TONS of new books to read

I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Texas. While there, I had the opportunity to get together with friends I haven't seen in over 2 years. I asked them all to recommend books they'd read and either really enjoyed or were very challenged by. Having a big gift card to Amazon, I purchased them all (Merry Christmas to ME!) in typical "American" fashion- which I know in a few days I feel a bit condemned for when I begin reading. I'm showing them to you here- and thought I'd ask you- my "not just in Texas" friends- what have you been reading that's changing or challenging you? PLEASE let me know- I'd like to add them to my list! God IS indeed moving among us- and what more could we really want??? This world holds nothing for us that isn't of Him. If you've been through any major trials lately, I think you know what I mean.
God bless you in the growing,
Katherine

Fear of the Lord

Hi cyber-friends : )

Just a quick note to say, I've had some SERIOUS prodding from the Lord to explore the idea of the "Fear of the Lord". So, I am. I would just like to put it out there to all of you, though, first, for your own consideration, second, to ask you to share with me- what does that phrase mean to you? What Scriptures come to mind? Have you read any books or articles that dealt with the topic? Heard any sermons or other teachings? I have encountered it SEVERAL times in the last few weeks (hence the prodding)- but the first was in the teaching Bruce Van Natta (Sweet Bread Ministries) did at a healing service at Trinity. I have been trying and trying to get that teaching up in the sermon archives for Trinity. If I ever succeed, I'll post a link. (the video is very large and my computer has memory issues... and that's just the beginning- but I digress)

I appreciate your input! Don't be shy :D
Blessings,
Katherine
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P.S. Has anyone read the book "Fear of the Lord" by John Bevere or "The Joy of Fearing God" by Jerry Bridges? Both in my Amazon cart and would love to have feedback on which one to start with.

Undeserved Blessings

I am having a good reminder this week of how we don't deserve any of the blessings we have or receive- but our Father longs to give good gifts to His children (Luke 11:13) - He longs to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18). In fact, I've got to show you the whole context of that verse:
"18Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"

It's always a bit of a surprise when Scripture is so graphic- but- you understand the point, right? Menstrual cloths or idols are not something you want to keep around. I am brought to the realization time and again, that the pet sins I let lurk around become idols-detestable to the Lord. I turn to them to get through the tough part of the day- I allow them to be my comfort, my escape. But, they need to by defiled and THROWN AWAY! And, Lord- may they become as detestable to ME as they are to you!

I am being blessed this week, with something I desperately need, but do NOT deserve. I have not earned it. I could only have dreamed of it. It reminds me of the verse from Romans 2:4, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" His kindness to me this week, is leading me to repentance for being stuck- for allowing myself to live the UNinspired life for the last couple months. For allowing pet sins to hang around like a STENCH. But, I feel the cool breeze of renewal blowing. I hope that somehow this can be a reminder to you as well- that whether life is good or life is bad- it's not because we've earned it or deserve it. Well, sometimes bad choices do equal bad consequences- yes, from my gluttony I have put back on the few pounds I lost last year- that's a consequence- a direct result of MY actions. But what I mean is- we didn't earn the snowstorm, or our kids being sick. And, where ever we are... our Lord longs to be gracious to us. Take a moment, to ask Him to show you how He is being gracious to you- how He wants to give you more of His gift of the Holy Spirit- how He is being compassionate to you. He will. And allow His showing you, to woo you out the lull and slumber of a spiritual winter- if you're there- and feel the excitement and renewal of spring. If you need a way, like me, to show Him your gratitude, check out the song "I'm amazed by you" in the playlist on the right side of this page. It's a great song to worship Him with. Blessings, friends!

Be ministered to...

In response to John 13 where Jesus washes His disciple's feet, Beth Moore asks in the Bible study, A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place,

"How do you let Christ minister to you?"

I thought this an interesting question, and I'd like to hear how YOU would answer that question.

Practicing the Presence

Hey friends!
I've been a horrible blogger lately- :( Sorry about that! We have a birthday-a -month from Dec through March- (when we have 2 back to back!) And like everyone else, we were sick, passed it around and around, got secondary ear infections, and our latest was an allergic reaction to antibiotic. All that to say- life's been busy- sorry I haven't been blogging!

I'm leading a discipleship group at my house on Sunday mornings (are any of you reading?!?!) and we've been going through My Heart, Christ's Home- a tiny booklet I mentioned a few posts back. This week we were discussing the discipline of "Practicing the Presence of Christ"- in other words, reminding ourselves often that the reality is- HE, Jesus, is right here with me, whether I acknowledge Him or not. An author I have learned SO much from, Leanne Payne, refers to this as Incarnational Reality.

The Incarnation was when God became a man- "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:14 And though He ascended to heaven- He is with us through His Spirit- "Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ... 13 when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:8, 13) So, Incarnational Reality is acknowledging this "unseen real"- the spiritual dimension- the "Kingdom of God" that is all around us, yet, we are so frequently oblivious to it!

A few verses we talked about if you are interested in a little Bible study...
Psalm 139:7-12
Matthew 28:18-20
Deuteronomy 31:6-8
2 Corinthians 4:18
Ephesians 3:16-18

These are just the TIP of the iceberg- the Bible is basically the story of how God is with His people!

Hope that you are able to very practically discipline yourself to acknowledge the Presence of Christ with you- ALLLLLLLL the time! Right now! When you sleep! When you pray! When you go to the grocery story, talk on the phone, make dinner, etc. etc. etc!!! :) What a comfort- what a relief, what an amazing reality.

In wonder and gratitude,
Katherine

Where are you at, friends?

Dearest friends,
Where are you at in your walk with the Lord? Are you on a flat, boring plateau? Worse, down in a high-walled canyon? Are you in a fertile, arid place? Are you climbing a high mountain towards a glorious view? Or are you wandering in a desert, praying for an oasis?

I climbed a mountain (spiritually speaking) to get to the opportunity to help Ryan teach about women's role in God's Kingdom in church two weeks in a row. Then, I slowly succumbed to a horrible bronchial virus. :( YUCK! I am now steadily emerging from the bed and re-entering and re-engaging my life. :) The kids must really be pleased with this!!! lol! But I am reminded, that after any major spiritual mountain, the valley usually follows. Is that because I am so focused and disciplined before hand- knowing how I MUST depend on Him- for in me is no good thing? Or, is it because of the "let-down" of sorts that invariably follows any exciting thing? Real life just can't compete. I don't know why it is- but it seems to be a pretty predictable pattern for me. Now if I could just learn to anticipate it and ease its effects. If I could remember how this works, I would be extra diligent in my quiet times on the days following such a high. I would make a poster to hang to remind myself that I must press through the onslaught!

Eventually the Lord gives me a new motivation... this week it is praying for some friends in difficult health situations- one a pregnancy with potential genetic defects (we reject that in Jesus' Name and declare the baby HEALTHY!) and two others with cancer and another with an auto-immune something or other in the process of being diagnosed.

What is your motivation? (Perhaps you don't need one! That's GREAT!) I find, that something outside myself- like my children, or friends, is better motivation than "I should". The truth of course, is, I can't LIVE without HIM!!!! :) Why do I need a reason to seek? I don't know- I'm just the kind of person that is motivated by purpose.

So, I don't know where you're at- but- if you're on a plateau, or down in a valley, or wandering in a desert- perhaps you need to ask the Lord for purpose. What does the Lord have for you right now? He has something, to be sure! And everything He is doing is working for your good- no matter what it looks like right now.

Lord bless you with renewed purpose and calling--- start climbing!
~Katherine