In the past month and a half, Taylor and I have said goodbye to three sweet people who had an impact on our lives in some way or another. Death is a heart-breaking process. It changes the person completely. It steals their smile, captures the sparkle in their eye and diminishes them to little more than a beating heart which will eventually succumb as well. Before you know it, the person you loved and lived life with is barely a shadow of their former self.
We fear death. Fear is a natural human reaction to the things we don't understand and cannot predict. But for these three loved ones, there was no uncertainty. They knew where death would take them and Who would be waiting to greet them on the other side.
Death isn't scary. It is simply the last paragraph of the introduction to an amazing masterpiece that God is writing. It is the sneak peek of our true destiny: to be with and worship God forever. Our lives are important, but death is the first step into freedom--the true original freedom that God had in mind at the beginning.
This has been my winter--cold and hard. But the spring brings new life. Hopefully it will come early this year.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Yesterday was not a fun day...I took our cat Annie to the vet to get fixed and declawed. At lunchtime the vet called me to tell me that Annie had died after surgery. Apparently the anesthesia didn't agree with something in her body and it stopped her heart. He said this has only happened twice in his ten years of practice. He thinks that maybe she had feline leukemia or something that would have caused her to react badly to the anesthesia. At least if she was sick, she died peacefully and painlessly.
Life is fleeting. My mom told me on Monday that a friend of ours in Idaho died of a heart attack while riding his mountain bike. He was the same age as my parents--young and healthy with a sweet family. He was in great shape and ate healthy...he did everything he could to live a long, enjoyable life. You just never know, though, when it is going to be your time.
So, I have cried a bit the past few days.
Life is fleeting. My mom told me on Monday that a friend of ours in Idaho died of a heart attack while riding his mountain bike. He was the same age as my parents--young and healthy with a sweet family. He was in great shape and ate healthy...he did everything he could to live a long, enjoyable life. You just never know, though, when it is going to be your time.
So, I have cried a bit the past few days.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Judgment House
I can't believe it has been over a month since I've written. I have been waiting for inspiration--bad idea. :)
Last Friday, Taylor and I took the youth group and a few people from church to Judgment House. Judgment House is a walk through drama put on by Newspring Church here in Wichita. It's like a Christian "haunted house" if you will. The story followed a young man whose parents were in jail for drug abuse. His grandmother had taken him into her home. She prayed earnestly for her grandson to come to know Christ.
In short, he goes to a Christian camp where all the "Christian" kids treat him like an outsider and talk behind his back. While he is there his grandmother dies. Feeling like he has lost everything, he turns to suicide. From there we follow him to judgment where he watches his grandmother go into glory with her Savior and where he is taken into eternal judgment. We follow him into hell--the smell, the heat, the taunting voices of the demons. It was frightening. We know that hell is a real place, but having to face what it looks, smells and sounds like even on the smallest scale, is a terrifying experience.
Thankfully they didn't end with hell--from there we went into heaven with the grandmother. By this time I was weeping. Entering into that beautiful, peaceful room I felt just a glimpse of the relief I know I will feel on that glorious day when I see the face of my Savior. As we walked into the room the angels put robes of righteousness on us (more like scarves of righteousness). Jesus came and hugged everyone and welcomed them. It may sound a little corny, but was beautiful.
Three of the kids in our group made a decision for Christ. If I didn't already know Him, I would have, too! Coming face to face with the reality of eternity in either heaven or hell is a ground shaking experience for any person willing to let God shake them up.
Every decision, every moment here on this earth is only preparing us for REALITY. Eternity is a greater reality than we often care to believe simply because it is unseen, uncharted territory...for us anyway. Jesus Christ has already been there. He has given us the map. He has paid the way for us. We can either take the gift that He has given or say, "No thanks, I'll pay my own way." Those who decide to pay their own way will pay it for eternity in hell. The MOST important decision we can make here on this earth is what we will do with the gift of eternal life that Jesus Christ has given us. When we look into His face, will we have chosen to feel relief or terror? It's all up to us now. Jesus has given us all we need to spend eternity in heaven with Him.
His love is overwhelming. Our worthiness was NEVER the question. What we could offer Him was never a part of the equation. His mercy and His grace are that is necessary.
He says come to ALL.
I am overwhelmed by the love of my Savior.
Last Friday, Taylor and I took the youth group and a few people from church to Judgment House. Judgment House is a walk through drama put on by Newspring Church here in Wichita. It's like a Christian "haunted house" if you will. The story followed a young man whose parents were in jail for drug abuse. His grandmother had taken him into her home. She prayed earnestly for her grandson to come to know Christ.
In short, he goes to a Christian camp where all the "Christian" kids treat him like an outsider and talk behind his back. While he is there his grandmother dies. Feeling like he has lost everything, he turns to suicide. From there we follow him to judgment where he watches his grandmother go into glory with her Savior and where he is taken into eternal judgment. We follow him into hell--the smell, the heat, the taunting voices of the demons. It was frightening. We know that hell is a real place, but having to face what it looks, smells and sounds like even on the smallest scale, is a terrifying experience.
Thankfully they didn't end with hell--from there we went into heaven with the grandmother. By this time I was weeping. Entering into that beautiful, peaceful room I felt just a glimpse of the relief I know I will feel on that glorious day when I see the face of my Savior. As we walked into the room the angels put robes of righteousness on us (more like scarves of righteousness). Jesus came and hugged everyone and welcomed them. It may sound a little corny, but was beautiful.
Three of the kids in our group made a decision for Christ. If I didn't already know Him, I would have, too! Coming face to face with the reality of eternity in either heaven or hell is a ground shaking experience for any person willing to let God shake them up.
Every decision, every moment here on this earth is only preparing us for REALITY. Eternity is a greater reality than we often care to believe simply because it is unseen, uncharted territory...for us anyway. Jesus Christ has already been there. He has given us the map. He has paid the way for us. We can either take the gift that He has given or say, "No thanks, I'll pay my own way." Those who decide to pay their own way will pay it for eternity in hell. The MOST important decision we can make here on this earth is what we will do with the gift of eternal life that Jesus Christ has given us. When we look into His face, will we have chosen to feel relief or terror? It's all up to us now. Jesus has given us all we need to spend eternity in heaven with Him.
His love is overwhelming. Our worthiness was NEVER the question. What we could offer Him was never a part of the equation. His mercy and His grace are that is necessary.
He says come to ALL.
I am overwhelmed by the love of my Savior.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Faith
I have a plethera of words and thoughts floating around in my brain. Some of them connect, others are simply random.
Faith has been on my mind a lot lately. I struggle with fear--irrational fear that really makes no sense at all in the scheme of the life I am living. But I struggle with it nonetheless. It's like the enemy has found that that is my weak spot. It is easy for me to be afraid, and it is made easier because I don't see myself the way God does. Many of my fears are brought on by my low opinion of myself, quite sadly.
I am just being honest with you. If it makes you uncomfortable go read someone else's blog. ;)
But as my fears and the voice of the persistent enemy twist my thoughts into a mass of confusion, there is the still, small voice of my Savior. He gently reminds me that He is there and He is in control. And suddenly things are simple: Trust Him. There is nothing with which He is unfamiliar--no needs, no fears, no hopes, no disappointments.
We must acknowledge that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers of darkness and then fall into the arms of our Hero. He is the one Who has already saved the day. And like Paul said, whatever it is that afflicts us is NOTHING compared to the glory that we will one day have in Christ. God knows that we are weak. Even the most faith we can manage is often smaller than Jesus' humble example of a mustard seed. But He is not limited by the size of our faith. He has given us victory over all things through His Son Jesus.
Lord, I believe. Forgive my unbelief.
Faith has been on my mind a lot lately. I struggle with fear--irrational fear that really makes no sense at all in the scheme of the life I am living. But I struggle with it nonetheless. It's like the enemy has found that that is my weak spot. It is easy for me to be afraid, and it is made easier because I don't see myself the way God does. Many of my fears are brought on by my low opinion of myself, quite sadly.
I am just being honest with you. If it makes you uncomfortable go read someone else's blog. ;)
But as my fears and the voice of the persistent enemy twist my thoughts into a mass of confusion, there is the still, small voice of my Savior. He gently reminds me that He is there and He is in control. And suddenly things are simple: Trust Him. There is nothing with which He is unfamiliar--no needs, no fears, no hopes, no disappointments.
We must acknowledge that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual powers of darkness and then fall into the arms of our Hero. He is the one Who has already saved the day. And like Paul said, whatever it is that afflicts us is NOTHING compared to the glory that we will one day have in Christ. God knows that we are weak. Even the most faith we can manage is often smaller than Jesus' humble example of a mustard seed. But He is not limited by the size of our faith. He has given us victory over all things through His Son Jesus.
Lord, I believe. Forgive my unbelief.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Defense
I can't imagine what life would be like without God as our defender. The enemy tells so many lies and steals, kills and destroys like crazy! What would it be like if God didn't have His hand of protection over us? I shudder to think.
There is nothing that we struggle with that God hasn't already filtered through His capable hands. It's so easy to doubt Him, but that's just another ploy of the enemy. God is bigger. He knows what we can handle and what we can't.
If you're struggling with something, don't turn away from God in shame or doubt. That is a huge mistake. Turn toward Him and let Him take it in His capable hands. He knows we are just human. Praise God for the day that we will no longer have the enemy to battle against!
Be comforted in the fact that He loves you unconditionally and boundlessly. Amen.
There is nothing that we struggle with that God hasn't already filtered through His capable hands. It's so easy to doubt Him, but that's just another ploy of the enemy. God is bigger. He knows what we can handle and what we can't.
If you're struggling with something, don't turn away from God in shame or doubt. That is a huge mistake. Turn toward Him and let Him take it in His capable hands. He knows we are just human. Praise God for the day that we will no longer have the enemy to battle against!
Be comforted in the fact that He loves you unconditionally and boundlessly. Amen.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
So about the title...
I'm thinking maybe it's a little bit awkward. "To Be Content" isn't exactly the most catchy title I've ever heard. However, it does reflect where my heart is at this point in my life. Above all things, I just want to be content. I want to enjoy God's goodness and all of the blessings He has given without striving to have things that He hasn't seen fit to give me at this point.
There is so much I would love to do in my lifetime--travel, write, missions work, lead worship, communicate effectively, finish college(!), raise amazing kids, be a great wife to my amazing husband, record music--the list could go on and on. And while those are all good things, I am finding that the most important thing is to learn that wherever I am I need to be fully there. Everything in my life right now deserves my full, undivided attention. Eventually, some of those things will happen because I have been faithful in the small tasks. Meanwhile, I will be content. When I strive to bring them to fruition NOW, I only succeed in making myself, and the people around me, miserable. There is nothing that steals joy so well as wanting what you do not have.
So, that's what I'm thinking. We need to bold enough to shape the monotony around us with our lives. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit--His love, His joy, His peace--and relax so He can spill over to every part of our lives. We need Him, and if we were honest with ourselves He is ALL we need.
Love!
Kaela
There is so much I would love to do in my lifetime--travel, write, missions work, lead worship, communicate effectively, finish college(!), raise amazing kids, be a great wife to my amazing husband, record music--the list could go on and on. And while those are all good things, I am finding that the most important thing is to learn that wherever I am I need to be fully there. Everything in my life right now deserves my full, undivided attention. Eventually, some of those things will happen because I have been faithful in the small tasks. Meanwhile, I will be content. When I strive to bring them to fruition NOW, I only succeed in making myself, and the people around me, miserable. There is nothing that steals joy so well as wanting what you do not have.
So, that's what I'm thinking. We need to bold enough to shape the monotony around us with our lives. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit--His love, His joy, His peace--and relax so He can spill over to every part of our lives. We need Him, and if we were honest with ourselves He is ALL we need.
Love!
Kaela
Saturday, August 15, 2009
My very first blog!
Good morning!
At this moment, I am sitting in the middle of my little apartment's living room floor. There is clean laundry on the couches and lots that needs tidying up. But it will all have to wait until later because I volunteered for three hours of overtime at work today. I know--what was I thinking, right? :) No cartoons or sleeping-in for me this morning. It's off to work I go.
But before I go, I wanted to let you all know what I'm thinking. My hope for this blog is that it will be a testimony to God's goodness and His grace in our daily lives. The enemy is after us--our joy, hope, peace, etc--anything he can steal, kill or destroy. But greater is HE who lives in us than he who lives in the world, amen? There is nothing too hard for our God. And He has set this great adventure known as "life" before us with a purpose and a plan in mind. Everyday we live takes us one step closer to seeing Him face to face. Glory.
So, join me with your thoughts and the things God is showing you and we can do some of this great adventure together.
Ciao!
Kaela
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
At this moment, I am sitting in the middle of my little apartment's living room floor. There is clean laundry on the couches and lots that needs tidying up. But it will all have to wait until later because I volunteered for three hours of overtime at work today. I know--what was I thinking, right? :) No cartoons or sleeping-in for me this morning. It's off to work I go.
But before I go, I wanted to let you all know what I'm thinking. My hope for this blog is that it will be a testimony to God's goodness and His grace in our daily lives. The enemy is after us--our joy, hope, peace, etc--anything he can steal, kill or destroy. But greater is HE who lives in us than he who lives in the world, amen? There is nothing too hard for our God. And He has set this great adventure known as "life" before us with a purpose and a plan in mind. Everyday we live takes us one step closer to seeing Him face to face. Glory.
So, join me with your thoughts and the things God is showing you and we can do some of this great adventure together.
Ciao!
Kaela
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
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