By Faith

I was thinking about my grandparents today.  Their influence in my life remains profound. My grandmother would still be considered a master gardner by today's standards.  She taught me about growing in faith through the lessons learned in her garden, describing the difference of the beginning years as a gardner to the later years when she planted the seeds into the ground.  She said she moved from the fear that she might not have a garden when she planted seeds in the cold dark soil to seeing the the harvest of the garden when she planted the seed.  She described the transformation of her mindset:

"I think it will work."

"I know it will work."

"It is finished."

So.  How do we move from fear to faith when something seems impossible like harvesting the produce from seeds planted in cold dark soil?

Grandma made it clear that we not only needed to be confident God is at work in a situation, but that the work would be finished.  This requires an intentionality to living with faith rather than fear, giving up the need to take control, trusting rather than worrying,  and ultimately living by the Spirit rather than in our own strength.  It's what my daughter, Tricia, did when she printed and framed David's prayer for our family as a marker of faith.  In the prayer, David confessed God would do what had been revealed to him.
Consider the power of the prayer of faith he had for his son and all the subsequent generations:
"You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.  O LORD , you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O LORD , have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever." (I Chronicles 17:25-27). 

The more we pray by faith what God has promised to do, the more our faith will grow.  We will move from thinking something will work to knowing it is finished. In some ways, prayer is like planting seeds into the ground:  We're unable to see what's being done, but by faith we have confidence the seed will take root, push through the ground, grow, and produce a harvest.

Pray with the faith that says it is finished. 

Learning to Kickstart the day praying with the faith that say's it is finished,
Kerrie

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

True-grit Strength and Courage

A typical day for me includes talking to people who are experiencing challenging hardships day after day,  living in a stormy season, faced with stinkin'-hard circumstances. So.  I've learned to ask two things:
What is the one most difficult thing you are facing today?
What is the one good thing in your day?

It's a challenge for an individual to list only one difficult thing in a stormy season; however, it's even a greater challenge to find any good thing during a storm of life.

Certainly, during a season of difficult-impossible-challenges, we often feel we are unable to catch our breath or keep up with all the stuff that comes at us like a fast and furious storm, let alone focus on something good.  Stormy seasons often make one day feel like a thousand years.  So. We tend to rush life, waiting for something better, begging God to get us out of it, desperate for something else to occur, without seeing what else is before us.  I'm not talking about seeing the glass to be half full rather than half empty, but rather to intentionally learn from the storms, to discover these seasons to hold a divine opportunity to view life through faith, living with strength and courage, trusting God to be present and at work.

Sounds like a religious thing to say, doesn't it?  But. When you get down to it, to live beyond the power of a storm, when everything seems to be a challenge and impossible, requires courage, the kind Christ not only demonstrated but won for us on the cross.

Consider. 
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, NLT). 

Strength and courage is needed in stormy seasons. But left on our own, we often become afraid and discouraged by the power of a storm.

Experiencing true-grit strength and courage is only possible through Christ, who won it for us on the cross.  

It makes sense that a good day is based on trusting Christ and living in faith, experiencing his strength and courage in us, rather than measuring the day by difficult challenges left in the pathway of a storm.

Face the storms with strength and courage through Christ.
Refuse to  be afraid or discouraged.
Look for the gift of experiencing divine strength and courage in a stormy season.

Learning to Kickstart the day with Christ's true-grit strength and courage,
Kerrie

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

The Way Through It

So.  I'm always amazed when I see things that help me to understand a problem.  I had more insight to a couple's marriage when the husband and I ended up being at the same place at the same time.  Even in the darkness of the night, I recognized him and could see he was with someone else . . . holding hands and kissing her. . . well, until he saw me.  Considering who I was with and our surroundings, I did not have a conversation with him, but we made eye contact.  I called him the next day; we had a serious talk about the decision to walk in the darkness or the light of God, the need to confess, the power of forgiveness, and the gift of grace.

I know it was NOT a random encounter.  The thing is . . . when we are doing what God has purposed for us to do . . . there's nothing random about our lives.  Each moment counts.  God uses all things, each moment, to bring about good. 

Consider a verse to memorize:
 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28, NLT).

When we take a moment and review life, when we feel weak and vulnerable, when we feel we're at a dead-end, when we believe there's no way out of our situation, it's possible to rest, knowing God is at work, despite what we've done or not done, bringing all things together for good.   God will provide a way through every situation.  And. Sometimes the way He provides seems to be impossible.  But. When we choose to go the way God has purposed for us to go, we're able to have confidence there's a way through it.

Look back into the ancient days when the Israelites were enslaved, they saw life through the power of oppression and darkness, making all things seem to be impossible.  When they finally escaped, they came to the edge of the Red Sea with their oppressors chasing after them.  It looked like nothing had changed, the way through it seemed impossible.  At first glance, it would've seemed smarter to go back to the way it was, to go back to their oppressors and live in the darkness of enslavement.  But.  God is our Redeemer and Restorer; Moses was empowered to show the people the way God had provided:  "Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land" (Exodus 14: 21, NLT).

It does not make sense that God would provide the Red Sea as a way out of oppression.  But.  God works all things together for good, providing a way through all places we find ourselves in, including the deep waters and dark valleys of our life.  It's a choice to step onto the path, trusting God to hold the water and not let go.
Stop.
Seek God today.
Confess where you've been, what you've done, and how much you need God.
Trust God to work all things together for good.
Believe God will provide a way through every circumstance.
Walk in the power of God today.
Learning to Kickstart the day walking in the Way,
Kerrie

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

Living in the "Now"

Little Miss Madelyn has taught me the value of "now."  She is not as concerned what's going to happen next, as with what we're doing in the moment.  It is amazing how this two-year old continues to teach me some pretty big life lessons.  It seems like so much of life is missed by busyness and all the stuff which must be managed.  But.

 I've learned when I fail to live in the "now," I've misused what God has made: the day. 

The thing is . . . we know we should enjoy each moment . . . but we often put it off until another time,  allowing the stuff of the day to be all-consuming.   Let's be honest, when we're anxious, worried, stressed, or overdone, we tend to try to just get through it all, wanting things to change, admittedly missing the gift of  "now" in the day.   When it comes down to it, trusting God in the moment, is the key to experiencing life itself.

The Apostle Paul connected trust with experiencing God in the moment.  Consider:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13, NIV).

The key words "as you trust," reveal what's required of us to experience the presence and power of God in each moment.  Living with hope, the kind that results in joy and peace, does not just happen.  We must choose to trust;  when we trust in the midst of all the stuff that comes at us in the day,  the Spirit of God enables us to experience hope with joy and peace in the "now"  without waiting for things to change. So. Trusting God is how we intentionally live in the "now" of the day.

Meditate on the three words: as you trust.

Intentionally experience the gift of "now."  Trust God.  Encounter the power of hope given to you by the Spirit of God as you trust.

Learning to Kickstart the day experiencing the gift of now,
Kerrie

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

Win The Battle

My friends are helping a homeless family who have lost their jobs, possessions, and ability to earn their way.  Their life problems seem gigantic.  The family has expressed their hopelessness in their seemingly insurmountable problems.  And, it all does seem too big and difficult.  Anyway, there's not going to be an easy fix.  But. There's God.   I don't always understand hardships but I do know that the presence of God in our life is better than anything or anyone else.

Whether we are in good times or are facing difficulties, we are able to trust God for all things, for pain, for giant problems, for impossibilities.

When we invite God into our life, we are given certainty God will be present and will fight our battles in amazing ways, beyond what we could ask for, think about, or ever imagine.  There's no need to live in fear when we are in the presence of God. Consider the words of a young boy, David, who faced a giant that a whole army had feared:
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (I Samuel 17:47, NIV). 

I Samuel assures us that the battles belong to God. So, what did David do that an army of men did not do to win the battle?

He faced the giant, running towards the battle, believing and trusting God to be the Warrior who would win the battle.

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him (I Same 17:48-50, NIV).

David acknowledged the battle would be won through the power of God.  He willingly faced the battle with courage, trusting God.  And, the battle was won.  A friend of mine would declare the win of this kind of battle to be a big-deal-hairy-audacious-miracle. It's the reality of the presence and power of God in our life. Whatever we face, when everything seems to be lost, when all things seem impossible, when we don't know what to do, we can be certain God will win our battle in ways which are beyond our own strength and ability. It is a matter of faith.

• Cross over from fear to faith, willingly and courageously face the battles of the day.
• Trust God to be present, to be more powerful than any battle, to be your Warrior.
• Face the battles of the day in and through the Spirit.  Remember we are not to rely on our own power or might but to live by the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
• Celebrate the win.

Learning to Kickstart the day, trusting God to win the battles,
Kerrie

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

Make It A Good Day

I volunteered with one of my young friends, a middle schooler, to help with thirty-one fourth graders.  We had fun with the students and one another. We plunged into the student's high energy, their readiness to experience something new, and their excitement of telling about it.  We joined their morning meeting, greeting one another, shaking hands, and telling the person on the left and the right, "Make it a good day."  A few of the students explained that by saying "make" it a good day, they've accepted the responsibility of whether or not their day is good.  Love it.  We live in an era that we would rather blame others and circumstances than to accept our own responsibility in the outcome of the day.  It was a good day.

The thing is . . . God has promised to do good for us . . . without ever stopping.  Consider: 
They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.  And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land (Jeremiah 32: 38-41, NLT).

The "I will" of God is remarkable, a divine promise to be underlined in our mind and soul.  God promised to  always be doing good, to never stop doing good, and to do good with joy.  

There are times we may not see good at the forefront of our life; however, it's in these times we must choose to draw closer to God, to have faith God is present and faithful to do good in our life, which is key to living a good life.  It does require trusting God when we're in a season of difficulties, to see with eyes of faith that God will use all things  to purposefully do good in our life. God does not do good things some of the time.

God does good things all of the time. And, God doesn't just do the good thing because it's promised to us; God has joy in doing good in our life.  

It's what the Psalmist said:  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life . . . (Psalm 23:6, NIV).  In other words, God goes after us, pursuing us with goodness each day.  This means we see the good in each day to be from God rather than from any other source. When we rely only on the goodness of God, we've learned how to make our day good, which changes everything . . . our thoughts, words, actions, decisions . . .  and the very atmosphere we live in.

Make it a good day.
Look for the good of the day from God.
Celebrate the goodness of God today.

Learning to Kickstart the day making it good,
Kerrie

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

What Do You Fear?

Most people I talk with are afraid of what will happen to them if the United States' economic situation continues to spiral out of control.  Some are more afraid than others.  If, their fear is not focused on finances, then it's often centered on  their marriage not working out or a health problem.  Fear is a reality on earth.  None of us escape it. While fear takes on different forms in our life, it's present, it's rooted in anxiety, worry, stress, and even anger, it's what takes away our peace and ultimately our well-being.

So.  When a friend asked me what I fear, I knew it was a valid question.  He said he guessed I would say something about having a fear of death, given some of the things I've faced this last summer.  But.  I've learned something profound:  Wherever I'm at, on earth or in heaven, life is about being in the presence of God.  And, in the most intense times I've discovered there's no room for fear when I intentionally focus on God's powerful loving presence.

And, God has been faithful to remove the power of fear as I've surrendered it. 

Consider.
Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me (Psalm 23: 4 NLT).

The Psalmist discovered and declared it: "I will not be afraid for you are close beside me."  It really is the same response the Apostle Paul had when he wrote to the early church in Rome, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us" (Romans 8:31, NIV)?

When we face the reality of fear, we must look beyond the things we fear through eyes of faith to not only believe God is present but God is greater than whatever is causing us to fear. 

 I am the first to say, this is not easy when we face something that has the power to devastate and change the course of our life.

The thing is . . . I know from first hand experience . . . God works in all things for the good of those who love and live purposefully for Him.  The things we fear often provide the way to do the greatest things we could ever do for and with God. It requires us to turn from fear and to have faith God is present and at work.  It's amazing when the things which caused fear draws us closer to God and towards what we're created to do.  

Answer the question:  What do I fear? 
What produces anxiety, fear, stress, or anger?
Give whatever you fear to  God.  Be aware of how close God is to you, even in the darkest valley.
Trust God to purposefully work in all things for good in your life, using the things you fear in amazing ways.

Learning to Kickstart the day turning from fear to the presence and power of God,
Kerrie

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

The Gift of the Day

Madelyn is joy, a gift that transcends the stuff of life.  It's amazing to think that a little two-year old girl has grabbed so many hearts and changes the dynamics of our life through joy.    It's made me realize how we have the opportunity to impact others with joy.

The thing is . . . joy is to be a constant in our life . . . it's not something that comes and goes but, rather, it's an ongoing gift from God.  Joy is dependent on our intentional choices of  how and why we live in a specific manner.  It's the gift of the day.

Consider Jesus' joy:
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2, NASB).  

There's insight to the power and strength of joy in this phrase:  "Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross."  We usually associate joy to be  a weak attribute, related to happiness; however,  Hebrews 12 puts joy in a different context.  Certainly this passage clarifies joy does not come from being focused on what's happening to ourselves, but rather on God and others.  The same joy set before Jesus on the cross, is now ours.   The word, joy, is derived from the Greek word charis, meaning grace.  If, grace is undeserved and unmerited, then, joy is too.  And, as we receive grace we are to give grace, likewise as we receive joy, we give joy.  Regardless of the stuff we must face,  the git of joy changes our perception of how we move through it all and how we impact the world around us.  This precept requires us to step up to a higher level of living when we receive the gift of Life.

 Here's the thing that I'm learning: Joy should not be dismissed as an unnecessary and weak religious attribute, but rather a divine gift which not only changes the way we see what is set before us in the day but impacts those we come in contact with because it comes directly from Christ.  

Meditate on the joy set before Christ on the cross.
Receive Christ's gift of joy.
See what is set before you in the day through the gift joy.
Live with joy.
Impact the world around you by giving the gift of joy to others each day.

Learning to Kickstart the day with joy, the gift of the day,
Kerrie

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

Stand Strong

I met with a couple that were paralyzed by a list of difficult circumstances.  Through the years I've learned there's more to everyone's story than what is seen at first glance.  But.  Their story described a life that seemed unusually difficult in every area, especially in some of their significant relationships, their health, and in their finances. They had come to a place where their passion and vision for life had been lost.  And. It did seem like they were in an impossible place.

The thing is . . . when we are in an impossible place of life . . . we need to be ready to do what God tells us to do.  

We're promised a highly unusual promise:  Nothing is impossible with God.  Nothing.  And.  I'm the first to say, I've experienced the impossible becoming possible.  It's God who will give us the strength to stand when we're weak and paralyzed in the stuff of life.

Consider the conversation between Jesus and the paralyzed man in Mark 2:
 "I tell you, stand up, take your mat, and go home." Immediately the paralyzed man stood up, took his mat, and walked out while everyone was watching him.  The people were amazed and praised God. They said, "We have never seen anything like this!" (Mark 2:11-12, NCV).

Imagine the scene.  The man was paralyzed, his legs weakened and atrophied from years of inactivity, and, yet, he stood.  The power of Jesus' words to stand, caused him to stand.  He was strong enough to stand, to pick up his mat, and to walk.  The paralyzed man did what Jesus said to do.  And.  Jesus gave him the power to do it.  Simple.  Powerful.  A reminder:

We aren't responsible to make things happen on our own but rather to do what God says to do.  God gives power to the weak.

There's amazing power in our life when we stand in the place Jesus calls us to stand.  It takes courage to do something God asks us to do when no one else would ever dream of asking us to do that very thing. Jesus told the paralyzed man to stand.  Who does that?  How is it possible to ask a paralyzed man to stand?  But, that's what God asks us to do . . . to refuse to be paralyzed by the stuff of life . . . to stand when He says to stand, regardless of how impossible it all seems.

What would happen if Jesus asked you to stand in faith regardless of what you are facing today?  Would you stand?  Would you wait until it made sense?  Would you stand regardless of what others said to do?   Do you live with the belief that Jesus will give you the power to stand when you feel paralyzed in the stuff of life?

Following Jesus has never been and never will be about what we're able to do on our own, but its about living beyond ourselves in His divine presence and supernatural power.  How is this possible when we're faced with the hard stuff of life?   God's Word is clear:  Be strong and courageous!  The only way it's possible to be strong and courageous, including the seasons of adversity, is through the presence and power of the Spirit.  We are weak, but He is strong.
 So.
When the impossible comes your way, and it will, stand when Jesus says to stand.
Refuse to be paralyzed in the stuff.
Do what Jesus says to do:  Stand strong.  The Spirit will give you the strength to stand, making all things possible, for you to go forward.

Learning to Kickstart the day by standing strong,
Kerrie

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

The Place of Undeserved Privilege

We celebrated our church's hundredth birthday in an outdoor service which had been planned for months.  It rained. I'm not sure why we were surprised, after all Oregonians live in rain much of the year; however, we were.  But.  We were in the presence of God.

The thing is . . . standing in the presence of God . . .  is a more powerful place to be than in any storm we may face. 

I'm the first to say the storms of life are difficult, challenging, and sometimes downright impossible, creating havoc and causing pain.  BUT.  And, this is a big BUT:

Our response to a storm delineates the power it has over us.  When we become consumed with the storm, we lose our balance, becoming less aware of God; when we intentionally look for God's presence, we realign ourselves to what really matters in life; when we learn the reality of the presence of God is much bigger than any storm, we are released to see life from a vantage point beyond ourselves. 

Consider. 
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:2, NLT).

The key to facing a storm, is to intentionally stand in the divine place of undeserved privilege, the place Christ has given us to stand in, the place where nothing and no one is able to harm us, the place of grace and glory. And, yet, it's a choice to let the storm take hold of us or to weather a storm with faith, intentionally standing firm in the divine place of undeserved privilege without losing balance, drawing closer to Christ in a new and fresh encounter, confident there's a supernatural use for the storm.  In the end, we intentionally choose whether or not we will stand in the place Christ has given us to stand in or find ourselves pushed down, unable to get up, whether or not we live with confidence and joy or defeat and depression, whether or not we will be more than conquerors in Christ, courageously facing all things.

Give thanks for the life Christ has given you.
Face the storm.
Stand in the presence of God, the divine place of undeserved privilege.
Encounter Christ in a new and fresh way, confident God will work out all things for good.

Learning to Kickstart the day standing in the divine place of undeserved privilege,
Kerrie

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

Friendship Never Dies

I'm missing my friend today.  She died a little over a decade ago.  I never thought it would be possible to live ten years without talking to her, listening to her southern accent, laughing or planning our days together.  But.

I've come to realize friendship, true friendship made in and through the heart of God, never dies.   

We had such a good friendship, a strong love for one another.  We often communicated without words; we only had to look at each other to know what the other was thinking.  We cared about what happened to one another on a daily basis, willing to risk our life for one another as well as to do over-the-top-crazy-fun things together.  The gift of our friendship has made me acutely aware of the power of a committed and strong relationship.

Consider the words of Jesus.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me (John 9: 13-15, NLT).

Religion was turned upside down when Jesus said there was a way to be a friend of God. Until then, spirituality was measured and graded by keeping the rules.

There's nothing greater than to be friends with God, trusting and believing that no matter what happens God is for you and you're for God.  No one and nothing can take your divine friendship away, not even death.  

Friendship with God is a forever deal.

Regardless of the season of life we're in, having a friendship with God gives us the reason to love life, to see the gift of the day, and to know we're never alone.  As a friend of God we're enabled to face life courageously with faith rather than fear, believing all things are made new, nothing is impossible, and that all things will come together for good.

Enjoy your friendship with God.
Go to a deeper place of intimacy.
Celebrate your day with God.

 Learning to Kickstart the day as a friend of God,
Kerrie

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

The Moment

They're facing a day which will shape the course of their lives.  They desperately want a specific outcome; however, no one will say it will occur.    So.  We prayed, acknowledging God is GOD, asking for help to surrender their focus on the issue, trusting the plan for their life is beyond what they've ever thought or imagined, receiving divine peace.

When we face something challenging, when no one will guarantee a positive outcome, when we have more questions than answers, when things appear to be getting worse, we need to stop and become aware of the presence and peace of God.

The thing is . . .   when we're missing peace . . . we're missing the fact God is present, goes ahead of us, and will never leaver leave or fail us. 

Consider.  
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you" (Deut. 31:6, The Message).

Sometimes we do that thing, we have the ah ha moment, when we read a truth about God and realize we're not living in its reality.  It happens.  There are seasons in life when we become more focused on our stuff  than on God.  Our conversations during these times often begin with the question, "Why?" And, we often wonder why other people, especially those who have chosen to live without God, are able to have what we want in our own life.    But.  Instead of focusing on what others have and what we're afraid won't happen, we need to stop everything and meditate on the presence of God, remembering God is with us, goes ahead of us, will not let us down, and will never leave us.  Becoming aware of this truth must become a daily exercise in order to live in the kind of peace that is unexplainable.

As we become more aware of the presence of God, we're enabled to relax and to receive divine peace.  

At the end of the day, what matters is knowing the presence of God.  When we know God is present, all  things in our life come together because we understand God is in control and at work.
Stop. Put aside a moment to become aware of the presence of God.
Remember God is with you, goes ahead of you, will not fail you, and will not leave you.
Relax.  Receive the peace of God, trusting all things will come together because God is with you, going ahead of you, promising to never leave or fail you.

Learning to Kickstart the day taking a moment to be aware of the presence of God.
Kerrie

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

Uncommon-out-of-the-ordinary

Our church is celebrating one hundred years of service this week.  Who does that?  Who survives one hundred years?  It’s uncommon. But, then again, God is about doing the uncommon, those things which are out of the ordinary.  It all started with Pastor Eva and four women in 1911 in a little store front called Mission House.  In 1914, they moved to a building which remains standing in our little town of McMinnville.  One of the old-timers remembers at one point the church almost quit being a church. But.  They continued on despite the problems.  God had called the people to be a church.  Period.  It requires trust to do what God says to do, especially when we hit the tough times.  And.  Tough times will come.  It's not about how hard life becomes, but how we manage it all.  I can only imagine what the teens would have said when they were sitting in church, if, they could've seen the result  of persisting and pursuing God: "SHUT-UP.  I MEAN IT, SHUT-UP."  Really, it's surprising when anyone survives big problems, especially the kind of problems which make us want to quit and be done with it all.

The thing is . . . God's uncommon-out-of-the-ordinary greatness and bigness supersedes anything and everything . . . including the problems we face.  Actually, I think the problem is you and I.  It's often easier to see the greatness and bigness of a problem than God.  So.  It's in these times we must decide to either  persist, pursuing God or to quit, turning away from what we're called to do.

Consider. 
The heavens declare the glory of God,
       and the skies announce what his hands have made.
 Day after day they tell the story;
       night after night they tell it again.
 They have no speech or words;
       they have no voice to be heard.
 But their message goes out through all the world;
       their words go everywhere on earth (Psalm 19: 1-4, NCV).

The Psalmist reminds us of God's uncommon-out-of-the-ordinary greatness and bigness in our ever-changing skies, sunrise and sunset, the harvest moon, the stars shining in the night sky, the light of the sun that dissipates the darkness in the early hours of the morning.  And. All of creation is a reminder that God has greater things for us than what we can see in the moment.  When our reality is anchored in the presence of God rather than in the problem, we are able to see how ridiculous it is to worry, to stress-out, or to fear.  God is GOD.

Persist in what God has called you to do, despite problems.
Pursue God.
Breathe.  Take a moment.  Look up into the skies.
Remember God's uncommon-out-of-the-ordinary greatness and bigness.
Trust God in all things, including when great and big problems come your way.
Be ready for what more God has . . . it's ridiculously uncommon-out-of-the ordinary great and big.

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting God for greater and bigger things than any problem.
Kerrie

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

ALL

People often tell me they're trying to have a better and stronger relationship with God.  So, I ask them how they plan on doing it.  Most have no earthly idea.  I've learned, through my own life as well as with others, trying does not cut it.  An intentional plan is mandatory for anything worth doing.  So.  I recommend beginning by making a plan with ways to intentionally pay more attention to God.  I help list ways to intentionally engage more with God in their prayer life, meditation, study of  the Bible as well as participating in a class, small group, or something with others who have determined to do the same thing.  Being intentional requires accountability.

When it gets down to really doing something more to get closer to God, people tend to count the cost of their time and begin to feel pressured, guilty, and stressed. It's all too much to comprehend when we give ourselves to so many other things.  

The thing is . . . it's one thing to say we want to have a stronger relationship with God . . . and it's another thing to give all we have to do it. I mean, we're talking about God.  GOD.  In our culture we tend to think of God from our human perspective, forgetting God is GOD, greater and mightier than we could ever think or imagine. To continually give all to our relationship with GOD changes everything about life.

• It's not something small to get close to our great and mighty God, who not only created us and the space we live in, but who desires to have a close and personal relationship with us.  
• It's a big deal that GOD takes such personal pleasure in our desire for a stronger relationship.  
• It's our choice and responsibility to get closer to God.  One of the greatest promises Scripture highlights is the promise that God is always present and will never leave or fail us.  When we step into relationship with God we can be sure God is for us, God is with us, and the Spirit of God is within us.  The strength of our personal relationship with God is based on how deep we're personally willing to go.

When we cut God short with our time, effort, energy, and ability, when we give only a part of our heart to God, when we call on God only when we have a moment or desperately need divine intervention, we've turned our back on what God has planned.  It's a miraculous thing that God has not only forgiven our sins with complete love and amazing grace but wants to be in a deep and strong relationship with all the components of who we are and what we do.

Consider what Jesus said to be most important:
"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND" (Matthew 22:37, NASB).

The word, all, explains the importance, depth, and commitment of what our relationship with God is to look like:
A relationship with God through Christ is all we need to have the best life.
Determine what needs to be surrendered in order to give your all.
Ask yourself, "What are the things that I've allowed to take precedence in my life rather than God?
Be honest.
Be real.
Love God with all of  your heart, your soul, your mind . . . your time, energy, ability . . . all components of your life.
Make a plan to give your all.  Do it.  Life is amazing when we give all to GOD.

 Learning to Kickstart the day giving all to GOD.
Kerrie

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

No Better Way To Live

So. This summer has been interesting.  I've had to face a life-threatening health issue.  The term life-threatening seems so ominous and needs to be put into perspective. While I'm responsible to be wise in  the things I can do to manage my health, as well as all of the other components of my life, at the end of the day my life is in God's hands.  I trust God.

 I've learned there is no better way to live than to live on earth as it is in heaven.   

Consider what Jesus prayed: 
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10, TNIV). 

Life is much more simple when we respond on earth the way we will in heaven, the dimension where we will be face to face with Jesus, where sin has no dominion, where amazing grace reigns, where there's no room for fear, where life is lived with courage and strength, where pure love defines everything and anything. 

The thing is . . . when it all comes down to it  . . . what really matters is how the day is lived,  regardless of what must be faced.  So.  It makes sense to live the way we're created to live, the way we'll live in heaven, the way Jesus showed us to live.  He told us to seek God first, to pray, to understand we are talking with the Creator, Who has promised to listen and answer, which in itself is a miracle when you think about how great God is.  This is not about praying the little church pocket prayer, but real, honest, gut ripping, courageous prayer-- confessing the things that don't belong in our life, if, we're to live the way we'll live in heaven-- surrendering all of our expectations and needs-- trusting God in all things--believing there's something more in the will of God than what can be imagined--determining to live beyond whatever must be faced with integrity, courage, strength, and pure love.  It's about what we are unable to do without the presence and power of the Spirit: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6).

When you get down to it, there's no better way to live on earth than as it is in heaven:

• Live on earth as it is in heaven, face to face with the presence, power, and peace of Jesus Christ. 
• Confess. 
• Surrender. 
• Trust. 
• Believe.
• Live with integrity, courage, strength and pure love through the Spirit.

 Learning to Kickstart the day with the better way to live, as it is in heaven,
Kerrie

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

A New Season

The day after Labor Day is one of my most favorite days of the year.  It always has felt like a day of crossing over the line  into a new season when the first day of school begins for students in our area, when new pencils, notebooks, and textbooks are issued for a new school year, when a few leaves on the trees begin to change colors, when we exchange summer activities for the things of fall.  When there's a re-energizing change of routine in the day, we've experienced a gift of something new.

Though we might not always see it, something is always being made new through the power and presence of God.  While we might feel we're stuck or at a dead-end, God uses it as a catalyst to transform, making all things new, creating opportunities for a new beginning, a new day, and a new season of life.  The thing is . . . it's our choice  . . . to live the day, or even the moment, receiving the fresh and new gift of God, re-energized and impassioned for life.  There's often more time spent in waiting for something different, waiting for something to change, waiting for something more than in the moment, waiting to enjoy what life holds for the day than in the time we take to experience God's gift of a new work.

We are made to experience the liberating and redeeming power of God when something is made new.  

Consider. 
But forget all that—
      it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
 For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19, NLT).

Isaiah 43 makes it clear to focus on the new thing God is doing, to be willing to cross over the line from what has been to a new beginning.  It's not always easy to take the step when we're in the wilderness and wasteland in some or all of life.  But.  The key is to let it go, to focus on what God is doing, to see through faith that God is making a way through the wilderness and dry wasteland of life.

And, yes, it's easy to focus on the things which should've, would've, and could've been different . . .  if, only . . . however, we miss the mysterious and miraculous new work of God when we look at the stuff rather than turn our full attention on the Divine. 

Get ready for a new season of miracles.
Step in; cross over the line from what has been to the new work of God.
See what God is doing.
Trust God to make all things new, providing a way even in the wilderness and wasteland of life.
Celebrate the gift of God's work in your life as a new season.

Learning to Kickstart the day seeing the gift of a new season,
Kerrie

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