Praise Him When You Don't Feel Like It...

Okay, so we all know the story of Paul and Silas and how they were thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel. How they were severely beaten and then chained to the walls in the dark cold prison. It pains me to think of all the bruises and cuts and blood and all the pain they suffered, all for trying to reach and teach the lost. Yet, the Bible tells us that that night, they started singing songs of Praise to God, despite the great pain they were in. As they sang those songs of praise, a great earthquake shook the prison and the chains and doors were opened and there was every opportunity for them and all of the other prisoners to run, but they didn't. The guard was about to commit suicide because he knew if the prisoners were gone he had to die anyway, but when he heard the shout that everyone was still there, he removed his sword and ultimately he and his family and many others came to know the Lord that day.

I have always believed that God loves to hear His Name lifted up, and the more we lift His Name, the more He is going to bless us for it. That night, Paul and Silas had every reason to wallow in pity, to sit back and have the "Why Me" syndrome that I am so guilty of having, but they chose to sing praise to the God that they KNEW could free them from their chains and set others free from their spiritual captivity.

As a result of their obedience to die to self and live as Christ, there are people in Heaven that would not have otherwise been. I find this story amazing. I find such hope in knowing that if I lift His Name, whether I feel like it or not, He is going to bless me for it. May not be in they way I thought He should, or in a way that I want Him to, but His Ways are so much greater than mine and I have to hold onto the fact that He has the greater plan.

My Abba, I am so tired of myself. I am so tired of the wallowing in pity because my life is not what I thought it would be. Father, You always have the greater plan, yet I choose to try to control my destiny on my own. Life is hard, Father. But, You made the Ultimate Sacrifice. You chose to send Jesus to die for me and everyone that would call out His Name and accept Him. Lord, help me to shine Your Light in this dark and desolate world. Help me to Praise You, even when I do not feel like it, Lord. Help me to die to myself and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Lord so that everyone knows that through You, and because of You, we have Hope and that nothing on Earth compares to the greatness of knowing You! Lord, I am so weak, but You are so strong. Your Name is a Strong and Mighty Tower. Your Name is a Shelter Like No Other. Thank You for Your Blessings and help me to share Your Love with others. In Your Sweet Name I pray...

Shut Thee Up...

Okay, I know the title is kinda strange, but stick with me for a minute. I had the awesome privilege, (did I mention awesome?) to see the live recording of the Travis Cottrell Concert at First Baptist Church of Woodstock last night. Beth Moore was there and in one of the three times she spoke, she spoke of when Peter saw Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the mountain, the Transfiguration I think. She talked about how Peter was a talker and how he was knowledgeable and how he knew right away from his studies who Moses and Elijah were. She said he only had one problem, he talked to Jesus more than he listened to Him. She said that she thought maybe at some point, Jesus might want to look at him and say, "Shut thee up and listen". How simple yet so profound!!!

I wonder myself how many times in my life I am trying to take control of the situation, how many times Jesus is speaking to me saying this is where we are going to go, yet I am busy telling Him where I am going to go instead. I wonder how many times He just wants to look at me and say, "Kimberly, Shut Thee Up!" Sometimes I just get so proud of myself, thinking I have God and different situations figured out, so I try to do it my way (which I think is His Way) and it fails. I wonder how many times, in the midst of my pride, in the midst of my struggles, there is that Still Small Voice whispering, "Shut Thee Up?"

Father God, You gave me two ears and one mouth and I have always heard it is so that I will listen more than I talk. Lord, I am so guilty of talking to You and not listening to what You have to say. Help me, Lord, to let go of my pride and my thought that I have finally figured You out and just "Shut Thee Up". In your sweet name I pray...

Help Me...

Help Me, God I'm Scared.
And I'm unprepared to
face the night alone.

Heal Me, hear my prayer.
My soul it aches and I've
nowhere to go.
Help Me God.

In this dark hour I know
only the Power That made
the stars, can mend my heart.

Though I've tried on my own,
but I'm not that strong,
You're all I've got,
You're all I've got,
Help Me God!


Part of another Kathy Troccoli song and probably one that more describes how I feel this morning. Really scared, all the while knowing that the only One who can calm my fear is God.

Lord, I know You're there. I know You see me. God, I am so afraid. You should be the only One that matters, I know it is not about me, but I am having a hard time today putting me aside. Your Word says that You are the Lifter of my Head and today I am asking You to do just that. Cover me, oh Lord. I want to hide in YOU. In the shadow of Your Wing, Your Presence is my Refuge. Soothe my doubts, Lord and calm my fears as only You know how. In Your Sweet Name I pray...

How Would I Know?

How would I know You could deliver?
How would I know You could set free?
If there had never been a battle,
How would I know the victory?

How would I know you would be faithful,
To meet all of my needs?
How would I know?

Not exactly the right words, but the chorus to a Kathy Troccoli song that has been on my mind all day. In this world of uncertainty and trial, God is truly the ONLY one that is faithful to meet all of our needs. Just another reminder today, no matter where you are financially, no matter where you are physically, no matter where you are emotionally, and no matter where you are spiritually, God is still El Roi, the God Who sees and He knows you and He is the Answer to your every need! How Great is OUR GOD!

Touch The Hem

"One Touch". One of my absolute favorite songs by Nichole C. Mullen. All about the woman who was ostracized because of her issue of blood. I got an e-mail from a friend yesterday, actually a forward about that same woman. The topic was "Just Desperate Enough". It was all about how the woman was in the crowd of thousands the day that Jesus came to her town and how she reached out and touched the hem of his robe because she KNEW that through his touch, she would receive healing. She didn't care that she had been excluded from society for twelve years, didn't care that the people in the crowd thought she was not worthy of their presence, she knew that Jesus could heal her.

The devotional talked about how we do things in desperation to survive. In the woman's case, her choice out of her desperation was absolutely the right one and from it she received complete healing. I wonder though, how many are like me and have made some wrong choices? I wonder how many have been so desperate they turn to other bad things to bring temporary comfort hoping it will last just a little bit longer than the last time or hoping maybe it will be different this time? I wonder how many people have turned to those things in desperation to try to solve another issue, and gotten so deep into the new issue that now they have two to deal with instead of the original one? I wonder how long it will take for people like me to get the courage to not care what other people think for once, to ignore insecurity and look up to the ONE and ONLY ONE that can take away the desperation and provide healing once and for all? Every time I think I have the courage, anxiety just slaps me in the face again and I fail.

Now, I am going to ask God for the courage to stand again. I know that I can't, but He can. I know that I am not alone because He promised to never leave me nor forsake me.

Father God, I thank you for desperation. I thank you for allowing me to get to the point that there is truly no where to look but up. God, You tell me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God, help me to remember that. Help me to remember that You died for me. Help me to remember that no matter what the world may say, You made me and "You don't make no junk". God keep me a willing vessel. Lord, keep me willing to be broken and poured out so that I can be filled with You. I know it will take some work, Lord, but I am willing if You are willing to use me. Here I am...Lord, send me. In Your Sweet Name I Pray...

For Such A Time as This...Esther Retreat

This is what the retreat looked like at about midnight on Friday night-LOL. From left to right are Angie, Ms. Lisa, Kayla, Katy, Ashly, Ms. Beverly, and in the floor are Trish and Kristy. Everyone was tired by this point, most went to bed except me and three others-ha.

Sorry, these pictures are random, haven't figured out how to switch order yet. :) Anyway, from left to right in this picture are Katy (my niece), Kayla, Nichole, Amanda, and Jennifer. They were working on a poster, one of the activities , of one of God's promises to us. Their poster turned out to be the Tree of Life and was incredibly elaborate! It was fun to see all of the artistic ability!

This is Mrs. Karen and Mrs. Carol. Mrs. Karen was the one who was kind enough to open up her home for us to have the retreat/slumber party there. Mrs. Karen is our pianist and a very talented musician. She also plays and teaches harp! How cool is that?

This is my best friend Mechele. Okay, maybe not the best picture of her because her eyes are closed, but that is all I have for now. And, she was laughing and having a good time. :) She and I planned and carried out the Esther Retreat this last weekend. It was a celebration and kickoff of our Beth Moore Study that begins this weekend.

This is Mrs. Belinda, aka Queen Esther. She did a terrific job on her dramatic monologue of the modern day Esther. She spoke of many struggles that Esther faced and how they are not so different from the ones that we face today.

We had 19 ladies to attend Friday and Saturday. We had a great weekend of food, fellowship, and fun. We all made goals for what we would like to get out of the study and learned different ways we can pray for each other during the next ten weeks! I personally learned that God can use any vessel, broken or not as long as we are willing to be molded into what He wants us to be!