Waiting

Everyone is waiting for something: a marriage partner, a bigger check, a graduation day, a better job (or just a job), a baby (or another baby), the next step in life and the list goes on.

Life is not about what we are waiting for here on earth but what we do while we wait for heaven.

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth." ~ Hebrews 11:13

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." ~ Philippians 3:20

"Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

~ Romans 8:23-25

"Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." ~ Psalm 27:14 ~

Q and A with Jesus

Nicodemus: How can a man be born again when he is old?

Jesus: I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus: How can this be?

Jesus: You are Israel's teacher and do not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

Samaritan woman: You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?

Jesus: If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

Samaritan woman: Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?

Jesus: Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Jesus' disciples: Could someone have brought him food?

Jesus: My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now, the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.

Crowd: Rabbi, when did you get here?

Jesus: I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.

Crowd: What must we do to do the works God requires?

Jesus: The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

Crowd: What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'

Jesus: I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

Jews: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Jesus: I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.

Jesus' disciples: This is a hard teacher. Who can accept it?

Jesus: Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.

(John 6:66 is one of the saddest verses in the Bible: From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.)

Jesus to the Twelve: You do not want to leave too, do you?

Peter: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.

Jews: How did this man get such learning without having studied?

Jesus: My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?

Crowd: You are demon-possessed. Who is trying to kill you?

Jesus: I did one miracle, and you are all astonished. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.

Pharisees: Where is your father?

Jesus: You do not know me or my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also. I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.

Jews: Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?

Jesus: You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.

Jews: Who are you?

Jesus: Just what I have been claiming all along. I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world. When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what please him. If you hold on to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 

Jews: We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?

Jesus: I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from you father.

Jews: Abraham is our father.

Jesus: If you were Abraham's children then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does.

Jews: We are not illegitimate children. The only Father we have is God himself.

Jesus: If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.

Jews: Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?

Jesus: I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

Jews: Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?

Jesus: If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.

Jews: You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham!

Jesus: I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!

Disciples: Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus: Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jesus: Do you believe in the Son of Man?

The man born blind: Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him.

Jesus: You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.

The man: Lord, I believe.


Jesus always answers sincere questions, hidden thoughts and untested assumptions with sound truth, reasonable logic and return questions.

Jesus still answers questions today and knows us by name. Whenever someone claims to have heard from Jesus, test the words against the Scriptures to see if they match what He has spoken in His written word.

Excerpt from my journal entry on Saturday, November 1, 2003:

Kaelyn (me): God, you are so good to me! Why do you bless me so much?

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): Because I love you.

Kaelyn (me): But I don't deserve one blessing.

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): I know. I do it because I love you.

Kaelyn (me): I don't understand that kind of love. I sin, rebel, am disobedient and make a mess, and yet you bless me and love me. Thank you. I can NEVER repay you, not in infinity. I love you so much. I want to please you with all my heart.

Excerpt from my journal entry on Sunday, November 9, 2003:

Kaelyn (me): I love you. You are worthy of all our glory, honor and praise. I am so proudful. How do I get rid of pride?

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): Be a servant.

Excerpt from my journal entry on Monday, November 10, 2003:

Kaelyn (me): How do I make my attitude so I can make the biggest difference?

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): Imitate Christ.

Excerpt from my journal entry on Saturday, December 13, 2003:

Kaelyn (me): Do I think I'm better than others? Oh, God, humble me, please. I'm desperate! I want to be like you. I want to grow in my relationship with you.

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): Are you willing to go out of your comfort zone?

Excerpt from my journal entry on Monday, June 21, 2004:

Kaelyn (me): Jesus, how did you stay focused on your Father while you were on earth?

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): Because He sent me just like I am sending you.

Kaelyn (me): Yes, I can see that, but there are so many distractions.

Jesus (through the Holy Spirit): I know, Kaelyn, but I created you to need love and attention so I could lavish it on you from all different sources.

Remember: Test the Spirit.

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." ~ 1 John 4:1-3 

By the Power of the Spirit

Each day is...

a new opportunity

a clean slate

a blank page

an empty stage

and a new leaf. 

No sin is too great for the blood of Jesus to cleanse.

No accomplishment is so great as to carry over to a new day.

How do we live life?

By our own strength?


When we attempt to live life by our own strength, we become tired, bored, distracted, aimless, lazy, disinterested, disappointed, depressed, angry, jealous, selfish, proud, worried, fearful and much more as we pursue the next high only to be let down again.

Are you tired, bored, distracted, aimless, lazy, disinterested, disappointed, depressed, angry, jealous, selfish, proud, worried, fearful or pursuing the next high only to be let down again?

If so, you are living in the flesh. I know because I have been there.

By the Spirit?

When we live life by the Spirit, He fills us with His power, His love, His strength, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness, His humility, His selflessness, His purposes, His focus and much more as we seek the Lord with all our hearts.

Are you loving, joyful, peaceable, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled, humble, selfless, energetic, focused, purposeful or seeking the Lord with all your heart?

If so, you are living by the Spirit. I know because I have been there.


"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
~ Romans 8:1-2, 5

What is your mind set on?

War zone

Are you in a war zone?

If you have the Spirit of the Almighty God living in you, you are.


A war zone is an area where combat takes place. When we decide to follow Christ, we enter a war zone, and the battles begin.


Some battles will be won, and some battles will be lost.


No matter the result of each individual battle, we have an Almighty Commander, who promises us the victory of the war.

"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'
'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Do you believe Him?

In light of this victory, how should we live?


"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58


How, you may ask, are we to "stand firm"?

Let's go back to the war zone illustration. No one in their right mind would go into a war zone without armor or a weapon.

Why, then, do we so often neglect to put on the armor and take up the weapon which the Commander offers us?


"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 up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." ~ Ephesians 6:14-18


To clarify who our enemy is, we are not in combat with others (as in the military sense of a war zone). As followers of Christ, we wage war against our own sin nature, which is exploited by the devil.


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." ~ Ephesians 6:12

Are you armed today?

Building on the unchanging Rock

Precious memories of my family all together arise, especially during this time of year; however, those days are gone forever.

We may all gather together at some time, but with God's blessings of marriages and children, new memories will be made.

There are a few good reasons to remember the past: to remember God's faithfulness, to re-connect with family and friends and to learn from past mistakes.

There are no good reasons to dwell on the days which are gone forever and to wish for the return of past blessings.

We must let go--even of good things--in order to pursue the only One who never changes and who always remains the same.

It is not easy.

It is often painful and tearful to let go of something or someone so precious, even to pursue the one and only Lord God Almighty.

Nevertheless, God is faithful to provide new blessings through meeting new people, seeing new places and communicating with loved ones in new ways.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Times change, but God remains the same.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." ~ Hebrews 13:8

Nothing else stays the same. Children grow up; houses get run down; food never lasts long; clothes fade; money comes and goes.

But the Lord God Almighty never changes.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." ~ James 1:17

He alone is our Rock.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." ~ Psalm 18:2

"On Christ The Solid Rock"

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

When darkness seems to hide His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Emmanuel: God with us

Where do you turn

when the darkness closes in?

To the Light - "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." ~ John 1:9

When family is far away and no one else has time to be with us, we will never be disappointed when we turn to the Lord Almighty, for He waits with open arms to lead, to listen and to quiet us with His unconditional love.

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." ~ Zephaniah 3:17

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10

No matter where we go or what we do, we are never beyond the reach of the Maker of heaven and earth who is always just a prayer away.

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will hold me, your right hand will hold me fast." ~ Psalm 139:9-10

"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 1:8

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

"One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.'" ~ Acts 18:9-10

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."

~ Matthew 1:23 ~

Living in God's grace

Last night, I knew something was wrong, and I posted as my Facebook status: "All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you." ~ Psalm 38:9

This morning, the Lord Almighty revealed clearly where I had fallen, and I grew discouraged as I love the Lord and long to please Him but continue to fall short time and time again.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~ Romans 3:23-24

In my quiet time with my Lord and Savior, He lead me through the following verses:

"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: 'My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.'" ~ Hebrews 12:4-6

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." ~ Hebrews 12:11

At this point, I wrote in my journal: "It's so true, but how many times must I fall short and be disciplined and get back up again? How many times will I continue to fall, to fail and to disappoint you? Father, I love you, and I long to please you, but it seems impossible."

"For nothing is impossible with God." ~ Luke 1:37

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." ~ Psalm 103:11-12

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." ~ Hebrews 10:36

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

~ 2 Corinthians 4:16 ~

True love hurts and heals

Have you ever grown so close to someone, only to have that person let you down?

Did you become angry? Did you cry uncontrollably? Did you say you would never love again? Did you put up a wall in order to protect yourself from getting hurt again?

Did you read the poem, "I am a rock" by Simon and Garfunkel?
(According to www.lyricsfreak.com)

A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.

And a rock and an island never experience the love of a father for his son or the joy of a mother at her newborn child or the peace of a sister after a heart-to-heart or the patience of a teacher with a student or the kindness of a stranger or the goodness of the Lord or the faithfulness of an intimate friend or the gentleness of a tender touch or the warmth of a hug.

That poem, more than anything less, strengthened my resolve never to allow the pain of love to harden my heart, to build walls or to bury love inside. Such an existence would be far more painful with the separation from everything that makes life worth living.

Instead, I choose to fall into the arms of Jesus, the only One who is always there, and allow Him to heal my heart to be soft again in order to continue to love--no matter the cost.

You may ask, why would anyone want to go through that painful process over and over again? Love. Hurt. Love. Hurt.

I would respond, because the Maker of heaven and earth, our Lord and Savior, loves us enough to go through that process over and over again. We say we love Him, yet we fall short time and time again.

What if God put up a wall? What if God decided not to love us any more? What if God gave up on us as we so often give up on others?

Life would be miserable. There would be no reason to live.

But He does not put up a wall. He continues to love us unconditionally--no matter what we think, say or do--because His love for us does not depend on our love for Him or on anything we do.

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." ~ 1 John 4:16

He does not give up on us but bears every nail we pound into His hands and every insult we hurl at His face.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." ~ 1 Peter 2:23-24

He says not one vindictive word against us but loves us and says, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

How often have you prayed that prayer for someone who has hurt you intentionally or unintentionally? How often have you continued to love--not when it was easy--but when it hurt?

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15:12-13

Brotherly Love

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love..." ~ Romans 12:10

With two brothers of my own, Keven and Kristofer, I have always noticed the connection between brothers and particularly noted when brothers work together.

There seems to be a deep bond between brothers which extends beyond understanding to link them together no matter what comes--time, distance or anything else.

That bond never ceases to attract my attention and capture my imagination, and almost no one demonstrates that bond more so than the five Baker brothers: Nathan, Andrew, Daniel, Adam and Benjamin.

Their bond came to mind as I re-read the familiar passage of how believers are to interact with each other and to support each other no matter what comes--time, distance or anything else.

As I read Romans 12:10, I used to think of how a brother loves a sister, mother or father, but I think the picture becomes more clear when the love is demonstrated from one brother to another.

Romans 12:10 ~ "...Honor one another above yourselves."

Disappointed?

Too many times to count.

Disappoint - To fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of. (according to freedictionary.com)


I hate to disappoint (primarily God and my parents but also others in general), and I hate to be disappointed, but both are realities of a fallen world, so how should we handle disappointment?

After nearly 24 years of disappointments (along with innumerable blessings), God has taught me much in this area.

How we should handle disappointment depends on the source or cause of the disappointment.

What causes disappointment?

The failure of someone or something to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of the one disappointed

Who is at fault? The disappointed or the one who fails to satisfy the hope, desire or expectation?

It is far too easy to blame the one who does not satisfy the hope, desire or expectation, but what if the hope, desire or expectation is misplaced?

As an extreme example, what if someone became disappointed when another refused to have sex before marriage (which clearly contradicts what is in the Bible)?

The one who hoped, desired or expected what clearly contradicts God's Word would be at fault.

Is that true all the time? Is the one disappointed always at fault?

No, it depends on the source of the hopes, desires and expectations.

Are the expectations of the disappointed based on the Bible or selfishness?

If the expectations are grounded in God's Word, the one who does not fulfill them is at fault and needs to change.

For example, if a husband expects his wife to respect him and she does not, the wife would be at fault; though, in this case, the behavior of his wife should not influence his love for her (and vice versa - his lack of love should not be cause for her not to respect him).

"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." ~ Ephesians 5:33

Love and respect are not earned but are free gifts offered to one another by the grace of God and in obedience to His Word, regardless of the behavior of others; though, each of us is called to live worthy lives.

"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." ~ 1 Peter 2:17

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." ~ John 15:12

If the expectations are grounded in selfishness, the one who harbors the selfish expectations is at fault and needs to change.

Every hope, desire and expectation of Jesus' disciples (all believers) should stem from the Word of God.

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." ~ Romans 5:3-5

So, how do we know if our expectations are grounded in the Bible or selfishness?

By knowing God's Word:

Read.

Meditate.

Memorize.

Repeat.

Sacrifice of our Savior

This morning, as I pondered a couple significant changes which seem to be pending, I wondered why God asks us to give up good things and to experience pain.

As I think about it, though, I am reminded of how Jesus left His perfect Father in heaven and experienced betrayal, beatings, insults and death on a cross.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." ~ 1 Peter 2:21

He has not asked anything of us that He has not gone through himself.

Earlier, I was also reminded of how God is the one who has given us all we possess and all things belong to Him.

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." ~ Psalm 24:1

Job's words in chapter one verse 21 come to mind: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

What are you reluctant to give back to God?

Remember: He is the One who gave it to you in the first place.

Give you peace

This night, I am reminded of all the missionaries around the world who will be away from their families during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season as well as all the families who have loved ones overseas and are unable to give them hugs and see their faces in person.

"Give you peace" by Echoing Angels is one of my favorite songs.

I see you lying their whispering prayers
I hear you breathing out hallowed by thy name
Holding out my hand catching every tear
Oh my child I'll never leave your side

I will give you peace when the walls come crashing down
I will give you peace through the night
When you've had all you can take can't face another day
I'll give you peace I'll give you peace

For such a time as this I have you here
Chosen for the lost to know I'm near
Through your brokenness my glory shines
And through your frailty my strength will rise

I will give you peace when the walls come crashing down
I will give you peace through the night
When you've had all you can take can't face another day
I'll give you peace I'll give you peace

Your beautiful, your beautiful
Perfect in my sight
Righteousness adorns you my bride
Your beautiful, so beautiful

I'm thinking of you and praying for you!

Your sister in Christ,
Kaelyn

The Ultimate Make-Over

Stories about overcoming some difficulty, trial or circumstance never seem to fail to inspire, to encourage and to draw an audience.

"The Biggest Loser" takes us through the journey with those who are trying to lose weight and the results can be astounding.

Makeovers, from personal appearance to homes, inspire almost a sense of awe as the dirty becomes clean, the broken becomes fixed and the used becomes like new.

One of the attractions of such shows is how anything can be transformed, and the worse the condition; the more astounding the final results.

Have you ever wondered why we enjoy those stories so much?

Maybe it is because all of those stories give us a glimpse into the ultimate makeover, defined for us by the Maker of heaven and earth himself.

"And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Lord God Almighty is able to transform anyone, and the worse the sinner; the more astounding the final result.

He takes lives dirty with sin and makes them clean by his blood and forgiveness. He takes broken dreams and replaces them with His own. He takes the used and restores their former beauty.

These changes, however, do not come easily as losing weight is not easy and remodeling a home is not easy. It takes time and determination.

Transformation from the inside out begins with a relationship with the all-powerful, all-knowing and always present God of the universe! :)

The more time we spend sitting in His presence, seeking His face and dwelling on His attribute; the more we will become like Him.

It is not impossible for anyone, for nothing is impossible with God, and I have seen personally His awe-inspiring transformation in my own life.

Who will join me on this journey to perfection?

Rest

Illusive,

Fighting to be still

Drains body and mind.

Stop,

Thinking of the list

Wages war within flesh.

Stubborn,

Striving to do more

Weakens humans in need

Of rest.

Sickness,

Pretending no illness exists

Deceives only the mind.

Peace,

Being still before the Maker,

His strength sustains.

Presence,

Clinging to His promises,

He never falters.

Be still.

Know that I am God.

Darkness to Light

Darkness engulfs

An empty room when lights

Go out.

Shadows, nightmares and

Smoke spring up

Threatening to drag

Down under.

Unwelcome and unbidden,

Chains wraps around the

Beating heart.

Down. Down. Down.

A plane spirals out

Of control

In the hands of the

Child.

Strong hands grab the

Helm.

Pointing the nose, the Pilot

Sets a new course.

Up. Up. Up.

Shackles fall away with

Earth, clouds and wind

At the letting go.

Bursting through to clear

Skies and sunshine,

Rays and rainbows dance

Across the way.

In the room of family

And friends,

Light shines.

Written by Kaelyn Michelle Pfenning on October 5, 2011