Focus ~

I don’t really make specific New Year resolutions.  Most people make a resolution and can’t keep it until the evening of January 1st.  Most things that I would resolve to change are things that I should be doing anyway.  I was thinking a lot about focus.  Where is your focus? Focus often is what prioritizes things in our life.  If we have the focus where it should be, things more easily fall into place. 

It made me think about a kaleidoscope. I’ve always loved them! I have marveled at the beauty that a little tube with tiny pieces of glass can create. The word kaleidoscope comes from the Greek words “kalos”, which means beautiful, “eidos” which means shape, and the Greek verb “Skopein” which means to look.   Hold it up to the light and look through it.  Inside are beautiful pieces of brokenness.  It contains shards of glass or small beads that may be beautiful, but are often pieces of something broken.  You must hold it up to the light and turn it to focus it, and then the light shines through all of the broken pieces and the pieces come back together and it becomes something that is beautiful.

It is much like our lives.  They are ever changing, and when we take them out of the light, the images are blurred and out of focus.   We can have many areas of brokenness.  Beautiful and not so beautiful shards from this daily walk.  There is only one thing that can mend the brokenness of our lives and put things back together in a beautiful way.  Looking to Christ, the Light of the World, turning your focus on Him and what He has done for us, can bring our lives back into order and mend the areas that are broken.  And the only constant we have, is Christ. When the focus is skewed, or the light dims, the pieces fall apart again. 

Many of us may make resolutions, but I choose to continue with my focus.  Focus on Christ and HIs Word, and place things in the order He has intended.  He leads and guides us by His word, shows us the importance of our relationship with Him.  It is then, that  our marriages are strengthened, our families become stronger, we seek to follow Him more urgently and with greater care, tend our temples, and share what He has done for us. 

In the coming year, I pray we can all look to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.  Let us seek Him in every aspect, let us put our focus on Him first of all and let His light shine in us and through us. 

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

"And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Kitchen Changes

I've been wanting to change up my kitchen a little bit for a couple of years now, but I'm a bit too scared to paint my cabinets.  Last week I did a mini makeover and I love it! I don't know if I will ever dare to paint the cabinets or not, but until then, this is a nice change for me.  

I saw a blog last week where the woman featured her sisters gorgeous kitchen.  She said it's not the coveted "white cabinet" kitchen that everyone seem to want these days, but it is a gorgeous kitchen. That's how I feel about mine.  I am blessed with a beautiful kitchen, and a space that I love working in.  I spend a lot of time in my kitchen.  It may not be the "in" kitchen, but it is still a great kitchen and I feel so blessed to have it!

The yellow in the before pictures seems brighter than it really is, but nonetheless, it is a gold color.  I had very beautiful, but dark and heavy drapes on my sliding glass door and double windows, that I had custom made for the space many years ago.  

Most of the rooms in my house are painted grey. I so wanted a grey color in the kitchen too, but most grey seemed to wash everything out.  I found this color, that has undertones of grey depending on the lighting.  I really like it and feel like it brightens up the room nicely!

Still working on finding the perfect accents for the space now that I've re-painted it.  But it feels so fresh and clean and bright, that I am really enjoying it! 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Little Red Sled Bazaar ~

Another year in the books for The Little Red Sled Bazaar.  We had a successful day of sales, sold out fairly quickly (had a few marshmallows left), and now we are focusing on Christmas with our family. 

Quick I-phone picture the night before the bazaar, of my booth.  I didn't have my cinnamon rolls in the case till the next morning, but the pictures from the morning aren't as clear.   Many hours of work in a little space!

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Gulf Coast Getaway ~

I had the pleasure and privilege of a nice getaway with my hubby, that was so needed and appreciated.  Here are just a few shots from the trip ~ never a disappointment at the beauty God has placed all around us. Thankful indeed for this blessed time we had. Always a time to reconnect, relax, and just enjoy spending time together. 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Supermoon 2016

"Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah

I'm just learning a little bit about night time photography, so I am not very good at it yet, but here are a few shots that I got.  I love that the reflection on the ocean looks like liquid gold  So beautiful.

I love the birds flying around in the second picture and the third is the moon as it rose over the fishing pier.

My hubby and I were able to get away for awhile and are spending our time in Florida.  I'm so blessed to have watched the moon rising about the ocean the last few nights. Thankful for time away after a very busy year, and time alone with my hubby.  Most of all thankful that the Word of God still stands and always will.

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Get Out and Vote ~

I've been earnestly praying for our country and the direction it will go. Don't give up your right to vote ~ it is your voice!  It is a right, but to me it is a privilege. 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

He Will Make a Way ~

My neighbor snapped this picture the other morning.  The sky was so bright it was waking people and drawing them to the windows to see ~ the sunrise was glowing like never before, and when they turned, this was the sight they saw opposite of the sun.  What a glorious way to wake up. 

Reminded me of the sermon series we've been hearing at church.  Pastor has been speaking on the topic of worship.  Worship is the call of the Christian.  We were made to give thanks to a mighty God.  

"Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks, for that they name is near thy wondrous works declare."

If you are struggling today, remember your purpose ~ that we should worship our King.  When you struggle with the thoughts in your mind, look around you and remember the works of His hands. Remember His grace and his mercy that endures forever.  Remember that he will never steer you in the wrong direction.  Trust in Him.

Have you experienced the power of His word? His word is a living word.  Remember what He has done for you in your life and think on those things and have faith. No matter what we are going through, He is still on the throne and He is still opening doors and making ways where there seems to be no way.  Start with a heart of worship.

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Stand Firm ~

Have you had to face the sadness of having someone who turns away from Christ? It is very sad, as a believer to see this happen.  Sometimes I think deep down in your heart, you knew where they stood and part of you isn't surprised.  By our fruits we are known, therefore we should always see those fruits in other believers.  Believers are not perfect, and never will be, but there is something that sets them apart.

I was reading about apostates. It is a difficult topic. Falling away from the truth.  Apostates are those who knew the full gospel and turned from it.  Judas spent three years in the ministry. He was with Jesus and the other disciples and he knew the wonders of this Christ we serve, and had witnessed them with his own eyes.  Jesus never spoke of him as a believer, and he called him a son of perdition.  We know that one of the motivations of Judas was greed.  Many think they can play the part and pretend to follow the "steps", hoping for the blessings that come from an open window of Christ to believers. God knows all and knows the heart.

We can say that of those that turn away, they were never believers in the first place.  There was not that heart condition, that change of the heart of stone to one of flesh.  When this person turns away, it is not a loss of salvation, it shows that they never had it to begin with.
This grieves the heart of so many believers who see people around them in this position, those that reject truth with open eyes!  We aren't surprised as Christians, when we have those among us who turn out to be in the position of an apostate, but we can continue to pray for them.  Pray that they have not taken the last step and totally rejected the gospel.

Guard your hearts, dear ones.   Seek Christ in every moment of your life, read His word, believe on it, place it in your heart. Pray for those around you. Lift up your fellow believers ~ if you see them getting weary, pray for them, reach out to them, and remind them of this great race we partake in.  It is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay strong in the day we are in.  Set yourselves apart and live in a way that honors God.
"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

 "If you believe in your heart God raised Christ from the dead and you confess Him as Lord, you'll be saved."

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek," 

Update ~ Just spoke with my pastor on the topic.  My heart has so much hope.  He reminded me that if you have never truly tasted the grace of God, you cannot fall away from something you did not enter. ~ 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Autumn in New England ~

The artistry of God in the New England landscape has begun to show its display. The colors are turning, the air is crisp and it's time for comfort food. I love to cook and bake with apples and pumpkins and squash ~ I think they make the most delicious comfort foods of all! The orchards are open for picking, the cider is ready for mulling and the fields are full of pumpkins ready for your doorstep.  Such a beautiful time to take a quiet drive through the countryside. 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Remembering to Trust and Listen

I am a firm believer that God gives us what we need, when we need it.  The other night I was exhausted both physically and emotionally.  It had been a very exciting, yet stressful, exhausting week.   I was feeling drained.
I decided that I would take a soak in the hot tub, to try to help me relax.  It was a gorgeous, full harvest moon.  The stars were shining and there was a nice chill in the air, a sign of fall making its way to our little area.  My house was quiet. Everyone was inside, sound asleep.
I made my way outside at about midnight, all alone.  I was in the hot tub praying that God would give me grace for each moment ahead.   I was lamenting about some things and wishing I had handled them better, and prayed that I could show people the Love of Christ and the grace and mercy that He has given me.  I prayed earnestly for strength through Him, and thanked him for the blessings and things He had done through the week.  I knew he was there, I had seen Him in so many ways throughout the week, but I was feeling empty and discouraged. I was feeling like I didn't measure up and I was worrying too much about what was ahead of me instead of taking things moment by moment.
As I prayed, I put my head back to rest and looked up at the gorgeous sky.  Just then, I saw a shooting star sail across the sky.  My heart leapt, and I felt like He was showing me that He was faithful.  Being the type of person that always doubts myself,  or what I think I see.  I wondered if that was for me.  I asked Him to show me another sign that He was there with me through every step, every cry, every up and down.  In the next few moments, I saw two shooting stars.  I'm not a girl that is into the "signs and wonders" movement.  But I am a girl that tries to listen for the voice of God in my life and to pray that He shows himself strongly to me.
I guess I was feeling pretty discouraged.  THREE times I saw shooting stars.  And yet still, I could only think,  "Lord was that really for me? I mean, I don't know that I saw what I saw.  I'm in the hot tub, I am absolutely exhausted, I don't have my glasses on. Please show me one more vibrant shooting star that I cannot deny."  Yup, I guess I'm a crazy woman.
Right then, I heard the Lord speak to me in such a strong and audible way in my heart.  "I showed you that I'm here. You are loved and you are forgiven and I will give you that grace that you need.   But remember, I am the MAKER of the stars.  The stars themselves were breathed into existence by me, and that is what you need to remember.  I have you, I have your situation, I know your heart and I know the cries of it.  Trust me and just keep looking up. I am here."
People can say they hear the voice of God.  Is it an audible shout from the heavens? No! But in your deepest longing and in the quieting of your mind and your heart, if you listen, He will speak to you. I know that to be true, but sometimes I need to be given a little reminder.
Whatever you are going through today, know that He sees and knows it all.  He is there ~ He knows what you need, so seek Him and trust Him and have no doubts in His love and mercy and grace.

 "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."

The beautiful Harvest Moon the other night. 

Photo taken by my daughter.

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Show Mercy and Give Grace

a  :  unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctificationb  :  a virtue coming from Godc  :  a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
a  :  approval, favor;  grace
s>b  archaic  :  mercy, pardon disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemencyc  :  a temporary exemption :  reprieve 
Grace ~ God's unmerited favor. 
Some of the definitions I found for the word GRACE.  I think often about the grace of our holy God. Love and mercy not because we deserve it or have done anything to earn it, but because God wants us to have His grace.  His love shown to the unlovely. Him reaching down to us, when we don't deserve it.
Of course the most beautiful and amazing form of grace is that given to us by Jesus Christ!  But grace is something we can also show to others.  I have seen grace and I have been given grace ~ not only by God, but from others.  Then I have seen the times when those around me are not so free with grace.  I have been hurt by believers who seem wronged by something that they can't even explain or probably don't even know themselves, and yet have shown no mercy and grace. Bitterness, jealousy, discontentment of heart ~ all things that people use to size up where someone else should stand in their lives.  Things that they use to put a wall up between them and others, and when those feelings are there, the devil uses that foothold and no grace is shown.  
Are there people in your life that you have shown little mercy or grace to? Maybe they've never even hurt you, but your own unhappiness has you comparing yourself and for that reason, you do not show that person love or mercy or grace.  Maybe you have been treated this way.  I have had relationships where I don't understand what happened, but suddenly my "Christian" friend is not longer there for me. I think one of the meanest things you can do to a brother or sister in Christ is to suddenly pull away when the person doesn't even know what offense they may have done.  We absolutely cannot offer salvation to those around us, but we can show grace to them, whether we feel they deserve it or not. Give it freely, as it has been freely given to you. It is not by your hands, but by the mercy of a loving God. 
The Lord gives us grace, though we don't deserve it at all, and as recipients of that, we should be walking in grace and be vessels of grace to others. The word says to us "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all." 
I will try to show grace and mercy to others, and I will pray for those who in their own selfishness, cannot show the Grace that our God has given to them.  Grace is a high calling.  It is something that we need to live in, most importantly when we are not feeling it from those around us. The Lord bountifully covers us in His perfect grace, even when we are most undeserving. 
To me, today I am beyond thankful for the grace of God.  I can hardly comprehend it.    What does He require of me? Of us? This scripture has always resounded in my mind and I pray that it is something that I can remember when my flesh isn't merciful and showing grace.  "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)

What does grace look like to you? To me it is the most beautiful thing that we can show to others through our own lives and our actions. We paint a picture of Christ through the way we treat others.  Today is a new canvas and you have the beautiful gift of Grace if you are in Christ ~ show that same gift to those around you. 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Where is He Leading You?

~ "Your grace abounds in deepest waters." ~ If He is leading you in something and you aren't heeding the call, your fears or flesh or pride are in the way ~ step out of the boat in obedience and faith. He will always give you what you need to follow His will. 
~ "You call me out upon the waters; The great unknown; where feet may fail. And there I find You in the mystery, In oceans deep My faith will stand."

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Repetition

Life can be full of repetitive motions.  I try to be cheerful in all things, but I admit I get a little restless sometimes.  I am a homebody by nature, but sometimes I do feel like I need to see new things.  Need a little excitement, or a change of pace.  Those are the times when I can let my mind go, get myself down, and feel ungrateful.  That is not a good place to be. The mind is powerful, and when we let it, we can think thoughts that we shouldn't. We let the enemy in to attack our minds and that's when we need to cast down those thoughts.  The Word says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

There can be monotony in our daily activities.  Sometimes we can feel that no one notices or appreciates it.  Picking up another pair of underwear off the bathroom floor, another wet towel off the carpet, another dish from the living room, putting another roll of toilet paper on since they never magically replenish themselves.  But I try to remember in the midst of it, what I am doing.  If I am working as unto the Lord, then I become more thankful and more mindful about my activities.  My hubby goes off to work every day, whether it's twenty below zero or 95 degrees and so muggy that you can cut the air.  I never hear a complaint.  He cheerfully goes and provides for us every day.   I LOVE being so blessed that I can stay at home with my kids.  I love to have dinner waiting for him.  I know that God has me here in this spot for a reason.  Raising our kids is a high calling!  I have been blessed to even teach my children at home.  Shaping and forming them in the way they should go is not a light task.  Since I was a five year old, I can remember wanting to be a wife and mommy.  Is this everyone's dream? Certainly not. Am I saying that it has to be your dream? Certainly not.  But it was my dream.  And I am living it! What a blessing!  Life isn't perfect, and never was meant to be perfect, but we can have the Joy of the Lord in us and try to be joyful in the simplicity of our daily tasks.  Find joy in the perfectly imperfect aspects of life.

Find joy in the simplicity of life.  It doesn't have to be complicated or fancy.  I love to clean, organize, bake, cook, and serve others.  Maybe I am odd! But making my house a little haven in the chaos of life is something that brings me joy.  To have it fairly organized,  dinner and a treat freshly baked, clean sheets on the bed.  Ahhhh, that is a good day!!  To have my hubby happy to come home in the evening and to feel honored and appreciated is something that I like to do.  A hug and a kiss at the door always makes him feel appreciated.  Call me old fashioned, but I love those simple daily things. To find a peace in the tasks that may seem so menial and thankless.  But if you do it with a cheerful heart, a heart that wants to give to others and serve our Lord, they are never ever menial.

So when your mind wanders, and you are feeling like you are discontent ~ pray that those thoughts are cast down in the name of Jesus! Dig into scripture and remember all of the promises of God. He has you here for a purpose! Every little thing that we set our hands to can be part of that purpose.  Serve Him and serve those around you and you will find more and more contentment.  Serve in a selfless way, not looking for anything in return. It doesn't have to be huge.  Pray for someone and encourage them. Bring an elderly neighbor a bouquet of wildflowers. Drop a coffee off to that mama that is having a hard day and give her a hug, drop a note in the mail for someone that has been on your mind with a scripture.   These little things are pick me ups that often mean more to the person than we would ever think. And those are the things that can bring joy to us when our minds try to get away from us and tell us that our tasks are unworthy. And put a pep in your step ~ when you are folding your laundry, pray over each piece you fold and for each family member.  When you are cleaning, crank up your praise music! When I bake for others, I try to always pray over the food as I am making it and pray for the person that it is going to.  These may seem like little things, but they are so important, and can help change our perspective.  When we devote ourselves to others instead of just ourselves, it is right where we need to be.

When I am doing yet another load of laundry, I remind myself how fortunate and blessed I am to have a washer and a dryer! To have water and soap and electricity! To have the clothes to wash! Those are small things that we seem to take for granted. That wet towel on the floor? Means I have a hubby that enjoyed a hot shower after a hard day of working outside providing for our needs.   When I look at each task from this perspective, it truly does change my thinking from the thoughts that try to creep in and take over my mind.  To be thankful in ALL things is something I am working on.  Does that mean I have overcome those thoughts? I wish I could say yes.  I still allow them to creep in from time to time, but now I can recognize them and kick them out with the help of my Savior.  Serving was meant to be done with a selfless spirit, not one of selfishness looking to be served. Those selfish thoughts that will always put your mind in the gutter of ungratefulness and it's a downward spiral from there.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

The Hem of Jesus

Needing encouragement? Are you in a situation where you feel that you have tried all of your resources and there is still no resolution?  Sometimes we can talk about it, cry about it, complain about it, fear our situation, but have we prayed in faith about it?

Just a touch from the hem of the garment of Jesus.   The tassel on his robe. That is all she wanted.  She had heard He was there and she had such hope and a belief.  She had spent all of her resources on doctors.  None had been able to help her, and the Word says that she only grew worse.  I guess some could say that she had come to the end of herself.  She had no more resources from which to draw.  She was in a place of desperation. Desperation, but yet there was a hope.

She had suffered for so long ~ 12 years.  She believed that He could make her well.  She was shunned, unclean.  Yet she had enough hope to go there that day, and to struggle through the crowd just to touch his cloak. She was probably weak for the condition she had dealt with for so long. She knew that she was facing ridicule, that her uncleanness was thought to make everything she touched unclean. There were throngs of people, she must have had to push through them, touching many along the way.  But she was willing to risk it all to get to Him.

When she was within reach, she reached out and touched the hem of His garment.   Immediately her condition was healed.  And she knew it!   And Jesus knew it.  He felt the power go out from Him.  "Virtue".  He asked who touched him.  The disciples must have laughed, almost scoffed, after all  the crowds were so thick, many are touching you!   People were probably pushing and shoving their way to get a glimpse of him and many were probably brushing up against him. But He persisted, and trembling, she fell at His feet and told him her story.  How frightened she must have been ~ she,  who was unclean, was touching Him????

And what were His words? He told her that her faith had healed her ~ go in peace.  What a witness to the people in the crowd that day.

I want to cultivate a faith like that. Always be filled with HOPE, knowing that just a touch on His garment is all it takes to make us whole.  This reminds me to reach for that hem, knowing that it is HE who is my all in all.  Always.  Reach out for your Messiah today, no matter what you are going through.  Come to Him with faith, believing.   I know I will reach and cling to that hem.

She only touched the hem of His garment

  As to His side she stole,

Amid the crowd that gathered around Him;

  And straightway she was whole. Oh, touch the hem of His garment,

  And thou, too, shalt be free!

His healing pow’r this very hour

    Shall give new life to thee!

                                                 She came in fear and trembling before Him,

  She knew her Lord had come,

She felt that from Him virtue had healed her,

  The mighty deed was done.

                                            He turned with “Daughter, be of good comfort,

  Thy faith hath made thee whole“;

And peace that passeth all understanding

  With gladness filled her soul.

by George Frederick Root

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Rejoice in Hope ~

HOPE ~ a strong and confident expectation; to trust;  the act of hoping stresses two things ~ futurity and invisibility.  Things we cannot see and have not yet received. But we have the certainty that what God has promised will happen, according to His word.

We often throw around the word "Hope".  I hope it rains, I hope it doesn't rain, I hope I sleep well, I hope can do this or do that.  But Hope is so much deeper than that. 

We serve a God of Hope. He is the source of all hope, and without Him we have no hope. Hopelessness is a very strong word.  It means we have absolutely no expectation of a good outcome or of success, no remedy, no cure, incapable of redemption.  What a poor state to have that feeling of hopelessness! I think of that feeling, and how empty we have to get to have such a feeling that there is absolutely no hope, we are in absolute, utter despair. I am so thankful that Jesus has given us a true Hope! I never want to feel the feeling of utter hopelessness.  

One Biblical translation of Hope that I found is that it often translated into something strengthened by being bound together.  Think of a rope, that is bound so well that it can stretch and will not break.  It can endure the weight as it is stretched and pulled. Hope is like that rope.  Trusting in an unbreakable promise.  True Hope in the things in His word, and His promises are to be our confident assurance. 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

The Word tells us to "Rejoice in Hope".

We can rejoice, knowing that our Hope is in Him and that He loves us and cares for us and hears our petitions. 

There seems to be so many burdens on my heart right now.  So many are going though trials.  Things can get clouded and seem uncertain. The storms of life come and we can feel shaken and tossed about. 

But Hope is something that we can cling to. Thinking of Hebrews 6:19 ~ "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." It brings my mind to the translation of hope being like a rope.  I picture that anchor weighted on the rope that is stretching but will not break.  The rough waters and storms may come, but the anchor is held through it all. The anchor trusts that the rope is sure. 

That is the Hope that we have ~ it is so sure, so strong, so steadfast that we can rest in Him. Cling to that rope ~ it is sure!  "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
Do not give up Hope, dear one! Continue to pray and trust and rejoice! He will not leave you ~ He is your Hope, your Assurance, your all in all.  

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

He is Faithful

We have had a beautiful, hot summer.  I am loving every minute of it.  That being said, we are in desperate need of rain! Wells are drying up, ponds are low, crops are beginning to die.  It's been our fervent prayer ~ our Pastor put it on our prayer chain on Monday night.  This morning the skies have opened up! It seems to be a nice soaking rain ~ and every little bit helps at this point.  I've never been so happy to see rain, and am so thankful for His faithfulness! Even in the little things.

No matter what is on your heart, He cares about it.  In the midst of your day, don't forget to cast your cares on him.  He cares about the needs of His children and will give us the desires of our hearts, according to His will. He tells us in His word to pray without ceasing.  He does hear our prayers.

Years ago I remember clinging to James 5.  I remember reading it and praying it and memorizing it and believing it with all my heart and soul.  Again, God was so faithful in my situation that seemed bigger than a mountain to me. The doctor told me that I needed a miracle to prevent a surgical intervention.  Those were his words.  I remember how my heart sank at the thought that in the mind of the Dr., it was basically a given that I would be in the operating room. Oh how surprised he was at the next appointment when the situation had changed! God healed me and I would no longer need surgery.  Praise and all the glory went to Him! I told the doctor that I had prayed so fervently for that miracle. Maybe he still remembers that? Maybe it strengthened him and stirred his faith? I do not know, but I do remember the absolute joy and how thankful I was to a God who cares and who hears our prayers.

Our prayers may not always be answered in the time or the way we expect them.  But He hears them all, you can count on that.  Sometimes His answer is to wait.  But continue to pray. And remember to fellowship with Him always, not just when you are in a tough spot.  Thank Him daily for all that He has done in your and through you.  We, as His children, are truly a blessed people!

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Feathered Entertainment

The drought we are experiencing is taking a toll on our gardens and our lawns here.  But I've noticed it's also brought with it an excess of hummingbirds! We always have lots of these cuties at our feeders, but now I can hardly keep up with filling them all.  They are so entertaining to watch as they buzz around the gazebo.  They dart through and love to fight over the sweet sugar water we've set out for them.  I could sit for hours watching them and we've decided who needs tv when we have this to entertain us!  We've seen up to eleven at once, though they are not easy to count.  Just another reason why summer is my favorite.  Get outside and notice the little bits of joy around you!

Battling for the last drop ~

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Walk in Love ~

Do you have relationships that have been severed? It is a painful thing.  What can make it more painful is when you've tried to reconcile the relationships and are only rejected further.   When your attempts are not only rejected, but also ignored, it hurts and it causes deep pain.  But that pain isn't something that needs to continue to hurt you.
You can pray for the person, you can pray for the situation, but you can never make someone love you. Remember that your attempt is seen by a Holy God, and that their rejection is not a reflection of you, but it is a reflection of their heart.
Though we tend to mourn what we have lost in a relationship, focus on what you have in your other relationships.  Put your love and energy into building on those relationships. We can mourn to a point where we are not nurturing what we have in the here and now.
Often people who are bitter want to hurt other people.  It may be that they are not content in their own lives, and they do not like seeing someone else who has what they want.  It is a sad state of their heart and their mind.  The Word says that we are to not be envious.  It says it is "the rottenness of the bones".  That is a very strong statement.  It speaks of having a sound heart over envy.  Contentment does come from a heart that longs for Him and the things of Him.  Those things that moth and rust cannot destroy.   When people envy, they have not received the contentment that comes from the simple things in life and in a true relationship with a loving Father. 
People will envy, they will judge, they will hold past mistakes against you, they will hold grudges.  All we can do is try to make things right and then continue pray for their hearts.  After that we cannot force them to love us or even like us.  Do  not harden your own heart and become bitter because of their situation.  If you have done what you can, and what the Word instructs, you need to move on in prayer.  Bitterness will only rob you of your own joy, it will allow satan to control you and there can be no true Biblical love when we are harboring bitterness in our hearts.
I read this quote today . . . "It does not take a rifle-bullet to destroy a life. Men have died from little scratch-wounds." (by J.R. Miller)

Do not let the wounds of bitterness, the wounds of people who cast stones, the wounds from a relationship that you cannot restore due to someone with a bitter heart continue to destroy your or your life. 

In Christ we have the power to overcome the hurt of a broken relationship.  The Word tells us that He heals the broken-hearted and He binds up our wounds.  If you have done what you can, move forward in those truths.  Seek shelter in the shadow of His wings.  Remember that your most important relationship is the one you have with the Lord.  He loves you and is there for you and He seeks a relationship with you.  He is always with us. 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).

Seek Him for he his always gracious, and then walk in the Love that can only come from Him.  

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup"