My husband and I are doing some decorating. We are finally trying to grow our house into our life. Which really means functional, durable pieces. We are a family of 3 destructive, messy boys. We are also cheap, so off to thrift stores, Ikea and grandparents attics. We decided that we needed to add color to our very beige house. So red tables, green lamps, striped pillows and kids artwork now align our walls.
On a recent trip to my favorite thrift shop I came across a faded blue wicker chair. This chair is totally awesome! It has an upholstered seat, with real metal springs, worn arms and a deep back. I was immediately drawn to this chair. This chair called my name! It is beaten up, grungy, and worn out. Someone probably set it just hoping to make a few extra dollars, not thinking there was much life left in this old chair. It was probably discarded because its not that pretty, its not new or shiny. There are wicker pieces that are missing. The seat needs new fabric. It is dirty. But it is sooo cool!!
This has become my new favorite spot. I have barely dusted it off. The seat needs more fluff added, and cleaned but I love to sit in it. It has a slight smell of must. Yet I still sit in it. I am drawn to this chair. I love the story that it calls to me. I love the imperfections, and the life that it represents. I love the rough edges and the heart of this chair.
I know, right now you think I have totally lost my mind. But follow me for a minute. Isn't Jesus drawn to us? Aren't we worn, damaged and beaten up? Some of us might even be a little musty. Jesus tells us to come all who are weary, find strength in the shadow of His wings. Find comfort for those who are heavy laden. We could have been discarded, just like my blue chair, but Jesus came to take care of us. Jesus is always there to rescue us, he always loves us and is there for us.
I think my blue chair represents the crazy of my life. I have been through lots of ups and downs. I have done things that I regret. No matter what, I find that Jesus is always calling to me. He is always ready to restore me and clean me up. I pray that every time I pass my blue chair that I remember all that God has done for me. He is my savior and always will be!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Letting Go, Letting God
I have been home from Peru for about 4 weeks now. I still do not have all of the words to describe my experience. I don't think I ever will. God knows how to tug on my heart and whisper in my ear, and He only means for me to totally understand it. It is one of the little gifts he has given me.
I learned this year to just let go....Let go of all of the junk the world puts on me. It is so hard to let go, but being on top of the Andes in Peru helps me. The coolness of the air, the panoramic views of white capped mountains, the beautiful, colorful people. I was able to let go of the stress of life, the worldly visions that tend to get in my way.
On the third day we were hiking on a narrow path. I was having a tough time catching my breath and getting my feet moving. I prayed..... The next thing I know I look down and my feet are moving...I know, duh! But I couldn't feel them, I was not really moving them. It was totally God!!! I let go of myself and God took over. I was completely overwhelmed. All I could do was cry. This was the first time that I let go of me. I could feel the Holy Sprirt moving my body and guiding my feet. I knew at that moment that God completley had me in the palm of His hands. I will never forget that feeling. I crave it.
I long to feel God move me again. I long to let go of me and let God take over. My prayer everyday is that there would be less of me and more of God.
I encourage you to try and let go and let God move you!
I learned this year to just let go....Let go of all of the junk the world puts on me. It is so hard to let go, but being on top of the Andes in Peru helps me. The coolness of the air, the panoramic views of white capped mountains, the beautiful, colorful people. I was able to let go of the stress of life, the worldly visions that tend to get in my way.
On the third day we were hiking on a narrow path. I was having a tough time catching my breath and getting my feet moving. I prayed..... The next thing I know I look down and my feet are moving...I know, duh! But I couldn't feel them, I was not really moving them. It was totally God!!! I let go of myself and God took over. I was completely overwhelmed. All I could do was cry. This was the first time that I let go of me. I could feel the Holy Sprirt moving my body and guiding my feet. I knew at that moment that God completley had me in the palm of His hands. I will never forget that feeling. I crave it.
I long to feel God move me again. I long to let go of me and let God take over. My prayer everyday is that there would be less of me and more of God.
I encourage you to try and let go and let God move you!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Elijah, Really?
Elijah! Elijah! Elijah!
What was he thinking....Let's go back to the beginning shall we?
Elijah shows the 450 prophets of Baal that His God is greater. He sacrificed a bull and wet the entire surrounding area of the alter, so much so that there was water puddling up underneath it. Elijah asked God to show up, and God showed up in a BIG way. He lit the whole alter on fire.
Elijah stood up to 450 prophets. Have you ever stood up to someone? Think back, high school, middle school? Was there ever a time that you stood up for yourself or a friend? Kind of scary, kind of hard. Elijah stood up to 450 bullies! Amazing.
Now enters Jezebel, the scariest bully of all. She found out about Elijah. Those 450 prophets were her buddies. They even dined with her. She was not happy. She sent word that she wanted to GET Elijah.
Now Elijah is a brave, strong prophet of God, what do you suppose he did? Stood up to Jezebel. Sent an army of angry angels.....Nope...He fled. Really Elijah? Really? You just stood up to 450 bad guys. Surely you can handle one lady. What was Elijah?
HUMAN.
Think about it. When things are great we don't always talk to our Heavenly Father. When things are bad we are sometimes mad at God. He is always with us, no matter. God is ready to guide us through the highs and lows of our life. When things are going great, God is there cheering us on. When things are going bad, God is right there to hold our tears in His hands.
God cared for Elijah and sent an angel to him to give him food and drink. "Arise and eat for the journey is too great for you" 1 Kings 19:7.
The next time you feel like you can't do it...Remember that God already did it. The journey is too great, but nothing is too great for God. We are human, just like Elijah...but thank goodness God loves is anyway!
1 Kings 18-19
What was he thinking....Let's go back to the beginning shall we?
Elijah shows the 450 prophets of Baal that His God is greater. He sacrificed a bull and wet the entire surrounding area of the alter, so much so that there was water puddling up underneath it. Elijah asked God to show up, and God showed up in a BIG way. He lit the whole alter on fire.
Elijah stood up to 450 prophets. Have you ever stood up to someone? Think back, high school, middle school? Was there ever a time that you stood up for yourself or a friend? Kind of scary, kind of hard. Elijah stood up to 450 bullies! Amazing.
Now enters Jezebel, the scariest bully of all. She found out about Elijah. Those 450 prophets were her buddies. They even dined with her. She was not happy. She sent word that she wanted to GET Elijah.
Now Elijah is a brave, strong prophet of God, what do you suppose he did? Stood up to Jezebel. Sent an army of angry angels.....Nope...He fled. Really Elijah? Really? You just stood up to 450 bad guys. Surely you can handle one lady. What was Elijah?
HUMAN.
Think about it. When things are great we don't always talk to our Heavenly Father. When things are bad we are sometimes mad at God. He is always with us, no matter. God is ready to guide us through the highs and lows of our life. When things are going great, God is there cheering us on. When things are going bad, God is right there to hold our tears in His hands.
God cared for Elijah and sent an angel to him to give him food and drink. "Arise and eat for the journey is too great for you" 1 Kings 19:7.
The next time you feel like you can't do it...Remember that God already did it. The journey is too great, but nothing is too great for God. We are human, just like Elijah...but thank goodness God loves is anyway!
1 Kings 18-19
Monday, May 28, 2012
I'm headed back to Peru Ya'll
Last year God tugged on my heart. That was all it took. I signed up to travel on an airplane for 8 hours, ride a bus for 8 hours, (from the sea to the mountains) and finally land at 10,000 feet in elevation in Waudas, Peru.
Our team hiked through the Andes mountains and handed bibles out to the native Quechua people. People who have never had the bible translated in their native language. It was so amazing!! The faces of these people lit up when they were handed a bible they could read. The Quechua people are a people that have been forgotten by many, oppressed by many and are trying to survive off of the land. We planted the seeds so that the organization we traveled with, AWI, could come back to the village and help it thrive with Jesus.
I loved every minute of it. The challenge of the hike, the camping, the interaction with the Peruvians. I left a piece of my heart at 13, 000 feet elevation and I am happy to say that I am going back to leave more.
Please pray for me and my team. We will be gone June 20-June 29. It is a very hard and long travel. This trip is hard both physically and mentally. Please pray that God will protect us and guide us through all situations. If you are able to give financially please go to www.southbrookchurch.com and follow the donation links to my name.
Thank you for your prayers.
Our team hiked through the Andes mountains and handed bibles out to the native Quechua people. People who have never had the bible translated in their native language. It was so amazing!! The faces of these people lit up when they were handed a bible they could read. The Quechua people are a people that have been forgotten by many, oppressed by many and are trying to survive off of the land. We planted the seeds so that the organization we traveled with, AWI, could come back to the village and help it thrive with Jesus.
I loved every minute of it. The challenge of the hike, the camping, the interaction with the Peruvians. I left a piece of my heart at 13, 000 feet elevation and I am happy to say that I am going back to leave more.
Please pray for me and my team. We will be gone June 20-June 29. It is a very hard and long travel. This trip is hard both physically and mentally. Please pray that God will protect us and guide us through all situations. If you are able to give financially please go to www.southbrookchurch.com and follow the donation links to my name.
Thank you for your prayers.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Thank you!
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for allowing me to be FREE. Free to feel, free to touch, Free to be. Thank you Jesus for the freedom of worship and expression. Thank you for the many talents of praise and worship leaders. You have given them gifts to move people beyond words and fill eyes full of tears. Thank you for raining down upon my heart and moving my entire spirit at the sound of your name. You control my inner core. Thank you for loving me, no matter how much of a mess I am. Thank you Jesus for putting spiritually sound people in my life to help guide me. Thank you for my wonderfully loud boys. You always allow them to put a smile on my face when I need it most. Thank you for a Godly husband who is sound and fair and loves me no matter what. Thank you Jesus for giving your life so that I could have mine. Guide me to make the most of this gift of life. Help me impact those around me with Godly encouragement and spiritual support.
Your Daughter, filled with the Spirit,
Katie
We take each and everyday for granted. Our freedom of being able to love God with out being persecuted. Write your letter today, what are you thankful for?
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be reomoved," says the Lord who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Everyday is A DAY!!
Everyday is a DAY...You know what I mean, A DAY... When you have no idea what is going to happen. Days where noise doesn't stop, supper gets burned, kids get sick, and the carpet gets paint on it. Here is just a glimpse at one of those days... Yes my friends this happened. This was A DAY!
We were walking out of the door. I put my bag and my keys on the front seat of my car and opened all the doors for the kids to crawl in. Just as I was putting kids in the car my neighbor came over and we were talking (I got distracted, big mistake). Walker the 2 year old was in the car. While I wasn't looking not only did he close all of the doors, but he managed to lock all of the doors too. No worries, I will just get my keys and unlock the doors...Uh Oh! The keys are in the car (of course we don't have a spare, why would we, right?) The sun roof was open, sooooo I decided that we could lower my 3 year old into the car and have him unlock the doors. He is small and could fit in the hole better. (yes, I know looking back, this might not have been the best idea.) He doesn't understand what to do. While he is fiddling with the buttons he steps on my keys and pushes the panic button. OK...do you see this, or should I say do you hear this! Now Walker is crying, Carter is freaking and the horn is blasting. So, Tyler is next. We lower Tyler into the car to unlock the door. He pushes the unlock button, but no go. He pulls the handle, but not hard enough. Now he is yelling at us, we are yelling at him, and the little guys are crying. Finally, after what seems like a very loud five minutes, Tyler pulls the handle and everybody is safe.
Everyday is a DAY!! Some DAYS are funnier than others. You just gotta laugh at what happens in life. The silly moments that make you step back and thank God for all that you have. I am so blessed to have these boys in my life. Everyday is unpredictable, chaotic, and full of noise, and I love every minute of it!
We were walking out of the door. I put my bag and my keys on the front seat of my car and opened all the doors for the kids to crawl in. Just as I was putting kids in the car my neighbor came over and we were talking (I got distracted, big mistake). Walker the 2 year old was in the car. While I wasn't looking not only did he close all of the doors, but he managed to lock all of the doors too. No worries, I will just get my keys and unlock the doors...Uh Oh! The keys are in the car (of course we don't have a spare, why would we, right?) The sun roof was open, sooooo I decided that we could lower my 3 year old into the car and have him unlock the doors. He is small and could fit in the hole better. (yes, I know looking back, this might not have been the best idea.) He doesn't understand what to do. While he is fiddling with the buttons he steps on my keys and pushes the panic button. OK...do you see this, or should I say do you hear this! Now Walker is crying, Carter is freaking and the horn is blasting. So, Tyler is next. We lower Tyler into the car to unlock the door. He pushes the unlock button, but no go. He pulls the handle, but not hard enough. Now he is yelling at us, we are yelling at him, and the little guys are crying. Finally, after what seems like a very loud five minutes, Tyler pulls the handle and everybody is safe.
Everyday is a DAY!! Some DAYS are funnier than others. You just gotta laugh at what happens in life. The silly moments that make you step back and thank God for all that you have. I am so blessed to have these boys in my life. Everyday is unpredictable, chaotic, and full of noise, and I love every minute of it!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
You gotta have faith, Faith, FAITH!
I was reading Matthew 21:18-22. Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree, the fig tree was not bearing fruit, so Jesus, being Jesus, withered up the fig tree. Now His worthy companions, the disciples, saw the tree and said, "How did this fig tree wither so quickly?"....(Hello, you're with Jesus!) Jesus is always patient. He told them that if they have faith and do not doubt then they can do the same thing, they could even move mountains!
This got me thinking.... Who am I ? Am I the fig tree that no longer bears the fruit of the spirit? Or am I the disciples who asks, believes, and receives? Do I have enough faith to move mountains and change lives?
We all have the potential, but we often lack the belief. What can we do everyday to bear the fruit?
All it takes is a little faith. Today tell a mountain to go jump in a lake!
The Message sums it up the best.... "Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God"
This got me thinking.... Who am I ? Am I the fig tree that no longer bears the fruit of the spirit? Or am I the disciples who asks, believes, and receives? Do I have enough faith to move mountains and change lives?
We all have the potential, but we often lack the belief. What can we do everyday to bear the fruit?
All it takes is a little faith. Today tell a mountain to go jump in a lake!
The Message sums it up the best.... "Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God"
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