Sitting Down With God

God loves you.  Those three words can change a life. The past few weeks have been busy.  I found myself putting God last in a lot of ways and it came to a point that He really got my attention.  I made the decision to take a break from some things to be able to really rest in God.  I wanted to be able to come to all of you and share what He has been speaking to me.             Over and over again, it is “I love you.”  It is: I love you even though you mess up.  I love you even though you are imperfect.  I love you even when you think that you are unworthy of any love, from anywhere.  I LOVE YOU! 

      It has really been on my heart lately, that maybe, just maybe some of the things we do are not for the right reasons.  Christmas is coming and every one is running around getting their last minute shopping done.  Kids are about to get out of school for vacation.

God has such amazing plans in our lives.  He holds the beginning and the ends of our stories.  I encourage you to watch the video above.  We sometimes tend to see the "bad" in our situations, and forget that God can make something wonderful out of something we see as tragic. This video is about a ten year old, blind, autistic boy.  His mother was addicted to drugs when he was born.  He was later adopted by a family member and now.......... Love in Christ, Kristine

      "What do you have your sight's on?"  I feel God has been convicting me of this.  He speaks to me in themes, and everything I read points to this.  What on this earth have I put before my time with God?  Back in Bible times, the Israelites continued to try to worship other gods and idols. [golden calf] What are the idols of our world now?

       I was asleep and my Spirit woke me up.  I heard in my mind, "Love is the ultimate deposit."  What do I mean by that?  Love is the best gift you can give anyone.  When you deposit true, Christ-like love into someone's life, you are sowing a seed that will be very fruitful.  Not only will you receive back blessings in your life, but you have now opened up someone else's life for them to sow love and be blessed.

    Open the eyes of my heart Lord! Open the eyes of my heart.  In Hebrew, "your eyes will be opened," is a metaphor for knowledge.  Knowledge is power.  Especially, when God is imparting knowledge to you.  The changes that occur in your life due to God's knowledge in your heart is unspeakable.  You can't imagine the power that comes into your life with that knowledge.

         I have come to accept that sometimes life is not going to go the way I want it to.  There will be days when all the best made plans will not come to fruition and that disappointment will come.  It has made me realize that the Father has a bigger plan laid out for me.  I might not understand the why's and the what-for's, but in the end it will all work out.     When life's disappointments seem to keep on coming.  Stand firm in your faith and know that God is God.  Not sometimes, but all of the time.  The mountains that we climb will not always be mountains.  The tears that we cry will not create a lake.  And each time we are broken-hearted we have a Saviour that is ready to comfort us.     Don't give up and Don't give in.  Time's are changing and it only looks bad right now. Keep pressing forward and you will see the light at the end of the dark tunnel you are traveling in.  It takes trials and tribulation to instill in us the strength needed to be

T herefore, receiving, as we now do, a kingdom which cannot be shaken,  let us cherish thankfulness so that we may ever offer to God an acceptable service, with godly reverence and awe.  Hebrews 12:28 (Root in WEY NIV) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalms 100:4 (KJV WBS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  In every circumstance of life be thankful;  for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you.  1 Thessalonians 5:18(WEY) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.   2 Corinthians 4:15(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT N

    Okay sports fans, a house divided means some people in your house go for a certain team and you go for another.  Today, I want to talk about trying to live for God and still living part of your life in the world.  I am going to be blunt today.  It does not work.  It will not ever work.  No matter how gifted you feel you are at straddling the fence, you can not serve two masters.  You either want to live a life in the light, or you want to continue to keep darkness in your life.

Dear Readers,                 I have had an enlightening experience.  Yesterday, I was in my car driving and our Christian radio station was interviewing a man named, Kyle Idleman.  Now, Kyle is a pastor of a church and an author of a new book.  The book is called Not a Fan.  He posed a question yesterday, which rocked me to my core.                 He was asking me, and everyone listening, Are you a fan of Jesus or are you a follower?  A fan comes to church.  They love Jesus.  But, when Jesus starts interfering in their lives they back off.  A follower of Jesus Christ will lay down everything they have and are, to do what he calls them to do.  I had to ask myself, Am I a fan or a follower?

                             “The devil is a lie!”  We have all heard this saying, at least once in our lives.  Recently, I have been in some personal situations and have been party to other people’s personal situations.  I just want to say right here and right now, “THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!”

I have heard the voice of God so clearly lately.   It is almost uncanny.   I feel that the Lord wants me on the mission’s field.   I also feel that he wants me to gain a better understanding of his Word and that he is preparing me for the days ahead.                 Just last night, I was telling Mrs. Lisa (my coworker and Pastor’s wife) about my desire to be a missionary.   I told her I wanted to go somewhere, but that I didn’t know exactly where, yet.   I want to go and work in the orphanages and share God’s love with the world.  

Dear Readers,         God is so good!  He is an amazing, everlasting God.  I have just finished my first week in school and I am amazed at the love that my fellow classmates and instructor have for our Lord.  It is great to see such passion for God.  I am enjoying each of my discussions and I feel encouraged by a body that knows that our God is more than enough.         The last time I wrote, I wrote on dealing with members of your family and household.  I had some questions for myself, and I put those questions before the Lord.  You shouldn't write anyone off.  It might happen that your relationships are not what they used to be, but love them.  Show them how wonderful it is to serve our God.  A God that makes the impossible, possible.

Dear Readers,                                 I apologize that there has been such a gap between this post and the last post.   I started school and have been trying to get my schedule in order there.   The last few weeks have been busy and I pray that this note finds everyone healthy and blessed.                 I have had on my mind the last few weeks a certain scripture out of Matthew.   Matthew 10:34-36:

Alright, I finished up the notes.  This session is very short, and as I said before there are more verses to choose from and I hope that in your own personal study you find more.  Please feel free to share with me what you received from the study.  What is God telling you in your own personal study?  The notes included with the scripture are from my own personal revelation and from the Life Applicaton Bible-NIV version. Our group is going to start the first session of Fear of the Lord DVD series by John Bevere.  As we watch them, I will keep everyone updated.  God Bless!! Love in Christ, Kristine

Here is Part 2 of my notes on Fear.  I hope you enjoy them.  There are hundreds of scriptures to choose from.  Add to the list!!! Prayers for your day, Kristine!!

I am about to start a Bible Study at my home, and it is my turn to pick the subject.  So in the next few weeks, we will be talking about fear;  the spirit of fear, Fear of God, and just plain being afraid in our day to day life.  I thought that maybe ya'll would be interested in my notes for your own personal study.  So here is the first sessions notes.  I hope that you find them comforting and encouraging.  God Bless!

                               In the past week, I have had two friends from church come to me and broach the subject of suicide.   One of them was sharing her testimony of a time that she had thoughts of committing suicide the other had a suicidal thought just that morning.   Suicide is a very emotional topic for me.   In my personal life, I have dealt with my father’s suicide and an attempt at my own life when I was fifteen.                   It has taken me years to realize how precious life really is.   I find myself at the oddest moments, laughing when I should be angry and smiling when I should be sad.   The joy of the LORD is a balm to any soul.   But, here I am, with two women I care about and one of them is admitting that she is contemplating taking her life.

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp. --Job 11:13-20 Hope. One four letter word that has so much emotion and feeling. I have been doing a bible study in Psalms the last few days, and as I was reading the notes that go with the verses, something took hold of me. The note said that we should look at our problems in the light of God's power

I am probably the most impatient person I know.   I have this annoying habit of wanting everything done the way I want it, when I want it and most often, that is “Right Now!”   I have prayed and prayed on this and still I catch myself falling back into Ms. Impatience and Frustration.   Does anyone know someone like that? (Wink, wink)

Thought Questions: *What is prayer? *Why do I pray? *How do I pray? *When do I pray?                     Recently, I have had several situations occur that have brought the four above questions to my mind.   Every day we come across people in our lives that need our intercession.   You know we don’t just pray for ourselves.   But, even when we are praying for our own personal needs the above questions really matter.           What is prayer ?   The American Tract Society Bible Dictionary defines prayer as being, “ the offering of the emotions and desires of the soul to God, in the name and through the mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ .”   Isn’t that beautiful? The offering of the emotions and desires of our souls to God.   I don’t know about you, but I know my soul desires many things.   Some good, some pretty selfish, some not in the will of God.   The definition goes on to say, “ It is the communion of the heart with God through the aid of the Holy Spirit, and is to

“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 4:22             It is very easy to become overwhelmed and anxious in the world today.   If it is not one thing it is another.   Every person has something that they can be worried about.   Each and every one of us has a problem that seems to jump out at us from an unseen adversary.   We take one step forward and something comes up and knocks us fifteen steps backwards.   At times, it feels like we make efforts that never see fruition because there is always a stumbling block in our way.             I am here to tell you that the battle is not your own.   No matter what is getting you down, no matter what is bringing you to the breaking point, God is in control.   He is fighting for us even when we feel no one is there but us.

                              Everyone loves the game of monopoly.  It is a game full of challenge and based upon who has the most property and money, and that person ends up winning the game.  But, with a roll of the dice or if you end up getting a faulty chance card, you are on the fast track to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200.  You get to sit out and watch others buy up the rest of the property and you might even lose out on being the victor.  You are Ms. Broke Bags sitting in jail watching others have fun with the money that should have been yours.                 This made me think.  Uh Oh.  There I go thinking again.  Haha, just kidding.  Seriously though, How often do we get caught up in worldly gains? The fast track of life.  We become absorbed in figuring out who is wearing what designer label, who is driving the most expensive car, who lives in the mansion on the corner lot?  We get caught up in stuff.                 When you aren't the one driving the fa

Drawing: “Falling Down the Stairs to Save Time” by Sam Brown   www.explodingdog.com                   What is a friendship?   If you define friendship, it is the state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment to a person or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; amnity; Kindly aid, help, assistance , unity, conformity, harmony , etc.   I bolded the last three words because when you are around someone for long periods of time you become close with one another.   You don’t find many people just spending time with people that they have nothing in common with.   Don’t get me wrong, all of us have friends that are complete opposites of us, but there is some common ground that unites us.           The reason I am bringing this up is because of two things on my heart.   The first, being the popular belief that, “You are who your friends are,” and the second being “Be careful of how your friendship with others affects your life.”           When you beco

                               I decided to sit on my front porch this afternoon and read out of my Bible while I was out there.  It is getting ready to storm and the wind is blowing and you can hear the thunder rumbling.  I thought of all the storms that have occurred in my life.  I say this metaphorically.  Because when we go through any trial or tribulation it is a storm in our life.  It may not really be raining in the world but you feel as if the one and only rain cloud in the world is hanging over you.  I sat there and I kept thinking that with every rumble of thunder and gust of wind my God is a good God.  He is an amazing God.

                Alright ya’ll, humor me.  Today has just been an “ugh” kind of day.  A day filled with frustration and aggravation, and it is only 9 o’clock in the morning.  I keep trying to remind myself that there is peace and love in the presence of God, but let me tell you today it is hard to hold onto.  Everything seems to be going wrong and my temper is trying hard to fight through.  As of right now, I am searching desperately for my internal muzzle.  I hope it makes it to my mouth before my flesh starts crying out.                 Anger is such an ugly thing.  I happened to walk past a mirror that I have hanging, for decorative purposes, in my living room. Let me tell you it shined a light on me real quick.  I realized for the first time how ugly my temper really is.  I stopped knee deep in angst and looked at my fiancé and asked, “Wow, do I always look this ugly when I am mad?”  Well, the look he gave me told it all as he tried the “manly” no of course nots.  I could tell tha

Brother Don shared a powerful message with us at church yesterday morning. It really made me think.  He talked about how so many Christians go around telling people how to be Christians.  That we put such a "religiousness" to it that people shy away from wanting any part of church or God.  I had to look back at my blog and see if I was doing this too. I think he caught me before I did anything to crazy.  His main point was that God is LOVE!!!!!!  We should love God, love Christ, but even more we should love each other.  God wants us to live a righteous life but if you love everyone as Jesus loves you then you are making a very big step.

  I took a deep breath and I walked in.  To my amazement, everyone smiled at me.  People I had never met before were shaking my hand and hugging me.  I walked as fast as I could to find a seat and look inconspicuous.  I was just blown away at the response of these strangers.  Wow, I mean they don't even know me and they are so welcoming.  With this I sat back and watched as service began.  I am a people watcher.  I am looking at everyone and everything.  When I tell you that you could feel the presence of God in this place, I mean goose-bumps on your arms and tears falling out of your eyes and you don't even remember starting to cry.     I felt like I had come home.  Now, I moved from South Florida when I was a junior in high school.  Before, I moved I was involved sporadically in youth group down there.  When I moved up here to the Florida Panhandle, I knew absolutely no one.  I went to several different churches and nothing answered my soul like it did at Carrabelle Christi

                                 All over the nation people are encouraged to participate in some type of awareness program.   (I.E. Breast Cancer, Drunk Driving, Getting Organized, Volunteer Blood Donors, etc.)   I looked up a calendar that has lists upon lists of topics to be aware of every month.  I decided that with this idea, I am going to promote a different type of awareness topic; A two-part awareness week.   Firstly, being aware of the schemes of the enemy and his effect on human kind.   Secondly, being aware of the coming return of Jesus to this earth.                 Being Aware of the Schemes of the Enemy: 1.)     Hatred 2.)     Malice 3.)     Discouragement 4.)     Envy 5.)     Sickness                 Satan has a whole bag of tricks he totes around.  As I have said in a previous post, the devil’s main task is to try to make you inefficient in the Kingdom of God.  He does what he can to make us feel low, depressed, and oppressed.  He lies and makes us f

                                 I have hardly slept in the last few weeks.   It seems that each day that my discontentment is growing.   I seem to find fault with everything being done around me and even more in myself.   If I look at it biblically, I have no reason to be discontented.   I have food, I have clothing, I have shelter, and I have a job that pays most of my bills.   I have so much that others would be happy to have and yet, I still feel as if something is missing.                 Contentment is defined as being free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one’s own.   It also is defined as being at rest.   It is the ability to make easy in any situation.   I have tried to figure out what has made me feel so discombobulated of late.   Looking at my list, I should be above and beyond happy.   But, the fact is, I am not.   So, today my goal is to strengthen myself with God’s unfailing word to ease my discontentment with life.                   One of the defin

                                 I have been sitting here for the last hour listening to God.   His Spirit is moving in me to share a message with everyone.   Around the world, there are people who are being tortured, killed and imprisoned for their love of Jesus Christ.   I have spent the last few hours surfing the web and looking at several different websites dedicated to underground churches and to martyrs of Christ.                   All of them tell similar stories.   Stories of women, men, and children being taken from their homes and loved ones for having the courage to speak of the Gospel.   They know in their hearts that when they voice their beliefs they are condemning themselves to horrible injustices.                 I look around my house and I can count 3 Bibles, stacks of Christian books and other Christian literature.   I have a computer with internet access and daily I am receiving more literature in my mailbox.   But, across the world these same things would cause me

I have became a volunteer of Be-A-Voice network.  It is a network that lets you know the prayer needs of persecuted Christians worldwide.  They send you prayer bulletins and ask that you spread the word of the need for prayer for the men/women/ and children that are losing their lives and/or are being imprisoned for the Love of Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel. I encourage you today to join me in praying for our brethren under persecution.  I ask that you join with me and lift your hands up to our brothers and sisters in Christ that need to know that our God is a merciful, loving God.  Pray that they be strengthened in their trials.  That their families be provided for during their imprisonment and after their deaths.  I encourage you to visit the sites enclosed with this post. Please open your eyes, ears, and hearts and take a few minutes to pray for others.  Love in Christ,  Kristine http://www.prisoneralert.com/ http://www.persecution.com/ http://www.kidsofcourage.com

            I got off of work this morning at six a.m.   I have been wrestling with sleep for the last few days.   Physically, I should be so tired that I fall into oblivion as soon as my head hits the pillow.   But, the last few days, I have hardly slept.   If anyone works graveyard shifts they know that this is not a good thing.   Being awake all day, without sleep, equals a bad night at work.   (And a not so great mood at home either)             A week ago we had a prophet come in to speak at our church.   He talked about his beliefs of insomnia.   He said that he felt that when people can’t sleep it is because we don’t spend the time with God that we should and He waits until He can talk to us.   Here we are trying to relax and get some sleep and God wants to have a conversation.   I have experienced insomnia my whole life, even as a child.   It never occurred to me, until I heard the prophet speak; that maybe all this time it was God trying to get His say for the day.   So, as I