The silence must have been deafening. After the yelling and the beating; the women crying. Jesus yielded his life. He died. Day turned into night. All was silent.
In the silence
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Author Archives: K H Richardson
Heading: The King on the Cross
This week, many of us are preparing our hearts for Easter celebration. Prior to the ressurection festivities we can’t ignore the events leading up to it. Jesus was crucified. It was the end of his human existence. While we usually focus on the fulfillment of prophecies, consider for a moment Him being fully human and fully God. He served as the perfect sacrifice for salvation. Tonight I was enlightened to the completion of Christ’s human purpose on earth.
Jesus had earthly parents. While his earthly father, Joseph, more than likely died earlier, this left Jesus as the oldest male in his family. He was responsible for his mother, Mary. The Gospel of John recounts an endearing moment with Jesus and His mother. While hanging naked and humiliated on the cross, Jesus is concerned about His mother. In John 19:25 – 27, Jesus entrusts the care of His mother to John (the disciple who He loved).
In the final minutes of His eternal purpose, verse 28, Jesus says that He is thirsty. Spirits don’t get thirsty. In His human need, he is given sour vinegar.
With all prophecies fulfilled, Jesus died. He surrendered His life. Just like each of us will someday do.
Jesus’ eternal purpose was more important, but what makes Him relatable, was His human existence.
Your thoughts please,
KK
Two Days Shy of a Whole Month
Tomorrow brings in February. We flip the calendar page to a fresh month. Just as we looked with anticipation to January and the new year, look at February (or any new month) with the same anticipation. What will this short month bring?
We’ve settled into a new year. More than likely you’ve quit dating things 2016. The hype of resolutions is over. Let’s get something done. “They”, whoever “they” are, say that if you do something for 21 days in a row, it becomes a habit. I can say that there are things I do every day that are part of my routine that if I miss, I can tell. So, I would agree with this habit-forming method.
February is short of a typical month by two or three days. There’s a whole history on this that I won’t go into, but you can enjoy on YouTube. Today’s encouragement is for you to use this “runt of the months” to create or build on a habit. A good one preferably. Did you resolve to do something you haven’t started yet? Well here’s your month — or at least three and half weeks to get going.
For me, I will work everyday toward my exercise goals. There, I’ve said it and now it’s published for all to see. You have permission to keep me accountable. Two other things I will be doing daily is writing and reading. I’ve also developed a system for keeping my chores/projects around the house moving forward (Husband, consider yourself warned 
.) Might be a lot, but keeping these priorities may also eliminate some of the time I waste everyday.
Who’s with me?
KK
#goals
#goalsetting
Legislating Morality
As citizens of the United States we are all given rights to our opinions and lifestyles. We have the right to express our opinions in a peaceful manner. We send representatives to congress on both the state and federal level. While their jobs are to represent what is best for all citizens, it is impossible for them to create laws to change the hearts of the people.
Let’s take gun control as one example. I had a person tell me that “no one NEEDS to own an automatic weapon”. Perhaps. But that’s not the point. As law-abiding citizens, we have the right, if we WANT, to own an automatic weapon. Guns of any kind are only as dangerous as the evil in the hearts of those who hold them. No law can change that.
Sometimes I wonder about those who protest certain legislation. Does their protest really solve the root problem? Are they communicating about a change that will make a real difference? Or are you just marching, carrying signs and making a bunch of noise? Maybe the answer is yes to the first two questions. But sometimes I wonder — is there a better way to make a difference and not only change laws but turn hearts.
Think about it…
KK
#legislation
#morality
#lawmaker
They are Written
Today is January 8th. The first week of the new year is over. It was a rough one for me as I promptly came down with a sinus infection of sorts and spent a few days in a fog. UGH, feel like I lost precious time. But I digress. Today, I had a chance to get my house in order and sit down to write my goals. As always, I pulled out last year’s. I’ve already confessed that not many of last year’s goals were accomplished. Instead of scrapping them, I read them and renewed in my heart that these were the three areas I wanted to accomplish something in — Financial, Mind & Spirit and Healthy Habits. Under each heading there are one or two specific goals.
To strengthen my commitment to each category, I found Bible verses to go with each that would remind me of the goal. Each goal category and verse is written on a note card that I will see often.
Financial (core value: to be a good steward of all God has given) — Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (the goal has to do with my work)
Mind & Spirit (core value: to be a life-long learner) — Proverbs 1:5, 7 “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel…The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Healthy Habits (core value: to take care of myself so that I can serve others and be the best version of myself) — I Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? You were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your Body and in your spirit which are God’s.”
Perhaps as a person of faith, adding the scriptures to my goals will remind me each day that while I am human and may not always have the strength or discipline to stay focused, I serve a God who is bigger and is ready to help.
So here we go…
KK
#resolutions, #newyears, #goals
Make a Mark in Time
Friday, January 6th — The Epiphany — or 12th night. Six days into the new year. How are you doing? As I’ve shared before, I don’t completely commit to my new year’s goals or resolutions until the end of the first week. That time gives me the opportunity to settle in a little and really think about what I’d like to do in the new year. Tomorrow, I will write them down and put them in my planner. There they will be reviewed periodically and I will schedule time and action items.
Just as today is a significant day for those who celebrate the wise men’s visit to the Christ child, perhaps you mark on your calendar benchmark days for the goals you set a week ago. What will you have accomplished by Ash Wednesday (March 1st this year)? Or Easter? Perhaps your birthday or anniversary is in the spring, how far along will you be in your resolutions by then? March 21st is the first day of Spring? What about making a mark on July 4th or the day you leave for vacation?
Go ahead and put a target on some dates for you to have accomplished some or all of what you resolved to do in 2017.
KK
#resolutions, #newyears, #goals
Today is When it Starts to Count
On January 1st you made your resolution. You were good all day. You found time to diet, exercise, read, create a budget, or whatever you resolved to do or not to do. The second of January was the work holiday. Still going strong. Took the walk, watched what you ate, took time to read, made some more plans for the new year.
Today is January 3rd. We go back to school and work. The week is short and extracurricular activities are starting again after a break. Today is when it could get harder to stay committed. You’ll be around others who aren’t dieting. In fact, they probably brought holiday leftover cookies in to get rid of them. You’ll work all day and be tired when you get home, will you still hit the gym, or walk the dog? After dinner, kitchen clean, you’ve got a few hours before bed, time to read or work on your new project? Remember 72 hours ago this was going to be the year you got organized. Are feeling up to cleaning out a closet?
I’m not writing today to discourage you. Today be encouraged that you have some outstanding plans for the year. Your goals are set. Now, take a few minutes to add them to your schedule. Taking a class? Where does that fit. Go ahead mark out the time you need to do the things you want to do. You are still on track to be in the eight percent. A little reality check and planning will help you succeed. You’ve got 168 hours in the week — budget them to ensure priorities are met and goals are accomplished.
KK
#resolutions, #newyears, #goals
Will you be in the 8 percentage?
Usually when we hear of a small percentage, top one percent or top ten percent, it’s for good reasons like income level or class placement. Being included in the top percentages usually means you have worked hard, have been committed and didn’t lose your focus. Those are also characteristics of someone who is trying to achieve a goal (or resolution). See where this I going?
The percentage of Americans who keep their New Years Resolution after a month is 64%. Ok, not bad. At six months, only 48% have kept their resolution. Do you see the trend? Only eight percent keep their resolution for the entire year. Those who keep their goal or resolutions are the ones who keep it in their sights. Every day they think, read about or do something toward that end.
Don’t be discouraged by this small number. If eight percent can do it, than 98 percent can. Remember, nobody could run a five minute mile until one person did. Before you commit to your resolution, commit to being counted in the eight percent. Others have, so we know it’s possible.
KK
#resolutions, #NewYears, #goals
What will the new year bring?
I woke this morning thinking about the year we are about to close. As you may expect, my thoughts turned to my goals 
for 2017. In order to think forward, I had to consider the goals I had in 2016. Honestly, few of them were accomplished. Somewhere along the way, I lost focus. It’s been a challenging 12 months.
Admittedly, with the challenges came something more important than written goals, a deeper faith. For this I’m thankful. I close the year feeling closer to God and a little wiser about what’s important.
What will the new year bring? I’m not exactly sure. Yes, I will have written goals by this time next week. They will fall in the categories of mind and spirit, financial, and healthy habits. But the way they will be written will be different. It occurred to me that many times to accomplish a goal, we need to change a behavior. To change a behavior, we need to change our thinking.
As you open that fresh new calendar, reset the clock to hour one on day one of 365, examine your core values, your behaviors and your thinking. How will these translate into your goals for 2017?
Let me know.
KK
#newyears, #goals, #resolutions
Treasures of a mother’s heart
There is a tree with gifts. Cookies have been made and there is more baking to do. Hopefully we’ve made our last trip to the grocery for the year. Not having many little ones around, our trip to the toy aisle was fun but didn’t take long enough. A few clicks on Amazon and gifts for others were ordered. So this year is a little different.
The reflection of the year hovers but doesn’t shadow our holiday. On the contrary, there is much peace in my heart and in our home. There have been extraordinary moments recently that I have treasured more than gold.
A few weeks ago our family went downtown to the Palace theater to watch a Christmas classic movie, White Christmas. It was on the big screen just as it had been made for in a theater built before the movie was made with ornate antique design.
Last weekend, we finished decorating the tree and watched A Christmas Story. Each year when we travel, we purchase a Christmas tree ornament. So as we are decorating the tree, we share memories.
The other night, I came in from work pretty tired, but my son wanted to play a game. When your teenager suggests a family game night, you do it. My tiredness melted away as we rolled the dice and enjoyed the friendly competition of Yahtzee!
There are many other treasures a mother carries in her heart. Treasures not wrapped in a holiday season. Be encouraged to pay attention to those moments so they don’t escape. Capture them and hold them close.
Merry Christmas,
KK
