It is quiet now. His body is guarded in the tomb. It’s been a long few days. He said he would raise on the third day. We can count on Sunday coming, watch this–
It’s Friday… But Sunday’s a Coming (Don Buck P Creacy)
Every time we find ourselves feeling lonely, betrayed, and hopeless, remember, Sunday is coming, again.
Blessings to you,
KK
This morning in our Sunday school class (or Sunday morning Bible study, whatever you call it) we discussed a passage from Mark 10 when Jesus rebukes his disciples as they attempted to keep the children from Him. There are certainly many layers to this passage to explore, but the one that we camped out on was the fact that children have a point of view on faith and Jesus that we should value and pay attention to. Our children do represent future believers in our churches, future parents passing their faith to another generation, future employees and supervisors who will have a broader sphere
of influence outside their home and churches. As parents we have an awesome responsibility to our children, to raise them to know the Lord personally and to carry their personal faith into adulthood. Allow me to take this responsibility a step further.
Not every believer is a parent. An individual who is a Christ follower may be an aunt or uncle, a teacher, a coach, or a friend of the family. These adults can have a HUGE impact in the life of a child. As I listened to the lesson this morning and I considered that many of the adults in the class were parents, I was grossly aware of the individuals who are not. But I know them to be investing in the lives of young people who God has brought into their lives.
I don’t often talk about my single parenting days, but during those eight years, the first eight years of my son’s life, I prayed for God to bring Godly men into his life. The prayer was answered in several ways – my brother who came to ball games and concerts; a friend from college who “happened” to be his Bible bowl coach and fifth grade teacher; a good friend who coached basketball and baseball; and the best of all, my husband and his step father who shows Christ to him every day.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me,” and He drew them into His arms. The children we encounter every day or every week need us to invest in them, take an interest and pray for them. To the parents reading this, be encouraged to stay the course and finish the race of parenting strong. When you are tired ask for prayer. As your children grow and become more independent, this is when the real-life choices come. They need you just as much to guide them through the worldly issues they will encounter, as when they were young and you made all the choices for them.
To the non-parents reading this, find a young person and even if you don’t have a close relationship with them, pray for them. Seek ways to cheer them on to a Godly adulthood.
All the best,
KK
Every year folks talk about how busy the Christmas season is. They declare that THIS will be the year they slow down and enjoy the true meaning of the season. Good intentions. I’m guilty of it too. Every year I begin December longing to truly feel that silent night, holy night. And while there will be moments late at night, or in church on Christmas Eve, I don’t feel like I experience what I long to have during the holiday. I’m not looking for movie-like Christmas miracles, just a little deeper peace; an expectancy throughout the season seeking the coming King.
Part of the problem is the noise and clutter in everyday life. What if we made intentional decisions every day to remove the noise we can control? What if each day until December 25th we live expectantly? 
Unlike the shepherds and wise men, we have a date on the calendar. We know that we are going to celebrate the birth of Jesus. For believers, it is the birth of our King. The man who changed the course of history.
I don’t sacrifice for Lent. But this year, I’ve decided to sacrifice for Advent. I’m clearing some clutter and making way for the birth of the Savior. I’m giving up talk radio for Advent. No Dave Ramsey or Sean Hannity or NPR. My time with the radio on will be with music declaring the coming King.
The other decision I’ve made is to not get caught in the hurriedness. We will make choices about the most important activities and be in the moment; not worrying about rushing to the next thing.
How will you make this season special? Will you join me in living expectantly each day, choosing to prepare your heart and mind for the birth of the King?
Merry Christmas,
KK
Nicole Mullen says it all click here to listen: Nicole C Mullen, My Redeemer lives 
Blessings to you as we celebrate Easter — Resurrection Sunday.
KK
On Saturday, everything was quiet. Jesus was dead. The disciples didn’t know what to do, so they hid. When we feel like God is silent all we can do is cling to the cross. Listen to this,
Kaoma’s amazing version of The Old Rugged Cross.
The sun is so hot. It’s been a long day. I’ve run around following Jesus as he was dragged by the soldiers. I’m tired, but he is half dead hanging on the cross now. Sitting here is the closest I’ve been to him. The crowds have been huge and being a young girl, I keep getting pushed to the back. I’d always find a way to at least hear him. But today there was no more listening. Today, there have been accusations and beatings. Oh, the beatings. I, of course, didn’t see any of it. But I did see my Jesus when he was forced to drag his cross through the streets. Why did they have to beat him so severely? When he passed the stench made me want to turn away. But somehow his compelling spirit kept my attention focused on his eyes. There was something about them – almost like he had something to say with them.
Now he hangs on the cross above me. The excitement is over so the people have started to leave. This gave me the opportunity to come close to this man who has taught us with parables and demonstrated grace and mercy in his healing touch. Here I sit at the foot of the cross. He took his last breath and offered up his spirit to God. He is still hanging there. I don’t know what to do. I’m just sitting here below and I know I should go home, but I can’t bring myself to go. He was so gentle in his spirit.
It was merely in his midst that tears were stopped, pain was relieved, and healing came. People who had been afflicted their entire lives. I remember something in his voice that brought comfort. His message made me feel like I have value. Me, a female, in a culture of male dominance. Just a few days ago the crowds pushed me to the rear. But now they are all gone. There are no more words from the teacher; no more stories to be explained. All the people have gone home. It’s so quiet. So here I sit at the foot of the cross. Finally, a little shade. My Jesus is hanging above me, the blood and sweat dried on his cuts.
I’m sitting in the shadow of Jesus. It’s so hot, and He provides shade. Like the comfort of his words. I need to go home. My mother told me to stay away from all of this. But I couldn’t. I have followed him whenever he was in our town. I am drawn to him. He talks of a new kingdom, of peace, of forgiveness – a new law for living? I am hungry to learn more, but now he is gone. He even said I could have a new beginning; he didn’t tell me, of course, but he told some others. My entire life has been planned – I’m to be a wife and a mother. If that is what God desires I will do it, but what I’ve heard from Jesus will stay in my heart no matter what.
Now he’s gone and here I sit. With all the people stirring today, I am more dusty and dirty than usual. It doesn’t normally bother me. Look at my dress, it’s a mess with dirt. As I lower my head into my hands I notice a drop of his blood has covered a spot of dirt. I can’t stop staring at it. His blood on me as I sit in the shadow of the cross. A part of Him now permanently on me.
My mother will know where I’ve been. Maybe she won’t tell my father. I heard some of the men who followed and helped Jesus say that he’s going to come again. Something about him raising from the dead on the third day. Oh, if that were true…
Blocking the sun with my hand I look up at him, hanging there lifeless, Will you raise from the dead in three days? The sun is setting. I have to get home. Looking up at my savior – please come back. I need to hear you words again.
Standing and dusting off my dress, the blood stain is smeared, but remains. I want to stay, but I have to go. I have to leave the foot of the cross. This is the closest I’ve come to Jesus. If I could stay here, I would. The soldiers are coming to take down the body. As I begin to leave, I hear the soldier in charge say something about him being the son of God. Did he believe? I feel like I’m leaving a part of me at the cross. What will the third day bring?
On December 24, 1999, I sat in a candle-lit church sanctuary. My stomach was rounded by the second trimester of pregnancy with my first child, a son. The vocalist came out and began to sing, “Mary did you know?” The song goes through all of the wonderfully miraculous things Jesus, the child she would carry and deliver, would do. The song crescendos with how her son would deliver her and the world from their sins.
Believe me, I have no delusions about my own son. He is a normal boy who has been loved and disciplined along the way. Nowhere close to the perfection of Christ. But years ago, sitting there listening to all of the things the Christ-child would do only reminded me of all the things my child might do for Christ. How would my baby’s life play into the kingdom?
If you are pregnant at Christmas this year, or have young children, look at them just as Mary looked at her son who had a divine appointment from inception. Our children have a purpose for the glory of God. Pour into them the scriptures. Pray for God to reveal to them their role in His plan.
My son is 14 now and we are going through some of the stuff teen-agers experience. When he hits a bump in the road I don’t pretend to have all the wisdom and answers. Sometimes I sleep on a big question or difficult request. He knows it too. He knows that if I don’t have the answer, I’m going to pray about it and get back to him. I hope this is a lesson that is more caught than taught. May he continue to grow-up knowing that while we don’t have all the answers, God does.
The seeds are planted and each day I cling to Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
I wonder, how did Mary pray for her child? God incarnate. She was young and innocent. So much of what Christ experienced had never been seen before. She had no earthly reference point. But she had the scriptures and the prophecies. God gives what we need.
Unlike the Christ-child, our children will make mistakes and make bad choices. Haven’t we all. May they all land in the loving arms of Christ who was once a baby and then a man who grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).
Mother did you know?
Merry Christmas,
KK
P.S. — Enjoy this video while you pray for your child or children, Mary Did You Know? (Pentatonix free download)
The first Bible verse I remember having to memorize is Isaiah 9:6 which reads:
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NIV)
It was the first year I was in a Christian school (6th grade) and we memorized this verse to be presented at our Christmas program. I don’t remember what songs we sang, but I remember the auditorium, where I was standing and how wonderful it felt to have one verse of God’s word tucked away in my heart. Our class was small and many of the others students had grown up memorizing scripture so this wasn’t new to them. For me it was like opening a treasure box.
Over the years that followed, I memorized many other verses from the Bible; some motivated by grades to be earned and others memorized out of hunger and thirst for the Word. Many I can still quote. But Isaiah’s words were planted in an eager young person’s heart and have never left. These seeds that were planted took root.
At Christmas, I am reminded of the awesome miracle in Christ’s birth. I am also reminded that his birth was the beginning of a 33 year journey that includes the hardest times any human could imagine and the most glorious moments that only God could ordain; all of which was revealed to me with Isaiah’s words.
Merry Christmas.
KK
This article will make you think. From retired minister Bob Russell,
Spiritual Myth #3 – “God Loves You Unconditionallyâ€.
Would love your thoughts.
KK
Good Friday. For the believer this represents the day our savior was brutally murdered; but he let it happen willingly. No doubt his human side and his Godly side did battle all day. He could have stopped the scourging. He could have destroyed those who thought they were destroying him. But he didn’t. As mean and painful as it got, he stuck to the plan. The plan that he knew from the beginning of creation would come to this day, these hours of complete distress. His Father had prepared him as much as possible. Just as he tries to prepare us for the storms. But we don’t listen always the way Jesus did. In the midst of every human friend turning on him — the emotional pain; in the midst of being spit on and fists waved — the humiliation; in the midst of having is Father turning from him — the spiritual loneliness; our Jesus still fulfilled his purpose, he willingly gave up his life as the ultimate sacrifice. The world thought they won, but they didn’t remember, that Sunday was comin’…
Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByT6wfdhJs (Don Buck P Creacy)
Every time we find ourselves feeling lonely, betrayed, and hopeless, remember, Sunday is coming, again.
Blessings to you,
KK
KK's Candor 