Lost Scriptures

In January I signed up and committed to memorize two verses a month over the next year. With spiral bound note cards in hand, I jotted down the first scripture and diligently began to memorize the Word. Two weeks later - another verse. Two weeks later, yet another. I quickly discovered that I was so hungry to have the Word of God hidden in my heart that I craved it with a new found passion. Every morning, I would take the note cards with the current verse displayed on the top and prop them up in the bathroom as I got ready for work. Then I would take the cards with me to work and lay them on my desk. Back home again - they would go on the kitchen counter as I prepared supper. Throughout the day I would concentrate on the current verse and then begin reciting the previous verses so I wouldn't forget them. Something stirred within me that I had never felt before and it felt good - really good.

This past Monday I had my notecards on my desk. Got up on Tuesday morning, went to pull out the scriptures and couldn't find them. Sure that I must have left them at work, I walked into my office with anticipation of seeing them beside my computer. Nothing. Came home later - searched high and low. No scripture cards. I'm not sure it was panic that filled me, but it felt awfully close to it. Yes - I had memorized those verses and could certainly make another set of cards, which I did. The loss of those note cards struck something within me though. I was zealous for the Word of God like never before and just reading the Bible was no longer enough.

What if tomorrow our Bibles were taken from us? Do I have enough of God's word engraved on my heart and mind to hold true to it? Do I have enough of His promises to stay the course? What about being able to share my faith? Think it will never happen to us? If we were to ask the Jews or others who have been persecuted throughout history, I'm guessing they might have thought the same thing. Who would ever take their Bibles from them? I don't know what the future holds and I certainly pray that I will never be in a situation where I am without the written Word of God. But this I know, I have tasted something good and I want the fullness of His Word in a place that can never be taken from me.

Under the Snow

I am not a huge fan of all the snow that we have had, but I have to admit it has been absolutely beautiful! The snow came heavily at times and then we seemed to get a daily coating to keep it fresh and white for weeks. The last couple of days it has warmed up and the snow is melting. You can now see the dirty snow along the roads, foot prints, leaves, and whatever else is now being exposed that was hidden under the snow. Not quite as pretty.

It made me think about my own life. On the outside, I can have the appearance of having it all together. I can look like my life is in order and that I am living within the standards that God has called me to. Appearances, just like snow, can be deceiving. What lies underneath is what tells the truth about who we are.

The snow melts and we may find the long forgotten gardening tools. We may see signs of new growth in plants or we just might see the trash that got covered by the snow and then forgotten. After all, if you can't see it then it isn't really there right? Then spring comes and things started getting heated up.

Who are we when the covering is melted off and the heat is on? Will people see new growth in our lives or will they see a heap of trash that got covered up? Will footsteps be exposed of places we have gone that we shouldn't have or will they see our footsteps walking along those of Christ? Will they see tender new shoots or bitter roots? Will people see an image of Christ under the melted snow or simply the temporary remains of a snow angel?

The beautiful thing with Christ is that no matter what is exposed after the snow melts it can be cleaned up, fixed up and transformed into something new again. Who we are on the inside matters more than who we are on the outside. When the heat comes, and it will, what will people find in me? What will they find in you?

God knows where I am

Have you ever wondered if God knew exactly where you were? I had some time to ponder that question yesterday, but in the oddest of situations. My sweet, sweet husband and 12 other guys headed off to the KD Ranch in Adamsville, Ohio for a weekend retreat. My husband was speaking and doing a demonstration on Saturday night. Friday night I get a frantic call from my husband. In the midst of all the hurrying to get out the door on Friday, he left all the materials for his demonstration sitting at home. I believe he said something like this "Can you please bring it (the box) to me on Saturday. The address is on my desk. You will probably get lost and there is no cell phone reception down here." Well, at least I think that is what he said. Anyway . . .

Saturday morning I Google the directions, pack a bag for the 2+ hour drive and head out into the unknown. Afterall, it can't be that bad and I can easily make it in two hours. Highway driving for the first 70 miles. Made that part of the trip in about 60 min. It only took me another 1 1/2 hours to make the last 10 miles! The moment I turn off the highway, I am on completely snow covered roads with few houses in sight. The kind of roads where the signs are somewhere over in the snow facing all sorts of directions because of the snow plows.

Still doing okay for a few minutes, until the first challenge. The road splits and the sign says DO NOT ENTER - authorized vehicles only. Authorized coal mining trucks mind you. And no sign telling which way the road goes or which road I might be on. Finally find someone in an oversized pickup truck to tell me "oh I'm not from around here, but just go to the left." So, I go to the left. Not long until there is no sign of life. Just a wide road, lots of snow, no place to turn around and no restroom. It has now been two hours since the last potty break, but not since my last cup of coffee. Enough said.

I realize at this point, I may be lost. Call my husband's cell phone. No reception. Call the ranch - they have never heard of the roads I'm talking about. So I hold on to my trusted google map and move forward. Afterall there is no where to turn around anyway. At one point, I began to think that no one knows where I am. No one would be able to find me if something happened. It is too cold and too far to walk for help. And I could feel a slight panic coming over me. I had been praying the whole trip for protection and direction, but now I just lifted my voice to my God and reminded Him (and me) that He knew exactly where I was and He was with me.

Finally come to a small bait and tackle shop along the side of the road. Figured I should stop and ask for directions in case I am really lost. Have you ever seen the movie "Deliverance" - you get the point. I again reminded the Lord He knew where I was and what kind of deliverance I might need. Someone there was able to give me directions that went something like, "go past the dam, over the wooden bridge, take a right, take a left, go up the hill and when you see the church you will know you are going the right direction."How profound! I have never shouted "PRAISE YOU LORD" louder than when I saw that little church.

Eventually found my husband, dropped off the box, prayed for a miracle to come from his talk and demonstration, hopped back in my little Acura and headed into the wild. Only saw about 10 very large pickup trucks and lots of men with guns and camo on the way back. I was without any question the only person wearing lipstick and in a car for about a 60 mile radius~

But God knew exactly which one was me and exactly where I was. I think He was probably getting a kick out of the whole thing as He watched over me.

Upside the Head

Every so often God will just smack me 'upside the head'. Happened this week - yesterday to be exact. I cannot for the life of me remember who I was talking to, so I pray that it wasn't just a random conversation with myself. (How embarrassing!) Anyway, God's message came through loud and clear.

In the last couple of days, God has been showing his grace and mercy to me in very some obvious ways. I am seeing Him working so clearly in my life right now. That's when I said to someone (again, I hope not myself) that "God has really been working lately". SMACK! God works all the time - not just when I see or sense movement from Him. In fact, I had to wonder today if the reality is that when we don't feel or see God moving is exactly when He is most at work.

Again this morning I was thanking God for some very specific and timely answers to prayer that I had seen. I thanked Him for how He was working in our lives. SMACK! Didn't get the point yesterday, so God had to give it to me again today. Today's lesson: I need to express my gratitude and thanks to God everyday for all that He is doing in my life. It doesn't matter if I see it or sense it or think He forgot to check my prayer requests. If I feel His presence strongly or I don't feel it at all, He is just as much a part of my life and working and interceding on my behalf.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."- God (Joshua 1:5 NIV)

Oh Lord, thank you for life lessons. Thank you for listening and for caring enough to bring things to my attention. Thank you for making me teachable and for being my Teacher.

Humbly His,
Kim

Not for Sale - Human Trafficking

Sometimes our hearts are broken over injustices in life. I find mine laying on the floor. This week the table, a magazine printed by Ashland Theological Seminary, was issued. The topic - Human Trafficking.

The first article really got me thinking as the author wrote about the various reactions to the term "sanctity of life." Heard it many times, but today for some reason, it hit me in the middle of my ribs. With all the Presidential election press, topics such as abortion, homosexuality, and equal rights are at the forefront of our minds. All politics aside, I was struck with awe at how many 'christians' I know who cast their vote only for candidates who are pro-life, but then cast aside the HIV patient because he or she is a homosexual. Something just doesn't seem right there. A life is a life is a life. Don't get me wrong, I stand strong with the Word of God on these issues, but that doesn't change the heart that beats inside of each and every person.

I had lunch this week with a young woman from South America whose heart has been changed by the six months she spent in Cambodia serving in an orphanage and home for HIV infected women. A place where the sick sleep on the floor without any cots or blankets. God is raising her up and calling her to reach out to women and children who have been sold into Human Trafficking rings.

Think this is only a third world problem? Think again. Toledo, Ohio - about two hours from my house - ranks fifth in the United States for human trafficking. Not sure what all this human trafficking talk is about. Then check out this video from Love146.org. If you think that this has nothing to do with you because you aren't involved in sexual immorality, then think again. The carpet you are standing on may very well have been made by a child sold into slavery through human trafficking.

One of the articles in the magazine so pointedly says "We can stop assuming that every woman and girl on a 'street corner' wants to be there and that every runaway deserves what waits for her on the street." (Mitzi Smith, Ph.D., pg. 8 - the table). The entire issue of the table is available on-line to read. It is worth your time!

As Christians, as people, we need to open our eyes. We need to know what goes on in the world around us. No - you can't save every child and feed every hungry person. But you can pray. You can be aware and educated on these matters. You can look the problems in the eye and not just look the other way. God called us to reach out to the oppressed and the imprisoned. He created us for such a time as this. What is God calling you to do? Listen carefully - you just might make a difference.

Alone with Jesus

For the second week in a row our women's bible study has been canceled due to weather. I am disappointed to say the least. I absolutely love studying the Word of God with these women and the fact that we are starting a new study on Esther thrills me even more.

My type-A personality would demand that I come home and do something. My husband is in the living room now with a group of men for a bible study. So certainly I should do something productive with my time. We have a women's retreat coming up in 6 weeks. I have several notes I need to write and send. I need to work on devotionals. I have more than one bible study sitting by my bed that could use my attention. Not to mention, more than one book that needs to be read and another stack that I need to study for the retreat. On top of that there is still a room in the basement that needs some straightening up.

But you know what I want to do? What I really want to do. I want to sit down on the floor with my bible, a pen, a hi-liter, a cup of coffee and my notecards. I want to dig into the Word. Today God just kept giving me "Isaiah 46". I very flippantly thought that was the part in Isaiah that talks about waiting and so I began a blog in my head about being strengthened as we wait on the Lord. Not the right scripture. So I will 'wait' for that one until another day.

The lists will have to wait. The to-dos and the wannas are going to have to be put off until tomorrow. Tonight I am going to be Alone with Jesus. Just me and my Savior. I'm not sure what He wants to show me in Isaiah 46. I will never know if I don't stop and spend some time there. So coffee, pen, notecards, hi-liter and bible in hand - I head to the floor to sit with the Lord.

Lord, teach me. Make me teachable. Still my thoughts long enough to hear you. I want to know you not just know about you. I want you to fill my heart, my mind and my soul. I want to learn about who you are. So Rabbi, teach me. Your humble student and cherished child - Kim

Do Not Enter

DO NOT ENTER. The sign reads very clearly and prominently at the on/off ramp of a local highway that I pass on my way to work. This week those words just struck me like a handwritten message from God.

How many of us would ever think about intentionally going the wrong way on the exit ramp? Do not enter - simple enough. Why would we want to? After all, we are likely to get hurt or to hurt someone else. Can you imagine the stress of going the wrong way down the freeway with cars and semis coming at you at speeds well over 65 mph? If we happened on there by chance, I believe most of us would pull over, back up or do whatever we needed to do to get going in the right direction.

So why is that when God gives us directions, we decide to go the wrong way anyway. It seems to me that when we go the wrong way in life we are probably going to get hurt or we will hurt someone else. It certainly has been my own experience in life. My decision to go in the wrong direction at various points in my life has caused plenty of dings and outright crashes along the way. I've hurt people.

The government posts a sign and we heed its warning. God not only gives us directions, but he shows us the blessings and the promises of obedience to Him and we still intentionally get on the wrong ramp - even going full speed ahead at times. Just who do you suppose has our best interest at heart. If the government cares enough to tell us which direction not to go for own safety, don't you suppose that God might care a little more.

Galatians 1:3-4a "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age." Seriously - it is still good to know that if and when we find ourselves going the wrong way down the highway of life that God is there to rescue us.

Humbly Seeking His direction,
Kim