A Wonder-filled Christmas moment

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Heavenly Father,

Allow us to draw near to you on that day in Bethlehem.  Help us to feel the jostling of the crowd as Joseph led the donkey with his beloved aboard; knowing that while you were the Father, he was the man to care for your chosen and your son.  May we know the worry on his face and in his heart as inn after inn they were turned away?  The city was full.  There was no room.  How like it is today with the over shadowing of gifts, parties and food that we forget to take care of that which is eternal.  Do we even notice?

Give us the opportunity, Lord, to be still, to experience that holy night.  Permit us to put the noise of the city and the commotion of too many distractions aside and see the star that you set in the sky at creation.  We take a deep breath and push our way through the crowd to follow the star and focus on that moment you pre-ordained to change the course of history as those in the City of David knew it.

It’s hard to push aside the distractions and find our way to the edge of town.  No one really noticed our exit, our following that poor, tired family to the barn.  Where are they going?  Another over crowded building that stinks!  Joseph, you can’t let the Savior of the world be born there!  He is tired and has tried his earthly best to find a bed for his betrothed.  Grant us this moment to feel his unworthiness.  Does he realize his human efforts are all in your plan?

Oh, the stench of too many animals and not enough manpower to keep the guests room clean much less the barn.  The first blow of air as the doors are open brings Joseph to almost puke, but he pushes the door open to allow for some fresh air as he makes space for Mary.  He gingerly helps her off the donkey and to the pallet of a thin blanket and some hay.

 Mary was not spared the pain of childbirth; but it didn’t matter.  Scream all you want Mary, the animals will empathize and the people are too busy and noisy to notice.  She takes a deep breath with the pain only to choke on the stench.  Joseph wipes her sweat and then that of his own.  His ordinary life is about to change for the extra-ordinary.  The moment in time that will change the world and the world isn’t even paying attention.

Father, please pull us near in these next few hours and let us be there with you.  For in the last scream of pain you pushed into this world just as promised.  The baby that was fully God and fully human squeezed into this world and now wants to squeeze into our hearts.  May we clear the clutter of our lives for Him?

Let the world stand still just this night, Lord, bring the peace, and the Savior into our hearts where He might live tonight and every day and night to follow.  Breathe into our homes and lives the spirit of the miracle and wonder of Christmas. It is not for us to understand it all, but just accept with faith that extra-ordinary measure you took, using ordinary people, in an ordinary town one night – the most holy of nights.

Amen.

My Friend and Reader,

Feel free to pass this post to someone you know and care about.  Knowing Christmas for the Savior who came will be the best gift ever.

All the best,

KK

The darkest part of the winter

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Recently my brother inspired me with a thought – the darkest part of the winter is when the light of the world was born.  That will make you think.  It’s Christmas week.  I’ve pondered and prayed on what I would share with you this season.

The darkest part of the winter – winter can be this icy cold season we are in now.  The life nature usually shares is dormant and ice covered.  Or maybe your dark winter is a lonely cold season of life you are in.  Darkness and cold can be scary.

Just when we are tired of the short days, slowly they begin to get longer.  Light comes and stays a little longer.  The season progresses along and hearts thaw to warmth of light.  But to take in the light and warmth we have to face it and accept it.

On a very dark night, some Shepherds were just doing their job watching their flock.  It was late, the darkest part of the night; perhaps right before the sun came up.  Instead of the sun, an angel and a sky full of heavenly hosts appeared to them.  Wow, can you imagine, they must have all thought they were hallucinating!!  Each may have looked to the other to be sure he wasn’t the only one seeing this.  The first thing the angel said to them was “do not be afraid.”  Too late, but thanks for the offer. (Read the full text in your Bible, Luke 2:1-20).

If the shepherds had been so afraid that they ran away, they would have never heard the rest of the message God was sending.  Sometimes we get lost in the darkest part of our winter, and when the light comes, we are afraid and hide from it.  We need to know darkness so that we may know the light.

In your dark winter moments, I encourage you to take a few minutes each day to listen for God, invite Him to join you.  But I have to warn you, when the Light of Life comes, be ready for the darkness to leave.  Just like the day light staying a little longer in the second half of winter, each day that we seek God, He and His word stay a little longer.

All the best,

KK

The Turkey’s Last Stand

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a whimsical story to start your Thanksgiving…

You should have seen the farmer’s face when with his sweat-beaded brow and the axe over his head, he heard me say, “stop!”  He looked at me like I had three heads and not just the one he was about to chop off.  Guess he was going to aim for the one in the middle, when I stood up from the wooden chopping block to continue my plea.

I stood up as brave and strong as I could, knowing that ultimately my fate was in his hands.  “Please, kind sir, you have fed me well and for that I am grateful.  Our coop was cleaned every day and in the winter you made sure we did not freeze.  But you see in spite of your generous care giving, I have not plumped up like others.  You would make more on me at market if you gave me just a few more months.  It’s just a thought.”  I started to walk away thinking I had made my point and given him a practical and prudent reason to not chop my head off and sell me at market in the morning.  Thanksgiving was just a few days away and the townspeople were shopping for fresh turkeys.

Before I took my second step, he swooped in with his free hand and grabbed me by the neck; kkkaaahhh!  “Sir, sir,” I choked.  “Please you are not crazy, I am talking with you.”  With a strike of fear in his eyes, he dropped me.  Landing near his foot, I stood up, flipped my feathers clean of dirt.  He dropped his axe and began to back away shaking his head.  I still had a case to plea.  So, I began to walk toward him.

“Let’s talk about this.  I know the missus is expecting you to get good money for your flock at market, I just wish to wait and allow for some fattening up.”

Shaking his head and backing up, “no, this isn’t happening.  I’ve heard others talk about being out in the sun too long and hearing their animals talk.  I need some water.”

I still had not spoken my piece.  I couldn’t rest until I knew I would see Thanksgiving from my nice warm coop.  I walked up beside Farmer.

“You are not going crazy, you know.  We talk all the time in the many hours we are left alone.  It was time for me to speak out.”

Farmer looked down at me with a double take. “Would you please quit talking?  The missus is going to think I’ve finally spent too much time with you chickens.”

With great pride in my voice, “fine sir, I am an American Gobbler, not a chicken.  I take great offense to being called a chicken – to the point that I would rather be headless than hear that again.

Farmer sighed shaking his head and continued toward the farm house; I followed close behind pleading my case.  On the first step, he kicked his boot against the post to knock the dust off just as a robust gray-haired woman came out of the front door with a tall glass of lemon-aid.

“What is that banging?  How many times do I have to tell you to kick the dust off by that tree, there, not on my porch?  I just finished sweeping it off.”  Farmer’s wife nagged as she handed him the glass.  “And why is there a turkey following you?”

“This turkey is talking to me, woman.”  Farmer groused.

“You’ve been in that sun too long, that bird doesn’t talk.”

I fluffed my feathers and extended my neck just a little taller, “excuse me,” I said pointing my wing in her direction, “I do talk and I’ve been having a delightful exchange with your husband,” turkey said with pride and a small gobble.

Farmer looked at turkey, “we haven’t been having any conversation.  You are a turkey and we are going to eat you for Thanksgiving! And don’t point your wing at my wife, it’s not polite.”

“Looks like you are talking to a turkey,” the farmer’s wife said in a matter of fact way.

“No, I’m not.” Farmer exclaimed.

“I believe you are, sir.  And for what it’s worth, I am grateful to have the opportunity to finally talk with you.  Do you know how difficult it has been to keep quiet all this time?”

Farmer shook his head looking from his wife to the bird, “I’m not debating with you both about this.  Turkey, get back over there.  Honey, go pick another turkey for Thanksgiving and which you want taken to market with this blabber beaked one.”

Wiping her hands on her quilted apron, the farmer’s wife shook her head. “Take whichever ones you want to market, we will have ham for Thanksgiving.”  She turned to go back inside and stopped, “except that one.  Never heard a turkey talk before, might help pass the time in the cold of winter.”

On his way back to the barn, the farmer looked at the turkey and exclaimed, “what is this world coming to, turkeys talking and HAM for Thanksgiving?”

Are you living IN the moment or FOR the moment?

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Before we get too far from a generation who had no television, cell phone or internet, I’d like to ask for their help.  Many can agree that the pace of life continues to push toward a faster and faster pace.  Why?  What are we rushing for?  Did your parents and grandparents live this way?   Half of those hurrying about their lives have no idea where they are going.  They have no goals or dreams, they are just getting up every morning, turning on whatever stimulus they are addicted(coffee, internet news, CNN…) to and go –before we all implode, lets take a minute and a deep breath (in through your nose, out through your mouth).  If you feel lightheaded it’s because you lungs are in shock from all of the air going in.  Try it one more time.  How does that feel?

Maybe I’m just growing up a little and realizing that there are so many things to notice and people who cross our path that we ignore because we live in a hurried stressful time.  It’s sad to see so many people living in fear that they will fail to get something done.  If our priorities are set, and our soul has peace everything else will fall into place.

Every day before my feet hit the floor I whisper a little prayer that invites God into my thoughts and activities for the day.  “Let all that I say and do be God-honoring.”  Most days that prayer sets the tone for the day and all the things on my list fall within that prayer; being a God-honoring wife, mother and employee.

 In our teenage years and even early 20’s, we believed that we were invincible.  So we made dumb decisions and did reckless things.  We were living for the moment and all the adventure of being a young adult out on our own for the first time.

Today, be encouraged to live IN the moment not FOR the moment.  As we consider the pace of life we choose for ourselves (not that is thrust on us by others or society), consider this moment or any given moment you find yourself in today and take in all that it has to offer.  Some moments will be VERY mundane – buying gas, or grocery shopping.  But other moments will be extraordinary.  Take in a quiet moment in yard, watching the leaves dance on the trees; or a moment watching your child practice batting over and over and over, until he hits the ball.  The look on his face is something to capture in your mind’s eye.  What about a quiet moment with a friend or your spouse?  Jay and I have what we call “stop time moments” where we might just be talking or staring into each other’s eyes – both hoping that time could stop for just a few minutes.

Taking in this moment, now, what are you thinking of?  Do you find yourself missing someone?  If you have read this far in this post, you probably are not thinking about a TV show you are missing.  In fact, if your TV is on, I hope it feels very loud and intrusive.

There is nothing wrong with TV or watching the news or keeping up with Facebook.  What are they keeping you from?  Are they part of the outside world that keeps pushing you to move faster?

Let me encourage you over these last 6 or 7 weeks of 2010 to slow down and enjoy the moments.  Take in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Laugh at the silly uptight family member that is the “Martha” in your world.  You know the type, perfect everything and rushing around to have dinner ready by 5:00 that she barely greets you when you walk in.

Let me know how it goes.

All the best,

KK

…“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”…  Luke 10:38 – 42

Did you see it?

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Every morning I take Cole to school.  Along the way we talk or just listen to the radio.  Sometimes he reads and I just enjoy being with him.  After dropping him at school, I get on I64-east and head to work.  (hang with me if you are not from here).  As I cross over the Watterson Expressway, I always find myself amazed.  You see, as you approach this intersection and cross over, you pop over a rise where there is an amazing site.  It’s not the gridlocked traffic ahead of me.  It’s the sky and the ever-changing sun rise that is before me.

Every morning the sky looks a little different based on the time or the weather, but it never ceases to amaze me.  This morning the sun was on the horizon and about to push above some trees and the sky had a spray of clouds with blues and reds washed around them.  I have driven this way hundreds of mornings and every time, God has brushed a new masterpiece.  Those are moments I wish I could capture and look at all day.

Did you see it?  What, you ask.  Have you seen a picture God has painted for you?  Your picture may be the joy that comes from hearing your children laugh, or your spouse reaching for your hand in church.  Your picture may have come from a kind word someone gave you or an encouraging gesture.  Maybe, like me, you are drawn to the Creator when you notice His creation.

Be encouraged today to watch for God’s handy work.  It’s all around us and allows for us to seek Him and know Him.  When you look out and part of the sky is sunny and it’s raining where you are standing, do you look for the rainbow?  It may sound juvenile, but taking three minutes out of your day to step to the window for the potential blessing of a rainbow – what’s wrong with that?  If nothing else, you’ve taken three minutes to think outside yourself.  More than likely in seeking the rainbow, you’ve also thought of the Creator and the miracle of the rainbow.  And if you find the rainbow, you are blessed all the more.

Did you see it?  Or were you in too big a hurry to notice something special or out of the ordinary.    Pay attention!  Please, pay attention and seek what God would have you see, and how He is revealing His miracles to you.

Let me know…

KK

Something’s in the wind

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This morning it was warm, unseasonably warm and the wind was blowing.  It came in gusts of nearly 65 miles an hour.  And the temperature began to drop.   The wind was so strong you could almost see the air itself moving.  The skies were gray and cloudy, a storm was brewing.  The wind was transporting something – something was in this wind; more than just the storm to follow.

The winds of change blew through our community today.  It was if the hand of God was moving through; pushing summer to our past and escorting autumn in.  The clouds rolled in as if to curtain the sky while He realigned the stars for our new season.  The rain moved in dousing the thirsty earth and cleansing the air.

The day ended with the red sky busting through the clouds leading the way for a rainbow to complete God’s message to us today.  Yes, His mighty hand moved today in nature and it was awesome to experience.  But my question to you is did He move in your heart?

Something was in the wind today, and it was more than the beginning of autumn.  Did you feel it?

All the best,
KK

Monday Mania: How tight is your God’s leash?

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Do you keep God on a leash?  A leash gives your pet just so much room and no more.  Are you treating God like a pet; a companion for the moments you deem he is needed or wanted?

Recently, I have been guilty of keeping God on a leash.  It wasn’t a short leash; but a leash all the same.  Every morning, I spoke to God, inviting Him to come with me.   Come with me, not lead me, not take control, and just come with me.  The leash I put God on was one of inviting Him to take so much lead with me and no more.  God doesn’t belong on any leash.  He is the God of the Universe, creator, healer, and savor and when we believe as such and call upon His name He is available for far more than just coming along with us.  His power is available to us for the asking.

God is too big and too complex to only go so far with us and no further.  Cut Him loose and be ready for blessings beyond what you can imagine.  He is available for far more than riding “shotgun” with us throughout our day.  Call on Him to be your leader, to give you the right words in challenging moments or to give you the self control to not say anything.  He is all powerful and we’re talking to Him about little things.  While those are important to, why not ask for the big things; the healing, the blessing, the forgiveness.  He cares about both.  Nothing is impossible for God.

Let me encourage you to give Him a try.  Call on God’s name and all the power that goes with it to hear your prayers.  Then be still and listen. His answer may come as the roar of thunder or in the whisper of a gentle breeze.    We need to be ready to experience the amazing hand of the creator as He reaches around and pulls us closer to Him. 

What do you think?

All the best,
KK

Monday Moment — starting the week

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This morning I was blessed to start my week with a day off.  It’s a great way to start a work week!  The day started with a quiet time – Bible open, reading and prayer.  Oh, how I wish I were disciplined enough to get up and start every day that way.  It set my spirit for the entire day.  I didn’t have a lot planned, a meeting at Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and some errands.  There was something in my spirit that moved with me and when the unexpected came up, it was handled.  Not sure, but I may have gotten more done today because of the way it started.

Sometimes we shoot out of the gate to start our week and by Tuesday afternoon we crash and burn.  Our list is long and we are sure it will all be accomplished by Monday at 5 p.m.  It doesn’t and we end up transferring what’s left to Tuesday.  Why not pace ourselves?  Why not savor the day and all it has to offer even if it means serving someone else – helping their list along.  It never fails that when I’ve put my list aside to help someone else along, the blessing is mine.

Think about it, if we put people over progress, will we be living more like Jesus?  Blessed are the motivated, for they will have time for everything.  Ok, so that’s not how it reads but if our motivation comes from outside ourselves, how much more will we look like Jesus?

Let me encourage you to be available for others as you go through your day.  At the end of the day, you will have accomplished more than you had listed.  Let me know how that works for you.

All the best,

KK

PS – the passage I read to start the day, Matthew 5: 1 – 12.

When we sit at the feet of Jesus…

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Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

-Matthew 11:28-29

Our lives can be way too busy.  We struggle to find time for the things we find most important, church, family, friends.  We are tired and over-committed most weeks.  How do we regain control of our priorities and time (one leads to the other, you know).  They say if you look at a man’s checkbook you will tell what he values, well let me add the man’s calendar.  What we spend our time doing speaks volumes as to who we are and what we value.

It’s not uncommon for Christians to attend a spiritual retreat every now and then.  You get away from it all, take off your watch and turn off your cell phone.  Then after the sweat clears from having shut yourself off from the world, you find Jesus.

What a refreshing visit it can be – to be in spirit of prayer and communion with the Savior.  The spirit reaches in and chips away at your soul, releasing all that inhibits connection with the Lord.  You then can drink in the love and teaching of Jesus.  Take a deep breath – what does this look like to you?

Luke 10:38 tells of when Jesus and His disciples were visiting Martha’s house.  You have to remember this was 13 men traveling through town and stopped in Martha’s humble home and they were hungry.  Martha busied herself preparing a meal for them.  Mary sat at Jesus’ feet; His feet that were tired and dirty.  Did they smell?  That’s beside the point; knowing how sisters communicate, I imagine she knew what Martha was thinking.  She knew her sister was a little miffed that unexpected guests were there, however wonderful it was, and she was doing all the work.

In my mind’s eye, I picture Mary hanging on every word of Jesus.  His spirit-filled message was refreshing and gave rest for her soul.

Let me encourage you to take a seat at the feet of Jesus.  Look up at the gentle eyes and search for what He has to say to you.  Sssshhhh, be quiet and listen.  He might be your silent partner, know that He is there.  He might be whispering something special in your heart, be still and receive His word.  Let the world go by for just a moment or two and sit at the feet of Jesus.

All the best,
KK

An Invitation to talk manners

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Over the years, I have planned birthday parties, work events and community-wide galas, and it never fails that RSVP’s are late to come in or non-existent.  It’s easy to get busy and fail to RSVP, but in this day of email, text messaging, voicemail, instant messaging and even wall to wall on facebook, there really is little reason to not send a host a yes or no in a timely manner.

From a planning perspective, knowing how many guests are coming helps when ordering food, center pieces or the all important goodie bags.  Party planning is fun and it gets very exciting when guests call and say they are planning to attend.  I am all about the more the merrier.

So, why don’t people commit to attend parties they are invited to?  Are they waiting to see if something better comes along?  Are they waiting to see if other “fun” people are planning to attend?

Even if you RSVP “no” and change your mind or your schedule clears you can call the host back.  A gracious host will be glad to hear you can come. 

 Give me your thoughts.

All the best,
KK