Rays of Sunshine…..By Kimchi Blow

“We love because He first loved us”  1 John 4:19

There are so many moments throughout the day that can so easily pass us by. Here lately, the Lord has been having me slow down a bit to enjoy just a few.  Thankfully, today at the park I was able to watch my two toddlers playing joyfully.   While there, I experienced a moment that took my breath away and I wanted to capture it in my mind forever.  After running around chasing her brother for what seemed like hours, my two year old daughter, all of a sudden stopped with her face towards the sunshine. It was like a scene from a movie where all I could see was her. Time seemed to stand still around me.  With her face towards the sunlight, I could see her amazing features. Her skin appeared perfect like a porcelain doll, while strands of her golden blond hair blew gently across her face.  The rays of light hit her striking blue eyes in just the right places and they danced with delight. Then slowly, she closed her eyes and gently tilted her head toward the sky. It was as if God had taken His hand under her chin and gently lifted it towards Him. Peace exuded from within her. She stood there with a smile enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face and wind through her hair. All I could do was hold my breath. I walked over to her and just held her, kissing her sweet face.  Immediately, I thanked God for the moment.  It was a moment to cherish, a moment to love, a moment to thank, a moment worth living for!

I walked away from the park overwhelmingly changed somehow. Why did this moment touch me so intensely? Why did I feel a stirring deep within? Why did I want to just stop time right there and not move another second forward? Why? As I pondered these things, I even began to pray and seek God for the answer.  And then it hit me and I was moved even more profoundly than I was watching my daughter. It became so apparent to me that God was giving me a picture of how He stops and cherishes me like that throughout everyday!
May you feel His love for you today and everyday.

Gear Up!….by Kimchi Lya Blow

Yesterday, we learned about committing to run the race set before you. Today, we will learn about how to prepare and get your gear ready to run with proficiency and endurance. Running is truly mind over matter. Learning to put your mind over your body is what is required. Sometimes those long distance runs can challenge even the best of runners. They sometimes can run into a “wall”. This is not actually a physical wall, but a mental one. A mental block where the body can’t push past this mental state of mind so this is where true perseverance and discipline must overcome. Having the right gear, helps too!
Getting the proper running gear is important. It is vital you wear the right type of running shoes for your feet, so that you can get the best performance from your body. Also, having comfortable apparel is imperative. You want material that allows viable air-flow and you don’t want it too tight. Your body can overheat quickly, so having the right kind of material will allow your body to cool more easily and help absorb sweat on those winter months when it is cold outside. There are all kinds of accessories runners can purchase now days. The sky is the limit. They have high tech watches that can calculate, time, distance, speed, calories burned, pace, etc., the list goes on and on. There are also special hats, visors and special sunglasses. You name it, and it is available. This equipment is made so runners can accomplish their goals with much more ease and with assured success.
As Christians, we too have exceptional running gear that we need to put on in the spirit in order for us to run the spiritual race set before us. In, Ephesians 6:13-17 it says, “Therefore put on your full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all flaming darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
With the right gear on to run your daily race with Christ, it will only set you up for success. So, ask yourself as you begin your day, do you have the right gear on? What are you missing? What part of your gear might need to be replaced? Are you prepared for the obstacles that lay ahead for the day? Without the proper gear, you might run into that “wall” I referred to earlier. Set yourself up for success and be prepared to run with endurance. The finish line is just ahead. Victory is within reach, your gear is on, now run!

Tomorrow's blog, Training begins!

“Signing Up for the Race” by Kimchi Blow

There is a lot more to running a race then just running.  It entails a lot of preparation, commitment and hard work.  Making a commitment and saying” yes” to the challenge is where it all begins. Last week, I talked to you about my experience with running my first half-marathon.  The disciplines I learned through my training were priceless and have proved profitable into my spiritual walk too.

One of the first things I did was make the commitment to run the race in the first place.  Did you know that just 1 % of the population will run a half- marathon?  Believe me, this was a step of faith for me because I had never ran more than a few miles at one time in my life. So, the thought of me running 13.1 miles was daunting and tiring just thinking about.  I knew there was going to be a lot of hard work and sweat ahead, but more importantly I knew that it started with a “yes!” Sometimes for me , that is always the hardest challenge. Fear wants to rule and say, “NO!”   Somehow my faith would follow through; at least that was my plan! I have learned that once faith is activated it requires action to follow!

 At any rate, I found a half- marathon that I was interested in over the internet.  The one in Long Beach, California proved the most eye-catching and let’s say the most achievable one.  The attractiveness was   it appeared to have a flat course along the coast line.  Trust me; I was looking for the easiest running course I could find! Just saying!  My thought process was that if I had to run the 13.1 miles in the first place, then I would at least enjoy the view as I ran, anything to keep my mind off the pain!

Well, needless to say, I downloaded the registration, signed the check for the race fees and placed it in  a stamped envelope.  BAM!!   I was committed, signed up.  There was no turning back now! My point is this, so many times in our lives we are faced with challenges.  Some of them are in our control and some are not. Whatever the case, we still have a choice to make.  Will we commit to the challenge ahead, no matter what it takes?  Walking by faith and not by sight requires you to say “yes” to God in whatever circumstance you find yourself in.  You are saying, “yes” to trust Him to provide the provision and the grace to see you through. 

As Christians, the day we give our lives to Jesus, we literally sign up for the Christian Race . The race itself is a course we have never ran before.  It has a lot of uphill challenges and the miles seem endless at times.  However, we must run the race with perseverance.  Signing up and saying “yes” to the race can prove to be the biggest hurtle, but you can have peace in knowing that we have a pace setter running it with us the whole way, Jesus.   He will be the one guiding and pacing you along the way.  He will make sure you have the water breaks you need and the motivation to get to the finish line. He will prove to be your biggest cheerleader!  As long as keep your eyes fixed on Him, the race itself can be an exhilarating one.  Better than that, the rewards prove to be eternal! 

Be encouraged because Hebrew 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  What is it today that God is asking you to say, “Yes” to? What commitment is He asking of you today?  No matter what it is, say, “yes” and commit yourself to Jesus.  He then will commit that you finish victoriously!

Stay tuned for my next blog, “Gearing up for the Race”. Have a blessed Monday

Run Forest Run! by Kimchi Blow

Back in October of 2009, I ran my first half marathon in Long Beach, California. It was a day I will never forget! I had challenged my body beyond anything it had ever done before. Crossing the finish line was the most exhilarating experience. I loved seeing and feeling the pay off of all the hard work and commitment I had put in over the 6 months of training.
I learned a lot about myself and my body during training days. Some of which has paid off for me spiritually. One of the biggest things I learned was overcoming my flesh. There were many days I had to run long miles and before I even got out on the pavement, my body was already screaming, “NO WAY!” On those days, I had to literally talk out loud and convince myself with positive affirmations to get myself moving. The most important part of that was physical motion while speaking out loud. It was like the two had to connect, the mind and body! Believe me when the Word says that our words bring forth life or death. Had I gone with negative thoughts and words, I would have most likely never run. Trust me; running is more mental than physical, at least for me that is. Actually, that can be said about most things in life. Our minds can be a powerful tool used for us or against us.
When our minds rule our bodies, we can “think “ourselves past any physical obstacles. Maybe that is why the Apostle Paul told us to hold our thoughts captive to what Christ says ( 2 Corinthians 10:5) and not what we think. The power lies within the mind of Christ. Learning to tap into that discipline of the mind can literally change you forever.
Today, I still use this training concept for my spiritual life too. I have put myself into spiritual training. God ‘s Word tell us , “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” ( 1 Corinthians 9:25) Needless to say, we are running the race for Christ and He is the prize we are running after. Our spiritual finish line is Eternal life in Him. Everyday I am challenged with life. Need I say more? Life is hard, no two ways about it. Without a strategic plan and discipline of training, I won’t make it and most likely you won’t either.
What this looks like for me daily is having goals set to keep me in the Word of God and also time for praying and journaling the thoughts He gives me. I must exercise this in the mornings because that is the only free time I get before I am bombarded with the demands of my family. I simply set the alarm and run with Jesus! Yes, there are days that my body is screaming for more sleep, but just like I did when I was training for my race; I simply get physically moving with bible in hand and positive affirmations out loud. The experts say that it takes 21 days to form a habit; I say with Christ’s strength, habits are things that happen and are not formed!
Train with purpose! Know your goals and obtain them with passion. Know your strengths and weaknesses and know Jesus can overcome them in you. He is just looking for a partner to run with. Will you run the race set before you? What things are you willing to give up this week to go into strict training? What goal is it that Christ wants to accomplish in you? Are you ready to run the race with perseverance?
I hope to see you at the finish line. BTW- I will be the one at the refreshment line with the Crown of Righteousness on!

What Is Sin? Part 4- by Michelle Peterson (Guest Blogger)

Ok folks, a quick review.

I grew up Southern Baptist, with many rules and regulations. Just about anything enjoyable was considered sin.

I moved closer to God, then back away, then closer, then almost away TOTALLY from Him, and then He plucked me up from my pit of despair and set me straight. I am growing everyday, trying to understand how He loves me so much and how to better serve Him and others.

We started with the fact that there are 10 commandments, and 613 laws in the Old Testament.

We established that sin is anything that separates or moves us away from God.

Now….let’s move on.

Ok, so I grew up with the teaching that drinking any alcohol was sin. However, the Bible mentions drinking wine in many places through its books! Paul even said that a little wine is good for digestion. (“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:23) While the Bible warns us to avoid drunkenness, it never says to avoid alcohol.

Have you heard the expression that money is the root of all evil? That statement is often attributed to the Bible, but the Bible never says that. God wants us to have blessings of all kind, pressed down and running over, including financial blessings! What the Bible says is actually that “the love of money is the root of all evil’ (1Timothy 6:10).

What about smoking? Well, we are told in that our body is the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19) so we should do all things to take care of God’s temple. Is it a sin to smoke? No, but it probably isn’t very good for your health if you do, and therefore not a very good way to protect God’s Temple.

Dancing? Nope, not that one either. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there is a time to dance, and a time to mourn. Psalm 149 and 150 mention dance in worship. So is dance itself a sin? Nope. However if you are moving your body in a sultry and sexual way, it is not pleasing to God because it inspires lust in the hearts of others.

My point is that often people misinterpret what sin is. So often it is not the action in question itself that is sin, as much as the motive behind the action. If you drink to get drunk, that is a sin. If your dance moves consist of bumping and grinding in order to arouse someone’s desire, then it is not without the consequence of sin either.

We need to examine our motives and intentions behind what we do, rather than nit-picking and splitting hairs over whether something is sin or not. Listen to God; He is the deciding factor after all. If He speaks to your spirit that what you are doing is not pleasing to Him, then LISTEN! If you have questions about what God wants from you READ HIS INSTUCTIONS!!!! Pray about it. You will know what is sin and what is not.

So, my friends, if you want to drink a couple of beers while you play poker or watch a football game, is it sin for you? Only if your need for the beer supersedes your desire to please God. If you have money in your bank account is that a sin? Only if your love of that money makes your assets an idol, taking precedence over God.  What about driving the new Dodge Challenger? Not if you drive it because you like the car and think it handles well and accommodates your needs for transportation. For me it would be a sin, because I would idolize that car. (I have to pray about that anyway, because I kind of drool when I see one drive by and if I did own it I would never have to worry about the money in the bank being my idol because I would use it all on speeding tickets! J )

In summary…..pray about the choices you make. Listen to God, search His Word, and you will KNOW what is sin and what is not.  It is important to find the answers for you, not basing your belief system on what Grandma said or what Pastor so and so said. Many times family cultures forbid or allow things by tradition. Some pastors or teachers do not know what the Word says. Search for yourself, and you will find your answers!

Michelle Peterson:
I am a happily married, stay at home mother of a 12 year old daughter. I was born and raised in Southeast Georgia before becoming a Navy wife for over 10 years. I strive to live purposefully, doing as God directs and leads me. I enjoy reading, writing, scrapbooking and cooking. It is my desire to live a life pleasing to God in all areas and grow in His teachings..

Visit her at- http://www.scrappygypsy.blogspot.com

Trying to find "your thing." by Johnathon Acuff ( Stuff Christians Like)

Good Evening everyone, I just wanted to share this story with all of you.  My friend sent this to me and this link has some really good stuff on it that I thought you all might like-:)

Trying to find “your thing.”

Jan 15th by Jonathon Acuff    http://stuffchristianslike.net/

 

I have a confession.
An international confession.
It’s a dark secret I really need to share.
Ready? Are you sitting down? Have you braced yourself adequately?
OK, here goes …

When I visited Paris, I went to Euro Disney instead of the Louvre Museum.
Oh the shame. The dirtiness. The cultural horror of my actions and the consequences they bear lo these many years later. In my defense, I was lonely. My traveling companion, Carsten Lotz, had flown home to the States. (If you want to sound cool, you should call America “the States” every now and then.) I was by myself in Paris. And when two American girls I met said they were going to Euro Disney, I said, “I want to know what love is. I want to go to Euro Disney.”
Why? Cause when you’re fifteen and somebody tells you they love you, you’re gonna believe them. Not really. That’s a lyric from Taylor Swift. I’m trying to appear more relevant to the millennials.
That’s not exactly what I said, but it was close. Best part? They left me in the train station. I don’t know if “ditched” is how the French would say it, but we were all standing on the platform. I was looking at a Cadbury machine. (The Cadbury Cream Eggs are back in stores by the way. Happy times are here again.) I bought something in the machine, turned around and watched a train leave that they were on.
Stuck in the middle of France at that point, I was like Keanu Reeves in the movie Point Break, I was too far gone to turn back. (I got your back generation X!) So I got on a train by myself and went to Euro Disney, quietly eating big bites of loser chocolate.
Years now, I can laugh about it, but at the time, the whole incident felt like the last thing I wanted to happen on a trip to Europe to “find myself.” Almost a rite of passage at this point, I had gone hoping that in the space between college and first real job I would be able to get some answers about who I am and what I was supposed to do.
Looking back on it though, I realize now there was a pretty clear answer and it’s one that I think a lot of Christians miss. So that’s what I want to share today, a very simple way to figure out what it is you’re designed to do.
Now first and foremost, I need to say that you were made to worship. I believe God hand crafted us to praise him. Whenever friends tells me, “I’m not doing what I was created to do at my day job” I tell them, “You were made to worship and obey God, are you telling me accountants aren’t allowed to do that?” That’s not what I’m talking about.
What I want to discuss is the specific thing you’re gifted with, your talents, your “it” that no one else has. Psalm 103:5 hints at this a little when it says God is the one “who satisfies your desires with good things.”
So the question becomes not what was I created to do, but rather, what are my good things? What is my gift? What is that idea inside me that I’m supposed to be actively expressing?
There are about a billion books that try to get at the heart of this question, but there’s a pretty simple way to look at it and surprisingly enough it involves satan. (Lowercase “s” on purpose because that’s the middle finger of grammar.)
Here’s the thing, we often assume satan has powers similar to God. We might not say it out loud, but sometimes we think satan is all knowing and all powerful and can be everywhere at once. But he can’t. He’s limited in his abilities and because he is, he has to take short cuts. And one of his favorite short cuts is that he only attacks things that matter.
Let me rephrase that, “satan will never attack something that is insignificant.”
He can’t waste time like that. He’s not a shotgun, he’s a sniper rifle and what he laser scopes on are only the things that are going to do tremendous good for the kingdom.
He will never attack my breakdance ministry. He will never thrash about with my painting career or try to sidetrack my pottery mission. Because I stink at those things.
But writing? All day long. He’s going to wail on that, because that’s the thing God has given me. So for years, satan beat on my writing. He attacked it and fought it and tried his best to keep me wrapped up in writing lies and manipulation and using whatever modicum of talent I had to meet girls in chat rooms, instead of writing about grace.
What does that mean for you?
It means if you want to find “your thing” you don’t need a backpack and a Euro Rail pass. You need to just look at your life and find that area that is getting rocked right now. Find the part of your day that satan piñatas. And then look at it again. See if there’s a gift hidden in there. A talent that he’s desperate to conceal.
And then live in that gift. All day long!

Worship......by Amanda Gonzales (Guest Blogger)

 When most of us think about worship, it probably brings up the images and thoughts of standing and worshipping in church or maybe of your private worship at home.  Mostly when people consider worship they think of things like songs, singing and possibly raising their hands and dancing before the Lord. 

            However, I would like to propose to you today that worship is more than all of this.  Worship is our whole life.  When we look into the scripture we see images of worship played out in front of us.  At the altar where the sacrifice is given, when the woman with the issue of blood reached out in faith to her Healer, when Abraham believed God for provision yet was still obedient and took Isaac up the mountain to the altar.  All of these are true authentic pictures of worship.

            I  am reminded of the lyrics to a popular contemporary Christian song, “Let my life-song sing to you”.  I am at the core of who I am a worship leader.  It is a calling on my life and there is nothing better than helping a congregation enter into a “living exchange” with their creator through song.  However while all of this is good and well intentioned God began to speak to me about my life-song a few years ago.

            Let’s just be honest and real.  Life is hard, it’s difficult at times, and we have to fight sometimes.  But that is what this whole worship thing is about.  What is it in your life that you have to surrender to God?  Surrendering is real worship.  When you look at your life and you don’t have all the answers and you don’t always know the way and you don’t necessarily know how God is going to deal with the situation your in but yet you stand back and watch God work. 

            Is there a goal, or a desire (even a natural one) that you place before your God? I too have goals and desires that are pure and wholesome.  However, I have to place those things on the altar.  I know what it is like to stand up and lead congregational worship when you yourself don’t know how God is going to intervene in a situation.  I’ve experience that song lyric “though there’s pain in the offering blessed be your name”.  I am proposing though that unless there is pain in the offering than it truly isn’t a sacrifice.    Worship is all about sacrifice.  We all have our desires and wants, even though they may be God ordained, are we willing to wait upon the Lord?  Are we willing to stand before the Lord and still give him all the praise he’s worthy of while we are waiting......  To me that is what worship is all about.  Praising him when you feel like it and praising him when you don’t.  It means turning over the very thing that you hold so tightly too and saying God do with it as you see fit.  And truly letting him.  For some it may be their children, for some it’s power, others it’s money and the list could go on.

            Worship is the whole picture of our lives.  We can’t just go to church and sing a few songs and say that we have worshipped.  Worship is a picture of a living sacrifice, truly surrendered.  We are all human and the problem is that we don’t like to sacrifice ourselves and our wants and desires.  But that is God requires of us.  John 4:23 says “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” What is your spirit telling you?  Is there something in your life your holding onto? What does the truth of God’s word tell you?  How does that truth apply to your life?

            I would like to take a minute to share a little bit of what worship in my life looks like, what my sacrifice looks like. I was born and raised in a Christian home.  I have enjoyed MANY generational blessings that come from a long line of mighty men and woman of God.  However, as we all know our faith has to become our own.  I have a deep God ordained desire for my own natural children and for my children of adoption.  I also have a desire to work for God in the missions field.  However I live in Rincon, Ga and my husband and I do not have any children and we have not yet adopted any children either.  This is because the timing for all these things have not yet come to pass in my life.  I lead worship every Sunday placing these desires on the altar.  I know what sacrifice is like, yes it’s hard but God is so good to us.  He has taught my husband and I both what it is like to stand and to wait and to be strong in the Lord while you wait.  If you live long enough as a Christian you will be attacked.  I know what that is like too.  I have been attacked from behind and from the front.  I know what it’s like for your heart to hurt and for you to ache but to be still and to stand and to worship anyway. 

            I believe it is in these times that we are able to worship more clearly and able to lift up a praise like never before.  I believe that when we are caught in the storms of life that our praise is a sweet fragrance before him.  I also believe that it is this praise that brings forth joy, strength and peace in our lives.  Worship takes our eyes off of us and puts them on Christ.  When we are focused on him and walking with him there is a peace and a joy like never before.  In Psalms 23:2 the Lord says that he makes us lie down in green pastures he leads us beside quiet waters, that he restores our soul.  That is what worship does, it calms us, it helps us to trust in him.  The word also says that he inhabits the praise of his people.  When we worship we enter into a “living exchange” with God.  We are able to surrender all of us, all our wants and desires to a living God who is able to bless us with peace and joy and stillness.  Worship is my hiding place.  It is a safe place to run when all else fails. Psalms 42:7 “Deep calls to deep”, what does our deep God call forth that is deep within you?  What is your sacrifice or praise?

            I will leave you with the words to one of my favorite worship songs, unashamed love. 

            “ He’s calling me to lay aside the worries of my day, to quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place, your worthy, you are worthy. Of a childlike faith of my honest praise of my unashamed love of a holy life of my SACRIFICE of my unashamed love.  I open up my heart and let my spirit worship yours,   I open up my mouth and let a song of praise come forth. Your worthy, you are worthy”.

About Amanda Gonzales :

Amanda lives in Savannah, Georgia with her husband, Jose.  She is a music teacher and the worship leader at Westside Christian Church in Bloomingdale, Georgia.  She enjoys ministering with women and children.  Her hope is to one day go on a missionary trip to Africa.

           

Back to Basics....by Kimchi Blow

Wow, it has been a hectic week to say the least!  My daughter, Anastasia, was in and out of the ER for breathing issues due to severe bronchitis.  My husband, Craig, had a vasectomy done.  So between taking care of them and my two other children, I have been challenged to say the least.  On top of that, I ended up getting sick too, but this too shall pass. I have been determined to survive! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 However, there were some moments, I found myself complaining out loud and in my head, but I quickly realized that was NOT  helping me any or anyone else for that matter-LOL!  Actually, it only made matters worse because my attitude got worse and was contagious. Talk about needing to hold my thoughts captive to Christ, believe me, Jesus needed to grab hold  of my head and keep it!-LOL!    Just being honest people, I am not always the best example. That flesh and Spirit battle is constantly warring!!!  In fact, I used the word "freaking"( really wanting to say the other word!) while talking to my son at one time and he gave me this look which obviously convicted me.  I am sure if you are a parent, you know what I mean.  I had to apologize to him for my impatience and bad example. 

At any rate, one of the things I kept coming to this week was the need for simplicity.  I looked around my house and became overwhelmed at times as I saw things pile up,laundry, dishes, and just stuff!  I knew there was a lot I needed to be doing but just couldn't.  Of course, the enemy wanted me to focus on all the negative, but I was able at times to resist the temptation.  Inside, I was screaming for a simple life!  In other words, I didn't want all the chaos around me, and the need to always be doing, accomplishing, etc.  I so needed a Calgon moment, "Calgon, take me away!" Maybe that is not the best way to describe it, but I longed for rest and simplicity. Just to enjoy my life and not the stresses of it. Just who I was with, who I was and who was my God!Nothing more, nothing less!

I began to realize more and more that our lives become so complex.  The need for things, events, schedules,  stuff, etc.  In my life, I began to think of things I need and don't need.  In other words, I spend a lot of time on cooking, laundry, etc.  Yes, I know that we can't cut both out of our lives completely, but we can make it more simple.  Why does my family need for me to cook every night?  They don't but I have taken on the lie that if I cook every night, therefore I am a great wife and mother. Stupid, really when you think about it.  I am a great mom and wife regardless of what I do, just by who I am in Christ.  Fact is , if I spent less time in the kitchen, I would have more time to with my family .  Plus, I would have more energy and more money.

I also spent my time cleaning out my closets and dresser drawers. I was stunned with how many clothes I actually have. Also, to think I eventually have to wash all of them at some point.   I am too embarrassed to even say how many shirts I actually own.  I know I don't need 4 black t-shirts.  I mean, really?  I have a freakish habit of needing to have all kinds of t-shirts in every color. Why? I don't know.  Some people have a shoe fettish, mine is t-shirts.  Can't really say where that comes from-LOL!

Sometimes, we make life overwhelming without meaning to. Our culture is part of the problem.  Just looking at the world and our nation  right now, stresses me out! If you trun on the news, it is all negative!  Our nation's  economy is a mess and can't help but feel that we are missing it. No, in fact, I know we are!!  Back to basics people! Back to Basics!  Life back in the day was not this complicated, but between video games, computers, FaceBook, e-mail, cell phones, Twitter, etc.. Life just keeps gettting more and more hectic and overwhelming.  What happened to just reading a good book and playing simple catch in the backyard with your kids?  Or better yet, go for a picnic with a lunch you prepared and was not packaged at some fast food Restraunt.

I am not sure what I am feeling in my spirit, but I know this much is true, God is still God. Being still and knowing He is God brings me comfort.  It brings me to a neutral place of security and peace. It allows me  to take a breath and put aside the troubles of my day. To sit beside those still waters and take a drink of living water!   I love just sitting in quiet and taking a deep breath, His breath- of peace and love!

This week, as I go throughout my week, I plan on simplifying things, right down to my thoughts, what I eat, what I do with my time, etc.  Actually, I have been working on this for a few seasons now but I am sensing that it is becoming more crucial as we get closer to Christ's return.  We need to return to our first Love, Jesus Christ!I encourage you to do the same thing.  Life is stealing from our "Life!" This is the life that Jesus said we could live abundantly!

 I love this scripture, "My soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in you; YES in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge.....Psalm 57:1 Amp

Get Back to Basics and just eat, breathe and sleep Jesus!

My True Valentine....by Kimchi Blow

The month of February is known for Valentine’s Day, the day of romance and love. My heart just beats faster thinking about it! Even now, I see pink and red hearts, chocolates, flowers and candy with special messages, expressing terms of endearment. When I was young girl, (btw- I still am young!)I imagined what it would be like to be in love. I imagined having a young man buy me flowers, candy and dote over me with affection. It is every girls dream to be cherished as a beautiful treasure.
Romance will always be part of society. Everywhere you turn there are advertisements for love. There are tons of on-line dating services, or match making organizations because everyone is looking for that perfect person to make their lives complete. People have the desire to share their lives with someone special. It is only human nature to want to be accepted and loved.
I am blessed with that special someone, my husband, Craig. He is the man of my dreams. He dotes on me daily. He treats me with respect and love. I always feel special in his presence. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t tell me how beautiful he thinks I am. I thank God everyday for my husband! Believe me, he is and will always be my valentine. Craig , is an example of God’s love to me and how He desires to romance me.
However, this year as I began to think of Valentine’s Day and the way the heart is expressed in love and emotions or just simply by physical hearts being symbolized on cards, candies, stuffed animals, etc. The Lord spoke to me about the hearts of His people and what He desires every day, not just Valentine’s Day.
You see God is after our hearts. It’s Valentine’s Day to Him every day. He thinks of us often and tries to allure us to Him though His Word, His people and His example of perfect love through His Son, Jesus Christ. He romances us and attempts to have a love affair with us daily, if we allow Him to. However, we fail to miss the attempts of His affection towards us because we are too busy, distracted or simply we don’t choose to acknowledge Him for whatever reason. I can’t imagine how He must feel when He simply just wants to tell me, He loves me. I can see Him now with this beautiful Valentines, Day card wanting to give it to me. He worked on it all day long and poured His heart into it, saying just the things I need to hear, but yet, I rejected Him.
The other heart issue I was thinking about was the circumcision of the heart. Yikes, such a big religious term, isn’t it? Basically, in Old Testament times in the bible, there was physical circumcision that was performed, a ritual cutting away of the foreskin on a male’s genitals, which signified that a man was a Jew. It was suppose to demonstrate that a man had committed himself to obey God. It was a physical sign of His love and obedience to serve Him.
So, that is where we come up with the term, circumcision of the heart. Romans 2:29 states, “ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not from men, but of God.” There needs to be a cutting away of old things in ourselves that bring us closer to God. Some examples of this might be old habitual sin, thoughts, emotions or behaviors that keep us from being intimate with the Lord. Again, God is after our hearts. He requires that we be set apart to Him in our hearts and minds. This is true intimacy with the Lord, when we are willing to give up our hearts, the core of who we are to the God!
Although, it is Valentine’s Day soon, we need to always be asking God to circumcise our hearts by the spirit. What does that mean for us in our personal lives? What is one practical way we can act on this inner circumcision that would show God just how much we love Him? After all, we can’t truly love others this Valentine’s Day until we go through the One, who first loved us!
Be Romanced today!

What is Sin Part 3-- by Michelle Peterson- (GUEST BLOGGER)

Ok, so let’s review. Sin is anything that moves you away from God.

 We must remember that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Those are God’s laws. Therefore, to break them, is sin. Kill somebody? Yep. That’s a sin. Steal a car? Yep. That one is too. Telling your best friend that something looks really good on her when you know in fact it does not flatter her? Yep….that is lying. You may be saying “But wait! That is just a little white lie! It isn’t like I killed anyone or stole a car!” Guess what? Sin is sin. In God’s eyes, there are no big sins or little sins. Sin is sin, and it moves us away from God.

 How do we know that sin separates us from God? Romans 3:23 says that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. Well, that kind of makes it seem like if everyone is sinning then it makes it ok. But later in chapter 6, verse 23, we read that the wages of sin is death. YIKES! Now that sounds scary! I am so glad that the same verse goes on to tell us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ. I am so grateful for that big ‘ole BUT in the middle of that verse aren’t you?

 The 613 laws than man came up with in the Old Testament are petty and set everyone up to fail. Each of those sins required a blood sacrifice to be forgiven of that sin. When Jesus came and died on the cross for us, He became the FINAL blood sacrifice. Nothing else is required! He paid the price, His life and His death ransomed us forever! WOO HOO! Now there is something to give a big "Hooty hoo" about!

 So then, if we are clear that sin is forgiven through the blood of Christ, it is out of our obedience and love for Him that we ought to try our best to avoid sin. Remembering of course that sin is human nature, and that we will all sin, we must also remember that God expects us to put on a new life in Him, turning from sin and trying our best to live a life pleasing to Him. We will always fall short, but His grace is sufficient for us all!

 Now let’s rattle some cages…..

Next week, we will discuss things like drinking alcohol, smoking, playing the lottery, saying 4 letter words, and dare this old Southern Baptist girl even say it…..dancing????????

 See you next week!

Michelle Peterson:

I am a happily married, stay at home mother of a 12 year old daughter. I was born and raised in Southeast Georgia before becoming a Navy wife for over 10 years. I strive to live purposefully, doing as God directs and leads me. I enjoy reading, writing, scrapbooking and cooking. It is my desire to live a life pleasing to God in all areas and grow in His teachings..

Visit her at- http://www.scrappygypsy.blogspot.com

Work In Progress...by Kimchi Blow

Is it me, or is this year already flying by? Here it is, almost the middle of February and I can't believe spring will be here soon.  Time is a funny thing, you either pay attention to it or you don't. What is the old saying, "Time flies by when you are having fun!" How true that is!

This past week, I felt like I was not as productive as I normally try to be.  For instance, I have been trying to keep myself faithful to my writing projects this year  so that I can accomplish some things for the Lord.  Of course, I am a mother of four children, three of which are  still at home.  So, there is not a lot of time for writing in my day, or at least as much as I wish.   I have to discipline myself to write when I can because if you are a writer, you know that writing doesn't just happen, you must make it happen!... No excuses-LOL!

I had been doing this by keeping an accountability sheet so that I could be responsible to the craft whenever time presented itself. I had a goal of at least 30 minutes a day.   In order for me to do this, I have to cut out what I call "Time Gremlins" out of my day.  For instance, tv, naps, computers, phone, etc.  Believe me, cutting naps out of my day is a sacrifice because next to chocolate, naps is at the top of my list of things I enjoy and even look forward to.

Anyways, up until this week, I had been doing fairly well with keeping up with my goals, etc. When I looked back on my week, I saw how I slacked back a bit.  Now don't get me wrong here, I know I am not perfect and there will be days when no matter what I do , I won''t be able to always accomplish my goals. The point is having a goal to begin with.  However, we should always be willing to work towards those goals with perseverance ,purpose and focus. To be honest with you, I am confessing that this past week, I slacked big time!  I started falling back to some old habits, one of them is not putting God first this week.  I am blogging this right now as  just a simple accountability reminder to myself and  hopefully for you , it will be an encouragement as you start out your week too.

Announcement.... we are all a work in progress.  From glory to glory is what God is working in each of us.  We can't do this thing called life on our own.  I have noticed that when I don't give God the time in the beginning of my day to prepare me for my day, I don't have what it takes to be successful.   Of course, I have been foolish enough in the  past to take on the day , with  all the challenges by myself.  However,  I would quickly find myself stressed out and beat up by the end of the day. Left wondering what truck just hit me!   When that happened, I was no good for anyone  including my readers who happen to read what I might have written in the little time I pushed myself to write. I can tell the difference when I allow God to write through me verses "me" writing.

My point is this, when we understand we are a work in progress then we realize GOD is the one doing the work in us and through us. We must be willing to be processed, giving Him the room to work in our lives daily.   I love this concept because it frees me to think I have to be perfect.   God  is always there willing to lend a helping hand.  This past week, I was not not so gracious in handing those reigns over. The day would begin like a horse bolting out at the starting line. The gun goes off and off I galloped.  Sure, the goals were there, but the goal of Christ was lost at the start.  We must discipline ourselves with God as the first fruit we give in the day! I am thankful for the gentle reminders that God allows us to see our strengths and weaknesses.  Again, I am a work being perfected in His time and His way! I love that He is SO patient with me. 

Before this week, I had been faithful to give God my day and the glory in the end.   I find peace in knowing that I don't have to be perfect , instead, just be perfected by the ONE who is perfect and who is in the business of perfecting! We must run the race set before us with a goal in mind but run our race with steadiness and focus. Keeping our eyes on the true prize, Christ!

As you go through this week , keep your eyes fixed on your earthly goals, but make sure the ultimate goal is Christ. Without Him first, there will be no victory. I hope to see you all at the finish line, I will be the one at the refreshment stand !

Keep Persevering -:)

You Are What You Eat and You Become What You Hear- Part 2 ....by Glenda Maynard(Guest Blogger)

As I sat listening to the doctor telling us that my husband Bill has to go on medication for diabetes, I felt sick, heart sick that is. I thought to myself, “It’s not fair, it’s just not fair!” We’ve tried so hard to eat right in the last few years. To eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, more chicken and fish and less red meats, to detoxify our bodies.

Since we’ve been called to a higher walk with the Lord in the last two years, our lives have been one big roller coaster ride. It took us years to get to a point financially that we felt comfortable. What I mean by that is, we could go grocery shopping and just buy what we wanted. We could go to the “up market” stores and buy organic produce and such. Then it seemed like our world started tumbling around our feet.

First of all, our business that we worked so hard to build started getting quite lean. Then my husband got Endocarditis and almost died in February 2006. After getting him back to the land of the living and feeling good, the business really started going “belly up”, as I call it. Bill “wrestled” with the Lord about that until around March 2007 when he finally told the Lord “Not my will, but Your will be done!” He still didn’t want to give up but kept trying to put forth the effort to keep the business alive and going.
In August of 2007 he was on his way home from a mens prayer group when he was startled by a voice in the truck with him that said, “NOW WILL YOU TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN OF ME?” His immediate response was, “YES, LORD!” From that moment on our lives would never be the same.
In September, just one month later, we finally laid the business to rest and stopped fighting to do it “our way” and took hold of the Lord’s yoke.
Needless to say without the income coming in that we were used to, all the bills were past due. Bill would go out looking for work and putting in applications and resumes online. But to no avail. He got maybe two interviews but nothing else. We decided to apply for food stamps so we could at least eat. We lost our house in foreclosure and had to move in with our son for over a year, all the while continuing to look for work. Our son even tried starting the business back up under a different name and a few orders trickled in enough to take care of some things. Then in December 2008, Michael had to close that business down due to the expenses being greater than the income. Bill didn’t want to but he opted to take early retirement since he was turning 62 in March of 2009, and started getting a small retirement check in May. At that time we still received over $300.00 a month in food stamps so eating properly was still not much of a problem. Then later that summer, we had to be reevaluated and our food stamps were all but taken away. They dropped down to $68.00 a month.

All the while this is going on, the Lord was training us and teaching us through our Bible reading and certain other books He would lead us to, not for doctrine, but for instructional purposes. Unfortunately, our bodies became full of toxins again through the foods we had to eat. We began to be sluggish and less energetic, bloated, put on weight and all the things we don’t want to do.

Here’s where the whole thought of this is going. We also become toxic in spirit and soul by consuming all the wrong things. When this happens there is no spiritual maturity. Think of it this way….a baby growing in the womb can be fully formed as in having all the necessary parts, but then needs to mature in order to survive outside the womb. If born too soon, the child would most likely die. It’s the same with Christians, my friend. Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 4:13 “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,”
Oh, we think we’re okay by going to church, or only listening to what’s called “Christian music” and nothing secular. We read our Bibles so that’s getting the “pure word”….right? Not necessarily! Just reading the word doesn’t mean you understand the fullness of it. We also allow toxins entrance into our spirits by the programs we watch on television or movies and even the books we read. Talking with others and listening to gossip is another way. There is so much “garbage” out there in the form of evil that we as believers should stay away from.

We think we are walking in the fullness of God because we’ve been baptized in water or the Holy Spirit. Why do we think that? Well, the word says so…..where? Where does God say that we are in the fullness of Christ by being dunked in water or having some man or woman laying their hands on us speaking some kind of “mumbo jumbo” unintelligible words? Yes, I’m talking about speaking in tongues.
Beloved, the only way to be IN the fullness of God is to be IN Christ. Once you are IN Christ (through His death burial and resurrection by faith) you have to be “detoxed” or cleansed spiritually, mentally and physically. The way this is done is by forsaking the world and all the evil in the world, or worldly ways. Our thoughts as well as our actions can be evil. I know we’ve been told that the thought is not the sin, but when we act upon that thought it then becomes sin. That’s correct, but……if the thought is not there or allowed to take hold, then the chance to sin isn’t there. That’s why Paul tells us to “cast down every imagination and take into captivity every evil thought to the obedience of Christ” Paul also tells us that we are to have the mind of Christ.

It’s like drinking a glass of water. When you hold that glass of water up you believe it to be pure and clean, since you can’t see anything floating or swimming in it, it must be pure. So you drink it with confidence that it’s healthy for you. Now, if you took that same water and examined it under a microscope what do you think you’d find? I shudder to think what is in it! Okay, my point is……we are washed, sanctified made clean by the washing of the water by the word but, and I make that a big BUT……..is it pure? Or has it been defiled in some way, or diluted? Have YOU examined it under the microscope to see if it’s pure? The microscope in this case would be the Spirit of God. If the word you’re getting is defiled or diluted in any way you will not be able to grow spiritually as God intended you to do. Nor will you be able to “RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH” What do I mean by rightly divide? Take a look at 2 Timothy 2:15 where Paul tells Timothy to STUDY TO SHOW HIMSELF …what?....APPROVED OF GOD!! He told him this so that Timothy wouldn’t wind up with a reprobate mind, worthless, and not understanding the truth thereby walking out in the world doing the things of the world. Becoming mixed and mingled just as Israel was.

I wrote an article titled, “Do You Have a Reprobate Mind?” which explains not having a pure mind towards the Lord. When someone has a reprobate (worthless, not understanding) mind, they haven’t approved (or see fit to retain) the things of God and His will, His way or His word. Therefore, God disapproves them, and allows them to be full of and function according to the toxins of the evil world. Read Romans chapter 1.

Reprobate
REPROBATE, a. [L. reprobatus, reprobo, to disallow; re and probo, to prove.]

1. Not enduring proof or trial; not of standard purity or fineness; disallowed; rejected.
Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. Jer 6.

2. Abandoned in sin; lost to virtue or grace.
They profess that they know God, but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. Titus 1.

3. Abandoned to error, or in apostasy. 2 Tim 3:8

REP'ROBATE, n. A person abandoned to sin; one lost to virtue and religion.

I acknowledge myself a reprobate, a villain, a traitor to the king.

REP'ROBATE, v.t.

1. To disapprove with detestation or marks of extreme dislike; to disallow; to reject. It expresses more than disapprove or disallow. We disapprove of slight faults and improprieties; we reprobate what is mean or criminal.
2. In a milder sense, to disallow.
Such an answer as this, is reprobated and disallowed of in law.

3. To abandon to wickedness and eternal destruction.

4. To abandon to his sentence, without hope of pardon. Drive him out to reprobated exile.

About Glenda Maynard:
Affectionately known as "William's wife" ,mother to three, and a Grandmother; Glenda is a Bible teacher, who passionately encourages people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. She lives in Tennessee with her family and enjoys writing articles that she hopes will bring forth life, truth and hope to others.