Today is a very special day to me! Today was the day my grandma Norma was born! I don't know how many years ago her birth occurred. She claims around 50 ;) and we don't question her!
As some of you may know I was born and raised in West Virginia! When I was about 5 or 6 my mother had to go back to work to pay for my two older sister's tuition. She got a job as a secretary and I went to stay with Grandma- which was an entire 8 minute drive from my house! Mom would drop me off first, then my sisters, go to work, pick up my sisters, and then me!! We did this for about 4 years. Those were some of the BEST years of my life! In those four years she showed me how to cook/bake. She shared with me the most important ingredient of any recipe is love. She taught me how to pick every kind of vegetable and how to can them! I was heartbroken when we moved 21 hours from her. I don't see her near enough but I do get to talk to her on the phone! I cherish those moments with her on the phone!
I have learned so much from my Grandma! She is one of the smartest women I know- if you mentioned this to her she would immediately tell you she only finished a semester of college. Don't let her fool you- Ive played TV jeopardy with her! Besides I don't love her for her "smarts"! I love her for the God in her.
She doesn't see what I see! She doesn't realize that almost every time I talked to her on the phone she makes me cry because she quotes scripture. She will never understand how she impacted my life by simple doing a quiet time every morning and telling me about it when she saw me! She doesn't understand why I tell her ,every time we talk, that I admire her and I'm so thankful for her and the example she lives! She doesn't realize how vivid the lights she shines for God is! She is oblivious to the impact her servants heart has had on me!
I love her to pieces and I thank the Lord she is my Grandma! I pray that I can be at least half the mother, grandmother, servant of God, and Christian that she is! :)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
JOY JOY JOY
I am a different kind of individual. If you've spent any time with me at all you would know this and are laughing at that understated statement. I tend to have a hundred thoughts a minute which results in the most random thoughts ever, I have an over active imagination which results in me visiting la la land, and I generally have a smile on my face.
Is it fake?? Hmm... maybe sometimes but not usually. Do I ALWAYS have a smile on my face? HA- no way! Have I always had a smile on my face? NO!
I was a fairly happy kid- there was no reason for me not to be! I was blessed with two amazing parents who loved me and the Lord! Deep down I knew something was with missing but I couldn’t put my hand on it!! I finally discovered what I was missing- Jesus!! Jesus rescued me and came into my heart when I was 9. I wish I could sit here and tell you that I was transformed overnight but that would be a lie! God used different experiences to reveal himself to me and to mold me into the person I am today! I wanted to write this tonight to share with you the experience I had with joy.
When I was in Jr. High I was still a happy kid on the outside! I mastered the art of genuinely looking fake smile very quickly. I never showed my mother my unhappiness or anyone else for that matter! It wasn’t uncommon for me to cry myself to sleep every night. If the tears wouldn’t wait for everyone to go to bed I would go into the bathroom turn the fan on, grab a towel, sit in the shower and use the towel to muffle my sobs. I didn’t cry just because I wanted to, I cried because I was in pain! Not physically pain but emotional!
My personality is cute and adorable for the first few days but I guess after that it crosses over to the annoying side! That what I was told in Jr. High and part of high school! I had a hard time keeping friends for more than two weeks because they would tell me they were getting annoyed with me! I think it goes without saying but just in case you didn’t catch on- that hurt... ALOT! Now, these people weren’t horrible people and I don’t want you thinking that! I tried my very best to mold myself into this SUPER friend! I wanted to please everybody! I wanted to be loved!
During these years I didn’t have a very solid relationship with God. I knew I was saved but I wasn’t trying to get to know Him better! It was one night in the 9th grade when things started to turn around for me! I couldn’t sleep because the day had been bad! I remember just picking up my Bible and just started to read. I read the story of Job and came across this verse
JOB 33:26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.
The verse stuck out to me but the main part I focused on was he saw God’s face and shouted for joy! This concept of joy caught my attention and I looked up the word joy in the back of my Bible and here are some of the verses I found!
Psalms 4:7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 16:9+11 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
I read those and others over and over again throughout the next few weeks! God began to show me two things
1. I was trying to find my joy/acceptance in earthly friendships.
2. He showed me that it is in Him that I receive joy! He died on the cross for me! HE, the Creator of the universe, the conqueror of many nations, A KING loves me!
I still struggle with having Joy in my life! I have days where it is no problem and I have others where I find myself in my room crying again! Spending time with Christ is a must for me to keep the joy in me! Praying for Joy is something else I have to do to keep joy in my life! Sometimes it’s only once a day others its hourly! Another way I keep reminding myself of the joy and happiness that I have found in Christ is by counting and praising Him for my numerous blessings! My joy comes from the Lord! He alone can sustain me!
I’ll leave you with the lyrics to that song Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,Count your blessings, see what God hath done!Count your blessings, name them one by one,*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;Count your many blessings—wealth can never buyYour reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,Do not be discouraged, God is over all;Count your many blessings, angels will attend,Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
:)
Is it fake?? Hmm... maybe sometimes but not usually. Do I ALWAYS have a smile on my face? HA- no way! Have I always had a smile on my face? NO!
I was a fairly happy kid- there was no reason for me not to be! I was blessed with two amazing parents who loved me and the Lord! Deep down I knew something was with missing but I couldn’t put my hand on it!! I finally discovered what I was missing- Jesus!! Jesus rescued me and came into my heart when I was 9. I wish I could sit here and tell you that I was transformed overnight but that would be a lie! God used different experiences to reveal himself to me and to mold me into the person I am today! I wanted to write this tonight to share with you the experience I had with joy.
When I was in Jr. High I was still a happy kid on the outside! I mastered the art of genuinely looking fake smile very quickly. I never showed my mother my unhappiness or anyone else for that matter! It wasn’t uncommon for me to cry myself to sleep every night. If the tears wouldn’t wait for everyone to go to bed I would go into the bathroom turn the fan on, grab a towel, sit in the shower and use the towel to muffle my sobs. I didn’t cry just because I wanted to, I cried because I was in pain! Not physically pain but emotional!
My personality is cute and adorable for the first few days but I guess after that it crosses over to the annoying side! That what I was told in Jr. High and part of high school! I had a hard time keeping friends for more than two weeks because they would tell me they were getting annoyed with me! I think it goes without saying but just in case you didn’t catch on- that hurt... ALOT! Now, these people weren’t horrible people and I don’t want you thinking that! I tried my very best to mold myself into this SUPER friend! I wanted to please everybody! I wanted to be loved!
During these years I didn’t have a very solid relationship with God. I knew I was saved but I wasn’t trying to get to know Him better! It was one night in the 9th grade when things started to turn around for me! I couldn’t sleep because the day had been bad! I remember just picking up my Bible and just started to read. I read the story of Job and came across this verse
JOB 33:26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.
The verse stuck out to me but the main part I focused on was he saw God’s face and shouted for joy! This concept of joy caught my attention and I looked up the word joy in the back of my Bible and here are some of the verses I found!
Psalms 4:7 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 16:9+11 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
I read those and others over and over again throughout the next few weeks! God began to show me two things
1. I was trying to find my joy/acceptance in earthly friendships.
2. He showed me that it is in Him that I receive joy! He died on the cross for me! HE, the Creator of the universe, the conqueror of many nations, A KING loves me!
I still struggle with having Joy in my life! I have days where it is no problem and I have others where I find myself in my room crying again! Spending time with Christ is a must for me to keep the joy in me! Praying for Joy is something else I have to do to keep joy in my life! Sometimes it’s only once a day others its hourly! Another way I keep reminding myself of the joy and happiness that I have found in Christ is by counting and praising Him for my numerous blessings! My joy comes from the Lord! He alone can sustain me!
I’ll leave you with the lyrics to that song Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,Count your blessings, see what God hath done!Count your blessings, name them one by one,*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;Count your many blessings—wealth can never buyYour reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,Do not be discouraged, God is over all;Count your many blessings, angels will attend,Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
:)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Love is patient....
My name is Katie. I am twenty-one years of age and have been single for 21 years.
My parents always told my sisters and I that we could date when we turned 16! However, when I actually turned 16 I started looking around and saw that the “pickins” were slim. I’m not in any way trying to put myself down but let’s be real I didn’t have the attention of any guys nor would I’ve been in their top choices! I didn’t mind for the most part- I was busy with school and work! I was content with who I was but every once in a while Satan would sneak in to cause doubts.
I almost dated three guys in my lifetime (even as I type that I cringe- I am such an idiot)! I would like to repeat ALMOST! I praise the Lord He placed people in my life and convictions like you wouldn’t believe that intervened. Now, the three gentlemen weren’t horrible people. They were actually very sweet but there was one thing that was always abundantly clear- they didn’t have a relationship with Christ. I knew that but still I found myself ignoring that. Why? Well besides the obvious reason (Im an idiot) I truly believe it’s just because I wanted something my friends had been experiencing for years- someone who showed interest in them and wanted to spend time with them.
I have a list of qualifications I have for a husband that I made in Sunday school years ago! A lot of those “qualifications” on that list are ridiculous and silly! The first three are of the utmost importance to me!
1. Must have a nurturing and growing relationship with Christ.
2. Must be a spiritual leader in our relationship.
3. Although I’m not expecting perfection (past, present or future)- he must live a life that is pleasing and honoring to God.
Those guys in High school didn’t even make it past number one!
As we all know but sometimes choose to forget – God’s timing is perfect. No, I am not about to go into a rant about how God created a perfect guy for me and someday I’ll meet him and blah blah blah! Do I pray for my future husband? Daily! Do I pray that God has me someone picked out? Sure! I just don’t think that should be my focus or anyone’s for that matter! I am single maybe you are too! ROCK IT!! GET EXCITED!! This is an opportunity for you to get wrapped up in God. Spend your time getting lost in Him- it will make time go by a lot quicker (hehe). We have been given a blessing (until we get the blessing of a significant other) don’t waste it- ROCK IT!!
:)
My parents always told my sisters and I that we could date when we turned 16! However, when I actually turned 16 I started looking around and saw that the “pickins” were slim. I’m not in any way trying to put myself down but let’s be real I didn’t have the attention of any guys nor would I’ve been in their top choices! I didn’t mind for the most part- I was busy with school and work! I was content with who I was but every once in a while Satan would sneak in to cause doubts.
I almost dated three guys in my lifetime (even as I type that I cringe- I am such an idiot)! I would like to repeat ALMOST! I praise the Lord He placed people in my life and convictions like you wouldn’t believe that intervened. Now, the three gentlemen weren’t horrible people. They were actually very sweet but there was one thing that was always abundantly clear- they didn’t have a relationship with Christ. I knew that but still I found myself ignoring that. Why? Well besides the obvious reason (Im an idiot) I truly believe it’s just because I wanted something my friends had been experiencing for years- someone who showed interest in them and wanted to spend time with them.
I have a list of qualifications I have for a husband that I made in Sunday school years ago! A lot of those “qualifications” on that list are ridiculous and silly! The first three are of the utmost importance to me!
1. Must have a nurturing and growing relationship with Christ.
2. Must be a spiritual leader in our relationship.
3. Although I’m not expecting perfection (past, present or future)- he must live a life that is pleasing and honoring to God.
Those guys in High school didn’t even make it past number one!
As we all know but sometimes choose to forget – God’s timing is perfect. No, I am not about to go into a rant about how God created a perfect guy for me and someday I’ll meet him and blah blah blah! Do I pray for my future husband? Daily! Do I pray that God has me someone picked out? Sure! I just don’t think that should be my focus or anyone’s for that matter! I am single maybe you are too! ROCK IT!! GET EXCITED!! This is an opportunity for you to get wrapped up in God. Spend your time getting lost in Him- it will make time go by a lot quicker (hehe). We have been given a blessing (until we get the blessing of a significant other) don’t waste it- ROCK IT!!
:)
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Luke 4
In our girls Bible study we are going through the book of Luke and this past week we finished up chapter 4. I love gathering with fellow believers and digging in to scripture! We each have unique lives, personalities, and walks with God so we all get something different out of it! Anyway there were quite a few verses that I found convicting and comforting but none were as convicting as this one; Luke 4:31-37
31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil[g]spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
35"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" 37And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Obviously if you read this you would know that this is a story of Jesus removing a demon/evil spirit from a man. Verse 34 is the verse that got me- this is the demon speaking against Jesus. The demon says to Jesus- 34"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
When we first read that I could help but think what an absolute idiot! He laughed in Jesus’ face! Once again I was thinking- STUUUUPID! In my opinion laughing in someone’s face is the equivalent of slapping them across the face. It’s something you do when you want someone to be humiliated and degraded. Who would dare to laugh at Jesus? That’s when the conviction washed over me like flash flood- I have! I have laughed/scoffed at Jesus! ME- a Christian who prays for Jesus; to live in my heart, change me, mold me to be more like Him, for Him to give me the courage to do His will and to show me how I can change to bring honor and glory to Him! ME I have laughed in His face! How? How many times in my life have I prayed for God to give me opportunities to share His good news? How many of those times did I chicken out? How many times have I asked God to show me people who needed to be blessed in some way -only to disregard them when He reveals them? How many times have I completely ignored a conviction because I was “too busy” or I just didn’t want to? How many times have I laughed in Jesus’ face?
I praise Him for showing me this through His word I pray that I will stop laughing in His face and instead embrace every opportunity He gives me.
:)
31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil[g]spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
35"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" 37And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Obviously if you read this you would know that this is a story of Jesus removing a demon/evil spirit from a man. Verse 34 is the verse that got me- this is the demon speaking against Jesus. The demon says to Jesus- 34"Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
When we first read that I could help but think what an absolute idiot! He laughed in Jesus’ face! Once again I was thinking- STUUUUPID! In my opinion laughing in someone’s face is the equivalent of slapping them across the face. It’s something you do when you want someone to be humiliated and degraded. Who would dare to laugh at Jesus? That’s when the conviction washed over me like flash flood- I have! I have laughed/scoffed at Jesus! ME- a Christian who prays for Jesus; to live in my heart, change me, mold me to be more like Him, for Him to give me the courage to do His will and to show me how I can change to bring honor and glory to Him! ME I have laughed in His face! How? How many times in my life have I prayed for God to give me opportunities to share His good news? How many of those times did I chicken out? How many times have I asked God to show me people who needed to be blessed in some way -only to disregard them when He reveals them? How many times have I completely ignored a conviction because I was “too busy” or I just didn’t want to? How many times have I laughed in Jesus’ face?
I praise Him for showing me this through His word I pray that I will stop laughing in His face and instead embrace every opportunity He gives me.
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
