Like A Strong Tree, Yielding Fruit, Prospering

Years ago, illness interrupted my busy life.  Every unplanned, unscheduled, unforeseen detail of the illness impacted the way I thought, felt, and acted.  There's something about entering a crisis, when days seem like a strange dream, creating a disconnect to reality, as if it is a matter of time before things go back to the way it should be. More than anything,  I wanted to experience life again rather than to be at the end of the path. I struggled with what life had become, fearing the rest of my life  would be lost.

But.  There was a moment in time, that I knew I had to surrender and be grateful for what I had, to refuse giving up life because it had changed.

The thing is . . . we are faced every day with stuff that can consume us . . . causing us to miss the gift of the day.

It doesn't take an interruption to miss paying attention to the gift of the day. In the midst of managing the stuff of life, of busyness, of taking care of the daily details, of checking off a list of tasks, we can miss the reason, the meaning, the importance, and even the value of living.   Don't. Don't miss it.  Don't miss God's gift of life for the sake of interruptions or plain old busyness.  And if, for whatever reason, you’ve been missing life, stop, learn how to experience the gift of God in the day.
Consider.

1 Blessed are those 

   who do not walk in step with the wicked 

or stand in the way that sinners take 

   or sit in the company of mockers, 

2 but who delight in the law of the LORD 

   and meditate on his law day and night. 

3 They are like a tree planted by streams of water, 

   which yields its fruit in season 

and whose leaf does not wither— 

   whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1, TNIV).

The Psalmist lays out the key to experience the gift of living in Psalm 1 . . . describing a life lived well . . . as a strong tree with deep roots, planted by streams of water, productive in season, yielding fruit, not withering, and prospering.

The key?  Don't walk in the ways of the world but focus on the plan God has designed for the best life, meditating on His how-to's.  

Don't miss the life you have received.
Focus on the best plan for your life.
Become like a strong tree, yielding fruit.
Prosper.

Learning to Kickstart the day living as a strong tree, yielding fruit, prospering,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Battle

A friend of mine has conquered a battle she has had for most of her life, which had enslaved her, limited her, and caused great emotional pain.  Now, she is encouraging others to look beyond their limitations and challenges with belief and confidence the battle can be won.

While she did her part, she did not do it alone, she did it through the presence and power of God.

Sometimes we get so focused on what we must manage in life, what is good and what is hard, what we have done right and what we have messed up, what we need and what we want, that we lose sight of the bigger picture. As our vision of life narrows, we feel the constraints and limitations, thinking we may be stuck in impossibilities, forming a belief that we must get along with life as it is, letting go of a possible new beginning.  It seems what will be — will be.  A batte ensues as we struggle to break free.

Consider.

He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” (Exodus 14:25, NLT). 

The Egyptians oppressed the people of God for centuries.  When the oppressors finally let the slaves go, they could not fully release them, believing the people belonged to them, so, they chased after them.  But.  The people belonged to God, not to the oppressor.  The battle came down to two warriors, the oppressor and God.  The oppressor could see the power of God.

It matters that we understand God will fight for us and to believe no matter how big the battle appears, the power of God overcomes.   The thing is . . . our battle is won when we realize  we belong to God . . . not to whatever we are fighting against. 

Refuse to let whatever oppresses you to win.  Believe you belong to God.  Be confident God will fight for you and will win.

Learning to Kickstart the day believing there is nothing that can't be overcome with God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Darkness

Plan on it.  Emergencies.  Crisis.  Problems.  Pressures. Dark times.  

I am often asked to walk alongside of people faced with the unexpected-overwhelming-hard stuff.  The crisis is something larger than what is understood at first, something which causes forever change, sneaking up on the unsuspecting individual, family, and friends.

The one thing I know is the Spirit of God is present in this world, bringing light, healing, and comfort in the darkness.  

Consider.
Excerpts from Psalm 27:

The LORD is my light and my salvation— 

   whom shall I fear? 

The LORD is the stronghold of my life— 

   of whom shall I be afraid? (vs. 1-2)

 . . . For in the day of trouble 

   he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent 

   and set me high upon a rock.

 closer to God, at least for awhile. (vs. 5)

. . .Teach me your way, LORD; 

   lead me in a straight path 

   because of my oppressors. (vs. 11)

 . . . I remain confident of this: 

   I will see the goodness of the LORD 

   in the land of the living. 

Wait for the LORD; 

   be strong and take heart 

   and wait for the LORD. (vs. 13-14)

The hard stuff of life strips us, creating a space that is raw, desperate, and painful.
But.

God is Light . . . freeing us from the power of the darkness . . .  providing shelter in His sacred tent, His presence . . .  setting us high on the rock, close to His heart . . . and as we stumble and try to find our way, calling out to Him to guide us back to a straight path . . . we can take heart . . . He is present.  

And.  It is in the darkness, we find a new courage, a new way to live, becoming stronger, more focused, and grateful, knowing we are never alone, not even for a moment when the darkness comes at us.

Be courageous today.  Whom shall you fear? God is your Light, more powerful than any darkness.

Learning to Kickstart the day in the presence of God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Strength and Power

Everything seemed to go wrong.  At once.  Things had been incredibly good.  But. In one week, life went from good to bad.  Really bad. It felt like God had left.

Consider. 

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. 

He gives strength to the weary 

   and increases the power of the weak. 

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

   and young men stumble and fall; 

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. (Isaiah 40:28-:31, NLT). 

The book of Isaiah is written during a time, when the people of God had lost everything . . . not just one thing, but  friends, family, homes, and their nation had been torn away . . . leaving them lost, empty, and hopeless.  Even so.  The writer made it clear, God, Creator of all, was present, never growing tired or weary, understanding every detail in a way that could never be fathomed, giving strength to the weary,  and power to the weak. It is a promise to think on . . . to believe . . .  and to pray for our own life and for others:

He gives strength to the weary . . . and . . .  power to the weak. 

And, in verse 31, the writer draws our attention, with a big but:  We don't give up, regardless of how deep or dark a valley is, but, we hope, not in anything or anyone, except in God.

And, as we hope in God, the door to our life opens to receive a fresh strength, enabling us to leave the dark valley, rising with a power, which Isaiah described as soaring on wings like eagles.  

In theory, Isaiah's words sound great.  Until. We come to a place we are too weary and too weak to move or manage the disappointments, difficulties, and loss.  How  is it possible to hope when we can no longer push through the stuff of life?   The answer lies in the word used in the original Hebrew text, qavah, which means to wait expectantly.  So, we focus on God, believing He is not only present, but actively doing more than we can see from our limited perspective.

The thing is . . . hope, waiting for something more, is trusting God to be our primary source for everything . . . believing in the gift of a new beginning . . . resting on the words, nothing is impossible, all things work together, every good and perfect gift is from above  . . . through His strength and power.

Hope . . . receive strength and power . . . soar.

Learning to Kickstart the day through the strength and power of God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

When It Comes Down To It

How do you think this will turn out?
There are times prayer is all we have, so, we pray with an inner desperation, wanting something so badly, begging God to create a miracle.   I am talking about the kind of prayer some of the early Christ followers prayed . . . a time people were being murdered and persecuted for their faith . . . when Peter, a leader of the church, had been arrested . . . and the people had no position or place to change things . . . except for prayer.

Consider.

But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him (Acts 12:5). 

To pray very earnestly was to pray exhaustively, beyond measure, a considerable excess over what would be expected. They gave their time and energy, focused on the possibilities of God, rather than on the impossibilities of the circumstances, fervently praying God would radically shift the details and release Peter.  And, Peter was freed. Even so.  Peter and those who prayed were surprised.

When we go through situations without God, even when we try the best we can, we are powerless to do what He can and will do.  Yes.  There are tough times, we can feel lonely, we can be lost, we can sink into the darkness.  Admittedly, we don't know what will happen or how we will respond or where we will end up now and in the future; however, we do know when we seek God in prayer, details shift when we ask Him to go through specific situations with us, we can trust Him, even when we are unable to understand the what, when, and why of life.

When it comes down to it, when we discover nothing is working, we often become more intentional about prayer.  But. We also need to be more intentional to trust  God to answer in the best way, maybe not in the way we expect, think, or even imagine, but in a greater way, a God-way.   

Pray.  Pray fervently.  Anticipate the details will shift as you pray.  Trust God.

Learning to Kickstart the day praying,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Storm of the Soul

There is joy in sadness.
An elderly woman said the words with a knowing, from what I assumed to be based on her own experience.  The thing is . . . when the storm of the soul begins . . . joy is hard to imagine.  But.  I understand now.  When I look back at the seasons of  life when sadness engulfed us, those times we experienced loss, death, or incomprehensible darkness,  an acute awareness of the presence of God would develop, as His encompassing comfort and invading peace sustained us.   And. There has been joy in knowing the powerful presence of God.

Consider.

Weeping may last through the night,

      but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30: 5b, NLT).

Trusting God to be present and at work when the soul is distressed, changes our view of God and ourselves.  We see our need and His love.  Nothing can compare.  And, though we are deeply sad, we experience an inner joy from knowing more about the depth of His love than at any other time. There is something very significant, something that matters more than any other time of life, something that shifts the details of life, when we experience joy in the season of sadness.

 The birth of joy in the sadness is a mystery and a gift.  

Hold on to the presence of God, His comfort and peace. Receive the joy of knowing Him in the midst of the storm of your soul.

Learning to Kickstart the day experiencing joy in the storms of the soul,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

But.

The word, but, is a great word, especially when the stuff of life is difficult and down-right hard. But, is the clause in the messes of life . . . a promise of something more . . . rather than a dead-end result.   John records one of the best stories of the power of "but" between Jesus, a group of self-righteous religious people, and one woman that had been caught in adultery.  It was the law to stone a woman, involved in adultery, to death.  But. God's grace was powerful as well as tender, changing the outcome of her life.
Consider.

 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."  Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground (John 8:6-8, NASB). 

Can you imagine?  You know life is over.  You are facing certain death.  But.  There is a moment, when the goodness of grace is clear, when God’s voice is tender and powerful at the same time, when you are able to release your breath, let down the walls of your heart, and be free of your wrong-doing. And.

When you allow the grace of God to work in your life, when you live in the freedom of Christ, when you are able to see life from the perspective of the life God has planned, you've experienced heaven and earth colliding.  

But.  We choose whether or not we will live in the power of grace, with more awareness of His presence and love and ability to do more than what we will ever think, ask, or imagine.

Take time today to reflect on the power of grace in your own life.

Learning to Kickstart the day in and through grace,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

My Grandparents

I would love to have one more conversation with my grandparents.  Their words spoke life into me, highlighting the need for strength and an enduring spirit as they told stories set in an era of hardship and horrific circumstances  . . .  world wars  and a great depression . . .  and filled with words like perseverance and endurance.  However.  The word, hope, was not added until their later years of life, after they asked Christ to be at the center of their story.  Hope brought light into the darkness of their life, changing the story.

The things is . . . hard stuff still happened . . . but hope shifted the way life was translated.  Let me make it clear,  I do not want to experience the hard stuff of life.  But.  I know hope changes the way the story ends.

Consider.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love (Romans 5:3-5, NLT).

This promise of hope that does not disappoint shifts the outcome of our story.  The story includes the "already" of what Christ gives us to face the stuff of life and also the hope of more to come, the "not yet."
So.  Today.  I am sure my grandparents would say, Let God's Word, hope, speak to you today and be a part of your story. 

Run the race, knowing the hope of Christ will not lead to disappointment in your story.  Focus on what Christ has "already" put in the story of your life.  Believe God has more for you, the "not yet" of hope.  

Learning to Kickstart the day with the word, hope,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Dive In

I have a few memories I will never be able to forget, which includes the first time I dove off the high dive. I climbed up the ladder and walked out on the board; however, I couldn't move.  My instructor said all sorts of things, attempting to make me dive.  My class ended, students left, except for a few lingering ones trying to convince me to make the dive. The next class came in, lined up against the wall, waiting for me to make a move.  But.  Fear engulfed me, I was stuck.

So.  My instructor climbed up, and began walking towards me on the board, telling me he would be right behind me.  When it came down to it, I trusted my teacher, I knew I would be okay, if, he was behind me.  I took a few steps and dove into the water. I still remember the exhilaration of going deep and then moving up and out.  You can imagine the instructor's celebration when I came up for air.  After that, you could not make me stop . . .  high diving . . .  into the deep water.

We miss out on living a full life when we are consumed with self.  When we stand on a precipice of life, we must decide if we will move, taking the steps to dive in, trusting God, believing He has the best plan,  developing a perspective through faith.  I have learned we need to take the plunge, risking what has been for what could be in the power of Christ. The thing is . . . we can be confident . . . God is with us when we dive in, giving the strength and ability to live beyond self.

Consider.

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. (Deuteronomy 30: 15-16, NIV).

The book of Deuteronomy, Moses' account of how-to-live, delineates the way to choose life and prosperity or death and destruction.  So.  Living the best life comes down to giving our life to God rather  than going our own way,  making the choice  to dive into God's plan for life.  I can say from experience, making the dive into the life God has planned is overwhelming because of His love; it is exhilarating to love Him back, walking in obedience and keeping His commands,  experiencing life to the fullest.

Imagine the shift when you dive in, nothing will change until you do, certainly nothing big will change, until you become completely immersed in the presence and power of God, living the way He has planned.

I celebrate when I see someone dive in. It inspires me, keeping me aware of my need to continue to take specific steps to make the daily dive.

Dive in.  Love. Obey.  Keep His commands.  Live in faith.

Learning to Kickstart the day diving in,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Press in . . . Hold on

Stephanie, friend and prayer leader, reminded myself and others to press in and hold on, referring to the story of the  woman with the twelve year issue of bleeding in Mark 5. The crowd was pressing into Jesus, but only one, a woman with an issue of bleeding for twelve years, held onto him . . . at the hem  of his garment . . . and after spending twelve years suffering and all of her resources to be cured, she was freed from her issue.
Consider.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”  Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering(Mark 5:24-29, TNIV).  

The story of the woman with her 12-year-issue makes me pause.  Do I press into the presence of Christ?  Do I hold on?    Clearly, the woman continued to have the same issue, a twelve year issue of bleeding, until she intentionally pressed in and held on to Christ.

The thing is . . . a do-it-yourself-sensible person may think seeking Christ is weak and unrealistic . . . but when everything else  has been tried . . . our desperate need for Him is evident . . . and we discover the reality of supernatural power when we press in and hold on.  

The thing is . . . you may wonder if there is room for you in the crowd of people that press into Jesus . . . not only is there room but a place . . . to hold on . . . where you will experience a freedom that changes everything about your life.
Press in to the presence of Christ.
Hold on to the Truth of Christ.
Experience freedom.

Learning to Kickstart the day pressing in and holding on,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Unplanned-unimaginable-unstoppable Interruptions

Life changes when it happens . . . 

the unplanned-unimaginable-unstoppable interruption.

The thing is . . . interruptions always play out . . . when we face the moment with patience and peace, believing God is in control, trusting all things to come together through Him.
Consider.

It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God. (Luke 1:8-15, The Message) 

So.  Zachariah was doing his once-in-a-life-time job when he was interrupted.  It was the one thing that the priest waited for . . . to enter into the holy of holies in the temple. . . the greatest moment ever to be remembered and talked about the rest of a priest's life! Are you kidding?  In that moment he was interrupted?  Not before or after? But. He had been interrupted in the middle of his moment by an angel who was bringing a life-changing message from God. The unplanned-unimaginable-unstoppable interruption not only changed the lives of Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, but all of history.

Are you open to God interrupting your life and doing something new?  

Surrender everything . . . every detail of what you have planned . . . open yourself up to what God is doing.  Look at unplanned-unimaginable-unstoppable interruptions through the lens of faith, trusting God to work everything together for the good.

Learning to Kickstart the day open to what God is doing, especially in an unplanned-unimaginable-unstoppable interruption,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Gratitude

There are those individuals who spend a significant amount of time expressing their unhappiness in words, actions, and attitude, changing the dynamics of relationships and even the atmosphere around them, regardless of the good things happening.  And. There are individuals, impacted by difficult-life-changing circumstances, who have a noticeable and inspiring spirit of gratefulness, a down-deep-attitude produced by the belief God will use all things, the good and the bad, to bring about His purpose and plan.

The thing is . . . gratefulness . . . opens our life up to the generous possibilities of God.  Unhappiness shuts us down from what could be, creating an inner anxiety for what is not.  Both unhappiness and gratefulness begin with a choice, become a habit, and impact ourselves and others.  So.  Along the path, we need to take time to refocus the way we understand and respond to life.

Consider. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV). 

The Apostle Paul wrote to the early church, telling the people not to be anxious but to pray with thanksgiving, which is key to developing the life-habit of gratefulness. Perspective changes when we step out of an unhappy-anxiety-ridden state and step into the realm of the presence of God through prayer and thanksgiving.

Memorize Philippians 4:6, imprint it in your mind and heart, let it change the way you respond to life.  

Determine to have more gratitude and less unhappiness each day.
Walk on the path today with intentional gratefulness.
Step into the realm of the presence of God.
Pray with thanksgiving.

Learning  to KickStart the day with a grateful spirit,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

There Is Always Hope . . . Hold On

"There is no hope." The doctor's words shifted our perspective of life.   Apparently, she thought her words would help to face reality.  But.  It felt like the breath of life had been sucked out of our family and there was no place to go.

Life changed when another doctor said, "There is always hope.  Don't lose hope."  

There are times we wrestle with unbelief and hopelessness;  to move forward, we must make the decision to hope.  The thing is . . . a part of hope is believing . . .  the power of  God prevails in all situations.  No matter how desperate, how crushing, or how hopeless a situation of life becomes, when we believe God has something more for us, we are strengthened to face what we need to face.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; 

   my hope comes from him (Psalm 62:5, NIV)

The Psalmist used the Hebrew word, hope, a cord as an attachment. So. We grip on to the cord of hope, our lifeline, knowing it is attached to the heart of God, the place of Life.  When we let go of the cord of hope, we experience loss, emptiness, chaos, and devastation.   We not only need to intentionally hold on to the lifeline but to cast it out to others, letting them know there is always Hope.

I like how the Message translates hope in Hebrews 6:19,

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

There is always hope . . . a cord attached to the heart of God . . . our lifeline.  Take a leap of faith, hold on to the cord, believe there is more to come. 

Learning to Kickstart hanging on to the cord of hope, believing there is always hope,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Climb Mountains

My friends climb mountains.  The way they tell it, every mountain can be conquered. They have told me more than once, I could climb with training and the right equipment. They have showed me their ascenders, rope grabs, and rappel devices, planning and plotting their next climb, attempting to get me excited about climbing mountains. The thing is . . . their enthusiasm and passion is contagious . . . making it seem that climbing a mountain is possible.

But.  I don't always feel so enthusiastic or passionate when the stuff of life becomes a mountain on my path.  When the mountain seems too big to climb. . .  I end up camping out at the base of the mountain, unable to find enough energy to move, belief to climb, or to see the possibilities at the top . . . until . . . I am willing to rely on the Spirit of God to make the climb with me. 

Consider.  

Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’ (Zechariah 4:6-7, NLT).   

We are not alone on the journey.  God is present.  Always.  And, God will strengthen us. The potential that could be found at the top is dismissed and at times, doubted, because of the pain and difficulty of making the climb, delaying or detouring us on the path.  The thing is . . . the perspective of life is different from the base of the mountain than it is at the top . . .  the belief that all things are possible with God  will move us to the top, where there is a greater view of possibilities . . . when we surrender it all, giving it all to the Spirit of God . . . then we are enabled to see the mountain as a level plain.

Surrender.
Receive the power of the Spirit of God.
Climb the mountain.
See the possibilities on the journey.
Enjoy the view from the top.
Learning to Kickstart the day climbing mountains,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dark Hours

Tragedy.  One of the largest earthquakes recorded hit Japan . . .  a tsunami . . . fires . . . devastation . . . death . . . loss.  Our friends and neighbors across the sea had fifteen to thirty minutes warning as the water rolled into and over the land.  Now. Hawaii and the West Coast are on alert for a tsunami.

Suffering.  Waiting.  Praying. Persevering. 

In the dark hours of life, the presence of God surrounds us.  Pain is never more real than in the darkest hour.  The thing is . . . when  we call on God in the darkness . . . He comes, bringing a peace beyond human understanding.   The power of the presence of God is never more real than in the deepest suffering.

Consider:

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; 

   he delivered me from all my fears . . .

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, 

   and he delivers them. (Psalm 34: 4, 7, TNIV)

We need God at all times; however, I don't know how anyone could ever make it through the darkness without His presence. God delivers us from our fear, carrying our burdens, healing our wounds, encamping around us.

Pray.

Christ, Deliverer, Comforter, Healer, come in this dark hour. 

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting God to come in the dark hours,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Look Again

Why is it so hard?  The question is honest, often asked and rarely answered, especially in dark times.  

I have often thought our response to life would change, if,  we could physically see  the presence of God as we travel life's path.  I am convinced we would not only have more faith, but more hope and peace, especially in the hard times.  We would not give up, but press forward with energy, courage, and anticipation.
Consider.

Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (I Corinthians 13:12, NLT).

And. 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

There would be a startling clarity today, if, we could see everything, as it says I Corinthians 13:12, completely.  But.  God gives eyes of faith to see what we need to see.  Even so.  It is downright difficult to see in faith when life gets hard. The thing is . . . fear of the darkness of circumstances . . blinds us from seeing in faith.

Simple as it seems, to see more in life we must let go of our fear.
Look again. Surrender any fear you have.  Ask God to give you eyes to see He is present and at work on your behalf.
Learning to Kickstart the day with eyes of faith,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Prized Possession

It all began years ago, when my friend declared a monthly birthday celebration.  She thought it was ridiculous to wait once a year to celebrate our lives.  So.  We made the resolution to go out to dinner once a month and party . . . in honor . . . of one another.  We ordered what we wanted to eat, always including dessert; diets were banned for the birthday meal, nothing was out of bounds for our celebrations.

I miss the celebrations.  Let me clarify, I miss her.  A lot.  I looked forward to having time with her, celebrating in the midst of busyness and the stuff of life.  Since her death, I have learned there is a sacredness in celebrating one another.  And.  Grief has brought a clarity of gratefulness . . . for our friendship . . . and the time we had to celebrate.  It is one of those things in life, that was clearly a gift . . . a good gift . . . from God.  

Consider. 

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession (James 1: 17-18, NLT).

Let James 1:17-18 be pressed into your mind and heart.  It messes with me to think what it means to be and live as the prized possession of God.  The thing is . . ..  everything we are in Christ is a gift of grace . . . giving reason for daily celebration, living in a manner that leaves evidence of His grace wherever we are and in whatever we are doing, grateful to be so highly regarded and celebrated by God.

Stop.  Dive into the truth of James 1:17-18.
Ask, Do I celebrate myself and others as a prized possession of God? Do I live as a prized possession of God?  Do I leave evidence of the grace in me as a prized possession?
Step into the realm of grace today.
Accept the gift of being the prized possession of God.
Celebrate who you are and the life you have received in Christ . . . and . . . make it party!

Learning to Kickstart the day as God's prized possession,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Not Alone or Abandoned

Sometimes the stuff of life can get to us.
Schedules.
Decisions.
Relationships.
Health.
Finances.
Home.
Work.
As we let things pile up, and we all do, stress enters in. And, if, left unchecked, stress becomes a driving force, until we feel alone. We lose sight of God, living as if God is far away and disconnected.  The thing is . . . when we invite Christ into our life . . . we are not alone.  God comes to us in the midst of our . . . busyness . . . brokenness . . . and . . .battles.

Consider. 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans -- I will come to you. (John 14: 16-18, NLT).

Jesus prayed specifically, asking God, our Father, to come to us, promising we would never be abandoned; He understood the intensity of life on earth.  So.  God comes to us with a power that is beyond anything in this world.  He is Light in our darkness, Comfort in our pain, Healing in our brokenness, Peace in our chaos, Life in our journey.

Be still and know me (study Psalm 46:10).

Do not worry or be anxious for anything (study Philippians 4:6). 

I am with you always (study Matthew 28:20).

All things are possible with me (study Matthew 19:26). 

You are not alone or abandoned.
Take time to be still.
Know the presence of God.
Listen to the Spirit of God.
Live in the power of the presence of God.

Learning to Kickstart the day living intentionally in the presence of God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

To Live Is . . .

There was a long list of all the things that had gone wrong. He could not figure out what he had done to be faced with such enormous problems.  Was it fate?  Was he responsible?  Was there a way to get out of the pit he found himself in?

 It is hard to focus on what is important when we are consumed with the pressures at hand.  I have learned  that there are many things that take our full attention, but there are few things worth it.  The stuff of life can consume us to the point it controls how we think and respond to the one life we have received.  When you get down to it, being overwhelmed is a choice that begins with what we let into our life.

There often is a difference between the life we live and the life we want to live.  We need to take stock, evaluating what is.  The Apostle Paul gave the early church a clear challenge of what is when we fully engage with Christ.
Consider.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21, NLT).

 The few words formed by Paul summarize the purpose of a Christ follower, a challenge to live fully and continually engaged with Christ.  Pay attention to the word, is, a present-tense verb, denoting an ongoing action.   It may appear to an outside observer, Paul's statement is unrealistic; however, he had opened his life up to a greater reality. I am not saying life becomes a walk in the park when we live in Christ; Paul certainly faced unimaginable problems.  But.   In and through Christ, we move out of the realm of fear, worry, and stress to the realm of faith, trust, and peace.  It is a learning process, day by day, to intentionally and purposefully live beyond the power and pressures of problems.

So. Begin.   Seize the day . . . there is a greater Reality. . .  Christ.  Focus.  Seek. Relax.  Breathe.  To live is Christ.

Learning to Kickstart the day by knowing to live is Christ,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Changed Response

People teach us many lessons.  One man, a negative and visibly unhappy man, who created chaos and conflict, taught me an unforgettable lesson.   No one wanted to work with him.  Not one person.  But.  The day came . . .  when I saw my name beside his name on the work assignment . . . for one week.  I dreaded working with him, begging God to get me out it.

I prayed in desperation.  I started by asking God, why me?  And, I begged, God please do something.  He did. The question became, Why not you? 

And. The week ended up to be a great experience.  He did not change, but I changed.  I responded to him as I did to positive and happy individuals, letting him know I was for him, not against him.  In other words, I responded in love. It is interesting how we often think someone and something needs to change, while God looks at our own need to change.

Consider.

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:36-37, NASB).

Jesus  faced religious rule keepers who had delineated life with God down to a list of rules.  And.  Jesus
simplified all of the commandments to the great commandment with an attached commandment:

"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22: 38-39, NASB).

The words of Jesus change the dynamics of life, when we follow Him, and align ourselves with what He says, there is change.  The thing is . . . when we attach ourselves fully and wholly to loving God . . . we are empowered to face whatever comes our way . . . changed when we rely on Him, rather than ourselves . . . enabled to love the most unloveable.

Pray.
Ask God to show you how to respond to people and situations.
Be ready to change your response.


Learning to Kickstart the day by changing my response,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

All Things Possible

I have been in conversation with two people that have experienced a miraculous event.  It has been an unexpected-incredible-can't-believe-it happened experience.  So.  Our conversations are focused on what it means to live in a miracle.

The thing is . . .  we tend to use the word, miracle, without understanding its definition . . .  an extraordinary event occurring through God's intervention. To clarify, a miracle comes under the category of the things that are beyond your control, making you believe all over again, allowing you to glimpse of the unexplainable and mystery of God.

Something changes within you when the miraculous occurs, moving you into a new sphere of faith, hope, and belief, seeing more in the circumstance than what others see  because we know God is present. This means, to live in a miracle, we need a developed anticipation of what could be through the presence and power of God. But.  Too often we see the impossibilities, knowing  nothing we could do, no matter how hard we try, regardless of multiple resources, will make it possible. 

Seriously.  When was the last time you responded to something in your life with the thought, with God all things are possible?

Consider.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26, NIV).

Matthew draws us into a conversation between Jesus and his disciples, a conversation that moves us from the ordinary of life to the miraculous.  Imagine . . .  Jesus looking at you as He looked at them, seeing your true thoughts, doubts, and unbelief . . . and. . . then to hear the strength and the power of His words, with God all things are possible. 

The words of Jesus give reason to take time to make a list of the things that seem too big and too hard in your life.    And.  Do something which will be difficult but life-changing . . . surrender the whole list to God . . .  trusting Him  with the details, big and small . . . knowing the result may not come close to what you think could or should happen . . . believing God will bring all things together . . . staking your life on the plan God has for you rather than on your own plans. . . anticipating God is doing more than what you could possibly think, ask, or imagine.

Develop a mindset that with God all things are possible, see reality through a perspective of divine purpose, intentionally becoming more aware of His presence, trusting He is  at work, refusing to get stuck in the details of the stuff of life.  To put it simply, live in the realm of the miraculous.

Take time to pause in the midst of your busyness today.  Surrender your plans.  Anticipate what more God has for you. Live beyond impossibilities.  Believe with God all things are possible. 

Learning to Kickstart the day believing with God all things are possible,

Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Alongside

I sat in the waiting room, waiting with them, while their sick baby had surgery on his heart, late into the night.  I wondered, if, I could say anything that mattered, they did not need small talk or polite conversation. Sometimes there is nothing to say.  Admittedly, it can be excruciating to be silent in a painful moment, so we panic, wondering, "What should I say?"

 We want to be a hero, saving the day, when we see someone's dream has been lost and their heart has broke.  The thing is . . . when  you have been in a place that is hard . . . you learn no one can fix it . . . but . . . you do need help in moving through it.

Most of the time, what we need to do is to intentionally stop and experience moments of life together, realizing the most heroic and healing thing to do is to come alongside of one another through the presence of God.  In the end, there is more power in our presence than in words.  I am a fervent believer that being present, paying attention, and listening makes more of an impact than saying some words when it feels like something needs to be said.  The strength in quietness comes through the power of the Spirit, who empowers us to move forward with trust in a place of life where there has been a paralysis of sorts. 

Consider.
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15, NIV).

Read Isaiah 30:15 throughout the day.  Let the words, quietness and trust, speak to you; these two words are missed in the noise and confusion of hurt and heartbreak:

Quietness and trust comes through understanding God is God.  

Quietness and trust does not discount reality or create a passive attitude of what will be will be, but is an inner awareness of the presence of God.  

Quietness and trust is a state-of-being, the absence of anxiety, worry, and stress, as the mind, heart, and soul are calmed by the presence of God.  

Quietness and trust is an inner confidence that God's promise to come alongside, to be present, and to never leave is true.   

Quietness and trust is strength beyond human reason.

Come alongside of others in quietness and trust, knowing the dynamics change when you walk into a situation with the presence of God.

Learning to Kickstart the day alongside of others in quietness and in trust,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Freed From Tyranny

He made a mistake, a big one. So.  He did not know what to do, giving up, losing his way in one day.  It wasn't just an off day, but a day of regret.  While he did not know at the time, regret would weigh him down for years.   Religion made him feel increasingly guilty.  Nothing seemed to relieve the load he carried each day, all day.  

Then . . . he met Christ . . . and surrendered it all . . . finding his way in one day.  There are many differences between religion and having a relationship with Christ, one being that in Christ we are not condemned . . . but . . . convicted of our need for Him.  In Christ, the point, is not your mistake, though it might be a big one, almost more than a person can possibly bear, but that you can be freed from the power of the mistake, becoming new, living without condemnation through the power of the life-giving Spirit.

Consider. 

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (Romans 8: 1-2, NLT).

Condemnation oppresses, weakens, and destroys the gift of life, creating a void, emptiness, and darkness that tyrannizes the mind and heart.  God has made a way to be released from the power of the "tyrant."  It is natural to become accustomed to the tyrant's presence, so much so, that it is attached firmly to our life, ruling the way we think and act.  So.  Freedom comes through intentionally surrendering everything, including, not excluding, our personal condemnation.  Quite frankly, we are not strong enough to loosen its grip by ourselves, we need the strength of the Spirit of God.  To surrender, we need to become aware of what has attached to our life and then intentionally, sometimes piece by piece, let it go through the power of the Spirit of God.  
Begin by focusing on one thing, which tyrannizes the way you think and act, producing an underlying anxiety, stress, or shame.  What would life be like if you were free from it?  How would you live?  Surrender it.  Live the way you would live if you were free from its controlling rule . . . thinking, speaking, and acting in a healthy manner . . . with the belief God has removed its power over you.

When we finally become free of the tyrant, it is unforgettable, as we experience the purity of God's grace removing what does not belong in our life, freeing us from the weight of the past, opening the door to experience the fullness of life through the power of Christ. 

Throughout the day, especially when you find yourself "walking" back towards the tyrant's rule, remember to intentionally "walk" forward in freedom through the Spirit.  Surrender whatever is pulling and pushing you to go backwards through the strength of the Spirit of God. Be freed of the tyranny of condemnation in your life. Refuse to let any tyrant from the stuff of life grip you. In Christ, no one and nothing can have you, not even the biggest mistake.

Learning to Kickstart the day freed from tyranny,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)