing I was in Vancouver,
Kate
- SO here is my critique per say of the Winter Olympics thus far.
Curling:
= rediculous. Have you EVER watched a curling match? Its like watching someone play golf. It might be the slowest most uneventful game I have ever witnessed.- and I say that from experience. I sat down to watch a game for the first time yesterday that took TWO hours- two WHOLE hours of what, sliding a 'stone' across some ice?....Rough.
Cross Country Skiing:
Hands down the hardest sport at the Olympics. The amount of strength it takes to ski UP a hill- is intense. Now, imagine skiing up a mountain as fast as you can for 9ish miles with the altitude and the air pressure working against you....intense for sure.
Alpine Skiing:
is INCREDIBLE!!! I'm a girl that likes speed - not the drug- but the thrill of pointing your skis down hill and the wind in your face- well, there's just nothing like it. Anyways, I envy these few that can race down the mountain at speeds I can only dream of. Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller- I love ya'll. :)
Free Style Skiing:
EASILY IS GUTSIEST SPORT OUT THERE!!!!! From Ski jumping to aerials where these people just launch themselves up four stories in the air and then proceed to twist and flip multiple times and THEN try to land on their skis successfully....ummm ya, I cant even imagine putting my life at this kind of risk. Hats off to you my friends, hats off to you!
Hockey:
Men's Hockey is just a little too "hands on" for me and women's hockey....well it just makes me wonder...otherwise not much too say about this sport, and to be honest not too much I wanna say (to be quite frank.) =)
Snowboarding:
Ok I'm going to admit something no skier should ever have to- BUT I'm an honest girl, so here goes. Snowboarding is my FAVORITE sport at the Winter Olympics. Yes, yes I said it. ITS JUST THE BEST TO WATCH! My snowboarding experience is limited to one day of torture back in the Spring of 2006- which therefore makes me look up to the likes of Shaun White and Hannah Teeter all the more. And dont even get me started on Shaun! Not only is he the best at snowboarding BUT he works throughout the year making up new tricks on the superpipe- not only placing himself as a master of the board but also furthering the young sport and taking it to heights the pioneers never thought possible! (Snowboarding began in the early 1980's as a take off of the monoski-or skiing with just one larger ski- which is now a dying form.)
Figure Skating:
is cool- when its a girl - and even sometimes its cool when its in pairs; but I'm sorry I just cant get into men's figure skating. Something about a man in a unitard just seems wrong!- Even if its the now gold medelist, USA team member, Evan Lysacek, who some claim is cute, its just not ok with me. No matter how much you claim he can pull off that uni- you should take a second and realize what you just said. We need to check ourselves people. THIS IS NOT OK!
Speed skating:
is a notable sport. Its just like a normal race, but on skates. And after watching the race with Apollo Ono and seeing those two rib-jabbing Koreans fall and colide with the wall- I realized that its much more of a contact sport than I originally assumed. And yes, there is unitard involved for the men- and NO I'm still not ok with it, but at least they look like men while wearing it. I mean they have to wear a helmet for goodness sakes and they're at least racing; while ole' Evan is wearing sequins and feathers. I'm just sayin'.
Luge and Skeleton:
I recently found out what "Skeleton" is. It's when you throw your body down the luge track (where-stating the obvious here people- one has already died this Olympics) HEAD FIRST. This sport get's my DUMBEST SPORT award. If anyone is thinking about becoming a luge-st or a skeleton-ist, can I plead with you to just throw yourself off of a bridge instead?! its much safer.
Sidenote: While letting my mother read this blog, she exclaims- "I LOVE HOCKEY! HOW CAN YOU NOT?!" So there you have it people. Gena loves the head-butting, body-slaming, teeth knocking, shin-hitting, known as Hockey. Oh Gena, you never cease to surprise me. ;)
So like I said- not a deep blog, but hopefully its been entertaining.
Wishing I was in Vancouver,
Kate
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Love Letters
So in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I just felt that I needed to share this story with you. I read it in a book a couple of months ago called, "When God Writes Your Love Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. If you've never read this book- I encourage everyone to go right now and buy a copy of it- this very instant! :) It is amazing and it will change and shape the way you view your love life forever! Ok so moving on to the story: *the names have been changed because I forgot them ;) but this is the same story told from my memory.
Set during World War II, this true love story begins- not with boy meets girl, but in a little library in a small town in Florida. Jim was stationed there right before being shipped out overseas. He was wandering aimlessly amid the rows of books until he found his one of his favorites. As he began to flip through the familiar pages, he noticed little scribbled handwritting in the margins. As he began to read them each individually- he realized that they were very insightful notes about Jesus and the resurrection. Reading on, he found himself enjoying each one more than the last. Finally, he made it to the end of the book where he saw an inscription that read "Sorry for all the notes, Ellen Walters, New York City, New York." Impressed by her intelligence, godliness and insightfulness, Jim knew he had to meet this special woman. Sadly with his departure looming, he set out only to find Ellen's address in New York in hopes to write her a letter. A few days later, he found it and immediately sat down to write. He thanked her for her notes in the book, inquired about her righteous insight and reassured her of his innocent intentions. After sealing the letter, he placed it in the mailbox and left the next day for the dangerous trenches of Europe.
Weeks later, he received the first of many letters between the two. With each note, Jim fell more in love with Ellen. After months had gone by, Jim was due for a leave of abscence and he was desperate to meet this Godly woman. Ellen, being a little hesitant, wrote him her concerns about meeting. She was afraid he would be like everyone other man- completely focused on outside appearances. She wrote telling him that she was looking for a man of honor and integrety- who considered others before himself. After a little coercion from Jim- assuring her that he had the utmost respect for her and every woman; Ellen agreed to meet. They were to meet in the lobby of Grand Central Station in New York City at 6:30pm. She told him to look for a woman carrying a single red rose.
When Jim finally arrived back in the States, he could hardly stand his excitment. Getting off at the train station he walked, more like sprinted, to the lobby. He arrived at exactly 6:30pm., and with his heart pounding in his chest. He began to search for a woman with a red rose. As few seconds later, a group of people got off a train and began to make their way through the lobby. A beautiful slender brunette in a pale green suit that matched her eyes began to make her way through the crowded lobby. His heart stopped as she made eye contact with him. He began to take a step toward her and she coyly inquired, "Going my way, soldier?" ;) Thats when he realized she wasn't carrying a red rose. Before he could respond- he saw over her shoulder a hunched over, grimy, old woman with grizzled hair, a few missing teeth and single red rose in her hand. She seemed as if she was looking for someone. At this moment- Jim knew he had to make his decision- would he turn around and follow the beautiful brunette out of the station or would he muster his honor and walk over to Ellen. With the promise of dinner from their last letter still ringing in his ears, he sauntered over to old woman and introduced himself. The woman looked up at him and replied in her raspy voice, "Honey, I dont know what this is all about, but that gorgeous brunette that just walked out of here gave me this rose on the train and told me that if a soldier named Jim came up and introduced himself- then I should tell him to meet her across the street at the Sidewalk Diner. Oh and I'm supposed to tell you that you passed the test."
Thanking the old woman warmly, he told her to keep the rose and raced out of the lobby to find the real Ellen. After his eyes had adjusted to the sunlight and he had crossed the street, he saw her sitting at a table in the front window. They made eye contact and she smiled the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He swung open the diner doors and the rest is history. :)
- I love this story because it is a true story of love based not on physical appearance but on one another's love for God, integrity and honor.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Kate
Set during World War II, this true love story begins- not with boy meets girl, but in a little library in a small town in Florida. Jim was stationed there right before being shipped out overseas. He was wandering aimlessly amid the rows of books until he found his one of his favorites. As he began to flip through the familiar pages, he noticed little scribbled handwritting in the margins. As he began to read them each individually- he realized that they were very insightful notes about Jesus and the resurrection. Reading on, he found himself enjoying each one more than the last. Finally, he made it to the end of the book where he saw an inscription that read "Sorry for all the notes, Ellen Walters, New York City, New York." Impressed by her intelligence, godliness and insightfulness, Jim knew he had to meet this special woman. Sadly with his departure looming, he set out only to find Ellen's address in New York in hopes to write her a letter. A few days later, he found it and immediately sat down to write. He thanked her for her notes in the book, inquired about her righteous insight and reassured her of his innocent intentions. After sealing the letter, he placed it in the mailbox and left the next day for the dangerous trenches of Europe.
Weeks later, he received the first of many letters between the two. With each note, Jim fell more in love with Ellen. After months had gone by, Jim was due for a leave of abscence and he was desperate to meet this Godly woman. Ellen, being a little hesitant, wrote him her concerns about meeting. She was afraid he would be like everyone other man- completely focused on outside appearances. She wrote telling him that she was looking for a man of honor and integrety- who considered others before himself. After a little coercion from Jim- assuring her that he had the utmost respect for her and every woman; Ellen agreed to meet. They were to meet in the lobby of Grand Central Station in New York City at 6:30pm. She told him to look for a woman carrying a single red rose.
When Jim finally arrived back in the States, he could hardly stand his excitment. Getting off at the train station he walked, more like sprinted, to the lobby. He arrived at exactly 6:30pm., and with his heart pounding in his chest. He began to search for a woman with a red rose. As few seconds later, a group of people got off a train and began to make their way through the lobby. A beautiful slender brunette in a pale green suit that matched her eyes began to make her way through the crowded lobby. His heart stopped as she made eye contact with him. He began to take a step toward her and she coyly inquired, "Going my way, soldier?" ;) Thats when he realized she wasn't carrying a red rose. Before he could respond- he saw over her shoulder a hunched over, grimy, old woman with grizzled hair, a few missing teeth and single red rose in her hand. She seemed as if she was looking for someone. At this moment- Jim knew he had to make his decision- would he turn around and follow the beautiful brunette out of the station or would he muster his honor and walk over to Ellen. With the promise of dinner from their last letter still ringing in his ears, he sauntered over to old woman and introduced himself. The woman looked up at him and replied in her raspy voice, "Honey, I dont know what this is all about, but that gorgeous brunette that just walked out of here gave me this rose on the train and told me that if a soldier named Jim came up and introduced himself- then I should tell him to meet her across the street at the Sidewalk Diner. Oh and I'm supposed to tell you that you passed the test."
Thanking the old woman warmly, he told her to keep the rose and raced out of the lobby to find the real Ellen. After his eyes had adjusted to the sunlight and he had crossed the street, he saw her sitting at a table in the front window. They made eye contact and she smiled the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He swung open the diner doors and the rest is history. :)
- I love this story because it is a true story of love based not on physical appearance but on one another's love for God, integrity and honor.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Kate
Monday, February 8, 2010
Steps of Faith
So, Jesus is keeping me up late tonight. Sometimes He does that, but its never without a very good reason. =)
The source of this post is Matthew 14:28-32 and Romans 8:28.
Matthew 14:28-32
"Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water.'
'Come,' Jesus replied. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down."
This of course led me to ask God, "How many times do you ask me to follow You out on that water?" "And what does that kind of request look like from You?- how do I identify such a big 'walk on water' step of faith?"- the answer seems obvious- its whatever pushes us out of our comfortable -*insert part of life here*- and asks us to lean solely on Christ. Now to the topic weighing most heavily on my heart.
I am mainly concerned with the topic of fear, doubt and how to prevent it and if necessary- which it usually is- how to find my way back to trusting only Jesus. While I am willing to follow the Lord out on the water, just as Peter was, how many times does my fear hold me back in the boat? Or what about when I begin to take those first few steps out on the waves, but I let that all too familiar cloud of doubt come and overshadow "this little light of mine" (a reference for all you Sunday schoolers out there) as I begin to sink into the ever deep pool of complacency that continually threatens to force me to swim back to the boat?
What I feel God showing me is that, if we keep our eyes continually on Jesus, the focus of our mind and our heart will be directed entirely on Him. While, at the same time, by keeping "eye contact" with Jesus- the protector, Savior and creator of our very lives, we will never even notice or worry about the problems and situations that only threaten us, cause us to worry and pull our attention, along with our trust away from Jesus. Which, of course, consistently leaves us struggling amongst the waves of hardship that could of been avoided in the first place. (by keeping Jesus at the center of our mind and trusting that the Ultimate Rescuer will come to our aid- if ever that time should arise.) Many times though, this fear and worry alone causes us to never even get out of the boat of security and walk out on the waters that lead us to Jesus' heart.
In Romans 8:28 Paul states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Consistently throughout the Bible, God reminds us over and over again that He will not let His purposes nor His people be thwarted ( yes I just said "thwarted.") =) In the very story of Jesus' birth, He protects Jesus-and probably the wise men as well- from Herod by sending them a dream and therefore preventing some impending doom. Then later in Acts 12, Peter is put in prison and God, with His mighty purposes, wakes Peter up, releases him from his bondage (as if he was bound by thread)and gives him a heavenly escort right past the first and then then second guards, smack into the middle of the city, all within enough time to rouse the praying saints to lead him out of the city gates and deliver him to safety from Herod. These are just two examples of many times God has worked good for those who love Him way back in Biblical times; but ironically God isnt saying in Romans 8:28 that God "worked good" or "thought about working good" NO, He clearly states that He "works good" - that means RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, HE IS WORKING GOOD!- whether we see it or not! I know Peter certainly did not see God working while he was asleep, and the saints after him didnt and the many others experiencing God's protective power even as I write this post. But they all trusted that God is working good for those who love Him and have been called to His purposes. And if you love God, He is calling you to His purposes.- He tends to work that way. =)
And for those- like myself- who have to find their way back to trusting Jesus, time and time again, from my own personal experience, I have one word of encouragement for you, Grace. Jesus didnt die on that cross to leave us the way we are, but through His grace, He can and will change you; yet only if you let Him. It is at times like these- when we are desperate for God to change us, if we ask we shall receive, and if we knock -He will always open up for us. =)
So I guess to wrap up this post, how is God asking you to get out of that boat of security, all the while keeping your focus on Him instead of the things of this world, and walk on those waves of uncertainty to where Jesus is leading you?
As the words to the popular hymn state, "On Christ the SOLID ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND."
Jesus will provide the firm foundation- but if you want to walk on water- you HAVE to get out of that boat. The first step is always the hardest, yet when you hear your precious Savior calling, you have to make a decision- is your life going to be about Him- or is it going to be about feeding into your comforts and your fears?
-I hope this encouraged some of ya'll out there. =)
Forget swimming lessons- I'm walking on that water,
Kate
**There is a book out by a popular Christian author, John Ortberg, entitled "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat." Interestingly enough, I have never read this book- though I own it, it covers in much more detail what God has been placed on my heart in this blog.- So if this is something God is placing on your heart as well- this book would be a great place to continue reading. =)
The source of this post is Matthew 14:28-32 and Romans 8:28.
Matthew 14:28-32
"Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water.'
'Come,' Jesus replied. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down."
This of course led me to ask God, "How many times do you ask me to follow You out on that water?" "And what does that kind of request look like from You?- how do I identify such a big 'walk on water' step of faith?"- the answer seems obvious- its whatever pushes us out of our comfortable -*insert part of life here*- and asks us to lean solely on Christ. Now to the topic weighing most heavily on my heart.
I am mainly concerned with the topic of fear, doubt and how to prevent it and if necessary- which it usually is- how to find my way back to trusting only Jesus. While I am willing to follow the Lord out on the water, just as Peter was, how many times does my fear hold me back in the boat? Or what about when I begin to take those first few steps out on the waves, but I let that all too familiar cloud of doubt come and overshadow "this little light of mine" (a reference for all you Sunday schoolers out there) as I begin to sink into the ever deep pool of complacency that continually threatens to force me to swim back to the boat?
What I feel God showing me is that, if we keep our eyes continually on Jesus, the focus of our mind and our heart will be directed entirely on Him. While, at the same time, by keeping "eye contact" with Jesus- the protector, Savior and creator of our very lives, we will never even notice or worry about the problems and situations that only threaten us, cause us to worry and pull our attention, along with our trust away from Jesus. Which, of course, consistently leaves us struggling amongst the waves of hardship that could of been avoided in the first place. (by keeping Jesus at the center of our mind and trusting that the Ultimate Rescuer will come to our aid- if ever that time should arise.) Many times though, this fear and worry alone causes us to never even get out of the boat of security and walk out on the waters that lead us to Jesus' heart.
In Romans 8:28 Paul states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Consistently throughout the Bible, God reminds us over and over again that He will not let His purposes nor His people be thwarted ( yes I just said "thwarted.") =) In the very story of Jesus' birth, He protects Jesus-and probably the wise men as well- from Herod by sending them a dream and therefore preventing some impending doom. Then later in Acts 12, Peter is put in prison and God, with His mighty purposes, wakes Peter up, releases him from his bondage (as if he was bound by thread)and gives him a heavenly escort right past the first and then then second guards, smack into the middle of the city, all within enough time to rouse the praying saints to lead him out of the city gates and deliver him to safety from Herod. These are just two examples of many times God has worked good for those who love Him way back in Biblical times; but ironically God isnt saying in Romans 8:28 that God "worked good" or "thought about working good" NO, He clearly states that He "works good" - that means RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, HE IS WORKING GOOD!- whether we see it or not! I know Peter certainly did not see God working while he was asleep, and the saints after him didnt and the many others experiencing God's protective power even as I write this post. But they all trusted that God is working good for those who love Him and have been called to His purposes. And if you love God, He is calling you to His purposes.- He tends to work that way. =)
And for those- like myself- who have to find their way back to trusting Jesus, time and time again, from my own personal experience, I have one word of encouragement for you, Grace. Jesus didnt die on that cross to leave us the way we are, but through His grace, He can and will change you; yet only if you let Him. It is at times like these- when we are desperate for God to change us, if we ask we shall receive, and if we knock -He will always open up for us. =)
So I guess to wrap up this post, how is God asking you to get out of that boat of security, all the while keeping your focus on Him instead of the things of this world, and walk on those waves of uncertainty to where Jesus is leading you?
As the words to the popular hymn state, "On Christ the SOLID ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND."
Jesus will provide the firm foundation- but if you want to walk on water- you HAVE to get out of that boat. The first step is always the hardest, yet when you hear your precious Savior calling, you have to make a decision- is your life going to be about Him- or is it going to be about feeding into your comforts and your fears?
-I hope this encouraged some of ya'll out there. =)
Forget swimming lessons- I'm walking on that water,
Kate
**There is a book out by a popular Christian author, John Ortberg, entitled "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat." Interestingly enough, I have never read this book- though I own it, it covers in much more detail what God has been placed on my heart in this blog.- So if this is something God is placing on your heart as well- this book would be a great place to continue reading. =)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
From the Past
OK: Here are two posts from a past blog I had back during the Summer of 2008. Thought I'd share them with you. Maybe some of y'all out there are bored. haha :) but please, read the real post for today if you read anything. Its after this post.
Little Women
So I just watched Little Women, and if you've never seen it- it is a beautiful story of four sisters during the civil war, their trials with money and a father being at war, their quarrels and joys and their journey of growing up. You laugh, you cry, and then you become reflective...either secretly wishing that you too had grown up in a house with 3 other sisters (or siblings) or you yearn to of been a part of this family yourself caught up in the love that binds them all together.
The most heart wrenching experience of the entire film though, is to realize that the novel was based off of Louisa May Alcott's own personal life, that these events truly happened, that "Jo" was a real person, named Louisa, and the love that is woven between the pages and throughout the film was true, was real, was tangible.
Unlike Cinderella or Snow White, you can walk away from this film, this novel and know that this kind of true love IS within reach, it is attainable, it is Yours for the keeping- to stay wrapped up in the loving arms of your family forever and ever. Beth saw it, she understood this kind of love- and while I wish I had Meg's propriety, Jo's heroine personality, and Amy's artistic ability- it is Beth who I truly wish I could say that I am like minded.
She understood love and family unlike any person I have ever encountered. And although she was the gentle spirit who never left home much except to help the poor(er); even in death she brought together those whom she loved dearly, and even inspired her sister to write the most inspiring account of their lives that I have ever read- I envy such a person.
My hope is to have a love like the "March" family, and even in my death- bring my family together with a stronger bond; and inspire my young ones with the story of my life. That is true living, and true love. This I believe is how God would describe love; through the love of a family- a bond that can not be broken, nor should it be. Its a love that should be cherished everyday of our short lives. And even with its ups and downs it is beautiful just the way God designed it.
-Kate
A Summer Night in 2008
So I'm sitting here in a rocking chair on my back porch, the breeze in my face, the sunset right in front of me, my dog at my feet and this lap top in my lap....yea this is what I call summer.
You know i was reading in 2 Corinthians today ch 11-13 and i was reading about Paul, the apostle who we can thank for spreading the gospel to 1/4th of the population on earth during his lifetime!!! - but its incredible how he was beaten, and stoned, and beaten, and thrown in jail, and beaten, and starved, and beaten AGAIN, and yet he ALWAYS got up and kept on preaching the gospel to anyone and everyone who would listen.
He knew that he had the only thing that could save the people from themselves, and that (of course) was his faith in Jesus Christ. But I find it so interesting today that we have that same relationship with Jesus (now im not saying our relationship with Jesus is exactly like Paul's BUT I am saying that we DO know the Lord and we know who can heal all wounds and cares about the "nitty gritty" we face in our lives)....and yet we don’t share the gospel with everyone we meet. (myself included obviously) But that just doesn’t make sense to me, u know?
We live in a world where millions of people are going to hell, millions of hard working, trying to do “what’s right” people are going to spend eternity in the most unhappy place they can fathom, plus worse. And here I am sitting by the pool soaking up the last few rays of today's sunlight and when its dark I’m going to go hang out with friends... while I have neighbors that dont know Jesus.
You know, Paul was continuously beaten for sharing the gospel, here in the
Now this is just me vocalizing thoughts God has given me for myself, but how great would it be to live like Paul?!...dont know you know when we get to heaven God would have the biggest smile on His face!! How great would that be to honor God with my whole life and not just a FEW small events?! Isnt that the whole reason we are even put on this earth, to know God and to make Him known?! - Talk about a 'Purpose Driven Life' ;)
:) Those are just some of my thoughts for today.
God is Good.
-Kate
I've Counted the Cost
Today I was reading one of my favorite author's blogs (Leslie Ludy- for all you women out there, and her husband Eric Ludy for you men!) Anyway, she had an excerpt from a different blog ( by Steve and Kathy Gallagher) that I found refreshing, encouraging, and no doubt inspiring!- and I think this could apply to both men and women! Here it is!
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"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 the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such oppostion from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted ot the point of shedding your blood.
Hebrews 12:1-4
In the words of Cory Asbury, "I've counted the cost, I count it all as loss for the sake of knowing You; and until that day, until I see you face to face, I'll be taking up my cross."
-Kate
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“If it is true that you wish to follow in the footsteps of women like Amy Carmichael and Elizabeth Elliot, perhaps it would be good to ask yourselves what their lives looked like as they were preparing to go into their life’s work. What did Amy Carmichael’s life look like as a young girl before she went away to India? And what about Elizabeth Elliot? What was going on with her as a Wheaton student before she married Jim and left for the jungles of Ecuador?
Amy had an overriding passion to know God in a very real way. She was lit on fire at the Keswick Convention and would spend hours seeking God. She went down into the ghetto areas to minister to young girls. In other words, she didn’t just show up in India and suddenly become Amy Carmichael. She prepared herself.
The same was true of Elizabeth Elliot. She was already making the hard choices before she ever met Jim Elliot. She wasn’t looking for Prince Charming to come along and sweep her into some idyllic existence. She was well on her way to becoming the Elizabeth Elliot that we all admire so much. When he met her, he didn’t see a young woman who would have to be coaxed along and drug into sacrificial living. He saw someone who was already showing by her life’s choices that she meant business with God and for God.
One of the traps for young people is that their youthful idealism can be nothing more than romantic fantasizing about what it really means to be in ministry. But let me tell you something from much experience: Real ministry, the kind of ministry where souls are rescued from hell or where orphans are liberated from a life of misery, is hard. It is very hard.
I will use someone a little more close to home to further illustrate this truth: my wife Kathy. She had a dream job working as a manager in an insurance company. She was happy to support us as I went through Bible school and began Pure Life. But then the day came that the Lord asked us to leave our California comfort zone (i.e. families, friends, local supporters, etc.) to relocate to far, far away Kentucky. She didn’t flinch. For 18 months we had to live in a camping trailer and for several years she was the only female at a rehabilitation facility for sex addicts. And then there were the years of living in poverty: shopping in Goodwill stores (quite a drop from Macy’s), etc.
I think I can safely say that Amy Carmichael, Elizabeth Elliot, Gladys Aylward, Jackie Pullinger and a host of other young women were not merely romantics full of idealistic fantasy about ministry. They, like Kathy, were already living the “set-apart” life before they ever reached those far away shores.
A life fully given to Christ in ministry is something you must prepare for.
Allow me to ask you a few pointed questions as I end this blog:
· You say you want to be like Amy Carmichael. How much of a priority is your devotional life? What about scripture memory?
· Have you really counted the cost of going into God’s work?
There are some of you who have exhibited flashes of greatness, little glimmers of future Amy’s and Elizabeth’s. But let me encourage you not to stop short of choosing the same narrow path these women chose.
If you want to be like the women you esteem – here is the path that leads there… Count the cost, commit yourself to living up to your full potential and go after God with all your heart.
"What is the secret to great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts." Amy Carmichael
***********************************
"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 the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such oppostion from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted ot the point of shedding your blood.
Hebrews 12:1-4
In the words of Cory Asbury, "I've counted the cost, I count it all as loss for the sake of knowing You; and until that day, until I see you face to face, I'll be taking up my cross."
-Kate
Monday, November 23, 2009
Love, as it should be
I am beginning to see a pattern in my life. I tend to be utterly moved by a good book or movie, and tonight is not an objection. I have just finished watching the movie "Pride and Prejudice." It is most certainly a movie that is not to be watched unless the mood is observed, and the mood was perfect tonight.
I must preface though that I am also reading Jane Austin's original "Pride and Prejudice" in conjunction with viewing the movie this evening. (if my writing style hasn't already given me away). ;) By the by, I must write of a revelation I had while taking in the drama.
I used to think this movie was so sappy and silly and I must admit that quite some time has elapsed since I last saw it, a few years in fact. I used to think of this movie as nothing but a fairy tale that would never come true, yet I stand corrected. I witnessed tonight a love that I believe God put a desire in all us women since the beginning of time. A love based on integrity, honor, respect, and goodness of character; which in turn evolved into passion for one another.
In our current culture, relationships tend to skip all of the above and are based solely on passion, which in turn evolves into a form of impurity as each involved grows more and more obsessed with the other, making them each an idol to one another.
It is not until Elizabeth learns of Darcy's integrity as a man, the honor that he holds amongst his peers, and the utter respect he offers Elizabeth through out the story- even after she declines his hand in marriage the first time around; that she even begins to fall in love with him, let alone be remotely interested in him.
Where are our women who wont even consider a man until she knows his full character? I myself do not pretend to of fallen ill of this slip of the female heart, but in this moment, I feel God has given me great clarity on the matter. What an astounding display of love based on what truly matters. It is this love that I seek in my life, and I refuse to believe it to be a fairy tale. I am talking about true romance, which I am fully aware that I have with my sweet Savior already, but this post is being used tonight as a manifestation of my trust in Him, that He can bring this kind of love, because He is the author of it.
Now I must interject that I am not writing about a love that eludes hardship and problems, but of a love based on the Lord, on purity and everything that Jesus Christ stands for. For everything He died for on that cross, that we may experience His love and experience it abundantly. It is this kind of love that Jesus wants for each of us. One that protects, one that trusts and is trustworthy, one that honors the Lord in all aspects in both public and behind closed doors, one that aims to do good for the other instead of for themselves. Praise the Lord for scripting something so beautiful since before the beginning of time.
I am resolved to settle for nothing less than this love that God has so beautifully crafted with His own adoring hands.
Until inspiration hits me again...
Lovingly,
Kate
I must preface though that I am also reading Jane Austin's original "Pride and Prejudice" in conjunction with viewing the movie this evening. (if my writing style hasn't already given me away). ;) By the by, I must write of a revelation I had while taking in the drama.
I used to think this movie was so sappy and silly and I must admit that quite some time has elapsed since I last saw it, a few years in fact. I used to think of this movie as nothing but a fairy tale that would never come true, yet I stand corrected. I witnessed tonight a love that I believe God put a desire in all us women since the beginning of time. A love based on integrity, honor, respect, and goodness of character; which in turn evolved into passion for one another.
In our current culture, relationships tend to skip all of the above and are based solely on passion, which in turn evolves into a form of impurity as each involved grows more and more obsessed with the other, making them each an idol to one another.
It is not until Elizabeth learns of Darcy's integrity as a man, the honor that he holds amongst his peers, and the utter respect he offers Elizabeth through out the story- even after she declines his hand in marriage the first time around; that she even begins to fall in love with him, let alone be remotely interested in him.
Where are our women who wont even consider a man until she knows his full character? I myself do not pretend to of fallen ill of this slip of the female heart, but in this moment, I feel God has given me great clarity on the matter. What an astounding display of love based on what truly matters. It is this love that I seek in my life, and I refuse to believe it to be a fairy tale. I am talking about true romance, which I am fully aware that I have with my sweet Savior already, but this post is being used tonight as a manifestation of my trust in Him, that He can bring this kind of love, because He is the author of it.
Now I must interject that I am not writing about a love that eludes hardship and problems, but of a love based on the Lord, on purity and everything that Jesus Christ stands for. For everything He died for on that cross, that we may experience His love and experience it abundantly. It is this kind of love that Jesus wants for each of us. One that protects, one that trusts and is trustworthy, one that honors the Lord in all aspects in both public and behind closed doors, one that aims to do good for the other instead of for themselves. Praise the Lord for scripting something so beautiful since before the beginning of time.
I am resolved to settle for nothing less than this love that God has so beautifully crafted with His own adoring hands.
Until inspiration hits me again...
Lovingly,
Kate
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