I'm suspended mid air, hanging from nothing. Something holds me there, but what I do not know. I'm spinning slowly, very slowly, in what seems to be a hammock. My legs dangle above the sky. I can see rainbows. I see the top of the rainbows, the beginnings, and end. The colors are made of majesty. All around me I see the sky, but it's a sky I've never seen. I'm not seeing it the way I've always seen it, I'm part of it. There is cobalt blue, light pink, and lilac purple all around me. Colors like I've never seen before.
Here there is no sound. There is movement, but not in a way I'm used to. Movement usually leads to sound. I expect when I move my feet to hear footsteps or a swoosh swoosh of the wind, but not here. No sound, just silence.
I look around and see the sun. It's setting on one end and beginning in another. It's movement is music. It tilts the whole movement of where I sit. My eyes follow it, but they do not squint.
I feel overwhelmingly joyful. The peace I have cannot be explained, it just exists in a capacity I've never felt before. The laughter inside begins to break but still no sound. Just beauty and majesty.
I wake up.
I had this dream a year ago. Often I'm reminded of it when I'm in anxious situations. When I'm stressed and am not trusting Jesus to have my back when I should, I close my eyes and I see this place He showed me a year ago.
My family has since I've been a kid had dreams. Unexplainably real, described often as a spiritual dream. I've had many in my lifetime, but the numbers multiplied when my father died.
I have had many that I could write about, but this one is what I need to share.You see, I need control over every situation. I have yet to find a way to be rid of that habit. But I think that's why Jesus keeps reminding me of this dream. That He is ultimately holding everything in His hand. He is in COMPLETE control. And it is good. He works every single detail for my good, before I even get there.
The peace I felt in that place where I fully believe I was seeing a snippet of heaven and being held in the palm of the hand of the Father, is accessible to you right now. My as of late anxious heart has fled there many times in the last month or two, and Jesus has reminded me He is the Prince of Peace. He controls everything at the right hand, and that includes tiny you and me.
Ask for peace, close your eyes, let Him give it to you.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Endure and Be Saved.
Hello there. This is indeed a long post, so if you're not a lengthy reader, I did warn.
In the last few years, my heart has become wrapped in the Lord. He has become my steadfast hand that I fully rely on. My heart has not wavered from His almighty hand since the day I lost my earthly father. I have said it many times and will continue to say, I am grateful that my father died because I have found a solid foundation on which I now stand, my heavenly Father. I'll save you more details as I've talked about that many times. Today I would like to say something else.
In the last few years, my heart has become wrapped in the Lord. He has become my steadfast hand that I fully rely on. My heart has not wavered from His almighty hand since the day I lost my earthly father. I have said it many times and will continue to say, I am grateful that my father died because I have found a solid foundation on which I now stand, my heavenly Father. I'll save you more details as I've talked about that many times. Today I would like to say something else.
Since finding a relationship with our Father, my heart became stirred over and over to read and study Revelation. Maybe it's because I love the disciple John and the way He served Jesus. He opened His heart to all things of God and was open to hear from the Father. The more I studied, the more it became clear that we are living in these last days. This sounds absolutely crazy to most people, even Christians, to acknowledge that His plans are unfolding faster than ever. Many say we don't know the day or the hour, and that's correct. But the word says His people will be aware of the season, just as we are aware of when the weather is about to change. I've been astounded to hear over and over people say to me that they just don't feel it relevant or important to read Revelation, Isaiah, Daniel, or even the World of God at all. To those I always like to remind Revelation 1: 3
"God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near"
There are so many cool things to learn from the word of God. But I don't know why my heart is so entranced by what the book of Revelation and specifically Daniel have to say. I believe the more I have read these books in the bible, the more relevance I see in the basics of Christianity spoken about in entirety of the New Testament. My mind has become "eternity wired". I have realized the importance of every small act of kindness or leap of boldness from my mouth has eternal value and has the potential to build the kingdom of God. Worship for me has transformed over the years. It's become an everyday, all day act for me. I have learned to take joy in sharing fellowship with others, to be edified and lifted up by others, to encourage others in what God says He has in store for us. & most importantly, my heart aches for the lost all that more.
I write these words as I see the plot of the Bible unfolding before our eyes. The 21 Christians killed to send a message to "the people of the Cross' by ISIS and the Muslim faith, is straight from the story line of Revelation. Those who look away from the Word is search for answers will find they are going in the wrong direction. The entire bible points to what is to come. Not surprisingly, yesterday as I sat and watched the news for an hour, the reporter stated that while this may become the next World War, it may be the first to start as a Holy War.
Revelation 12: 10
"Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, 'It has come at last -- salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth -- the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time."
Revelation 14: 13
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this down; Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"
Revelation 17: 3-6
"So the angel took me in the Spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it. The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. A mysterious name was written on her forehead: 'Babylon the great, Mother of all Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.' I could see that she was drunk - drunk with the blood of God's holy people who were witnesses for Jesus."
It is within these three passages that God has warned us about these things. Many don't become alarmed because it's been said before that He is coming. The Nazis came. World War I came. World War II. 9/11. To our time table it has been coming for far too long to care. But I warn you to not become complacent in the way in which we approach the Jesus and His alarm. God is alive and He wants us to treat Him that way. He doesn't leave our side, He is available 24/7 to talk to, and He is ready for you to know Him. To pray. To approach Him in holy praise. To be bold.
The more I read the word, the more I notice the use of the word "Endure" by Jesus alone. In Matthew 24:13 Jesus says, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." In Matthew 10: 22 Jesus says, "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved." I suppose this enduring thing is pretty important. It's become evident that enduring in the small things is important, too. To know the principles of loving our neighbor, marriage is a covenant between a man and woman, and Jesus Christ is the Messiah is something that does not change. Even when the world throws all these convincing facts out or cultural doctrines that tell us otherwise: we are to endure. We are to keep looking to the Word of God for answers, not to the media.
I suppose my point here is that we as Christians have a duty to pay to those 21 Christians who were beheaded for their faith. They too felt a duty to Jesus and did not deny Him.
We are not to deny the one who came to save us. Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and He is coming to proclaim that truth to all. We have one duty, to endure and stand by the gospel. Satan has no power over me, over my family, over my friends. I will endure to the end.
We can be sure that paradise and an eternal kingdom is coming. I hope that you would be encouraged to learn more about the kingdom coming while you live in the world of all about me, don't serve your neighbor, media loving culture satan has set up to distract us.
Revelation 6: 9-11
"When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. They shouted to the Lord and said, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?' Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters -- their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred-- had joined them."
Revelation 20:4
"Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 22: 7, 12, 16
7: (Jesus speaking) "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book."
12: (Jesus speaking) "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
16: (Jesus speaking) "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star."
Revelation 22: 17
"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Let anyone who hears this say, 'Come.' Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life."
Revelation 22: 20
"He who is faithful witness to all these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!'(Jesus speaking) Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
Let us come boldly before our Father, praising Him. Let us boldly speak of His love to the lost and hurting. Let us not forget to thank Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do! The season is at hand! Let us work to build His kingdom.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Still Joy
As another milestone ends, college, I see a path beginning to set before me.
Over the past year I have transitioned to becoming a wife, an aunt, and now a college graduate.
This has led to fulfillment, confusion, and joy.
Being married has been the most joyful, profound decision of my life. Damen is beyond anything I would have expected. Somehow I find myself surprised that he still chooses to love me in my selfish, ungrateful moments. I'm surprised when he shows me how Jesus loves me.
He has led me to find a deeper love within Jesus.
I'm surprised how much Jesus loves us in our filth.
I find myself looking at people everyday and wondering how to love them. It's selfish, I know, but loving people who are not like you is hard. I find a need to understand people who are different from me, but at the same time I hear Jesus whispering, "just love them, Katie".
And I try.
Damen is so much better at this than me.
I love that he is my husband because he continually points me back to Christ without even realizing he's doing it. His actions speak volumes.
So I'm here, being a wife.
Being a wife is fun, too. But serving him is hard sometimes. Selfishness does seep through.
But how grace comes shining through.
Still, joy.
Joy is what I feel everyday. Joy is how I see the world around me, because I know His plan.
His plan for redemption, His plan to pursue and love us until the day He comes back to be with us again.
Joy. I hope it's what my husband sees when he walks into our home, when he thinks of me, and when he thinks of how blessed we are.
Joy. I hope it's what my best friends feel everyday. That the world doesn't weigh them down, that Jesus remains on their hearts.
Joy. It's what I hold true in my heart. It's the only strength I have.
I realize sometimes that I'm walking a path that's different from my friends and family. I do not really seek out who I am anymore. I just know who I am in Him. It's a blessing to realize everyday that I am not alone and when things go wrong, they will get better. He will make all things work together for my good.
In the mean time, I will tell anyone who will listen that the JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH.
Over the past year I have transitioned to becoming a wife, an aunt, and now a college graduate.
This has led to fulfillment, confusion, and joy.
Being married has been the most joyful, profound decision of my life. Damen is beyond anything I would have expected. Somehow I find myself surprised that he still chooses to love me in my selfish, ungrateful moments. I'm surprised when he shows me how Jesus loves me.
He has led me to find a deeper love within Jesus.
I'm surprised how much Jesus loves us in our filth.
I find myself looking at people everyday and wondering how to love them. It's selfish, I know, but loving people who are not like you is hard. I find a need to understand people who are different from me, but at the same time I hear Jesus whispering, "just love them, Katie".
And I try.
Damen is so much better at this than me.
I love that he is my husband because he continually points me back to Christ without even realizing he's doing it. His actions speak volumes.
So I'm here, being a wife.
Being a wife is fun, too. But serving him is hard sometimes. Selfishness does seep through.
But how grace comes shining through.
Still, joy.
Joy is what I feel everyday. Joy is how I see the world around me, because I know His plan.
His plan for redemption, His plan to pursue and love us until the day He comes back to be with us again.
Joy. I hope it's what my husband sees when he walks into our home, when he thinks of me, and when he thinks of how blessed we are.
Joy. I hope it's what my best friends feel everyday. That the world doesn't weigh them down, that Jesus remains on their hearts.
Joy. It's what I hold true in my heart. It's the only strength I have.
I realize sometimes that I'm walking a path that's different from my friends and family. I do not really seek out who I am anymore. I just know who I am in Him. It's a blessing to realize everyday that I am not alone and when things go wrong, they will get better. He will make all things work together for my good.
In the mean time, I will tell anyone who will listen that the JOY of the LORD is your STRENGTH.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Precious Moments and Big Change
It's been a hot hot minute.
I feel as if I've jumped five steps forward in where I thought I would be at this point in my life.
Marrying the man my heart has so very desired to marry for the last four years sure feels "unreal". I cannot believe my name will be changing and so many other things along with it. And the wedding...who knew planning was so exhausting. For me, someone who enjoys planning down to the last minute of everyday, I've found myself just wishing for a week of no planning. No wedding talk. Just life without planning! Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to be able to have a wedding and that in itself is a HUGE blessing for me. But to be honest, I really just want to be married to Damen. And while I've spent four years pinning to a "Dream board" on pinterest of all these GREAT, FUN, over the top and needless ideas...when it came around to me being able to have it all, I just didn't care as much as I anticipated.
I do however care that God has created this fantastic picture of the bridegroom and just how beautiful weddings are to eternity! Honestly, that's something I could talk about all day everyday, pin to a board in anticipation, and GUESS WHAT: when He comes to get what His heart longs for the most on that most important day...it won't be something that lets us down. It will be better than our hearts ever imagined. Not saying my wedding is letting me down..I'm just saying I definitely romanticized the whole idea. Not to mention I appreciate how much work God is putting into the universe just to get His creation to WANT Him. How crazy is that?
He knew me before He even formed me. That's something that blows my mind. He loved me before I could love Him. And one day He will come back. That's going to be my (our) true wedding day.
But in the meantime, I get to marry my love and do this thing called life with him as my best friend by my side daily. I'm thankful God has allowed me to learn just how important marriage is to Him.
I do catch myself more and more often wanting to just see dad and wishing he would be with me on that day to walk me down the aisle, but man, what joy I take in knowing he rejoices daily with Jesus. Jesus has never failed to comfort me, and I fully expect for Him to come in and continue to show me just how BIG His love is for not only me, but this entire and absolutely insane place called earth.
Til next time,
Katie
I feel as if I've jumped five steps forward in where I thought I would be at this point in my life.
Marrying the man my heart has so very desired to marry for the last four years sure feels "unreal". I cannot believe my name will be changing and so many other things along with it. And the wedding...who knew planning was so exhausting. For me, someone who enjoys planning down to the last minute of everyday, I've found myself just wishing for a week of no planning. No wedding talk. Just life without planning! Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to be able to have a wedding and that in itself is a HUGE blessing for me. But to be honest, I really just want to be married to Damen. And while I've spent four years pinning to a "Dream board" on pinterest of all these GREAT, FUN, over the top and needless ideas...when it came around to me being able to have it all, I just didn't care as much as I anticipated.
I do however care that God has created this fantastic picture of the bridegroom and just how beautiful weddings are to eternity! Honestly, that's something I could talk about all day everyday, pin to a board in anticipation, and GUESS WHAT: when He comes to get what His heart longs for the most on that most important day...it won't be something that lets us down. It will be better than our hearts ever imagined. Not saying my wedding is letting me down..I'm just saying I definitely romanticized the whole idea. Not to mention I appreciate how much work God is putting into the universe just to get His creation to WANT Him. How crazy is that?
He knew me before He even formed me. That's something that blows my mind. He loved me before I could love Him. And one day He will come back. That's going to be my (our) true wedding day.
But in the meantime, I get to marry my love and do this thing called life with him as my best friend by my side daily. I'm thankful God has allowed me to learn just how important marriage is to Him.
I do catch myself more and more often wanting to just see dad and wishing he would be with me on that day to walk me down the aisle, but man, what joy I take in knowing he rejoices daily with Jesus. Jesus has never failed to comfort me, and I fully expect for Him to come in and continue to show me just how BIG His love is for not only me, but this entire and absolutely insane place called earth.
Til next time,
Katie
Monday, October 21, 2013
A Present God
Have you ever had a moment where God made you feel so loved that you just couldn't stop laughing and crying at the same time? Have you ever felt that loved before?
Well, that happened to me yesterday at church. I cannot explain the joy that I felt in those moments between me and God except that it rocked my world. I cannot believe how much God loves me. And creation as a whole.
I spent the whole day thinking of Him, as so often I do.
I thought to myself, " I just wish that You would be more audible to me more often. Like a God who is here and present in every moment."
Do you know what God said to that?
"That's how I created you, to desire me fully and present. In the beginning, that's how it was. I walked with Adam. I walked with Eve. My creation will continue to desire Me. You will continue to desire Me. But I have made you that way."
Those are the moments we live for.
To desire and to be desired.
I've never felt more desired by God than yesterday.
I'm enjoying every moment!
Til next time..
Katie
Monday, September 30, 2013
Pockets of Glory
I've been in this season for a while now...in amazement of what God can do. Mostly, I'm in awe when I look up. Which is often. Do you see the heavens changing before our eyes? I wake up and first thing I do is look up, see what God has in store for me that day.
I feel like I can face anything by watching the sky. I know that sounds silly, but I look up and I feel God move closer to me. It reminds me I'm not alone and that while I'm small, the guy who made the sky chose to love me. To pursue and enduringly rescue me.
Luke 21:25-28 (NIV) "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
I find myself dreaming of that day. Folks, that's a good place to be in. Yeah, sometimes I feel selfish and want to say no not yet, I've got too much to do. But when I think of the glory of God...the peace and joy I feel in His presence...I'm reminded of how much I love being with Him.
That's something to shout about!
Psalm 147:8 says, "Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains..."
That means that those clouds I'm in awe of are literally covering heaven up...the throne room is just beyond. I cannot express how much peace I have when I look up. I like to call them glory clouds, right about sunset, when the colors of the sky are changing and rays of sunshine are going every which way...it's a beautiful sky God created. Even on the dreary days if you look close enough there's still sunshine peaking through somewhere. Little pockets of glory.
This is scattered, probably doesn't even make sense. But regardless, let's start looking up more. Thanking God for what He's given us...chased us with. His glory shines everyday, all we have to do is acknowledge that He's there.
Peace and Joy!
Katie
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Blessings
I don't know about you, but in this last week God keeps reminding me of the things He wants to bless not only me with, but others. Many times in my life has God shown up and blown me away when I needed Him.
This last week, He's reminded me how He's financially provided for me.
There was a time when I was down to negative amounts of money in my bank account and I sat in my room all day and prayed. I cried and wept that I had failed and couldn't pay my bills. While it is still so crazy to look back on, it was a moment of change in my life. I desperately depended on God to provide and pay my bills.
Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "why didn't she ask anyone for help?". Well, I don't have many people to turn to who can, and besides that, I don't like to let people think I absolutely depend on them. It's my job to pay my bills. I have since the day I've turned 18.
So in that moment in the winter of 2011, I was rescued from my anxiety.
I opened my mailbox the day after I had wept and prayed all day. There were two envelopes that had no address, no return label, nothing. Just the name Katie. And on the back of one it said, "Because God told me too." And the other said, "Because someone helped me out once." In both of these envelopes were words of encouragements and checks for exactly my monthly expenses. How GREAT is GOD? I wept for like an hour of just pure joy.
How very little people believe God can do, but because I put my faith in God that week, I just knew I was going to be okay!
The blessings kept coming in. Checks kept showing up, groceries were bought for me, somehow everything I needed and more was provided for. I got offered a second job within the week and took it. Since then I have learned that a good work ethic, remembering God is in control of EVERYTHING, and being thankful is all I need to survive.
From that moment on, I've never had to look for a job. They've just been offered to me. It's like God was saying, "this way..now turn this way". In every job I've had, a purpose has been revealed to me. In each job, I've been able to talk to people about how great Jesus is. Even if it's just smiling all the time, that's a way to cheer people up!
Anyways, in this last week, I worked 47 hours and moved apartments. To say I was tired was an understatement. Yet, God kept showing up in little things throughout my days. Now my new apartment is done and while I work everyday for the next two weeks, I could not be more thankful to a God who provides, loves, and reminds me that while He is blessing me, to bless others even more.
I'm going to start looking for things I can do to help others like God has helped me. In fact, I want my whole life to point towards that. To remind people how God cares. He really cares for the broken hearted.
This may have made no sense and it's all over the place. But I just hope if anyone who reads this is ever in a place where they feel like nobody can help, turn to God. Believe that He was provide for you, cover your finances, cover your sickness, and watch God move!
He's a powerful loving God.
Til next time,
Katie
This last week, He's reminded me how He's financially provided for me.
There was a time when I was down to negative amounts of money in my bank account and I sat in my room all day and prayed. I cried and wept that I had failed and couldn't pay my bills. While it is still so crazy to look back on, it was a moment of change in my life. I desperately depended on God to provide and pay my bills.
Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "why didn't she ask anyone for help?". Well, I don't have many people to turn to who can, and besides that, I don't like to let people think I absolutely depend on them. It's my job to pay my bills. I have since the day I've turned 18.
So in that moment in the winter of 2011, I was rescued from my anxiety.
I opened my mailbox the day after I had wept and prayed all day. There were two envelopes that had no address, no return label, nothing. Just the name Katie. And on the back of one it said, "Because God told me too." And the other said, "Because someone helped me out once." In both of these envelopes were words of encouragements and checks for exactly my monthly expenses. How GREAT is GOD? I wept for like an hour of just pure joy.
How very little people believe God can do, but because I put my faith in God that week, I just knew I was going to be okay!
The blessings kept coming in. Checks kept showing up, groceries were bought for me, somehow everything I needed and more was provided for. I got offered a second job within the week and took it. Since then I have learned that a good work ethic, remembering God is in control of EVERYTHING, and being thankful is all I need to survive.
From that moment on, I've never had to look for a job. They've just been offered to me. It's like God was saying, "this way..now turn this way". In every job I've had, a purpose has been revealed to me. In each job, I've been able to talk to people about how great Jesus is. Even if it's just smiling all the time, that's a way to cheer people up!
Anyways, in this last week, I worked 47 hours and moved apartments. To say I was tired was an understatement. Yet, God kept showing up in little things throughout my days. Now my new apartment is done and while I work everyday for the next two weeks, I could not be more thankful to a God who provides, loves, and reminds me that while He is blessing me, to bless others even more.
I'm going to start looking for things I can do to help others like God has helped me. In fact, I want my whole life to point towards that. To remind people how God cares. He really cares for the broken hearted.
This may have made no sense and it's all over the place. But I just hope if anyone who reads this is ever in a place where they feel like nobody can help, turn to God. Believe that He was provide for you, cover your finances, cover your sickness, and watch God move!
He's a powerful loving God.
Til next time,
Katie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)