Today was a holiday, which means that the bank was closed, school was closed, and it just so happened that today was one of my husband's scheduled days off. We call days like this "Family Days." Since the kids are not really old enough to grasp the concept of prominent birthdays, they are under the assumption that you are given free time off from school and work to spend with your family. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Yesterday, as we sat down to dinner, my husband asked the kids which one of them wanted to "say grace." Our 5 year-old daughter, very vigilantly, said "I do, Daddy?" So, we all bowed our heads, expecting the normal "God is great, God is good." We were all astonished when she prayed with her childlike innocence. I can't quote her exactly because my heart and tears were overflowing. The prayer went something like this. "God, thank you for helping me to get better. And God, I just wanna pray for everyone else that's sick and that you'll make them feel better, too. I just wanna be a good girl so that I can go to Heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen."
I thought to myself, "Come with a child-like faith."
I, myself, need to be more like a child. When the Sunday School teacher asks for a volunteer to bless the offering, why do I always sit there and wait for someone else to do it? Instead, I should be jumping up with the enthusiasm of a child and say, "I'll do it!"
It's not that I'm ashamed. Perhaps, a little intimidated. I hear people pray and use words longer than I have ever been away from home. Their prayers just flow out so eloquently and beautifully. The only way that I know to pray, is to talk to Him like He's my best friend, because He is. He knows me and my heart and even understands my child-like prayers. So, what difference does it make how I pray in front of people, as long as it's coming from my heart? It doesn't matter how many big words or scriptures that I pour out when I'm praying. As long as I know who I'm praying to, and everything is okay between Him and I, God will hear my prayer. Whether it be that of a Bible scholar or that of a 5 year old child.
I thank God for my children. As much as I try to bring them up in the eyes of God, and teach them the right ways. I believe sometimes there are still things that they are going to teach me. I love and appreciate God for everything that He's done in my life and for everything that He's going to do.
~*~Kristen~*~
Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Biblical Country Girl
January 3, 2012
Tonight, as I sit here studying my lesson for this evening, all is calm and quiet.
I'm studying in Song of Solomon. Chapter One discusses that admiration of lovers. Solomon's lover is a maiden and more ironically, a country girl. The maiden states that she is black, meaning that she is very tanned due to working the vineyards in the hot sun. The next few verses transform into a conversation between Solomon and the maiden, sounding similar to a present-day love letters. Solomon compares his girlfriend to a company of horses. Today, that comparison may have been taken offensively, but here, it represents the horses of the king because they were known for gracefulness, beauty, and costly ornamentation.
In the beginning of Chapter Two, the maiden compares herself to the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley, meaning she is as common as a field flower.
This struck me as odd because I have heard these references made toward God. I believe that similar to the maiden, this depicts God's human side. Jesus was just a common man, however, holding something uniquely special.
I appreciate the Lord for everything He has done in my life and for everything He's going to do.
~*~Kristen~*~
Tonight, as I sit here studying my lesson for this evening, all is calm and quiet.
I'm studying in Song of Solomon. Chapter One discusses that admiration of lovers. Solomon's lover is a maiden and more ironically, a country girl. The maiden states that she is black, meaning that she is very tanned due to working the vineyards in the hot sun. The next few verses transform into a conversation between Solomon and the maiden, sounding similar to a present-day love letters. Solomon compares his girlfriend to a company of horses. Today, that comparison may have been taken offensively, but here, it represents the horses of the king because they were known for gracefulness, beauty, and costly ornamentation.
In the beginning of Chapter Two, the maiden compares herself to the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley, meaning she is as common as a field flower.
This struck me as odd because I have heard these references made toward God. I believe that similar to the maiden, this depicts God's human side. Jesus was just a common man, however, holding something uniquely special.
I appreciate the Lord for everything He has done in my life and for everything He's going to do.
~*~Kristen~*~
New Year's Resolutions
January 1, 2012
Wow! Even writing that date seems absolutely unbelievable! Spent such a wonderful Sunday in God's house. We heard two awesome sermons. There were so many great points brought out that I would have never thought of on my own. For example, some people are making New Year's Resolutions that 95% will not remember or hold true to by tomorrow. I am just as guilty as the rest. I have previously made resolutions: lose weight, stop smoking, etc., that didn't make it past the first week. Now, that I've given my life back to God, I've had the same resolution: to draw closer to Him. But, this shouldn't just be a New Year's Resolution. We should always be trying to draw closer and get into the true "meat" of our salvation. We really need to take (make) time to get into the Bible and meditate and really listen to what God tries to tell us through His word.
It was also mentioned in the message about being faithful to church. When a student is in school, if they just decide to sleep in, or go shopping, or whatever else the excuse may be, eventually there will be a consequence. The same will hold true in our Christian walk. If you don't stay faithful to church, you will get called to God's "principal" office. I've been there, not a place I would care to go back to.
I really have a lot of room for improvement in my Christian walk. However, I know that if I will read, study, (there is a difference) and reach out to Him that He will take care of me.
~*~Kristen~*~
Wow! Even writing that date seems absolutely unbelievable! Spent such a wonderful Sunday in God's house. We heard two awesome sermons. There were so many great points brought out that I would have never thought of on my own. For example, some people are making New Year's Resolutions that 95% will not remember or hold true to by tomorrow. I am just as guilty as the rest. I have previously made resolutions: lose weight, stop smoking, etc., that didn't make it past the first week. Now, that I've given my life back to God, I've had the same resolution: to draw closer to Him. But, this shouldn't just be a New Year's Resolution. We should always be trying to draw closer and get into the true "meat" of our salvation. We really need to take (make) time to get into the Bible and meditate and really listen to what God tries to tell us through His word.
It was also mentioned in the message about being faithful to church. When a student is in school, if they just decide to sleep in, or go shopping, or whatever else the excuse may be, eventually there will be a consequence. The same will hold true in our Christian walk. If you don't stay faithful to church, you will get called to God's "principal" office. I've been there, not a place I would care to go back to.
I really have a lot of room for improvement in my Christian walk. However, I know that if I will read, study, (there is a difference) and reach out to Him that He will take care of me.
~*~Kristen~*~
New Year - New Journey
December 31, 2011
So, today is New Year's Eve and a New Year is getting ready to begin. For me, this is the perfect chance to start something that God has been dealing with me for quite sometime, keeping a journal. I'm not exactly sure why He has told me to do this, however, I want to do whatever His will for me would be.
The big "headlines" in the media right now is the speculation of whether or not the world will end in 2012. My opinion on this matter is that the world will end when God, and only God, has said that it's time. However, I do believe that it's very possible for the rapture to happen soon, possibly even in 2012. I think it could be very realistic to assume that my generation will see the tribulation and rapture. I'm not so sure that we are not in the time of sorrows right now. There are wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diver's places, oil prices are unethically high, and the unemployment rate continues to rise everyday. Also, I'm seeing more sickness (cancer, etc.) than I have ever seen in my life. Such sad things going on in the world. People are doing unimaginable things to children, drug addiction, meth labs, and other crimes to support these such addictions.
Looking back on these topics, I'm beginning to think that it may not necessarily be a bad thing if the Lord came back in the near future. I cannot wait to see this land that Christians have been promised. The land of milk and honey, no sorrow, no crying. Heaven will be so much better than this world that we are living in today. I don't want to die, however, I'm ready to go on home.
~*~Kristen~*~
So, today is New Year's Eve and a New Year is getting ready to begin. For me, this is the perfect chance to start something that God has been dealing with me for quite sometime, keeping a journal. I'm not exactly sure why He has told me to do this, however, I want to do whatever His will for me would be.
The big "headlines" in the media right now is the speculation of whether or not the world will end in 2012. My opinion on this matter is that the world will end when God, and only God, has said that it's time. However, I do believe that it's very possible for the rapture to happen soon, possibly even in 2012. I think it could be very realistic to assume that my generation will see the tribulation and rapture. I'm not so sure that we are not in the time of sorrows right now. There are wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in diver's places, oil prices are unethically high, and the unemployment rate continues to rise everyday. Also, I'm seeing more sickness (cancer, etc.) than I have ever seen in my life. Such sad things going on in the world. People are doing unimaginable things to children, drug addiction, meth labs, and other crimes to support these such addictions.
Looking back on these topics, I'm beginning to think that it may not necessarily be a bad thing if the Lord came back in the near future. I cannot wait to see this land that Christians have been promised. The land of milk and honey, no sorrow, no crying. Heaven will be so much better than this world that we are living in today. I don't want to die, however, I'm ready to go on home.
~*~Kristen~*~
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