H E is greater...

it seems as if it has been forever since i have written in my blog. so much has been happening, so many things that without Christ, i would not be able to make it. i have often wondered how people that do not know Christ face each day and make it through that day. i can't even imagine a life without my Savior. He gives me strength when i have none, as i have said before my main reason for starting this blog was to record transparent thoughts, things that go on in my life, and ways in which God is teaching me through Himself, and sometimes those times of learning are not the most comfortable and yet i know how important they are to help me to become more like Him every day. a verse that many people know but, one that came to my mind this morning can be found in John 4:4 "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world." all of the junk that this world and satan tries to throw at me cannot penetrate my entire being unless i pull myself from the will of God and place myself under the care of me...just me. we can never make it on our own, we need the precious Lamb of God to guide us, direct us, go before us, carry us, and fight the battles of satan, for we are no match for the evil one, but praise God He is. one of my uncles recently sent me a wonderful email that had a picture of a bird with two baby birds under each wing, safe secure, and protected. to me this depicted what Jesus Christ does for us, when we call upon His name and run to Him. He gives us a place of peace, security and protection. as i said earlier, "I can't make it on my own." i must look to God and so must you. often i have tried to tackle things believing i can handle it all, acting as if i don't need Christ and attempting to do it alone and you know what? i fail miserably. God is needed for us to make it through each day that He gives us breath to breathe. God will see us through. He hems us in from behind and before. and just like the bird that protects it's young under it's wings, the protection of God is much the same. believing in our hearts that God is greater than anything, that He knows our needs even before we speak them. the thought that He loves me more than anything brings such comfort to my soul. God is greater than anything because it is true that Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world.

the following is a song that ministered to my heart this morning, if you listen to it maybe it will bless you as well.

Because Of Your Love/Phil Wickham

http://youtu.be/M8d0Nh_CXKw

walking with H I M from day to day...

something that i must remember and learn is to let go and let God. like taking a plunge into the ocean, knowing and believing with all of my heart that God will be there to catch me. it is so easy to trust God when things are going well. but when things are not going well, that's when our faith is tested. guess what? yes, you guessed right...i fail that test often. sometimes i look at others around me who seem to easily let go and trust, and i think, "how, can they do that so easily?" well, for one thing they do not dread, worry, fret, or fear and each one of these things are areas in which i must work on. each one of us know the areas in our lives in which we must work on and at times i fail horribly. however, i am so thankful for a God who is full of love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. i know that i need to build character, because by trusting God in difficult situations the more character we can build. yet, even at the thought of this i somewhat cringe...no, not somewhat but, a lot. i begin to think, "oh, no what if God brings something into my life that will really, really test me?" but, you see that's where letting go and letting God comes in and at some things i can do that but, at other things it does not come naturally, maybe you experience the same type of problem. i think all of us do to a certain extent. why? because we are human, and flawed. yet, i believe God looks at the heart, and can see what lies within. those of us who have a relationship with Christ and wish to live for Him strive to live for Him isn't that what He is looking for? He knows He will never find perfection, yet, i believe what He is looking for is also desire. a desire to do what is right, a desire to please Him, and a desire to trust....in all situations. often my emotions and moods get in the way. but, applying discipline i can become stable and remain peaceful, whatever my situation or circumstance may be...so can you.  i long to trust God in all areas of my life. i want to strive to be more like my Savior. deep within i long to please Him to be a servant and live my life as He would want me to, walking with Him from day to day.

D E S I R E S of my heart...

allowing God to give me something is so much better than trying to get it for myself. does a way exist for us to have our desires fulfilled? i know that if we delight ourselves in the Lord He will give us the desires of our heart, this is a promise from God. however, sometimes i spend many times in my life frustrated and struggling, often trying to do something about things that i really do not have any control over. but, i do know that if i commit my ways unto Him, He will bring it to pass. many times i do not know why i tend to be so stubborn, yet i am...wanting things in my timing, wanting things to be done my way. asking God why? asking what if? when?  what for? when it actuality God's ways are higher than my ways, and ultimately He is in control, but to give up that control is difficult mainly because i am stubborn, and many times wish to take the reigns and lead. giving it all over to Him is not an easy thing for me, as it may not be an easy thing for you. yet, Christ actually commands us to...and yet, it still remains difficult to do. however, i must let go and allow God to be God in my life. He wants to give me  the desires of my heart. yet, first and foremost i need to and actually must commit my ways to Him. 

God Is In Control/Avalon 

http://youtu.be/lSxBJycSUY0



R E A C H I N G out for with God A L L things are possible...

how comforting to have a friend reach out in love and meet with me and talk. this past saturday, august 20,2011 a friend came along side of me and brought such comfort to my spirit and to my soul. i cannot begin to express how much this meant to me. how beautiful it is when a friend lends a helping hand, gives words that are uplifting and led by the Spirit of God. this particular friend expressed that they did not have any real words of wisdom, but they do not realize how much God used them to help. i left our time with such peace and deep appreciation for what this precious person did for me, for this i express thankfulness.

we never know what a kind word, a friendly smile, and thoughtfulness can do for another person. when we feel as though these actions may not mean so much, we may not be aware of the impact that they are making to another human being that quite possibly are going through a time of hardship, or even possibly sadness. positive actions and reaching out even to strangers is a way of looking beyond ourselves, our problems and touching the lives of others.  i have often thought that even when we give something as simple as a thoughtful word or a smile it may be the only smile or kind and thoughtful word that someone has received during that day or even for quite a while. we just never know the story that lies beyond the set of eyes of each person we come in contact with. each person has a story. and the majority of the time we are unaware of what that story may be. i pray that i will be sensitive and caring enough to look beyond myself and reach out in Godly love. one never knows the impact of hope that they may bring to another person. Lord, i pray that i may look beyond me. beyond what may be going on in my life and offer myself to you. Lord, help me to be an instrument of hope and healing to others. now, back to the friend that took the time to meet with me. i once again thank you. you were used of God in a way that you may of been unaware of at the time. i wish to express to you a heart of gratitude. i know you will be blessed for listening and giving me words of comfort and healing. you reminded me once again that God promises that we will make it through and with God all things are possible.

Here is a song that blessed me this morning:

 Pull Me Out/Bebo Norman

http://youtu.be/rPmfETLCeek 

without Y O U i am nothing

i look deep inside and i sense a need for a touch from God in a way that will bring joy and renew the Spirit that is within me. i must confess i am at a point of not knowing what to say to help one of the most priceless treasures in my life. i ask for just the right words to say, just the right ways of showing love and i know that there are many times when God grants me those words. i must confess, i cannot do it on my own, nor would i ever claim it possible. so, Lord i call on You to continue to show me the way, fill my heart with Your joy, give me the strength that i so desperately need. guide me, give me peace to know that what i am doing and saying is coming from You. teach me to show love as You would for without You i am nothing.

Draw Me Close To You

 http://youtu.be/vb5rbE2YFH8

a M A S T E R P I E C E...

have you ever looked into the vast, starry sky at night and felt very small in comparison? have you ever looked at the ocean and thought about the unbelievable greatness of God? i have. i've considered the greatness of God as i've observed His creation all around me and you know what's cool? He considers you and i a masterpiece of His creation, made in His very image! how amazing to think that He would consider us to be a masterpiece. yes, that for certain "blows me away!" i praise Him for His greatness, and for the fact that no matter how excellent and great He is, He loves me, and wants to spend time with me, and considers me a precious friend, and His love for me is eternal and unconditional. Praise His name!

life is t o o short...



any day i spend angry or offended is a wasted day. life is too short and too precious to waste any of it.

i thought of this at around 5:15a.m. and it just kept milling over in my mind. and, then i thought, "kim, do you realize how many day's you've wasted?" heaven knows i've wasted plenty, too many, more than i should have. i go through a period of time in which i make a decision to not waste a day being angry or offended. i also strive to have a series of days in which i won't become fearful or worry. i will be successful for a few days and then fall right back into the rut of wasting precious time. do you have a problem in this area? i know i can't possibly be the only one in the boat on this one, however, the only one i'm responsible for is myself. once a day is gone and used up it is just that....gone, used up. there are so many days i wish i could get back, many to enjoy all over again, many to make better choices, and do the right thing, and many to be more appreciative of all of the many blessings that i have, and that surround me. as we all know time is not that way, it doesn't stop, it just keeps on ticking. i can't get back yesterday and i don't even know if i'll have tomorrow. the very best thing for me to do is live in the present moment and make that moment count for something positive. i think we all battle with this from time to time and if you're anything like me, you battle with it more than just from time to time. i can look around me and choose to see the negative or i can look around me and choose to see the positive. i want to choose the positive, the blessings, the Godly things that totally out weigh the negative things. the voice of truth will always direct us to the good, the voice of lies will not. Lord, i pray that you will help me to see the good that surrounds me, that i will not become easily offended or spend moments angry, and that i will not waste a day filled with negative thoughts, but will instead welcome the beautiful and precious blessings that are in my life, and concentrate on what is positive, so that i will not waste the wonderful moments that you have given.

s e l f i s h n e s s...

do you deal with selfishness sometimes? i know that i do. i know in my service for God i never want to give up, but, in order to fully do this i am going to have to sacrifice my selfish wants and desires. it seems that being selfish with my time and personal space can lead me to become self-centered. one of the best ways that i know to help with being self-centered is to look at those around me, especially the hurting and those that are in need and give. give of my time, my love, concern and care. is this always the easiest thing for me to do? absolutely not, and i admit that, because it is the honest to God truth. i look within, see my needs, my hurts, my pains, and set up camp. but, if i truly and fully want to be used by God, i must look beyond my circumstances.  if i am going to be a person that never gives up, and one that wants to give all of me to Christ, i must make a conscience choice to get my thoughts, concerns, and eyes off of myself and unto the needs of others, and the work that is needed to build the Kingdom of God. if satan can keep me tied up and set me in the position of park, camped out thinking of just me, i am in no way useful in serving the Lord. Living a disciplined committed lifestyle is difficult, it takes a strong and determined mindset. it also takes an attitude to not allow failures and mistakes to cause me to give up. all of this takes a conscience effort on my part. does it as well take a conscience effort on your part? i think it does for many. but, even though this is the case, i personally cannot use it as an excuse to keep myself at the center, but instead ask God to help me to become less of me and more of Him. being more of Him is naturally reaching beyond where i tend to concentrate most and turn my eyes and heart unto the lives of others, that is the best medicine and healing balm for the soul. Lord, help this to be something that i strive continuously to do. i desire to be a servant, more like Christ every single day. i yearn to be used of Him. what are your desires? do you wish to reach beyond yourself? what would be awesome is to lift each other up in prayer, asking the Lord for His guidance, strength and help...prayer is such a powerful thing something that we can never get enough of.
the following is a song that blessed me this morning. maybe it will bless you as well.
Tears Of The Saints/Leeland
http://youtu.be/qJjg1Joag_0

thank You my F A T H E R J E S U S!

exactly 3 days ago i prayed that God would perform a miracle, i cried out to Him from the depths of my soul, i am so filled to overflowing with such joy...God performed a miracle and now the healing can begin. this time of healing will not take place over night and may take a long period of time, of course only Christ knows the time table. yet, i believe with all of my heart that He performed a miracle and there is no doubt that we now have a starting  point in which to begin a time of restoration. i asked for prayer several times, because i firmly believe that prayer is a direct line to God and it is the most important way for us to communicate straight to the Father. thank you to those who prayed. what a wonderful realization that there are those who have taken the time to bring my family to the Father through prayer. God is showing Himself in such a powerful way. but, i would like to ask that if you can to continue to pray that God would help us through this time of healing it would mean so much to our family. as brothers and sisters in Christ it is such a comforting feeling and thought to know that there are members in the family of God who truly care and for that i am most thankful. praise God He answered my prayer. He knows what is best and all things happen within His timing. in my post regarding the voice that i had been missing so much is back again...thank you my Father Jesus...thank You so much.

our own 4 w a l l s ? or is it much more?

how big is the body of Christ? 4 walls? no. do you only show concern, care, love for those who attend within your 4 walls? or do you reach out to your brothers and sisters outside of your comfort zone and show the true love of Jesus? the true hands and feet of Jesus? sometimes i believe it is so easy to get comfortable in our own familiar surroundings that we forget that there are hurting people and yes even fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who carry heavy burdens and need love, concern, and care shown to them. these individuals are fellow soldiers who share the same goals, who are attempting at building the Kingdom of God. yet, many times they are passed over, and shamefully often forgotten. how can such a thing happen? how do you build a work when this is the mentality? once a person or persons leave a church they do not cease to exist, they do not cease to become family. where is it found in scripture to carry through with such an act? growing up in the church i have often noticed that some (not all) Christians can be the most thoughtless when it comes to other fellow believers who all dwell within the body of Christ. this is not to say that all Christians do this, but this should be a problem in which the family of Christ strives to overcome. the world is watching. if they see us not even giving a hand of hope to those who believe, what would be their incentive to become a Christian? to be just like this? Christ commanded and commands that we show love, yes, loving people even if those people are Christians that do not dwell within our 4 walls we call our church. actually when it comes right down to it, it's really not about the church, it's about being the hands and feet of Jesus and truly reaching out and showing love, just like Christ did.

If We Are The Body/Casting Crowns

http://youtu.be/z4wojcSO9Ww 

that v o i c e . . .

i was up this morning at 4:45 a.m. couldn't sleep. i know on week days some get up at this time on a regular bases, my wake up time is usually 6:00 a.m. so i suppose i wasn't too far off. however, my heart was so heavy. i have for some time now enjoyed getting up when the house is quiet and all are still sleeping, but with what is going on in our lives right now, it made me think so much about the voice that i'm not hearing. the voice that each and every time when entering a room that i would be in, would always say, "Hi Mommy." and each time in the morning after coming down the stairs that sweet voice would say, "Good morning mommy, did you sleep good?" this morning it hit home, and i realized just how quiet it is with that sweet voice missing...an emptiness came over me, a heaviness. you just really never know what it will feel like until it happens to you. as i began to make coffee, memories started flowing. memories of her when she was young, still pretending, still playing star wars, dressing up in costumes pretending to be a jedi and swinging around a light saber. holding her kitty shadow, and loving on her as if shadow was a baby. making music together, listening to her voice sing so beautifully as she played the guitar. these are just a few, so many more have flooded my soul so often, sometimes to the point of overflowing.

when i felt all of these thoughts and feelings start flooding my soul, i knew i had to write. writing for me is therapeutic, it gives me a way in which i can release all of the many emotions that seem to get bottled up inside. many times i have sat in tears and have written, many times i have sat and smiled, laughed, feeling a relief as the words were emptied from my mind.

now the sun has clearly shown it's bright rays. birds are appearing in the bird feeder in my front tree. i love to bird watch and i have binoculars that i use from time to time to watch them. so now morning is clearly awake, another day that God has given. i thank God for all of His tender mercies. i pray for a daughter, whose voice i long to hear, yes that voice that beautiful, sweet, and caring voice.