1. Hanging out with my sister last night and today.
2. Catching up on some emails yesterday.
3. Realizing that I am almost done with school...finally! It's kind of bittersweet...
4. Church today!! Awesome! I especially loved the choir's anthem "Hallelujah, Jesus Saves."
5. John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'"
God's love for us is so incredible. He is our hope and the reason we live.
During the season of Lent, I have been posting on my blog every day. Since Easter Sunday officially marks the end of Lent, that means that I am finished with posting my daily 5 blessings. I have to admit that some days were harder than others to find 5 things to be thankful for. However, there are always things for us to be thankful for...we just have to search harder for them sometimes.
Thank you for joining me in this journey and I pray that you have been blessed by reading and have also been able to reflect on the blessings in your life. I will continue posting on my blog, however it will be more sporadic ~ and almost certainly not daily. :-)
Take care & enjoy your Easter!!
Love, Kristen
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
5 Blessings for April 11
1. House and dog sitting for some friends this weekend...it's kind of nice to spend the weekend by myself, and help my friends out, of course.
2. My new pal Bailey...He's kept me company at my friends' house. :-) (In case you're wondering, Bailey is a miniature greyhound.)
3. The song "What Sin?" by Morgan Cryar. If you've ever struggled with forgiving yourself for sins you've done in the past or wondered if God has forgiven you, this song is a great reminder of God's forgiveness & wiping our records completely clean.
4. Learning to be real about myself and my life. I am amazed by the grace and love I have received from various people when I have shared the ugly truth about me and my past mistakes. If we can't be real with others about who we are, then we can't be loved for who we are. All people can love is the facets of ourselves that we present to them.
5. Psalm 27:13-14:
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD."
Yesterday was the remembrance of the death of Jesus, but Easter is coming tomorrow and we'll celebrate Him rising from the dead. In the meantime, we must wait...and look to Him in hope because He is our hope.
Friday, April 10, 2009
5 Blessings for April 10
1. The fact of life that death must occur for something beautiful to be born.
2. The movie The Passion of the Christ
Check out this clip from the movie set to a song called "The Reason"...it's incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgbBYdDZA8&NR=1
3. Romans 5:6-8:
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
4. What God has done in my life:
In the last few years, God has been doing great things in my life. He brought me out of an unhealthy relationship and brought me to an open and loving church family. Now, I am finishing up a master’s degree at Columbia International University and am completing my counseling internship at my church, Spirit of Joy. Both CIU and Spirit of Joy have played an integral role in my life in helping me understand and experience the truths of God and to grow in my relationship with Him. The ways that God has grown me in the last few years have been amazing. However, my life has not always been this way.
In March of 2003, I broke up with my fiancée whom I was supposed to have married two months later. This was devastating for me, but it was what God wanted. It took many months of praying and a great lack of peace in my heart, though, before I finally realized it. Even though I knew our break-up was what had to happen, it still did not make it any easier when it finally did. That was probably my lowest point ever. I had grown up in a Christian home and knew that God was supposed to take first place in my life. I think God did take first place in my life until I met this man. During the four years that I dated him I put him first over everything, including God. This led to a skew of my morals and values and suddenly I began doing the things I used to think were wrong to do, things I thought I would never do. My life was completely out of control. Anything that I wanted, I let myself have—indulgences of all kinds. Through all of this, thankfully God continued to call me back to Him. When I finally surrendered and let God have control of my life, i.e. when I broke up with my fiancée, I had to let God take control of all the areas of my life that were out of control. This was very difficult because I wanted to be in control.
The Bible passage that became my theme passage during this period of time and continues to be is Matthew 16, a passage in which Jesus was speaking to His disciples. He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Basically, through this passage God was saying to me that I needed to give Him control of all the areas of my life that I had tried to control for so long—I needed to “lose my life” for His sake. All this time, I had been trying to save my life for myself, doing whatever it was that pleased me, but in the process I was really losing out on the best part of life—an intimate relationship with God.
Of course, there was the problem of my sin. During the four years of my fiancée’s and my relationship, I disobeyed and dishonored God in more ways than I care to admit. So, how could God possibly forgive me for my sinful choices? How could I become right with God after being wrong with Him for so long? There was certainly nothing I could do to change my past or to erase my sins. But the answer lies in Jesus Christ. God sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross to pay for my disobedience. God freely forgave me and turned my life around when I confessed my sin and surrendered my life to Him. Therefore, God no longer sees my sin; all He sees is a clean, new person.
God used one of the hardest times in my life for the greatest good in my life. Today, I am living in a restored, amazing relationship with God. I am very thankful that God loved me enough to send His Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins so that I am able to have this personal relationship with Him. Though my life is certainly not easy now, it is a lot more manageable and fulfilling because I am not living it alone. Jesus is with me every step of the way, and I look forward to the day when I will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
5. Do You Know Jesus?
2. The movie The Passion of the Christ
Check out this clip from the movie set to a song called "The Reason"...it's incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgbBYdDZA8&NR=1
3. Romans 5:6-8:
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
4. What God has done in my life:
In the last few years, God has been doing great things in my life. He brought me out of an unhealthy relationship and brought me to an open and loving church family. Now, I am finishing up a master’s degree at Columbia International University and am completing my counseling internship at my church, Spirit of Joy. Both CIU and Spirit of Joy have played an integral role in my life in helping me understand and experience the truths of God and to grow in my relationship with Him. The ways that God has grown me in the last few years have been amazing. However, my life has not always been this way.
In March of 2003, I broke up with my fiancée whom I was supposed to have married two months later. This was devastating for me, but it was what God wanted. It took many months of praying and a great lack of peace in my heart, though, before I finally realized it. Even though I knew our break-up was what had to happen, it still did not make it any easier when it finally did. That was probably my lowest point ever. I had grown up in a Christian home and knew that God was supposed to take first place in my life. I think God did take first place in my life until I met this man. During the four years that I dated him I put him first over everything, including God. This led to a skew of my morals and values and suddenly I began doing the things I used to think were wrong to do, things I thought I would never do. My life was completely out of control. Anything that I wanted, I let myself have—indulgences of all kinds. Through all of this, thankfully God continued to call me back to Him. When I finally surrendered and let God have control of my life, i.e. when I broke up with my fiancée, I had to let God take control of all the areas of my life that were out of control. This was very difficult because I wanted to be in control.
The Bible passage that became my theme passage during this period of time and continues to be is Matthew 16, a passage in which Jesus was speaking to His disciples. He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Basically, through this passage God was saying to me that I needed to give Him control of all the areas of my life that I had tried to control for so long—I needed to “lose my life” for His sake. All this time, I had been trying to save my life for myself, doing whatever it was that pleased me, but in the process I was really losing out on the best part of life—an intimate relationship with God.
Of course, there was the problem of my sin. During the four years of my fiancée’s and my relationship, I disobeyed and dishonored God in more ways than I care to admit. So, how could God possibly forgive me for my sinful choices? How could I become right with God after being wrong with Him for so long? There was certainly nothing I could do to change my past or to erase my sins. But the answer lies in Jesus Christ. God sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross to pay for my disobedience. God freely forgave me and turned my life around when I confessed my sin and surrendered my life to Him. Therefore, God no longer sees my sin; all He sees is a clean, new person.
God used one of the hardest times in my life for the greatest good in my life. Today, I am living in a restored, amazing relationship with God. I am very thankful that God loved me enough to send His Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins so that I am able to have this personal relationship with Him. Though my life is certainly not easy now, it is a lot more manageable and fulfilling because I am not living it alone. Jesus is with me every step of the way, and I look forward to the day when I will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
5. Do You Know Jesus?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
5 Blessings for April 9
1. Learning how to simplify my life.
2. All the people at SOJ...they're like family to me.
3. The power of prayer and godly friendships & accountability.
4. Our Maundy Thursday service at church last night...and getting to help strip the altar of all its items by carrying the altar Bible out of the sanctuary (we do this in preparation for Good Friday...the day which commemorates Jesus' death).
5. Isaiah 53:3-6:
2. All the people at SOJ...they're like family to me.
3. The power of prayer and godly friendships & accountability.
4. Our Maundy Thursday service at church last night...and getting to help strip the altar of all its items by carrying the altar Bible out of the sanctuary (we do this in preparation for Good Friday...the day which commemorates Jesus' death).
5. Isaiah 53:3-6:
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
5 Blessings for April 8
1. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." ~ what an awesome gift
2. Seeing an old friend I haven't seen in a while.
3. Starting a new prayer journal.
4. The incredible mentors in my life both now: Al, Doris, Lissa, LeAnn, Pastor Ed ~ and in the past: Andrea, Wayne. I'm so blessed to have (or to have had) the opportunity to learn from the wisdom and lives of these individuals.
5. Laura's having a boy!!
Scripture meditation verse of the week:
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." - John 15:13-14
2. Seeing an old friend I haven't seen in a while.
3. Starting a new prayer journal.
4. The incredible mentors in my life both now: Al, Doris, Lissa, LeAnn, Pastor Ed ~ and in the past: Andrea, Wayne. I'm so blessed to have (or to have had) the opportunity to learn from the wisdom and lives of these individuals.
5. Laura's having a boy!!
Scripture meditation verse of the week:
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." - John 15:13-14
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
5 Blessings for April 7
1. The caring conversations I had with LeAnn, Samantha, Barb, Karen, and Pastor Ed today.
2. It's true that you can never out give God.
3. That just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean I have to be happy all the time. I can just be...
4. Remembering that there's always beauty in the desert...even when you can't see it.
5. I can rest in the fact that God is in control in all circumstances and I can trust Him.
2. It's true that you can never out give God.
3. That just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean I have to be happy all the time. I can just be...
4. Remembering that there's always beauty in the desert...even when you can't see it.
5. I can rest in the fact that God is in control in all circumstances and I can trust Him.
Monday, April 6, 2009
5 Blessings for April 6
1. Facebook...Awesome way to keep in touch with everyone & see what's going on in their lives.
2. Having food in the pantry.
3. Natural light in my office.
4. Extra time that I hadn't planned on this evening.
5. Isaiah 40:28-31:
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Today I'm walking, and God has kept me from fainting. How about you ~ Where are you at?
2. Having food in the pantry.
3. Natural light in my office.
4. Extra time that I hadn't planned on this evening.
5. Isaiah 40:28-31:
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Today I'm walking, and God has kept me from fainting. How about you ~ Where are you at?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
5 Blessings for April 5
1. An afternoon of peace and quiet by myself.
2. Painting my toenails.
3. Making the commitment to make certain sacrifices for God this week in remembrance of the sacrifice He made for me.
4. Incredible weather outside.
5. A 20 minute nap this afternoon.
2. Painting my toenails.
3. Making the commitment to make certain sacrifices for God this week in remembrance of the sacrifice He made for me.
4. Incredible weather outside.
5. A 20 minute nap this afternoon.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
5 Blessings for April 4
1. Charles Stanley's 30 Life Principles...Good stuff to remember & live by. My favorite principle: "Brokenness is God's requirement for maximum usefulness."
2. Romans 15:13, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (NLT) ~ God is our source of hope, and He enjoys pouring out hope, joy, and peace in our lives as we trust in Him.
3. Getting to meet with a guys' small group this morning and talk with them about prayer.
4. Finishing two internship projects today.
5. Energy and alertness all day to get things done...totally from God!
2. Romans 15:13, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (NLT) ~ God is our source of hope, and He enjoys pouring out hope, joy, and peace in our lives as we trust in Him.
3. Getting to meet with a guys' small group this morning and talk with them about prayer.
4. Finishing two internship projects today.
5. Energy and alertness all day to get things done...totally from God!
Friday, April 3, 2009
5 Blessings for April 3
1. Three months from today till I turn 28 :-)
2. Paying off my car last month & now officially having the title to my car (my first ever)!
3. Exactly 40 counseling hours left to go to finish my internship.
4. Burberry London ~ my fave perfume ever.
5. People in my life who are striving to be totally set apart for God...it's so refreshing.
2. Paying off my car last month & now officially having the title to my car (my first ever)!
3. Exactly 40 counseling hours left to go to finish my internship.
4. Burberry London ~ my fave perfume ever.
5. People in my life who are striving to be totally set apart for God...it's so refreshing.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
5 Blessings for April 2
1. Realizing (again) the reality of my fallen human nature but the incredible goodness and grace of my God.
2. Playing the piano as a form of prayer (praying the words of the songs I'm playing) for my life circumstances and those of others who come to mind ~ family, friends, and counselees.
3. Lindsey Kane's song "Measure of Beauty" ...absolutely awesome...it's a great reminder (especially to women) of God's love for us and the way He perceives our beauty.
Lindsey is going to be at P31's annual She Speaks conference this summer!! She's one of the most awesome & down to earth musicians you'll ever meet.
4. Getting to see Jackie on her birthday. :-)
5. The nice big window in my counseling office at church...lots of light. Nice.
2. Playing the piano as a form of prayer (praying the words of the songs I'm playing) for my life circumstances and those of others who come to mind ~ family, friends, and counselees.
3. Lindsey Kane's song "Measure of Beauty" ...absolutely awesome...it's a great reminder (especially to women) of God's love for us and the way He perceives our beauty.
Lindsey is going to be at P31's annual She Speaks conference this summer!! She's one of the most awesome & down to earth musicians you'll ever meet.
4. Getting to see Jackie on her birthday. :-)
5. The nice big window in my counseling office at church...lots of light. Nice.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
5 Blessings for April 1
1. Getting to wear jeans today because I didn't have any counseling appointments.
2. Getting my taxes finished.
3. No Bake Cookies...a.k.a. Preacher Cookies...mmmm...
4. Getting to see my mom's friend, Maxine, who I haven't seen in years.
5. Getting to see my sister :-)
Scripture meditation verses of the week:
1 What mighty praise, O God,
belongs to you in Zion.
We will fulfill our vows to you,
2 for you answer our prayers.
All of us must come to you.
3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins,
you forgive them all.
4 What joy for those you choose to bring near,
those who live in your holy courts.
What festivities await us
inside your holy Temple.
2. Getting my taxes finished.
3. No Bake Cookies...a.k.a. Preacher Cookies...mmmm...
4. Getting to see my mom's friend, Maxine, who I haven't seen in years.
5. Getting to see my sister :-)
Scripture meditation verses of the week:
1 What mighty praise, O God,
belongs to you in Zion.
We will fulfill our vows to you,
2 for you answer our prayers.
All of us must come to you.
3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins,
you forgive them all.
4 What joy for those you choose to bring near,
those who live in your holy courts.
What festivities await us
inside your holy Temple.
5 You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds,
O God our savior.
You are the hope of everyone on earth,
even those who sail on distant seas.
6 You formed the mountains by your power
and armed yourself with mighty strength.
7 You quieted the raging oceans
with their pounding waves
and silenced the shouting of the nations.
8 Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.
9 You take care of the earth and water it,
making it rich and fertile.
The river of God has plenty of water;
it provides a bountiful harvest of grain,
for you have ordered it so.
10 You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges.
You soften the earth with showers
and bless its abundant crops.
11 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.
13 The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy!
5 Blessings for March 31
1. I cleaned the house...It sure does help to have a cleaner environment.
2. Knowing I can call my best friend and share prayer requests with her and she will pray for them. Love you girl! :-)
3. The opportunity to pray with Karen in the sanctuary at church today...Karen you're awesome!
4. Sensing God is making my calling clearer and I'm learning who I really am ~ very exciting stuff!
5. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. - Micah 7:8 (NRSV)
2. Knowing I can call my best friend and share prayer requests with her and she will pray for them. Love you girl! :-)
3. The opportunity to pray with Karen in the sanctuary at church today...Karen you're awesome!
4. Sensing God is making my calling clearer and I'm learning who I really am ~ very exciting stuff!
5. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. - Micah 7:8 (NRSV)
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