Happy Mother's Day - May 13, 2012

Hello Friends and Welcome to my blog! :)

First off, I want to wish all of you mothers out there a very special Mother's Day!! Hope you have a happy one and hope you had a blessed one...it is not easy being a mom in this day and age! 

I been a single mom for over 20 years and it has not been easy and therefore I have to take time out for me...hehe...and I think we all need to do that whether single or married!  so hopefully you had a nice break and or will have a day off to celebrate yourself and your specialness. You are so special ...you are the apple of God's eye...so don't forget that! :)

Sometimes we feel unappreciated or not valued enough but God values us more than we ever dreamed....he knows the load we carry and how we love our children and how we want what is best for them...even when we have to break their hearts and put the rules in place that may not be popular today...in today's culture it is all about self and what I want...teens are especially bad about this principle and they have to realize we do what we think is best just like our Father in heaven does for us...and it may make them mad and feel like well "everyone has it or they do it" but we have to live up to higher standards for God.  He wants us to be that Proverb 31 woman....it is attainable but it does take work ...I have not reach the full potential but I still try no matter what...I highly recommend you all read the Proverbs there is one for each day of the month! so that will be easy to do and keep doing it everyday till you have it down/memorized.  I guarantee you that it will be worth reading along with your other readings you do...it really helps us to be a better person/Mom and be the woman God wants us to be.

I know as a single mom it is difficult to maintain that sane attitude when you are the person doing it all especially if you don't have a good support system or being shunned for whatever reason.  But I praise God that he helps me through...it is not always pretty to keep a good attitude or be the displliner in the household especially when a father does not care or partake of raising your children...I have that problem...it was his choice but I don't regret my children and I will not make them feel inferior for it.  I am not perfect but I do the best I can and with what I am given...I am blessed to have my two sons, they are smart and funny and yep they can annoy me and make me mad at times and have made me cry and have hurt me but that is all part of the package as a Single Mom...but I am still proud of them regardless and I love them with all that I have and I have shared my faith with them and they have to find theirs and go the way He wants them to go...but I will always pray for them.. Be there for them as they reached their dreams and grow in their lives and even there to help them when they fall...just like our Father in heaven does for me and he will for you.  Have faith in yourself to go on and do and be the best mom you can be...God will help you and lead you and be there when you need strength and encouragement and most of all feeling loved.

Proverbs 31:10-31 is all about being the Proverb Woman but I have a favorite scripture that always speaks to me...I am going to share it with you and leave this with you tonight...

Proverbs 31:25

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

So whatever you to do to celebrate Mother's Day just remember that God made you with a special task and it is a great honor and to be an example of his love to your children as well as others.  Be blessed and hugs! :) 

Thanks for stopping by...

In His Love,

Kari

Rejoice in this day!

Hello Friends and Welcome to my blog! :)

I had to bake cookies today for an Auction that is helping our Community Center called "Hope Center" and I  used to volunteer there...for over 2 years in fact...loved it but God had me move up a little bit...I did many things including teaching them crafts and also I used to preach to the kids and give them their "lesson" a couple times a week...it was a learning experience and my first time evangelizing which I now graduated to being a Pastor/Evangelist and speak publicly now to Christian clubs, Coffeehouses, and etc.  It has been a great time growing in the Lord and preaching his word. I am not perfect but that is what is awesome about God using us as his vessel and he teaches me so much about humility.  As I am speaking and learning His ways and how he covers me with his protection and love, I have learned that taking a step in Faith is just that! lol..it isn't always easy to speak to a crowd...especially to Non-Christians but as I learn and do and just keep going he puts me in awe with his Spirit and moves to touch lives ...that is what this is all about ...HIM!!! :)  I am so glad that I can point people to him and for His Glory! Amen!  

Sometimes when we are afraid and don't know what to do but most of the time we do...He has a plan but we have to step out to do it without knowing the whole picture which can be very scary but He will walk with us and He will catch us when we fall...otherwise we can't grow and learn what to do and what NOT to do...this summer I am doing my first major conference and that is a mighty task and I often wonder if I am on the right track but He lets me know one way or another what is going on and re-affirms my task ahead...even if I had to cancel it all tomorrow and go into another direction I would because He KNOWS best and he is the best Leader I know!!  I just have to continue to take the step of Faith and keep going ...it is like walking on water...have to keep focus on Jesus.

Today I wanted to share with you a verse from Psalm 143:8 that I just love...I try to remind my self of this every morning.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift my soul.

This scripture always reminds me to TRUST him and although it gets scary at times he reminds me that there is no reason to FEAR for he is not of darkness but of LIGHT and He Knows BEST!

I hope you enjoy our little talk today and I will be back tomorrow with a special for Single Moms! 

Have a blessed day friends and thanks for stopping by...love and hugs! :)

In His Love,

Kari

Today's post is another Faith Message...What is in a name?

Hello Friends and Welcome to Walking on Water! :)

What is in a name?

When Jesus looked at him He said “…you shall be called Cephas which is translated a stone”
John 1:47
(Andrew was introducing Simon to Jesus’ who they claimed as Messiah)

His real name was Simon …Cephas is Aramaic which also means Peter in Greek. Lot of translation for a name but names were important in Jesus’ day as well of OT.

Names meant something whether good or bad…there were a lot of names changed in the Bible as far back as Abraham…which was Abram at first.
Jacob another well known biblical figure; name meant “he grasps the heel” which fig. meant “he deceives” which later when he finally got right with God was changed to “Israel” …he became a Father of 12 nations through his 12 sons…he would not let go of God and struggled with him for a blessing.

Names of cities were for a reason…same with streets…a name meant something…how do you feel about your name? do you know the history of your name?

A name change like he gave Simon was life changing, it gave Simon an introduction to change his character.  Even with all the mistakes he made and knew what was coming in the days ahead before his Crucifixion he saw what Peter would become.  He knows our deepest desires and our deepest hurts and shame.  He knows the pain we have inflicted on others as well as what they have done to us.  Yet, he still loved Peter and me and you.  No matter we do or how bad we think we are his love for us never changes.  Isn’t that powerful…he knows us by name and our name is important to him because he loves you with an amazing love/Jesus for you to let you know that he would give his only begotten son to have you in his family.  He is calling your name….are you willing and let him change your name and become as He already sees you.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) El Elyon (The Most High God) Adonai (Lord, Master) Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah) Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd) Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You) El Olam (The Everlasting God) Elohim (God) Qanna (Jealous) Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

I know my mom named me for something to be different and that to be my own person…I sure was my own person…I was rebellious and a tomboy for many years…then I grew up to be a girl and still rebellious and deaf one at that. Got me thinking about the importance of why my name was chosen. When someone calls our name we turned to them for they have our attention.  God calls us by name…he knows us inside and out. He knows our failures, shame and the like but he still calls us and wants us to have a relationship with us.  We all want to be loved and accepted and feel we are of worth.  Well you are. In God’s eyes he already sees you in Christ because of what Christ has done on the cross.  He God sees you and seek to let that define who you are.

Here are a few meanings of my name:
Arabic - Flows like water
Greek - Pure. Innocent.
German - Strong, melody, song.
French - Joy, Song of Happiness.

My name derives from German, Scandinavian, Hungarian, Croatian, Serbia,Slovene

English Biblical name: Righteous; based 2 Timothy 2:22

Interesting history about our names and it is fun to look it up and understand what your name truly means. (Many websites look them up! it is fun to find out!) 

When I first accepted Christ I wish I could say that my acceptance was instantaneous but it was not…in fact I got worst before I got right with him.  But he never forgotten me or let me go…he knew the one thing I wanted and craved for and that was love, to be accepted for who I was and be needed for me.  When he called my name I ran more than I followed…He called me to be something I didn’t think I could be but then he showed me. And changed me to be what He already knew I was in His eyes. He has a name for me in His book …I just know it.  I can’t wait to find out what it is. He has amazing love and patience with me and yep sometimes it is not always pretty and he still loves me still…and he still knows my name.

He gave Jesus for you  his only begotten son to have you in his family.  He is calling your name….are you willing and let him change your name and become as He already sees you?

Prayer: Father we know you know us inside and out and you want to change us to live Holy lives regardless of the past and regardless what we will do in the future.  You want to love us as we are knowing who we will become in your eyes…help us fulfill our righteousness and have our name in your good book of Life.  Help us Lord when you call our name and that we grasp your hand and lead us in the way we need to Go and life everlasting. Thank you  for the gift of your salvation and to have a relationship with you
Thank you for my wonderful name and help me remember who I am in you.

In His Love,

Kari

Guest Writer Sharon Foor - May 1, 2012

Hello Friends and Welcome to my blog! :)

I am so blessed to share with you my friend Sharon Foor who is our guest writer today for today's message and she is a beauty as well as very talented writer but as a singer too...she sings on our worship team at church and has a beautiful voice...please leave some love for her today! :)

IN THE MIDST OF THE STORMS

The seas of life find all of us from time to time riding out the waves of the storm that rages it’s fury  against our boat called life.  Such a time finds us all calling out to the Master of the wind and sea.

These past few weeks has had myself in the midst of a mighty strong storm. As the waves billowed and the sea raged it’s anger of furry at my boat, I still found myself with a peace so deeply grounded that if my boat were to capsize I still would find myself in the peaceful presence of Christ Jesus. 

As the storm raged hard and long I was gently reminded of Peter and the disciples riding out a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus got into the boat and His disciples followed.  As they were sailing Jesus fell asleep.  Immediately , not later, but , immediately and suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, and the boat was being hit hard with the waves of the raging storm. Fear gripped the disciples’ hearts to where they feared for their lives.  They called upon Jesus saying, “Master, Master we are going to die.”

How often do we find ourselves sailing along the sea of life on a calm day only to find out suddenly that a storm has begun to rage against our boat?  The storm rages violently and fear grips our hearts wondering if our boat will capsize and our precious life be gone. It’s during the storms of our lives that we find our need for Christ more strongly.

Our need is greater  during that time, for our focus is not that on Christ, but on our storm.  As the waves continue to batter our boat the fear that is besetting us becomes larger with each pounding wave of water.  As the gale wind blows and the skies darken it is then that we call out to the Master of the wind and sea.

It was during the darkness of my storm that Christ began to shine brighter. As my mind was focused on the storm, my heart was crying to my Master. He heard my cries and my fears. When all words that were spoken and all tears cried that could be cried, He then listened to my heart cry out while the storm raged it’s fury against my boat.  Just as He awoke to hear his disciple’s crying to their Master, He too heard my cry, and He will hear your cry.

He then will arise and rebuke the winds and the raging waves that rage against your boat. He will say to them, “Peace be still”.  Then with His gentle soothing voice He will speak your name, and with eyes full of love, and arms open wide, He will hold you and comfort you until His peace that surpasses all understanding will flow from Him to His loving child. He will hold you and He won’t let go.

It’s during the storms of our lives that our faith becomes stronger. Didn’t He say to the disciples in the boat , “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed at the same time and questioned each other, “Who can this be? He commands even the winds and the waves and they obey Him!”  Where is our faith during these times?  Are we like the disciples that when the storm came they knew who to turn to, or are we unsure, fearful and lost on the stormy seas? Our faith lies in our truth and knowledge of the words that the Master promised. He said that He would never leave us or forsake us.

So the next time the storms of life rage against the boat we call life, don’t focus on the storm that is raging, instead wake up the Master of the wind and sea, and gently call His name, and rest in the assurance that He will say to your storm…Peace be still!!


Sharon Foor

Thanks dear friend for writing for me today...you are a blessing...thanks to all of you who have stopped by and don't forget the love! :)  If you are interested in writing a faith message as my guest please let me know and I would love to have ya! :) we can really learn from one another....have a blessed week my friends! :) hugs

In His Love,
Kari