Kick Start . . . Your Day

Life List: Look For The Gift Of The Day

2012-01-18T21:54:00.000-08:00

Go to our new site: http://kickstartyourdaywithgod.com/

Really? A friend from the Chicago area, texted me after hearing we were having an historical snowfall. But. A light dusting of snow is not even close to what we've had in the past. Another friend, concerned for us, heard we were experiencing high winds. Well. I did see a reporter on the morning news holding a plastic bag to show the wind was not blowing it around. What I do know is that it's raining--I can hear it and see it. Apparently, there's a lack of correct information to what is our true reality. Before we begin to mock the weather reports, we need to be honest about our lack of attention to true reality.

The thing is . . . when we're unable to see true reality . . . we're blind to what's in front of us: the gift of the day.

Our personal reality is based on our own experience and perspective, which often creates obstacles to see the presence and work of God. Too often, we are focused on problems and people with stress and worry, which distorts our ability to see beyond ourselves and to be aware of God. We may know God is present but feel disconnected to His presence, overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed through the stuff which must be managed in the day. There's a difference between understanding God is with us and experiencing the presence of Christ in the moment: seeing Divine reality, hearing the Truth, receiving peace beyond comprehension, energized to live with passion and anticipation for what is to come.

Consider:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

Seeing the reality of God is the ultimate gift of the day. When we see through faith, we see what 's true.
To refocus and see reality, we must take time to stop, to let go of the stuff which has our attention, asking God to give us the faith to see the reality of Christ.

Isaiah helps us to readjust our vision of reality asking the questions: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28, NRS).

Isaiah helps us to evaluate the way we are seeing reality, if, we are certain of what is not seen with our physical eyes, but with eyes of faith to look for the gift of the day:

Stop.
Refocus, let go of the stuff that you've been so focused on, and view the world through faith asking the questions: Have I not known? Have I not heard? God is present.
Intentionally become aware of the presence of God.
See the gift of the day: The certain reality of God, who was the One present in the beginning, is present in the moment, and will always be present with unsearchable understanding of everything and anything.

Learning to Kickstart the day by looking for the gift of the day,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Also see:
Faith Family Creativity: Inspired
http://faithfamilycreativity.com/

On The Life List: Refuse Discouragement

2012-01-17T07:47:00.000-08:00

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Discouragement is a progressive condition. Once discouraged, we tend to respond to life through the lens of negativity and worrisome “what if’s.” When we allow discouragement in, when it becomes our mindset, when it becomes our guide, causing us to make decisions through it, we are blinded, unable to see the work of God. And.

As discouragement takes over, our energy and passion for life dissipates, decreasing our ability to believe God has something more, creating a feeling that nothing will work, making it less likely that we’ll take steps of faith, choosing a route to respond to situations without the leading of God as we disconnect from His supernatural presence and power.

Throughout the Word of God, we are told to refuse discouragement. It’s not a suggestion, it’s a command, repeatedly given with an expectation to be resolved and determined to not be discouraged, regardless of what the day holds. And. We are told it’s possible to live without discouragement because God is fully present in our life.

Consider the words on the life list:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT).

Put the scene in your mind. Moses had lived with fear and discouragement; however, at the end of life, when he was finishing up his long term of serving God, facing the people he had served, he made his last speech, giving a list to live by, a “life list”:

DO NOT respond to your life with fear or discouragement.
Follow God with faith that God will go ahead of you. (Underline “will go.”)
Believe God is with you. (Underline “is.”)
Trust God will not fail you. (Underline “will not.”)
Remember God will never abandon you. Underline ” will never.”

Download Mose’s life list on your life list. And. Refuse discouragement through faith in God.

Learning to Kickstart the day living by the life list, refusing to be discouraged through faith in God,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
Also see: http://faithfamilycreativity.com/

Try out the new site.

2012-01-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

http://kickstartyourdaywithgod.com/

Live Without Regret

2012-01-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

In giving a run-down of her weekend, Madelyn said, "I didn't listen." As young as she is, a month away from being three, she had been processing what her lack of attention meant with regret. It's hard to know she's weighed down by her regret, so, I tried to help her let it go. The thing is . . . the love we have for Madelyn is incredibly huge, none of us want her to carry the weight of regret, we want her to learn from it . . . and move forward with freedom. But. No one escapes the power of regret, not even an almost three-year old.

Regret is produced from looking backwards, seeing how specific choices led to a disappointing, distressing, and even a disastrous outcome.
Regret becomes an obstacle to living freely.
Regret must be surrendered in order to move forward.

Relief from the weight of regret comes through intentionally letting it go:

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Christ will use our regret to teach us the way to live in wholeness and Christ will take the weight of it, freeing us to move forward. When the weight of regret is gone, we receive supernatural peace as well as the gift of wisdom, enabling us to move in a new direction. It's what supernatural transformation is all about.
But. There's a difference between knowing Christ lifts the weight and pressures from your personal regret and believing He will take your stuff on. Living free from the weight of regret requires you to surrender with confident belief 'God's got it," with a view of you as a prized possession not a failure.

We can be sure, no matter what we've done, God wants and will take the weight of our regret, enabling us to move forward: He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession (James 1:18, NLT).

You are Christ's prized possession . . . through a never-ending love Christ will teach you lessons from the regret . . . taking the weight of regret away . . . when you surrender it all.
Learning to Kickstart the day living without regret.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Live . . . Pray

2012-01-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

I meet with individuals who face impossible situations. I mean they're days are filled with the kind of stuff that no one wants to face, let alone live in. And. There are many times they just walk away from it all. It all seems too hard to keep on living in the impossible. But. I've seen the miracle of transformation. Though sometimes it's hard to imagine, if, we trust God has something more, walking through the day with confidence God will bring all the details together, we will have the power of hope to proceed.

Consider what happened to Solomon:

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him:"I have heard your prayer,and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. (2 Chronicles 7:12, NRS)

Regardless of who we are and what we are facing, we need to pray more, with the belief all things are possible, including the most impossible situations, trusting all things will be made new, remembering all things, the good and the bad, will work together with a divine purpose, living in the realm of divine power, refusing to fear, walking in faith despite what it may seem like, knowing God has heard our prayer and is working on our behalf.

Think about 2 Chronicles 7:12: God told Solomon that his prayer was heard and answered.
Think about it again: God listened and responded.
Pray.
Pray throughout the day with unwavering faith that God hears and answers.
Pray more.

Learning to Kickstart the day in prayer.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Live Successfully and Prosperously

2012-01-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

Tim worked with one of my friends yesterday, however, he had no idea she was 95 because of her youthful attitude and passion for her life. I consider my friend, Dorothy, to be one of the most successful individuals I've ever known. The thing is . . . when we attach the word, success to a person . . . the word, prosperous, is often also used. And. My friend is unusually prosperous.

Before you read on think about these two words: successful and prosperous. What is your first thought about an individual described as successful and prosperous?

Most of us often first think of possessions, position, or power. Or, all three of these components in some form. But. These three elements are not what success and prosperity are derived from in God's definition.

Consider success and prosperity through the eyes of God:
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7, TNIV).

Take a long look at Joshua 1 and focus on it. There are three things to consider when it comes to God's view of success and prosperity: strength, courage, and obedience to God's word. All three of these components are contingent on believing God is God and not settling for less.

While the stuff of life comes at us quick and hard we need to understand it's possible to be successful and prosperous in not only the good times but the worst of times when we are strong, courageous, and obedient to God's word:

Strength comes through the power of Christ: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13, NASB). Note: He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isaiah 40: 29, NLT).
Courage is an active decision of belief, ignoring whoever attempts to place fear in you: But Jesus paid no attention to what they said. He told the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid; just believe" (Mark 5: 36, NCV).
Obedience to the word requires talking about it, meditating on it, and carefully doing what God says to do in it: Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1: 8, NIV).

Be strong, courageous, and obedient to God's word and you will have a successful and prosperous day.
Learning to Kickstart the day to live successfully and prosperously.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Live Free of Worry and Stress

2012-01-04T04:51:00.000-08:00

Some friends have made decisions, which will impact the rest of their life. Their future is unknown. It would make sense for them to worry. But. They have refused to enter into the realm of worry, determined to trust God for all things. Worry takes away the gift of the day, disrupting our faith, changing the way we see and respond to life, eventually paralyzing us. But. Worry only has power, if, we allow it to do so. Yet. We worry, or as most of us refer to it, we “stress.”

The thing is . . . stress creates havoc in us . . . and the world.

In fact, Duke University stated in a report that stress will be the "second-largest contributor to the global burden of disease by the year 2012" (http://today.duke.edu/2011/11/stressedout). It's a big problem.

Consider.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (Philippians 4:6, NLT).

God does not dwell in the realm of worry and stress; however, it's our choice to dwell in it. Refusing to dwell in worry and stress is a matter of believing God will not leave or fail you, trusting God to work all of the details out, anticipating God has something more for you, and thanking God for all He has done and is doing for you. So. In order to receive supernatural peace, we must intentionally and willfully walk away from any worry and stress stirring within us, which is not of God, and move into the realm of His presence.

When we step into the presence of God through prayer, we receive a powerful peace, which heals and restores us from the disaster worry and stress produces.

Philippians 4:6 describes the steps to live free of worry and stress:
Don't worry about anything.
Pray about everything.
Tell God what you need.
Thank God.

Learning to Kickstart the day by living free from worry and stress.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Live Fully

2012-01-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

I've always been a student of the road when we're on trips. I study landscape and houses along the way. My interest in every house is the story it tells about the occupant(s). Whether it’s well-kept, run-down, or has a yard full of junk, there’s an individual or family who lives there with high energy, excited for the day, grateful for life, living to the fullest or not. Their unique experiences form their reality, giving the reasons to why they are there, good or bad. I wish I could tell you that I pray for every home along the way, it sounds much more holy and pure. But. I don’t. However, there are some that catch my attention, causing me to pray right then and there. It happened yesterday as we traveled home from the Oregon coast. I saw a home that caught my breath, taking my full attention. The house itself was exquisite with beautiful landscaping. But. It was the barn that I will never forget, not because it was freshly painted and well maintained, which is unusual for where we were, but because what was above it’s doors, high enough to be seen throughout the country-side: a meticulous, painted swastika, the universal symbol of hate.

It made me wonder about the people who owned the property. What caused these meticulous people to hate? Had hurt turned into hate? Were they taught hate? What happened? The thing is . . . their perfection revealed purposefulness . . . in their hate.

At day's end, hate is the loneliest place to be, a place of darkness, a place far from God, where living to the fullest is missed. While displaying hate may seem far from your own life, it’s often closer than most think about. I’m talking about hate for self. Hate is often pushed down, covered up, and denied. Yet. Over the course of time, it comes to the surface, displayed in behaviors, disseminating the gift of life. Hate most often is produced from hurt, weighing an individual down, causing pain for self and others. But. God always makes a way out of the darkness into the light.

Consider:
In their misery they cried out to the Lord,
   and he saved them from their troubles.
He brought them out of their gloom and darkness
   and broke their chains.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his love
   and for the miracles he does for people. (Psalm 107:13-15, New Century Version)

There’s a powerful transformation, which begins when we call out to God. Through a power that changes darkness into the light, hate into love, brokenness into wholeness, we are freed from the chains that prevent us from living fully.

Determine to live fully this New Year.
Call out to God.
Focus on one specific thing in your life, which has constrained you from experiencing the “more” of God.
Intentionally live in the power that will break you free of whatever is weighing you down.
Thank God throughout the day for the miracle of living free, even before you fully experience life.

Learning to Kickstart the day living fully,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Live New

2012-01-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

We've had quiet and beauty to begin our New Year, staying at the coast, in a friend's house in Netarts Bay with a view of the water and mountains. It's been the kind of get away that seems like it just started, the kind that you always want more time. So. It's been good; however, too short. When we get back, we will step into busyness, unpacking, getting ready to go to work, putting Christmas decor away, and running to the store for groceries. It's always a challenge to enter back in to the stuff of life. But. The thing is . . . I want to start this New Year . . . as new.

A New Year signifies new beginnings. It's a choice to live new, to not be slowed down or overwhelmed by the old. To live new, we must think and act new. It's how we're created to live the day.

Consider.
Behold,
the former things have come to pass,
Now I declare new things;
Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you (Isaiah 42:9, NASB).

God has declared new things before the new has come into our life. There's a mindset of new, which requires us to let go of the old and "unnecessary stuff" in every area of life. When we focus on the new of God, our response to the day changes. It requires taking our focus off the stuff, letting go of such things as fear, gult, bitterness, and unforgiveness which distort our perception, through faith that God makes all things new.

Living new requires action, refusing to be comfortable with the old, refusing to let the old have power to hinder us from living in the new God has declared.

Think about it: God has declared the new things. So. It's not a matter if new exists, but rather what we do with the old things.
Remember God makes all things new.
Let the old go, welcome in the new work of God in every area of your life--with God, with others, with your health, with your finances, with your work, with all things---live new.

Learning to Kickstart the day by living new.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

It's A Wonderful Life

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Everything looked different in McMinnville under a covering of ice fog yesterday. The ice covered world made it appear to be more like a winter wonderland. Even so, I am holding out for the whole Bedford Falls-it’s a wonderful life-covered-with-snow type of day. I want and wait for it every winter, hoping for a true wintery transformation. I’m not going to lie, it rarely happens in the world I live in. But. When it does, I insist on having a cup of hot chocolate to watch the snow come down while quoting great statements from one of my favorite movies about perspective of life, Frank Capra’s, It’s A wonderful Life. The movie tells the story of how George’s problems had blocked his view of the gift of life, it did not seem worth living to him. In the end, George comes to see he has received the gift of a wonderful life.There are some great lines like: “You've been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.”

We see things differently when we look beyond our circumstances. When you get down to it, our perspective is driven by whether or not we see the presence and power of God. When we let an encounter with God impact our perspective to the point it changes us, we see the gift of life and know nothing is routine when we live with God. I’ve learned this kind of perspective comes from trusting God fully, without any reservation. When we hold back trusting God, we mess things up.

Trusting God is looking beyond the stuff and seeing the unseen work of God purposefully bringing all details together for good.

Mary’s life changed after she encountered God. Most likely, if, she had gone back home, no one would have seen the presence of God in her, but instead they would have viewed her as a sinner. Consider what Luke wrote in his account:
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.(Luke 1:39-44, NAS)

The word, haste, speaks of the urgency Mary had. The harsh reality for a young unmarried pregnant woman was shunning, stoning, and even death. Mary needed to be with someone that saw the bigger picture, the gift of the presence of God. She had to trust God to guide and work out her circumstances. The Spirit of God confirmed through Elizabeth, Mary’s elderly cousin, God was present. Her circumstances were the same; however, she knew God was present and at work in her life.

Do you see God? Refuse to let your circumstances block your view. We see God through trust, regardless of how messy life gets. Surrender all that is holding you back from trusting God; give every detail to Him. The thing is . . . when we trust God in all of it . . . we see a wonderful life is not based on our circumstances but on the presence of God. Celebrate: God is present. It's a wonderful life!

Learning to Kickstart the day seeing the gift of a wonderful life.
Kerrie

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

Dark Storms

2011-12-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

Can you imagine the emotional storm Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced? She most likely stayed awake at night making plans for the day she married Joseph? She certainly thought about having a family, settling down in their community, Nazareth, and sharing life with their family and friends. But. Life changed. God came to her. And. She willingly stepped into God’s plan, which not only changed the course of her life but humanity’s history. Big.

The thing is . . . being a part of the big plans of God is never easy . . . there’s always a storm brewing behind the scenes as darkness attempts to extinguish the Light of God.

When the storm of darkness gathers strength, when dark clouds of oppression cover the light of day, when the high winds of adversity blow in, and when the rain of resistance strikes with force, a struggle ensues against our heart and soul, even when we know we’re on God’s path.

I have no doubt Mary battled this kind of dark storm on her journey to Bethlehem, most certainly feeling the pain of rejection from family and friends who did not believe her, wondering who would help deliver her baby, wanting the familiar women back home to help as she struggled with the bigness of her assignment to be the mother of the Messiah.

And, yet, there is an insight to her perception of the power of God’s plan for her and the world:
But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them (Luke 2:19, NCV).

Luke, a physician, writes this sentence after writing about the details of the birth of Jesus through his perspective as a doctor. He understood this was hard stuff. So, he uses the word, but, to help us to understand Mary did not give into the storm of darkness. When the storm's pain of rejection, childbirth, and an unknown future collided, Mary treasured what God was doing, focusing and thinking on the divine gift. It was not only helped her to weather the storm but transformed her into a strong and courageous woman.

You and I are not exempt from the dark storms; however, we will not only make it through but become stronger, by seeking God, focusing on His work, and holding on to our faith that the darkness will not overcome the Light.

Refuse to let the darkness of the storms of life to overcome you. See the storm as a way to grow and become strong and courageous. So. Look for the work of God, treasure it as the gift of the day.

Learning to Kickstart the day treasuring what God is doing even during the darkness of a storm.
Kerrie

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

Reconciliation At Christmas

2011-12-21T05:25:00.000-08:00

A friend is in the process of reconciling with family. It has been a matter of prayer for years. This is the year of reconciliation for them. Christmas Eve is their target date; it's been years since they celebrated Christmas together. But. The death of a family member caused them to reconsider their separation.

Have you noticed how relationships are more important than ever at Christmas to most of us? At the same time, Christmas seems to highlight severed relationships, causing great pain from rejection and loss.

It makes me wonder about Mary, the mother of Jesus. I'm sure Mary had seen what had happened to young women who had become pregnant before marriage by another man. There's no mention of her mother or father helping her through the pregnancy or delivery. Most likely they had some kind of blow up, some kind of drama, some kind of bad ending. And. We know Joseph was ready to divorce Mary after being told she was pregnant by God.

The truth has always been extremely important to me. Tell me the truth. We will work out the rest. Lie to me and it won't go well with me. And. It clearly seemed Mary was lying when she pulled the God-card, "God did it." So, with these things in mind, consider:
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1: 18, 19, NIV)

For Joseph, obeying the law was premium: He was faithful to the law. And we know he was a good man: He did not want Mary exposed to public disgrace. But. He would've done what he had to do: Divorce her. Imagine the pain Mary had, she was not believed, but rejected by the one person who had pledged to live with her the rest of her life.

God stepped in:
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 20, 21, NIV).

We are not told about any other reconciliation stores between Mary and her friends and family. But. We have insight into the reconciliation between Joseph and Mary. Joseph not only received word from God, but believed and surrendered to the truth of what God said. We know they reconciled and their relationship was restored. So. We know Mary had to extend Joseph forgiveness, grace, and mercy for the not believing her and rejecting her.

Reconciliation is why Christ came, it's the reason for Christmas, to reconcile humanity with God. In the end, true reconciliation is the work of God. There are some relationships that seem too painful to ever be restored. But. With God, nothing is impossible. It begins with surrendering to the forgiveness, grace, and mercy of God, willingly extending it to the very one(s) who may have caused the greatest pain in your life. When that occurs, reconciliation has begun and you will receive the peace of God, regardless of what the rest of the story looks like.

Reconcile with God and others through the power of Christ.

Learning to Kickstart the day through the reconciling power of God.
Kerrie

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

Last Day

2011-12-20T06:09:00.000-08:00

Tiffany called to tell me about the funeral of her school's student, Calli, who died tragically in an accident last week along with her stepfather. One friend told the story about a day in the summer when Calli talked about heaven, asking her to have a relationship with Christ, to make sure heaven would be her destination, and to look forward to life in heaven. Others talked about her passion for life, her energy, and her decision to ask Christ to come into her life after attending a camp at Triangle Lake. And. Then. Calli's mother stood and spoke about her daughter and husband. This brave woman is left behind with two children and a baby. Can you imagine the courage and energy it took to prepare her words and then to share them with the thousands that came? And, my niece, Natalie, one of Calli's friends, sang with a couple of others to give tribute to her friend. It had to have been extremely difficult to sing with the heaviness of sorrow rather than her usual joy. The suddenness of death, especially in one so young, leaves an indelible mark. We grieve for the loss and for what might have been. And. We are comforted with the fact that Calli lived so well in such a short time, making each day count. The Spirit of God reiterated a familiar message to me as I listened to the stories of Calli:

Live like it's your last day. Do not die with regret.

Consider:
. . . The Lord has told you what is good,
   and this is what he requires of you:
   to do what is right, to love mercy,
   and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8, NLT).

None of us know when our life on earth will end. It would be heartbreaking to die on a day which had not been lived well. God's words speak to living the day as if it's your last day, a gift to be invested: "Do what is right. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God." If, we live in this manner, we will live the day as it's meant to be lived and die without regret.

Do what is right. Seriously, we know what's right. If, it aligns with who God is and what God says, then, it's right. Even so, we seem to struggle with what's right. I believe we are created to know what's right: what's honest, honorable, trustworthy, and just; however, we struggle with doing it, trying to tweak it to align with our individual needs and desires. You've done it and I've done it. There's nothing pretty about the mess that occurs from not doing the right thing.

Love mercy. The thing is . . . mercy is an action, which I define as the collision of love, grace, peace, and compassion . . . which transforms a life. Certainly mercy is not based on what's deserved, but rather on what's on the heart of God.

Walk humbly with your God. To be humble, we must surrender the stuff, confessing it all to God, going the way God goes rather than our own way.

Refuse to waste one day. Remember each day is a gift. Live the day the way God says to live it.

Learning to Kickstart the day by living it as if it's my last day.
Kerrie

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

Before You

2011-12-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was filled with epic proportion incongruity . . . a school party with Tiffany's fourth grade class, "Breakfast at Tiffanys” . . . welcoming twin babies home from Ethiopia . . . attending a decorating cookie party with Miss Madelyn . . . celebrating anniversaries of friends and family . . . a renewal of vows ceremony . . . Tim's homeday celebration . . . mourning with a couple suffering from miscarrying their twins . . . grappling with the news of cancer with an individual . . . loving a family who is dividing. . . encouraging a friend who lost a friend.

Life. Sometimes the stuff is too much to process. But. God entrusts us with what is before us, all of it.

Consider Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (NIV).

We are able to move forward without fear or discouragement when we believe what God says: "I will go before you." Nothing we do or experience has gone unchecked; God has covered what is ahead of us with His presence and made a way through all of it.

Change your perspective of the next moment.
Trust God has gone before you.
Go forward with courage--God has been there.

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting God has gone before me.
Kerrie

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

Wanting

2011-12-16T05:44:00.000-08:00

Wanting reveals the two sides of the Christmas season. It's one thing to want something that will not bring purpose and meaning to our life and another to want what comes from the heart of God.

At this time of year we often talk about ridiculous spending which seems to go hand in hand with preparations for Christmas. But. I believe when it comes down to it, we know in the depths of our heart that all the possessions in the world will never compare with what God gives to us.

It's part of who we are, regardless of how hard we fight it, to want to know God is God, to focus on the purpose of our life, to make a difference, to believe when we breathe our last breath on earth there's something more.

We want to be set free from the power of the stuff, to be focused on the tangible daily presence of God. We want to be our true self, to be accepted and loved for who we are. We want to be freed from our past and healed from our hurts. The thing is . . . when we realize what we really want . . . we want Christ.

Consider what the man named Paul wrote to the new church at Philippi in the ancient days:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10, TNIV).

Paul had come to the point where all his wants converged together to want to know Christ. Doesn't his ultimate wanting to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and suffering, inspire you? It's what our lifetime is to be about . . . to want to know Christ so well . . . that life is Christ, knowing nothing else compares.

Want Christ more than anything or anyone.
Want to know Christ.
Want to know the power of Christ's resurrection.
Want to participate in the sufferings of Christ.
Want to be like Christ in His death.

Learning to Kickstart the day wanting Christ.
Kerrie

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

When Nothing Makes Sense

2011-12-15T06:08:00.000-08:00

Tiffany, the elementary school staff she works with, and their community are devastated with grief. One of their former students died, along with her father, in a car accident on the way home after a school basketball game. A wife and a mother is left to grieve with three children and a lifetime of questions. Nothing in this tragedy makes sense.

There are many things in life which disrupt what we thought was meant to be, things which do not make sense, causing us to grieve. Grief weighs us down, putting an ache in our heart, and a deep sorrow in our soul. There’s a silent narrative of questions that start with the word, why, which comes with grief. The possibilities and potential of life seems to disappear as grief settles in.

The storms of grief are often unexpected and come with a force that knocks the strongest of individuals down.

Consider what Jesus said:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, NLT).

When nothing makes sense, when the stuff of life brings pain, when the storms of grief come your way, wearing you out and weighing you down, Jesus simply says, "Come to me." There's no stipulations, requirements, or demands; however, there's a powerful promise which comes with the invitation, "I will give you rest." Accept the invitation. Rest.

Learning to Kickstart the day with rest when nothing makes sense.
Kerrie

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

God's Words For You

2011-12-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

They're waiting for news which will impact their life, regardless of the outcome. Whether it goes their way or not, it's their trust in God that matters. The thing is . . . they are waiting with trust . . . trying to disregard the fear which keeps knocking at the door of their lives.

It's easy to fear that one moment, one problem, one situation, will make or break the rest of our life.

Consider God's promise:
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
   until your hair is white with age.
   I made you, and I will care for you.
   I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:4, NLT).

In the waiting times of life, when everything seems to be resting on one thing, when you think you can't go on, stop and receive God's recorded words in Isaiah 46: "I will care for you. I will carry you along. I will save you." Your perspective will change when you accept God's words, and you will see all things working together for good regardless of how difficult, messy, and down-right hard it all seems.

At the end of the day, we must determine if we will trust God to move us through it all or if, we will fear the moment, the problem, and situation.
Stop.
Refuse to fear whatever is coming your way.
Look at the situation through God's promise to care, carry, and save you all of your life.

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting God's Words.
Kerrie

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

When Darkness Comes Into The Day

2011-12-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

I listened to him and heard his pain. He made a mistake and wanted to move on. But. It would never be that simple. It was the kind of mistake that some will never forget. It came with a cost, he lost the only life he had known, including the respect he had earned over the years. He described feeling separated from his co-workers and other leaders. As he talked, I recognized the feelings that he could not seem to define: loneliness. It’s a common feeling but rarely discussed, for some it’s fleeting, for others it lingers and even tortures with the sense of being abandoned and rejected.

The thing is . . . whether it’s recognized or not, loneliness . . . is a powerful component of depression leading to hopelessness.

Consider the words of Jesus as he suffered death on the cross. Imagine the moment darkness came into the day, hearing the despair of Jesus when heaven and earth abandoned him as he bore the biggest mistake of all humanity: separation from God.
From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Matthew 27: 45-46, The Message)

The moment of utter aloneness, changed the course of history for every human being. It brings breath to the words we’re promised throughout God’s message, repeated in Hebrews 13:5-6:

   “I will never fail you.
   I will never abandon you.”
So we can say with confidence,
   “The Lord is my helper,
   so I will have no fear.
   What can mere people do to me?”

One thing I know to do when darkness comes into the day, when things seem too tough to handle, when there seems to be no one left standing with you, is to stop and turn from it all, allowing the words of Jesus to enter and take residence in your heart, “I will never fail or abandon you.” You will receive supernatural confidence as the Light of truth pushes the darkness back, changing the way you see reality and face the day, giving you power to say, “The Lord is my helper, I will have no fear.”

Learning to Kickstart the day even when darkness had come, trusting God not to fail or abandon me,
Kerrie

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

Put It In The Grave

2011-12-12T06:21:00.000-08:00

I sat with individuals who discussed their past. It was difficult to think of them doing the things they described because of who they are now. Their conversation reminded me, once again, that being sorry for what we have done is different than repentance. Right. I said repentance, a little used word, which seems to have taken on a religious-rule-keeping definition, and makes many of us think of big-hair, stern looking, finger waving, preachers. In reality, repentance is a gift, bringing freedom and peace. When we repent we turn completely around from what we've done, opening ourselves up to transformation from the inside-out and liberation from whatever has had power over us. The thing is . . . we may be sorry . . . but not transformed.

When we're sorry but not repentant, we struggle with the need to repent especially when being sorry shifts to shame, blame, anger, or bitterness. When we repent, turning away from the stuff which has gripped our heart and pulled us away from God, we enter into the reality of grace, empowered to put the stuff into a grave, ready for the experience of supernatural transformation.

Consider:
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. (Romans 8:12-13, NLT).

When you get down to it, whatever takes our time and attention from God is sin. To draw closer to God, we must turn away from sin. Most of us put cheating, lying, stealing, and harming someone on the list. Yet, we may not think of something simple, such as shopping or eating or exercising or a sport or an attitude could separate us from God; however, whatever consumes our thoughts and time, needs to be examined. The power to break away from the stuff is given to us when we invite the living and present Christ into our personal life.

It's hard to imagine, but God gives us the same power which raised Jesus from the grave, from death to life. In other words, the power of Christ turns us away from the things that bring death, enabling us to leave all the stuff in a grave, making all things possible, including a transformed, new life.

Open yourself up to a changed and new life.
Repent, turn away from the things that bring death in your life.
Leave the stuff in a grave through the power of Christ.
Celebrate the gift of the day---new life.

Learning to Kickstart the day repenting, putting whatever needs to go in a grave,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Humbled

2011-12-09T06:41:00.002-08:00

Miss Madelyn and I will be ringing the bell in the mall for the Salvation Army tonight, a tradition for our family during the Christmas season. But there's more in our reason for ringing the bell than tradition, we want to be a part of what Salvation Army does, helping the poor based on the message of hope, making a difference, small as it may seem, in this world, believing freedom from oppression in this world comes through Christ, humbled to be a part of something God is doing. The things is . . most of us in the Western world feel we are entitled . . . rather than being humbled by the gift of living the day.

The word, humble, is a rare word.

Consider what James wrote:
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor (James 4:7-10, NLT).

How we live is on us, either on our own terms or through the way God directs us, humbled by God's presence and power, grateful to be alive.

Let's face it, most of us have experienced life both ways. We have a responsibility of how we live the day, which requires a humble mindset and spirit. James 4 says it plainly, "Humble yourselves before God." A simple definition of humble includes the words, respect and surrender. In other words, we are to respect God as God, surrendering to the Spirit's direction, refusing to be divided by believing God's way but not living it out, turning away from the darkness of sin, falling to our knees in utter humility, grateful for each moment of life in Christ.

Live humbly.
Respect God.
Surrender all to God.
Be grateful for the gift of the day.

Learning to Kickstart the day humbly,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Humbled

2011-12-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

How we live is on us, either on our own terms or through the way God directs us, humbled by God's presence and power, grateful to be alive.

Fresh Perspective

2011-12-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

I love early mornings. It's my opportunity to start all over again, to have a fresh perspective, to receive a new word from God, to anticipate the gift of the day, to seek God's view on life. And, yet, there are times that the day wears on me and my perspective becomes focused on the stuff. I'm reminded this morning or the importance of intentionally stopping, to see God, and to develop a fresh perspective.

Consider this reminder from Isaiah:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (Isaiah 40:28, NRS)

These words were recorded after a horrific time of history . . . 586 B.C . . . . the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem . . . burned the Temple . . . invaded the land . . . killed . . . enslaved . . . drove the people from their homes. Darkness spread over their lives. Everything seemed hopeless.

The words bring perspective to what they had to learn and we must learn to live the day. At the end of the day, all that matters is living in a true authentic relationship with God, trusting and believing all things are possible in the power and presence of the Creator of everyone and everything.

Meditate on the words from Isaiah 40: 28 and develop a fresh perspective.

Stop. Refocus. Let go of the thoughts about your present circumstances. Become aware of the everlasting God surrounding you. Be still and know God.

Breathe. Look around you. No matter what things look like--this world is God's creation.

Remember. God is in control. God never grows tired of the stuff. God always wants something more for you.

Trust that God gets it. His understanding is unsearchable. God is continuously working on your behalf.

Learning to Kickstart the day with a fresh perspective,

Kerrie

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

The Way of Wisdom and Worry

2011-12-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

It was a treacherous drive home last night in ice fog with low visibility and slippery old country roads. As I cautiously made my way home, I thought about the times I've not been sure where I was going or how I could get where I needed to be. There are seasons, like the one I am in now, when I'm trying to figure out the next step on a daily basis. The thing is . . . when we know God is present . . . we are able to relax, to be confident, and to have a sense of anticipation of what's next. But, it means when we're in "treacherous" conditions, we must intentionally stay close to God. In these times we often become so focused on trying to get through the day that we are not as diligent in our study of the Word and spending time in prayer, allowing worry to come into our life. There is wisdom in seeking God first.

Consider the wise but tough words of James:
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-7, NASB).

When we seek God first, when we ask God for wisdom with boldness, we receive wisdom without reproach. But. When we worry there's a better way than the wisdom of God, doubting the wisdom of God, thinking there must be something more to know, we lose our way.

Taking action by seeking God first is the wisest way to getting through the treacherous times of life. But. Too often, we let worry rule the way we should go, which never leads us to the pathway God has for us. It comes down to making the choice to courageously risk our life through trusting God or to be weakened with worry, losing our way.

Remember you will get to where you need to go through the wisdom of God, worry will lead you down the wrong path.
Refuse to worry.
Choose to seek God first.
Trust in the wisdom of God.

Learning to Kickstart the day through the wisdom of God,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Walking In the Light

2011-12-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

I hear their stories on a daily basis and I'm continually struck with the magnitude of the dark battles individuals fight, requiring inordinate strength, courage, and trust. The thing is . . . many of these individuals have experienced living life in the darkness, understanding it's power . . . however, they've learned through the grace of God, they're able to move out of the darkness into the Light. These individuals have become my teachers and heroes, the ones who face the darkness, rather than hiding or running from the fierce battle that moves furiously towards them. I'm in awe of their trust in God, their belief that no matter what occurs, the Light of God will overcome the darkness in their world. And, they're right. The battles, big and small, are always won when we remain in the Light.

I'm reminded, over and over, God is always present and will fight any and all of our battles; the Light of the world always overcomes the darkness.

Consider words written by the prophet Isaiah:
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2, NLT).

The darkness of this world attempts to block our view of the miracle of living in the Light of God with the argument we do not deserve anything but what darkness brings. But. The grace of God empowers us to move out of the darkness into the Light. It does not mean the darkness will not come at us; however, it means we can be sure that we are able to overcome the darkness when we turn away from it and intentionally walk in the Light.

It's important to remember that through the grace of God nothing is impossible, all things are made new, and regardless of where we've been or what we've done in the darkness, we're able to walk in the Light each day with confidence that the darkness will never triumph over the Light, even when it appears the darkness has won.

One thing I know to be true, is we need to accept the gift of grace, refusing to let the darkness rule our thoughts or emotions, remembering fear, discouragement, and depression are not of God, receiving the Spirit of God's strength and courage, intentionally walking in the Light, regardless of how hard life becomes, trusting that the Light has come to win our battle with darkness.

Receive the amazing grace of God each day.
Walk in the Light of God.
Celebrate the day.

Learning to Kickstart the day walking in the Light,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Celebrate Miracles

2011-12-05T06:29:00.000-08:00

We celebrated . . . his first full day home . . . his eighth birthday . . . his adoption . . . his new life. We could see the miraculous plan of God in this little boy, born in Ethiopia, living in an orphanage, praying for a family, believing God would provide for his dream of having a family. At the same time his family prayed specifically for a seven-year-old boy from Ethiopia to join them. His family had to decide what their life was about and risked changing their own lives in order to add to their family. Their lives came together in unexpected ways, only explained by the mysterious intervention of God. The day finally came, when his adoption went through; however, red tape, government obstacles, and poor communication collided. Bringing him home looked impossible. But. After months of praying for heaven to move earth, the word finally came they could bring him home from Ethiopia, a miraculous gift to be celebrated.

It's a story that most won't hear about during this Christmas season. But. The truth of the matter is that the story of life is a series of miracles strung together. And, after all, this is the season of miracles. The thing is . . . miracles are never earned . . . but given and received.

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)

In this imperfect world, there's a perfect love handed to us, a miracle to be received every moment of each day.

The miracle is issued by God, declaring us to be his prized possession.

Even so, circumstances often block our view of the miracle. But. It's there for us to receive, even when it does not make sense. Then, again, miracles do not make sense.

The day we receive the miracle of being the God of Light's prized possession is the day we really live. Our new perspective gives us the ability to trust God to do more than can be imagined, bringing everything together for His good and perfect plan. So. Celebrate the miracle of life today. Celebrate for a family and their son from Ethiopia. Celebrate.

Learning to Kickstart the day celebrating the miracle of today,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Plan

2011-12-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

It was one of those days. I did not realize I set my down-coat close enough to a lamp that my sleeve cradled its' warm bulb. I thought something was wrong with the heating system when the room smelled like something was burning. But. Turns out, the heat of the light bulb burned a hole through the lining of my sleeve, leaving a burnt oder, providing a pathway for the coat's feathers to escape. Seriously, there's nothing professional about a pastor leaving a burnt fragrance with a trail of feathers behind while attending meetings and visiting people in the hospital. The unnecessary, ridiculous, annoying interruption plagued me and entertained many people all day long.

The point of the day needs to be remembered.

Consider what Jeremiah wrote in his book:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

~The thing is . . . if, we believe God . . . then, we must trust God's got each moment of the day covered. In other words, God uses everything that comes our way, including unnecessary, annoying, ridiculous interruptions, to put His plan into place. Today is a part of the plan of a future and hope which has been issued from the heart of God; it gives reason to celebrate each moment.~

In those days when you pray, I will listen. (Jeremiah 29:12, NLT)

~Communicating with God throughout the day is vital. The Creator of the universe promises to listen. It's a part of the plan.~

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:13, NLT)

~Focusing on God changes how we live . . . giving us a perspective beyond any distractions . . . because we will find God. And then, we realize there's so much more to the day because God has planned for us to find Him.~

Regardless of unnecessary, annoying, ridiculous interruptions, our day is about the presence and power of God, trusting there's an issued supernatural daily plan.
What holds our attention is a choice. Focus on God and the issued plan for the day, believing God will use all things, even a burnt coat leaving a trail of feathers, as part of our future and hope.

Learning to Kickstart the day believing the plan for the day has been issued from the heart of God,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Battle of Discouragement

2011-12-01T06:01:00.000-08:00

People often come to my office because of discouragement, a common ailment that does not escape anyone. The thing is . . . discouragement is not of God . . . it's used to attack the gift we receive each day, the gift of Life. Now, I've been in the Word most of my life and I know God's message is repeated over and over: Do NOT BE DISCOURAGED. And, yet, I've let discouragement rule some of my days. To refuse discouragement takes faith, which can be a struggle when problems invade our day.

Discouragement attacks the mind and soul, focusing on issues, pressures and problems, stopping us from doing what we are meant to do, leading to negativity and the feeling of being a failure, destroying the hope of today and tomorrow, taking away the life we are created to live. In reality, discouragement stands at the door of our life on a daily basis; however, it's our choice, if, we let it in or not. Without a doubt, it seems easier to let discouragement cross over the threshold when things are not going the way we want them to go. It requires faith to in the "more" of God to refuse discouragement.

We often fail to see discouragement as a compromise of faith, a matter of fear.

Consider the words from Deuteronomy 31:8, a scripture that encouraged me when our oldest daughter experienced a battle for her health:
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT).
The reason it's possible to not fear or to be discouraged, regardless of how hard or difficult life becomes, is: God is present and already in whatever comes next in our life with the promise He will never fail or leave us. It's an incredible day when we live beyond the stuff, aware of the presence and power of God in our life.

Win the battle of discouragement and experience the gift of the day regardless of pressures and problems.
Refuse to see life through fear.
Readjust your perception by seeing the presence and power of God through eyes of faith.
Remember God is with you and will never leave or fail you. Never.

Learning to Kickstart the day winning the battle of discouragement,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

God-centered Thoughts

2011-11-30T06:21:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who routinely reports the latest news with a tagline of how the days ahead will be darker than ever. I'm never encouraged by his thoughts of the latest world reports. The thing is . . . our thoughts merge together, creating a map . . . directing us in the way we go in life. I do not want to live with a hopeless mindset.

I've learned the importance to begin the day with prayer and meditation on the Word, which directs me to a supernatural perspective, beyond the pressures and weight of the stuff of life.

Consider:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (Romans 8:5, TNIV).

Romans 8:5 is really an "if, then," statement. If, we live in the way the Spirit leads, then, our mind is set on what the Spirit desires. Another words, when we're God-focused, we're engaged with God-thoughts; however, when we're focused on self, our thought process is limited.

Whatever dominates our thinking will dominate the outcome of our day. When you get down to it, one of the greatest components to a successful day is developing God-centered thoughts. This requires daily reformatting, through prayer and mediation on the Word. So. We need to dump worry, fear, and dark thoughts from our mind, handing them over to God on a daily basis, thinking the way God desires us to think: with strength, courage, and hope.

Be successful today.
Ask the Spirit of God to form your thoughts, directing you in the way you should go.
Dump the things that don't belong in your thoughts.
Commit to developing God-centered thoughts through prayer and meditation on the Word.

Learning to Kickstart the day with God-centered thoughts,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Live A Life That Matters

2011-11-29T07:54:00.000-08:00

The people I admire most are the ones who do not give in to the stuff of life, but live courageously moment by moment for Christ. These are the individuals who understand why they're put on earth, living purposefully in the moment. As I'm writing this, I'm thinking of many people, young and old, who've walked through my life, with the simple mission to love and to serve. One individual, Chuck, a pastor by title, a true healer of souls, has used his gift of listening with compassion rather than condemnation to change the world. I know, because even though he lives several states away and is technically retired, he continues to listen to me, encouraging me to do things that require faith, reminding me not to become complacent or comfortable, to live purposefully for Christ.

The thing is . . . I've wasted days of my life . . . doing things that really don't matter. Wasting time comes from a lack of living fully in faith, engaging with God moment by moment.

There's so much more God has planned in a day than for us to just live it.

Consider the words of Jesus:
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20: 26-28, NLT).

Christ came to love and to serve. And, through love and service, Christ changed the world forever. To be a servant is to live a life that matters. It requires looking at the day differently than most of the world does, to see God has purposefully marked each day of our life with the opportunity to love and to serve. When we're faithful with the time God gives us through love and service, we can be certain we're living a life that matters.

Refuse to just live. Live a life that matters.
Begin each day by asking God what to do and where to go.
Intentionally love and serve others as Christ demonstrated.
Change the world.

Learning to Kickstart the day to live a life that matters,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

HOPE

2011-11-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

Seriously, it's inconceivable to think we've entered the Christmas season. It seems time moves more quickly than ever before. Or, maybe I'm just getting older. Anyway. Life changes for many in the Western world during this season; people not only schedule decorating, buying gifts, and going to parties, but look for ways to help others.

While there is the well-worn worthy argument of being too busy, buying too much, consumed with trying to make a perfect picture moment in time, most of us have the underlying desire to be a part of what Christmas is about: HOPE, the "more" of God.

Hope continually surprises me. There's more to be found in each moment when we live with hope, when we are surrounded with its optimism, confidence, and conviction, when we turn away from discouragement and depression, when we live with expectancy in what "more" God has planned. When you come down to it, we either accept the gift of hope or reject it. While hurt is often an obstacle to living with hope, I've been amazed at the people I've met along the way, who despite their suffering, have held onto hope with tenacity. There's so much more to experience in life when we keep our grip on hope. Conversely, our story changes when we let go of hope, allowing discouragement and depression to take over.

The thing is . . . hurt and pain often creates fear of more of the same . . . so, hope is refused.

True hope, the kind that does not disappoint, is found through Christ.
Consider.
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary (Hebrews 6:19, NLT).

Hope is strength, an anchor, stability in this changing world, leading us close to God.
Meditate on hope each day during this season.
Invite hope to invade you, allowing it to be your anchor, and the power that opens the door to live the day with the "more" of God.
Make it your goal to be a part of the message of hope to the world.

Learning to Kickstart the day in hope,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Bold

2011-11-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

There are things I know are mine to do; however, I spend time defending my reasons why I'm not to do something rather than taking the time to strategize and plan how to get it done. The issue must be addressed. There is a world around us that hears and sees our response, waiting and wanting a touch from God. People never forget when we reach beyond our comfort.

Years ago, I was asked to voluntarily help out a friend who needed nurses to care for her at home so she could spend the last days of life with her husband and three boys. I knew I needed to do it. But. It seemed too much She was my friend; I did not want to be her nurse. And. I was busy, too busy, with two baby girls, work, ministry, and general day-to-day stuff.

I finally said yes, not because I saw the light and surrendered everything, but because I knew it was a divine request from God. And, since I knew God is God, I said yes. In the end, no matter how difficult or how much sacrifice something requires, when we say yes to God, we can be sure all of the details will work together. God calls us to reach out regardless of our comfort level, many times to do something beyond our comprehension and ability. I will admit, after agreeing to help out, I still thought of reasons not to do it. I felt relief when I imagined myself saying I could not do it. There were two problems that stood between myself and God's request:

I did not have enough space in my life to do the things that really mattered. So. I needed to let go of some things that were not mine to do. I've often thought our schedule should look more like crisis living, when we have no choice but to clear out the stuff that does not matter, doing only what is ours to do.
I saw myself on my own rather than in partnership with God. I needed to trust the Spirit to be at work in and through me.

And, finally, I'm just an idiot if I fail to miss out on living a Spirit-led life. Consider the problems Christ followers had as they formed the Early Church. I'm sure there would have been a sense of relief to step out of the battle so they could live a quiet and comfortable life. But. We are told in Acts 4 they were given boldness to go forward.
Consider:

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31, NLT).

What a difference it makes to pray so intently as the Christ followers did in Acts 4, waiting for the intense power of the Spirit. God gives us supernatural boldness, if, we are willing.

All the details worked out so I could go to my friends house; however, I still dreaded going. Until. I touched the door. It was amazing, I would literally be given the strength and power to enter in and care for my friend. The funniest moment occurred after she repeatedly asked me to sing. I explained each time she asked me, "I don't sing."
But. She was dying. So. I timidly sang "Amazing Grace." After singing the chorus, she interrupted me and said, "You don't sing."
We laughed for a long time. And, then she said to me, "Thank you for bringing life into our house." I promptly told her it was not me, but Christ. And. She said. "Yes, I know. We now have Christ in our home."
There's no doubt, I've missed several opportunities to experience the work of the Spirit of God because my personal comfort, schedule, and limited abilities became self-imposed obstacles. It's clear to me that we must build space in our schedule to be available for the supernatural work of the Spirit, to be willing to be bold despite our personal struggles, and to say yes, regardless of how difficult it all seems. With God life is an adventure waiting to happen.
Be ready.
Be bold.
Learning to Kickstart the day boldly through the Spirit of God,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Just an idiot?

2011-11-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

I started in full-time ministry twenty years ago. In the beginning, I found myself driven by the pressure to perform. It's been a journey to learn there's a difference between being driven by pressure and living in the power of the Spirit. While it might seem ridiculous, Christ followers often live powerless.

It happens.

During those first few years of full-time ministry, church services were more formal than most are today. It was in those days when I experienced the memorable life-lesson of what it means to be an IDIOT. It occurred on a Sunday. To say it was a big-deal day is an understatement. I sat on the platform, we did that in that era, on a three-seater pew situated on the side. I was positioned nearest the edge of the platform, our senior pastor on the other end, and in the middle sat a general superintendent, an individual highly regarded, who was in charge of Nazarene churches in part of the world. Notice the two words, “the world.” Yep. Big deal. The massive choir, positioned on risers filled the rest of the platform, making everything seem even more intimidating. By the way, all of us, the men, the women, and the children, looked the same, stiff and formal. And, yes, this self-proclaimed hippie had given in. I not only wore a suit but I had really big hair, the kind that would not move in an earthquake, hurricane, or tsunami. It all seemed so important, a really big deal.

There we were, big hair and all, standing and singing out of our well-worn hymn books until the music pastor motioned for us to sit down as the robed choir began their “special." But. Turns out, I did not sit down. As the two men sat down, the end of the pew went up, launching me up into the air, past the steps, and on to the floor. About half of the thousand people saw it happen and, of course, spontaneously erupted into loud laugher. I lay on the floor feeling like an IDIOT, slowly picking myself up, and repositioning myself onto the pew. People laughed for days afterwards. Seriously. And. There's more. To add insult to injury, the two men had kept their eyes on the choir, ignoring the laughter, never realizing I had been missing. To this day, I don’t remember anything else about the service except feeling like an an IDIOT.

No one escapes life without seeing themselves as an IDIOT at one time or another. I love the fact that the word, IDIOT, was used in the original text in the book of Acts. Dr. Luke, one of my favorite Biblical writers, wrote the Gospel of Luke describing the life of Christ and then the sequel, Acts, giving a glimpse of the birth of the church. In both books, Dr. Luke wrote as a doctor would, giving a report of the situation and the resulting outcome. In the book of Acts, he is very persuasive in explaining our need for the Spirit of God to take complete hold of us.

So, it comes as no surprise that in chapter 4, he describes the reality of the battles the early church faced and how the Spirit of God empowered and enabled the Christ followers to win over everything they encountered. And. There it is, chapter 14, verse 13, the New Testament Greek word, "idiotes,” which Dr. Luke uses to contrast Peter and John, two disciples of Christ, as individuals who did not have any special skill, education, or position to do what they did except through the Spirit.

Consider Dr. Luke's writing:

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13, NLT).

These two sentences, describe a profound difference in how life can be lived. The leaders of the day considered the men to be IDIOTS. But. The Spirit-filled men held the attention of the leaders, visibly filled with power, enabled to speak boldly. Luke makes the point that it was recognized they had been with Jesus. Simply put, their relationship with Christ had not been discontinued when Christ ascended to heaven, they remained in relationship through the Spirit, living in supernatural power, on fire for their assignment on earth, so bold that they amazed the leaders of the day. To put it succintly, they won the battles and changed the world because of their boldness which came from the Spirit of God.

The thing is . . . we are invited to live in the same way . . . we don't have to be just an IDIOT . . . but we can be bold, changing the world we live in. Even so, the stuff of life can become an obstacle, leaving us with the feeling that we are IDIOTS, unable to do anything. I'm often reminded that I need to be launched from the pew, the place in life where I'm living within the constraints of my limitations, being driven by the pressure to perform, missing out on what more God has for me.

I'm convinced we need to break through the need to be someone we're not, to be liberated to be who we're created to be, to understand that on our own we will accomplish nothing that matters in the end, regardless of how important something seems. When we surrender it all to God, when we determine to live not by our own strength and power, but by the Spirit, when we determine not to waste one moment, we discover the freedom to be bold and to stand firm with courage, despite our circumstances, even when we're IDIOTS.

Most importantly, the world is changed far beyond our own reach because it's Christ in us who has empowered us to do more than can be imagined.

Learning to Kickstart the day not just as an idiot, but living boldly for Christ,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Light From Heaven

2011-11-03T05:28:00.000-07:00

Some days seem to be more out of our control than others when there does not seem to necessarily be one thing more chaotic than the other, when everything collides to make one very messy challenging day. And, though I seem to be living in a season of collisions, experiencing things that don't make any sense or serve any possible good, I've learned to step back, to be still, and to intentionally know God is present.

One of the most important things I've learned is this: if we try to make it through the day without God, the problems and stuff of life will eventually overpower us, holding us down and eventually ruling everything we do, but if we intentionally move through the day with God, there’s nothing better or sweeter.

When I'm intentionally aware of God . . . I am able to believe there is possible in the impossible, to respond in faith rather than fear, to have peace rather than worry, and to have confidence there's more to see and to experience . . . because God is God.

Consider:
“Because of God's tender mercy,
the light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace." (Luke 1: 78-79, NLT).

The moment, regardless of how messy it seems, changes when we move out of the darkness into the Light. I'm not saying difficulties are easy but-- when we realize God is in our story, we are able to walk through it with courage and peace as the Light from heaven breaks upon us in the midst of it all.

Move out of the darkness into the Light. Stop. Be still. Intentionally know God is present. Let the Light from heaven break upon you.

Learning to Kickstart the day in the light from heaven.
Kerrie

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

Grateful?

2011-11-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Life isn't always easy, especially when the hard stuff of life comes at us without warning. Yesterday was one of those days. Until. The guys I work with decided we needed a break from it all. So. We left work and spent a couple of hours together. My perspective changed as we connected away from the stuff. I saw the gift of friendship at work. And, I'm grateful.

The thing is . . . the simple act of being grateful . . . changes how we manage life. Gratefulness is important for our health--body, mind, and soul. I've always been amazed how my perspective of life changes when I intentionally give thanks. When I focus on the messiness of life, I can easily be irritated and feel a little crazy. But.

Gratefulness, even for the most simple things, is powerful.

One of my favorite and often repeated words of reminder to be grateful comes from Psalms 100--the Message has a great way of explaining the action of telling God thank you--which is really the best place to start with gratitude:
Psalm 100:
On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
(The Message)

When we're grateful, we're unable to be passive, we've got to get on our feet and applaud God in celebration for being in the presence of divine and complete generosity.

Get on your feet.
Be grateful.
Use the password all day long: "Thank you!"
Thank God all day long--it will change the way you see and respond to life.

Learning to Kickstart the day with gratefulness.
Kerrie

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

ATTITUDE

2011-11-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my attitude is well . . . an ATTITUDE. A few nights ago, I reacted to something I have to do. But. I shouldn't have to do it. I tried to tell myself that "what is . . . is." I began to feel an ATTITUDE developing in me. I was wise enough to have time alone to work it out with God rather than letting it impact others. I'm not always wise when it comes to my ATTITUDE.

When my attitude becomes more of a reaction than a conviction, when it's more about getting my way than impacting others, when it's about self and not Christ, I've missed the point of the moment.

The thing is . . . attitude is the power behind our words and actions . . . which communicates our message of life. Words and actions will either heal or harm, encourage or discourage, inspire or deflate, bring hope or leave others hopeless.

And. We know attitude is a choice, but often fail to even think about its power until we mess up with an ATTITUDE, leaving victims along the way, changing the moment from good to bad in an instant.
Consider.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:23-24, NLT).

We're told to let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. In other words, the Spirit is present and ready to give us God-like thoughts and attitudes; however, it's our choice to let the Spirit be at work within us.

Be aware of the power of your attitude in each moment.
Evaluate how your attitude is impacting your message in the moment.
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Put on your new nature--intentionally choose for your attitude to be like Christ.

Learning to Kickstart the day with a Spirit-filled attitude.
Kerrie

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

"Whys" of Life

2011-10-31T06:23:00.000-07:00

They're waiting for their adopted son to come home. His homecoming has been delayed because of the inefficiency of two governments. So. A U.S. senator tried to kickstart the process. Even so, the little boy remains caught in the sludge of bureaucracy. It doesn't make sense. It's one of the things that I've added to my "why" list.

There are times the stuff of life doesn't make any sense. The list of "whys" is long and challenging. BUT. Despite our unanswered questions, God will make a way through the "whys" of life. Throughout the years I've learned more about how to get through the "whys" including the time we waited for our son to come home during the adoption process:

Completely trust God. We will get through the "whys" when we trust God, even when something doesn't make sense.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

Believe God is always at work. The "whys" produce the opportunity to look beyond our immediate circumstances, developing a perspective through God's promise to bring all things together to accomplish His plan, which has been set before time.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, NIV).

Be strong. There's unexplainable divine strength given to those who trust God. The ancient Hebrew language explained the word, strength, as the process of an army being equipped and prepared for battle. So. When we're armed with the strength of God, we're in an ongoing process of receiving what we need to win the battles of the day, even when we have more "whys" than answers.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
   They will soar high on wings like eagles.
   They will run and not grow weary.
   They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31, NLT).

God will make a way through each and every "why" of life. Trust. Believe. Be strong.

Learning to Kickstart the day with trust, belief, and strength in the midst of the "whys" of life.
Kerrie

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

Value

2011-10-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

I've been engaged in discussions with people who have felt dismissed as they've aged. There's often a disconnect between the young and the old when it comes to doing life together in our culture. Years ago, I had a very heated discussion with a doctor about my grandmother, who had been hospitalized with several health issues. When I asked him about the plan for her, he responded that there was not much left to do except to ask hospice in and make her comfortable in the last few weeks of her life. I had no idea she was at the end of life; however, he explained that there was nothing to do because she was old. I was mad and responded, "Someday you will be old and sick. I wonder if you will want people to give up helping you because you're old."

But. My response was nothing like my grandmother's reaction. She was furious, dismissed hospice, and lived six more years. The doctor would be in his eighties now. I wonder how he sees himself now. Just saying.

The thing is . . . it seems the youthful spirit is often dismissed . . . because of an aging body.
One individual told me to look at top photographer web sites. I did. The sites do not showcase anyone with wrinkles. It's eye opening and worth thinking about our own responsibility when it comes to how we perceive aging.

And, when you come down to it all, how we perceive aging reveals how we see the gift of life. God has something more for us to experience each day of our life. We have a daily opportunity to powerfully be used by God in the most simple ways wherever we're at in life.

Consider.
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions.
Even on your servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28-29).
And.
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty (Zechariah 4:6, NIV).

I love how the book of Joel tell us the Spirit will be poured out. It creates a picture of a powerful connection between heaven and earth for all, changing who we are and what we do as servants of God. And. Zechariah 4 makes it clear that we are not to measure ourselves or others by what we do on our own. What really matters comes from the presence of the Spirit.

Look at the true gift of life.
Determine your own value as well as others to be from God.
Receive the Spirit pouring out in the day.
Live through the Spirit . . . dream and see beyond the moment. . . empowered to be and do more than any could imagine in the most simple ways.

Learning to Kickstart the day as God pours the Spirit out.
Kerrie

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

Step Back

2011-10-27T05:32:00.000-07:00

I don't want to minimize anything; however, sometimes we need to step back and take another look at life. It seems to me that we need to look at all of life to be a good gift, including the difficult times of life. Writing this statement makes me stop and underline the fact that I don't want or welcome hard times. There are times when nothing feels easy, making it hard to put one foot in front of the other, painful to do what needs to be done, tiring to do the most simple tasks. Even so, I've come to realize that life itself, regardless of what's faced, is a gift.

Turns out, no matter what, believing life is a gift, focusing on the Giver of life rather than on self, brings a new perspective and ability to manage what comes at us.

In the ancient days, the people sang Psalm 92 on the Sabbath, the day they stepped back to focus on God, rather than on the stuff of life. Consider:
For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done (Psalm 92: 4, TNIV).

When we step back from the pressure of the moment, taking notice of the presence and work of God, we're changed, released from thinking we need to control it all, freed from fear, able to move forward in faith, focused on God rather than the stuff we're facing.

We're renewed and refreshed, despite the challenges, when we step back and acknowledge God with the simple words of gratefulness from Psalm 92:4: "You make me glad!"

When we come to the place where we know God is present regardless of our circumstances does not remove the "whys" of life but gives us the perspective that regardless of how things are going, God is present, faithful, and will not leave us, which is reason enough to be glad rather than to move into a distressed state of being and missing the gift.

So. I'm not saying the battles of life disappear when we step back to focus on God, but that our perspective changes, enabling us to face all things differently, trusting God to oversee the "whys" of the day, glad for the gift of His presence.

Refuse to be driven by the circumstances of the day, acknowledge the Giver of the good gift of life.
Intentionally step back.
Focus on the gift of the day.
Tell God, "You make me glad."

Learning to Kickstart the day stepping back to see the presence of God.
Kerrie

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

Time

2011-10-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have this thing with keys. I lose them. All the time. I don't pay attention to where I put them and then spend a ridiculous amount of time looking for them. Friends and family know I have this problem. So. They go about doing their own thing while I'm frantically searching for my missing keys. It happened again last night. I'm not sure why I've let this bad habit continue for so long, wasting a good portion of time. It's time to make a change.

There's no reason to waste any amount of time, which is a divine gift given to each one of us.

The time of our life is to be lived well. But, and this is a big but, we often are confused about our responsibility with the time we're given, thinking we've got to do everything. It requires a change of thinking:

Time is not given to do it all but to do it well. To live well, we must turn away from the mania of wasting life with things that don't matter, giving our time to what counts for the purpose of why we are living today.

There's a process in changing some things in our life to intentionally say no to the things that waste time.

Consider:
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10, NLT).

The verse is clear . . . we put on the nature of Christ, studying the way He used time on earth, intentionally changing what needs to be changed, with the goal to live like Him. The word, "put," not only indicates an intentional action but a choice to do it. To make a complete change we need to evaluate each area of our life, honestly determining what we've done with the gift of time. Change requires intentional action . . . removing what does not belong . . . purposefully putting on the nature of Christ, determined to make time count.

Live well.
Evaluate how your time has been used.
Determine how you waste time.
Change what needs to be changed to live like Christ.
Put on the nature of Christ.
Study the Bible, learn how Christ lived on earth.
Make each day count.

Learning to Kickstart the day determined to live well.
Kerrie

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

"Breathe."

2011-10-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

"Breathe."
I often tell people to just breathe. Their stress is obvious. The thing is . . . the stuff of life collides with busyness and overbooked schedules . . . which opens the door to stress invading life. No one is immune to it, everyone needs room to breathe in order to experience the gift of the day. But. When we're not attentive to slowing down, to pacing ourselves, something will tip us over. It's usually something that's not a big deal, something that's a part of the ordinary stuff of life, something that's nothing but becomes everything, pushing us past the limit of the manageable, leaving us breathless and questioning the point of it all.

So. We need to breathe . . . to be aware of the presence . . . the power . . . and the peace of God. It's a powerful moment when we let go, surrendering all of it, trusting God to be God, living in the midst of the miracle of the day rather than on the edge.

Consider what Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations, a story of high stress in the midst of devastation and hopelessness:

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:19-21, NIV)

The Spirit has used these words, over and over in my life, reminding me of God's all consuming love.

I imagine Jeremiah to be speaking the words of Lamentations 3:19-21, loudly reminding the world to stop and breathe, to refuse to let the stuff of life to be all-consuming, to intentionally wake up each day to God's great love, to trust this great love to be fresh and new every morning. These words capture the gift offered to us each day. It makes me wonder how often I've wasted this gift on stuff that doesn't matter.

So.

Stop. Stop right now.
Breathe. Take another breath.
Intentionally become aware of God's great love surrounding and invading you.
Take note of the gift throughout the day.
Tell God "thank-you" with enthusiasm and genuine gratefulness.
Celebrate the gift of each day.

Learning to Kickstart the day taking a breath,
Kerrie

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

Not Yet

2011-10-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

Parents are waiting for governments to give the okay to come pick up their children and begin their life together. The wait seems long. So. We had a party for two of the babies, twins, who need their legal consent to be released to their waiting family. Waiting for the "not yet" of life is a life-changing reality.

In some ways waiting feels like we're holding our breath until something happens as, if, life has paused.

Even so, waiting is a time of growth, a season of asking the "whys" and "what" of life when we realize we're not in control of the world around us, when we struggle with what we want and what might be, when we beg God to work circumstances out, when we want more in the "not yet " than what we see in the "now," a time to decide whether or not we will trust God.

Consider:
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31, NKJ)

Look at the picture Isaiah depicts when we wait. It's a picture of movement towards God, believing what Jesus said, "With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)."

To live well in seasons of waiting, we must seek God first, surrendering what we want and when we want it, trusting God to be God in the "not yet" of life, receiving supernatural infusing strength and power to manage it all, believing all things are possible.

So.
Wait on God, renewing your strength to mount up above the stuff of life with wings like eagles, running without weariness, walking without becoming faint.

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting God for the "not yet" of life,
Kerrie

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

To-Do

2011-10-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

I'm a list maker. I love to make a to-do-list and to check it off. Even so. A list is a list. There's always something to do, there will always be more tasks to do than time to get it all done; however, the gift of the day will be missed when our priority is checking off the list.

We need to know what's ours to do and what is not. And. I've learned, especially in the last few months, to enjoy the process of doing what's mine to do.

Of course, doing too much is nothing new. It was an issue for Moses in the ancient days. Consider what Jethro, his father-in-law, told him:
You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. (Exodus 18:18-19, NLT)

Moses needed to make a change in his life. He had become burdened by the doing, unable to see beyond the tasks. When we focus on the to-do-list we'll eventually experience stress, feeling overwhelmed. In other words, we become enslaved by what needs to be done, weighed down by it all. So. It's imperative to seek God first, asking for wisdom and direction, letting go of what's not necessary to do.
Experience the gift of the day, refusing to miss it. ~Change the way you see what needs to be done. ~Lay down the burden of doing. ~Ask God what's yours to-do and what's not yours to-do today. ~Enjoy the process of doing what you're given to-do.

Learning to Kickstart the day freed from the burden of doing.
Kerrie

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

The Word

2011-10-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

I love hearing the stories of people finding God. No one has the same story; however, it's always miraculous to hear about an individual meeting God for the first time. So. There's been another miracle. It occurred a few weeks ago when a teenager feeling alone, lost in the bigness of problems, needing direction, wondering what to do, heard God for the first time. And, he listened, receiving the divine words. In that moment, peace came.

The thing is . . . in one moment life changes . . . when we listen to God.

I love how Mother Teresa explained it:
"There is a light in this world, a healing spirit
more powerful than any darkness we may encounter.
We sometimes lose sight of this force
when there is suffering, too much pain.
Then suddenly the spirit will emerge
through the lives of ordinary people
who hear a call and answer
in extraordinary ways."

A radical shift occurs when we hear and receive the Word of God. The darkness of this world no longer has power over our life, we're freed from anything that's claimed our attention, we're freed from it all.
Consider:
In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1, NCV).

Ask the Spirit of God to speak to you right where you are at today. Receive the Word. Let the Word change you. Respond to the Word in extraordinary ways . . . in peace, in joy, in kindness, and love . . . live in the miracle of hearing the Word.

Learning to Kickstart the day listening to the Word.
Kerrie

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

God-produced Opportunities

2011-10-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best advice I give to people is to stop, breathe, step back, and refocus. The times I've followed this advice for myself are the times I've seen opportunities in the crises of the day. I like how the Chinese write the word "crisis" with two characters: One character means danger, the other, opportunity.

Our perception of a crisis directly impacts the outcome of a crisis. Is it possible to see an opportunity when all things seem too hard?

Consider how the report of twelve spies sent to determine the condition of the land God had promised them. Ten reported the land to be dangerous, filled with giants.

"The land we explored will swallow up any who go to live there. All the people we saw were huge. (Numbers 13:32, NLT )

Two others, Joshua and Caleb disagreed:

Joshua and Caleb, two spies of the twelve saw it differently: And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the Israelites, "The land that we went through as spies is an exceedingly good land. (Numbers 14:6-7 , NLT )

Ten perceived the people would not survive if they went forward into the land; however, two saw the land not only as good, but exceedingly good. Both Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes, emphasizing their distraught over the others' point of view.

Our perception becomes our reality.

And. The people chose to follow the report of the ten spies, missing out on the opportunities God had planned for them in the land. They were blind to what God could and would do. How many opportunities are missed because we do not see in faith?

Sometimes we need to take a breath, step back, and refocus, looking for the God-produced opportunity in a crisis. It requires perceiving life through faith, believing God is able to more than what anyone would ever think possible, making all things new, changing a dangerous place of life into a great opportunity. Then, we must trust God to give the necessary courage and strength to step forward and enter into the opportunity.

Look for the God-produced opportunities of the day.

Stop~Breathe~Step back~Refocus~Choose to see with faith~Step forward and enter into whatever God has planned for you.

Learning to Kickstart the day looking for the God-produced opportunity.
Kerrie

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

The Reality of Surprise

2011-10-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

I've always loved surprises, all kinds and sizes. The greatest surprise has been the revelation of the presence and goodness of God, especially when life does not make sense and things are not going as planned. I've often thought, if. we were able to watch episodes of our life with the full vision of the presence of God as well as angels surrounding us, then, we would see life differently, realizing living in faith is not a risk but the wisest and best life.

I know for sure, we would see there's no room for fear, if, we could see the reality of the supernatural. The thing is . . . God is never contained . . . despite our limited perception of what is.

But. When we see life through our limitations, we miss the surprising miracle of living.

Consider the Message:
If I were in your shoes,
I'd go straight to God,
I'd throw myself on the mercy of God.
After all, he's famous for great and unexpected acts;
there's no end to his surprises. (Job 5:8a, The Message)

When we hang out with God, we're changed. We step into the realization God is not only present but will not leave us, entering the space of life that allows us to receive the unexpected and surprising activity of God into our daily life. It's the place where more is experienced than what could be thought, asked, or imagined with the promise that there's more to come. Trust comes and worry dissipates as we become more aware and attentive to the great and surprising active work of God on our behalf.

Stop seeing life without God~Go straight to God for everything~Refuse to see life through limitations. ~Believe in the unexpected work of God. ~Live in the reality of surprise. God has more planned for you than you've ever asked for, thought about, or imagined.

Learning to Kickstart the day in the reality of God's surprises,
Kerrie

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

Longing For God

2011-10-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday is a busy day for me. Busyness is a reality for all of us. I ran into an elderly couple. Literally. I was running into the church building as they were going out. We laughed and talked for a moment. Their to-do-list was long, however, their peace was evident. Too often, we allow busyness to take away our peace.

The thing is . . . the key to our peace is not based on what we are or aren't doing . . . but being in the presence of God.

Once again, I've been reminded that in each moment of the day, irregardless of the level of activity or how important or unimportant a task may seem, we're invited to be engaged with the presence of God, experiencing divine peace and power, living with a purpose beyond what's seen. Even, so. Somewhere along the busyness of life we lose our attentiveness, our desire, our thirst and hunger for God. There are seasons of life when the stuff of life gets in the way of what our existence is all about.

When we're immersed in what must be done, worried about what's ahead of us, and consumed by busyness, we find ourselves overwhelmed, driven by the stress of it all. In seasons of stress, it's wise and necessary to stop in the midst of the chaos and craziness of the busyness and seek God.
Consider:
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him? (Psalm 42: 1-2, NLT).

There's an amazing interaction of peace and energy within an individual who longs for God. The chaos and craziness coming from the stress of busyness no longer take precedence as the Spirit answers the longing, revealing the fullness of life, giving hope, making all things possible, transforming endings into beginnings, issuing peace in the all-consuming stuff of life.

~Intentionally long for God. ~Thirst for the living God. ~Live each moment in the presence of God.

Learning to Kickstart the day longing for God,
Kerrie

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

Daily Legacy

2011-10-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

Are you ever ready for someone that focuses on the negative of life? Seriously. It's a challenge to spend much time with an individual stuck on what's wrong, unable to see what's working. I don't know all the reasons an individual allows the negative to become all-consuming, but I do know it comes from a place of hurt. Eventually a negative individual is unable to see there's more to life than the negative. The day is definitely impacted by the individual who lives in the negative places of life.

The thing is . . . negativity is contagious . . . and the challenges of life make anyone susceptible to it.

How we live is how we impact others on a daily basis. Whether, it is intentional or not, we leave a legacy each day. So. Ultimately, the message of our life is our choice, regardless of the negative stuff that's been a part of our personal life.

Consider the Message:
It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone (Ephesians 1:1-12, The Message).

Christ transforms our story, changing our daily legacy from negative to the supernatural good and great of life. It's a process to step away from living in the negative of life and to live new each day, but we're given the supernatural gift to see the day as a new beginning and the ability to purposefully give up negative thoughts, intentionally keeping quiet rather than complaining, learning to build others up rather than to destroy with negativity, focusing on the message of Christ as our daily legacy.

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!!" (2 Corinthians 5: 17, NLT)

Start the day fresh. The old is gone, the new has come!
Purposefully see the day as a marker of becoming new.
Give up the negativity.
Make your daily legacy to be the message of Christ in you.

Learning to Kickstart the day leaving the message of Christ as a daily legacy,
Kerrie

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

Now I See

2011-10-13T05:45:00.000-07:00

My friend was struggling with his life. If, it was going to go wrong, it did for him. Each time I talked with him, something more challenging had occurred. Difficult, hard things happened over and over. He described himself as burned out and over the edge. He prayed desperate prayers of release. Then. He woke up one night and literally knew God was present. He said he had always thought he was a good Christian but he had kept his distance, barely thinking about the fact that God could be or actually was fully present.

The thing is . . . we often miss seeing God is present . . . because we allow the stuff of life to blind us.

Consider the Message:
"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!" (John 14:15-17, The Message)

The reality of life changes when we become aware, acknowledge, and believe GOD is present. In other words, to experience the presence of God is to be changed. To see the presence of God, our spiritual eyes must be wide open. It's through the powerful gift of grace, we've been given the opportunity to receive a love that frees us from blindness to see the Truth of Reality. When we do see, our perspective changes, we realize the power is the presence of God, not the stuff of life.

When we are no longer blind to the presence of God, discouragement and fear dissipate, courage and faith increase. It really goes back to what John Newton wrote centuries ago:
Amazing GRACE, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Be changed through God's grace.
Open your eyes wide and see God.

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

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

This Is Your Time

2011-10-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

Waiting. It's what we do. Yet. There's so much to experience right now, wherever we're at, whatever we're doing, whoever we are. Even so, we often miss the gift of the day in this hurry-up-over-stressed-problem-filled world we live in.

I am convinced the pressures of the daily stuff of life is one of the greatest obstacles from experiencing and celebrating what we've received in the moment.

The thing is . . . we're created to experience the moment . . . by giving attention to God who gives us the day, responding with faith and courage.

But. It means we need to release the stuff that weighs us down, resting and trusting God, believing there's a purpose and plan for the time and space we're in.

Consider what Queen Esther's uncle said to her about a moment in time:
If you keep quiet at this time, someone else will help and save the Jewish people, but you and your father's family will all die. And who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this." (Esther 4:14, NCV).

There's a moment in each day, when we're given the opportunity to purposefully respond with faith and courage. It's really what we've been waiting for, a moment in time which counts. And. It's what we choose to do with the moment that matters in the end.

This is your time, this very moment, to experience the gift, responding to it with faith and courage.

Breathe.
Release the pressures, surrender the busyness, trust God.
Experience the gift of the moment, trusting you were born for it, responding with faith and courage.
Celebrate the time you have received with gratefulness.

Learning to Kickstart the day grateful for the time,
Kerrie

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

A Day

2011-10-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

A lifetime is one long day of sorts, a day of problems and possibilities, a day of sorrow and joy, a day of endings and beginnings, a day of fear and faith, a day of hopelessness and hope, a day of of hurt and healing, a day created through the purposeful love of God. The specifics of the day may change from one to another; however, it's a gift.

The thing is . . . it's our choice to wisely invest the time we're given. . . paying attention to the day with respect and gratefulness for the gift of it.

But. When the day is marked by difficulties, trials, loss, and hurt, we're drawn to focus on what might have been rather than on what could be through the presence and power of God.
Consider.
A thousand years in your sight
   are like a day that has just gone by
   or like a watch in the night . . . Teach us to number our days,
   that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:4;12, NIV).

The Psalmist explained the brevity of life by measuring a thousand years as a day. When you get down to it, there's little time on earth. So.

We pray: Teach me to value (number) the day through a heart of wisdom.

The Spirit of God gives us the ability and power to learn to live beyond the stuff that comes at us, to see each moment as a gift, to gain wisdom about what we have received, purposefully valuing the day.

Value the day.
Surrender the stuff.
Ask the Spirit to teach you to live the day well.
Respect and be grateful for the gift of the day.

Learning to Kickstart the day with respect and gratefulness for the gift of it,
Kerrie

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

The Look

2011-10-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

I talk with people when they're desperately trying to make sense of all the hard things of life. One woman, looked at me with visible pain, explaining how things in her life had worsened with time, making it hard to believe something good would ever work out. I listened and shared what I know to be true about the good that comes when we trust God. But. When we face an ongoing difficulty, it's a challenge to grasp the possibility of something good working out, let alone a positive outcome.

It takes intentional faith to refuse to let any circumstance weaken our faith, to continue to believe there's a possibility of something good in the impossibilities of the stuff, to live strong in the power of Christ, standing firm despite the hardship and pain produced from it all. The thing is . . . it's a matter of believing Jesus . . . "with God all things are possible."

Consider what Jesus said to the disciples:
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26, NIV).
Jesus not only communicated the truth of that all things are possible with words, but by looking at them.

So. What did Jesus communicate by looking at them? Was it a look that made them understand this was important to remember? Or did He give the teacher look? Or was it an incredulous look, wondering how they could have missed the point of it all? Or what? At the very least, Jesus' look must have emphasized the importance of what His words.

So. To believe what Jesus said, is to surrender the fear of a situation, especially the things that seem too hard and impossible, intentionally attaching ourselves to his words: With God all things are possible!

Breathe.
Meditate on Matthew 19:26. What do the words mean to you? How would Jesus look at you when communicating this life principle?
Turn away from the power of difficulties to the truth of what Jesus said.
Surrender your fear.
Step into the power of Jesus' words.
Attach yourself to the truth of the life principle, regardless of impossibilities of the stuff of life.
Experience the situation with God, rather than trying to manage it on your own.
Walk in faith that with God all things are possible.

Learning to Kickstart the day believing what Jesus said,
Kerrie

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

Living In The Shadows

2011-10-06T05:36:00.000-07:00

They need work. Now. They moved, hoping for a new opportunity. But. Nothing has opened up. They're focused on their needs, wondering if anything will change, wanting life to work out, worrying about everything, wishing for a miracle, magic, or something to happen. They've imagined the worst case scenario, fearing they will lose everything, knowing it could be reality, if, something doesn't change. It's as if they live in the shadow of darkness, waiting for the day to begin, and life to get started again.

We fail to perceive the reality of the Light of God in the shadows of our circumstances.

The thing is . . . we either walk in the pathway of Light or in the shadows of the darkness. . . it's a choice.

Loss, hardship, and suffering will give way to a season of hope, joy, and new beginnings when we intentionally and purposefully walk in the Light.

Consider.
"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:4-5, NASB)

The darkness does not comprehend the Light within us. So. The darkness is unable to win. Ever. We get this concept when we enter a dark room and turn on a light . . . the darkness is gone, unable to exist in the Light. Transformation occurs when we intentionally walk out of the shadows of darkness into the light. But. When we make it a daily habit to allow the stuff to be front and center in our life, we have to take steps to break free.

So. We need to stop and see where we're at. Sometimes we don't see we've situated ourselves in the shadows of darkness. Anxiety, worry, and fear are key indicators we're walking in the shadows. When we admit where we're at and that we need help, the Spirit will not only empower us but guide us out of the shadows of darkness into the Light.

Learning to Kickstart the day moving out of the shadows of darkness into the Light,
Kerrie

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

Art and Attitude

2011-10-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Rain. It's back for a while in our neck of the woods, a reality in the Oregon valley we live in. True Oregonians enjoy a walk in the rain, listening to the rain fall on the roof, the smell of the earth after a good rain, and even watching it pour from the skies with a hot cup of coffee, a good book, and a fire going. There's a certain peacefulness about it; however, I question how grateful I am for shelter when I think of those who are living without it. The days of darkened skies, wind, and rain become a huge challenge for the homeless.

As I listened to the rain pound on the roof down last night, I thought about a family, three generations, who had been living in a tent for several months. A way had been found for them to get into an apartment. I am certain they're grateful for being provided with shelter.

Gratefulness is a way of life, an art and an attitude. The thing is . . . gratefulness comes from paying attention to God, the Giver of Life . . . intentionally giving thanks.

Consider:
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20, NCV).

The words, always and everything, require our attention. Seriously, Ephesians 5:20, has some big implications in the way we live, making it clear we're to ALWAYS give thanks for EVERYTHING. Look closely at what this means. There's no condition put on it, which means we're to give thanks in the good times as well as in the times when life is not going the way we want it to go. I have no problem giving thanks for what I define as good and great. It's far more of a challenge to give thanks when life is messy, inconvenient, and even down right difficult. But. The true art and attitude of gratefulness comes from taking the focus off of self and our circumstances, recognizing God to be the Giver. It's humbling, isn't it? It takes the exercise of intentionally saying thank you for everything to develop gratefulness.

Giving thanks makes us mindful of what's really important and what's not. If, we're not careful, we will feel we are owed everything. We're not. Life itself is a gift from God. So. The first step to being grateful is to pay attention to God rather than to ourselves. When we lose sight of God, we tend to stop giving thanks.

Pay attention to God.
Intentionally develop the art and attitude of always being grateful for everything.
Take time throughout the day to pray the simple and powerful prayer: Thank You!

Learning to Kickstart the day grateful for everything,
Kerrie

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

Adversity and Uncertainty

2011-10-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

Miss Madelyn is a reminder that God brings good to us in the midst of suffering. I think about her biological family and the loss they feel every day without her; they unselfishly made a way for her to experience the best life possible. On the other side of their pain is joy. Without question, our family has experienced joy as she has become a part of our life and we have become a part of her life. But. I also think joy is for her biological family, if, they live in faith, certain God is at work though they are unable to experience Madelyn's life personally.

How do we experience the kind of faith that results in joy when we face adversity and uncertain times? Jesus told us simply and powerfully to seek God first in Matthew 6:33. When you get down to it, seeking God first is key to developing a faith which produces certainty and joy in adversity and uncertain times.

Sometimes life is more difficult than anyone could ever anticipate it to be. But. Something miraculous occurs when humanity seeks God first in times of adversity and uncertainty: Heaven and earth collide and divine power moves in, producing possibilities out of impossibilities, good out of difficulties, joy out of suffering, beginnings out of endings, healing out of hurt, and hope out of hopelessness. In other words, God never leaves us alone or does less than what He has planned and promised to do.

The thing is . . . there's a desire in all of us for a happily-ever-after ending . . . but there's something deeper to be experienced when we seek God first and pay full attention to Him: a divine certainty that God is at work fills us, producing joy in the "now" of our reality, regardless of what we're facing.

I think that's why the end of the book of Job is so profound; we see that though he went through unimaginable adversity, Job had a full life : So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning . . . Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life (Job 42: 12, 16-17, NLT).

The story of Job should change our perspective in the midst of adversity, giving us a bold certainty that God is present and bringing the good work He began in us to completion.

Regardless of what the day holds, we are given assurance that all things will work together for good.

Trust God.
Live beyond the circumstances of the day, be certain of the work of God, whether you see it or not.
Experience the joy through the grace of God, which though it's undeserved and unmerited, is a blessing in the midst of the adversity and uncertainty.

Learning to Kickstart the day with a full life,

Kerrie

The Power of Honesty

2011-10-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

I talked with a couple who felt they could not be honest about their circumstances. They described their struggles as beyond difficult. Even so, they felt criticism rather than compassion from others. There was an aloneness in their words and demeanor.

There are times it feels like like no one could possibly understand or help us when life is challenging.

It may appear to an observer that someone has it all together; however, even when there's a list of good things in a person's life, there's a list of challenges which have come their way. And. Many times, they've kept their challenges secret, afraid to be vulnerable with honesty.

The thing is . . . when we fail to be honest . . . we feel more alone than ever.

Honesty is key to healthy relationships, including with God. When we finally get to the place we're willing to be honest before God, we will receive new strength to face all things in the day.

Consider:
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
   Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
   I will strengthen you and help you.
   I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NLT).
Failing to be honest about our circumstances with ourselves, others, and ultimately God comes from the root of fear that we will be found out and rejected; this fear separates us from God's promise recorded in Isaiah 41:
1. God's presence: "I am with you."
2. God's intimacy: "I am Your God."
3. God's empowerment: "I will strengthen you and help you."
4. God's passion: "I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Refuse to live in fear. Be honest about your life.
Remember the stuff of life, no matter how big of a deal it becomes, is worth hiding.
Intentionally live in the presence of God who is passionate about you, always present, giving you supernatural power to face the day.

Learning to Kickstart the day honest before God,
Kerrie

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

By Faith

2011-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-09-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-09-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-16T05:43:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

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.

A New Season

2011-09-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

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)

Lift Your Eyes and See

2011-08-31T05:04:00.000-07:00

It's not an easy day. But. It's a day of purpose, of consequence, and of God. The thing is . . . we tend to depend on ourselves until we are faced with the impossible of the day . . . then we turn to God and hope we'll be saved. It is in the impossible, we often realize all at once, that God gives us the courage and ability to face all things. When we spend the day whining, worried, or fearful, we miss the whole point of living in relationship with God.
What really makes any day the most difficult is losing sight of God.
Even then, God uses others to bring us back to the place of complete trust.
Actually a friend emailed me a song while struggling with the thought, "I don't want to do what I need to do today." It was a word from God:
Always--
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always . . . I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord ~Kristian Stanfill

Consider.
"Don't be afraid. Dear Zion, don't despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. (Zephaniah 3:16-17).

Zephaniah 3:16-17 gives two major commands: Dont' be afraid. Don't despair.
Then, there's an explanation to why its possible to not have fear or live in despair: God is always present, a strong Warrior, who will save you and will calm you, singing over you with delight.

In other words, we do not need to fear anything but, rather, trust God to always be at work on our behalf as our strong Warrior.

Fear is the absence of trust. So. We need to evaluate the day, asking ourselves, "Am I responding in fear?" As we evaluate ourselves, we must honestly assess if we are completely trusting God. Trust requires quick action to fight the fear by lifting our eyes up from the circumstance to the presence of God.
Remember there's no reason to fear or to be in despair. See the strong Warrior God always present and fighting for you.

Learning to Kickstart the day lifting my eyes to see the presence of the strong Warrior,
Kerrie

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

Attitude

2011-08-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

So. We had a skunk let its stink go during the night behind our house. The smell permeated our home. It was more than annoying, the stink literally changed the atmosphere. It reminded me of one of my friends, who had been in a life-altering accident, who had to learn to live as a paraplegic, who had an incredible positive attitude and taught me:

Attitude changes the atmosphere of our lives. There's some who have a stinking attitude and stink up our world. Others change the world by their positive "can do" approach.

The longer I live, the more I'm sure that "attitude is everything," a statement that my kids were pretty much forced to live by. The thing is . . . both positive and negative attitudes are barometers of what's up ahead for us . . . leading us toward a positive or negative outcome.

Consider.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had (Philippians 2:5, NLT).

We often think attitude is a choice; however, as a Christ follower, it's a "must" to have the same attitude as Christ had.

A positive attitude, rooted in the presence and power of Christ, is optimistic, confident, hopeful, enthusiastic and self-less while a negative attitude is one that is pessimistic, cynical, critical, unenthusiastic, dismissive, unresponsive, and selfish; it's most often rooted in anger and/or fear. An attitude that lacks the presence of Christ is an attitude which lacks the power to have a positive lasting impact for Christ. If, we keep centered on Christ rather than self, our attitude will be likewise.

Live with the attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Learning to Kickstart the day with the attitude of Christ,
Kerrie

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

Certainty in Uncertain Times

2011-08-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Uncertainty. It's where I've been for a couple of days. It's an interesting place to be in. It's when there's no definitive answer, no delineation of where things are at, no definable outcome. It's a time of being in between of what is known to be true and what might be true. It's a space of life in which faith is a necessity to carry on.

Faith gives us the basis for certainty.

Consider.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

By faith, we're certain God is great and God is good.
By faith, we're certain God loves us more than what seems possible.
By faith, we're certain God is in control.
By faith, we're certain God's plan is the best way to live.
By faith, we're certain God is at work all the time.
By faith, we're certain God makes all things possible.

How is it possible tolive by faith in uncertain times?

Intentionally and decisively put your focus on God ratherthan circumstances or people. Remember Jairus? He was the man who went toJesus and asked for healing of his daughter. Jesus turned from what hewas doing to go to Jairus' home; however, he was interrupted, a woman touchedthe hem of his garment, desperately needing a healing. And, she washealed. The healing power of Jesus immediately and completely healed her.

The impossible became possible. Timing is everything. As the woman was being healed, Jairus was told his daughter had died. Then, Jesus gave the key to living in faith in uncertain times:

Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:36, NIV).

Jesus ignored the words pronouncing the girl dead and gavethe two components to living by faith: Don't be afraid. Justbelieve. To live by faith, we need to learn how to ignore words,situations, and ideas which are not of faith, giving our full attention toJesus. Jairus made the difficult walk back to his home, certain Jesus hadsomething more planned, certain of what he could not see, certain death wouldnot be the final outcome.

Being certain in uncertain times is a gift.

Receive the gift.

Live by faith, certain of what you do not see.

With Christ

2011-08-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

I've had to manage a situation that I don't want to have in my life. So. As I was driving to an appointment to talk about it, I had a moment in time of thinking about ways I could escape the whole situation. But. One of the cool things about having a relationship with God is that we are not alone. God speaks to us in our need even when we are not calling out for divine help but actually planning an escape route to avoid the hard stuff of life. I was reminded of the Word given to me almost a month ago.

At that time, I had no idea what I would be facing; however, I sensed God had used scripture as His message to me for a reason: JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.

The thing is . . . this word has had profound meaning many times in my life . . . it was not as if this was something new . . .however, it felt new in the moment. I’ve learned throughout the years that God is continually making all things new. This message actually comes from Psalm 30.

It’s a message that life won’t always be about suffering,; it’s a message of something more; it’s a message that we’ll never have to be stuck in the hard stuff of life, it’s a message that though we can’t see it, God is working on our behalf and doing something new; it’s a message of a full life. When suffering comes, we are able to know with confidence, it’s not the end of the story.

In the midst of the really hard stuff, we need to intentionally keep aware of the heart of the story of God: we are created to experience the fullness of life with God.

Through Christ, we are enabled to have the best life, regardless of what we face. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. With Christ, all things are possible. The word, with, is key to living beyond and above all the stuff. To live the best life, we live with Christ.

Consider.
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
   She will give birth to a son,
   and they will call him Immanuel,
   which means ‘God is with us.’”
(Matthew 23:1, NLT).

God gave Jesus Christ to the world, Immanuel, God with us. What makes life the hardest is losing sight of the presence, power, and peace of Christ.
With Christ, we know God is our friend and that living, no matter how hard, is an incredible gift.
With Christ, we have truth, life, and the way to get through it all.
With Christ, all things are possible.
With Christ, all things come together for good.
With Christ, we have a peace which surpasses all understanding.
With Christ, we experience life after death, whether it's death of a dream, a job, a relationship, or physical death.
With Christ, we have the joy of living.

Experience all of life with Christ.

Learning to Kickstart the day with Christ,
Kerrie

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

Refocus

2011-08-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

I've asked and have been asked the question, What do you do when you don't know what to do? The question often comes up when there's no apparent way to go forward, when it seems life is just a series of problems, when there's more sorrow than joy, when difficult challenges become routine, when life as we know it ends. Our natural inclination is to suffer through the hard stuff, desperately waiting for things to be different, imagining how life could be without impossibilities piling up. Many times we don't realize we've missed the gift of the day until we look backwards.

At some point, regardless of how exhausting or challenging life has become, we need to find a way through it.

The thing is . . . there's a life-altering way . . . to get through anything and everything. I've seen it and experienced it. Though it may sound religious and even naive, we change and are enabled to manage whatever comes our way by intentionally refocusing through meditation of God's message and prayer.
Consider.
As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him (Psalm 18:30, TNIV)
God's word is His message to us today.
Stop, become aware of God's presence and listen:

Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10, TNIV).

The Spirit of God leads, brings clarity, and empowers us to get through it all with wisdom, strength, and wholeness:

"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." (John 14:25-27, The Message)

So. Refuse to settle into worry, stress, or fear. Clear it out. There's no room for fear when we face the impossibilities of life:

“Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36, TNIV).

When we choose to listen to God first, when we respond to the Message, when we refuse to be anxious or fearful, when we choose to believe even when it does not make sense, we're changed:

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Isaiah 40:31, AMP).

Refocus.
Respond to God first rather than to the circumstances of the day: Stop. Be still. Listen. Meditate. Know God.
Renew.
Receive peace.
Refuse worry, stress, and fear; don't be afraid, just believe.
React to whatever comes your way in the power of the Spirit; live above all circumstances, as an eagle lifts its wings and mounts up.
Regard the gift of the day and celebrate, no matter what.

Learning to Kickstart the day by first responding to God,
Kerrie

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

Step of Faith

2011-08-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

He told me his story. I listened as he gave a list of hard things in his life: Finances. Job. Wife. Kids. It all seemed hard. I responded with what I know to be true, God always makes a way. He said he did not believe the words. We prayed and underlined words in Scripture, God's message to us. We talked about taking one step of faith at a time.

It's a choice to walk by faith. There's an intersection in each circumstance, in which we must decide whether or not to step out on faith and believe God.

The thing is . . . we limit ourselves when we focus on impossibilites . . . but when we walk in faith, trusting God to make all things possible, we're able to step into the day with courage, believing there's a way through it all.

That said, walking in faith is a challenge; it's believing for something which can't be seen, it's focusing on God rather than circumstances, it's responding to life with faith rather than fear, it's living courageously. When you get down to it, walking in faith is not for the weak.
So. How do we live by faith when we're weak?

Consider.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The key to walking in faith is developing a complete-nothing-held-back trust. When life gets hard we tend to lean on our own understanding, seeing it all from our limited perspective and experience. There's always more to the story; there's redemption, hope, goodness, love, and transformation. When we ask the Spirit of God to lead us, taking time to pray and diving deep into the Message, we develop a mindset of divine wisdom which allows us to see how circumstances become stepping stones on a divine path through it all. Yet, it all may seem too hard and too impossible to do anything but be overwhelmed.
So.
Take one step at a time.
Trust enough to whisper a prayer. God will listen to you and give you strength to take the next step.
Remember God is God.
God will make a way, giving you strength to get through it all.

Learning to Kickstart the day taking a step of faith,
Kerrie

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

Time Out

2011-08-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to talking with Tim tonight; he's been in the wilderness somewhere in central Oregon hiking and camping, taking time out from his busy schedule, technology, and the stuff of life. He'll step back into it all the minute he's back.

The thing is . . . we discover there's more to life when we take time out, unplug, and disengage from the rush of life . . . yet, it's not always easy to slow down the mind to gain clarity of what we're missing.

It's a discipline to take time out and intentionally slow down our thought process.

Most people are too busy and too tired. We often mistake busyness for effectiveness. We need to understand we're appointed for specific work in a specific time and place. That said, we'll never have divine clarity of what belongs to us, if, we don't stop and listen to God.

Consider.
John's disciples came to him and said, "Teacher, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming here to us."
John replied, "God in heaven appoints each person's work. (John 3:26-27, NLT)

It's clear God has created us for a purpose, appointing our work. Misery sets in when we lose touch with the heart of God and what we're appointed to do. If, the mind is too busy, we'll be unable to effectively hear God. We clearly need space to listen what the Spirit of God reveals about our purpose and appointment. So, when we allow the pressures of life to guide us we will miss out what the Spirit has for us. That said, on some level we've adopted the belief being too busy is okay. And, then, we develop a litany of excuses of why we are unable to slow down for a time out. There's power in making a commitment to stop and step away from the craziness .

Challenge your lifestyle of busyness.
Make the commitment to slow down.
Take a few minutes throughout the day to practice slowing down by taking a time out.
Breathe. Rest. Listen. Do only what you're appointed to do.

Learning to Kickstart the day taking time out,
Kerrie

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

Remember The Gift of the Day

2011-08-18T06:37:00.000-07:00

I am helping someone who forgets what day it is, forgets where she's living, forgets important details of her life, forgets how to act to others, and even forgets who loves her. I've seen first hand the sadness and anger within an individual from the trauma of forgetting. The gift of daily living is often lost when someone forgets so much. But.

In the midst of the suffering from forgetting the past and the present, I've seen the presence of God is with her, the gift of each day.

Consider.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17, TNIV).

Through the mess and the maze of the days of our life, we can be assured God is present, holding all things together. God does not forget who we are or the purpose of why we've been created to live in a specific time and place; God never forgets us. Even when we forget what's important, forget the gift of the day, forget God is in control, and forget God is present, we are assured, God is before all things and in Him all things hold together.

When we grasp the concept that God will never forget who we are, where we're at, and what we need, we're able to celebrate the gift of the day knowing God is making us new, enabling us to press on, empowering us to move forward do to what the Apostle Paul said, Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14, TNIV).

God has called us for more than what's occurred yesterday or what will be today. There's a bigger plan than what we are able to see.

It makes sense to trust God in all things, to remember in Him all things hold together, to forget what's behind and to press on for which God has called us. Life, regardless of what's seen in the moment, is a gift. Remember the gift of today and celebrate it.

The Rich Life

2011-08-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

When people describe their life to me there's often usage of some rather harsh words, followed by an apology, "Sorry, Pastor." My usual response is to laugh, thanking them for their honesty. The thing is . . . I know when they choose to live fully in Christ . . . their response to life, regardless of circumstances, will be different because they're no longer living in spiritual poverty.

Consider.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives (Colossians 3: 16a, NLT).

Life is rich each day when we choose to fill our lives with Christ. I'm not talking about a rule-keeping, negative, rigid existence but an ongoing, active, participative life with Christ.

When we are religious rule keepers, we live in spiritual poverty; when we let the message of Christ fill our life, we are spiritually rich.

When we base our life on religious rules, a rigid and often negative mindset develops, which leads to bondage. When we enter and engage in a relationship with Christ, the possibilities of life are limitless.

So. When someone tells me, "I'm not religious." I usually respond, "Thank God." This often evokes a nervous laugh from the individual as if I've broken some kind of rule, it's their assumption that religion is supposed to be my life. I'm pretty sure there's been a few people who thought they might actually go to hell, if, they stayed in the room with me. But. The atmosphere changes as I explain how Jesus irritated and made the religious leaders mad, how he broke their rules, and how he made it clear God invites us to be in an intimate friendship, I no longer call you servants, because servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you (John 15:15, TNIV).

The message of Christ is lived out through the words, I have called you friends. As a friend of Christ, we're no longer bound by the "should" of rules, we no longer need to feel we should pray more, should meditate more, should study God's word more, should love more, and should serve more. When we let Christ free us from a rule-keeping religion, we pray, meditate, study, love, and serve because we want to go deeper in our friendship with Christ, aligning our life with God's plan for a healthy and full life. This is the key to ending spiritual poverty.

Stop living in spiritual poverty.
Go deeper in your friendship with Christ.
Let the message of Christ fill your life.
Experience the riches of Christ.

Learning to Kickstart the day living the rich life,
Kerrie

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

P.S. And Always Be Thankful

2011-08-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

So. I've been learning about gratefulness. Again. A woman, a single mom, who has every right to complain and to be depressed, who has what I would describe as a difficult, challenging, and hard life, who has more responsibilities than a world leader, has been my teacher. Seriously. She defines the term, "free spirit." I've come to realize the stuff she is faced with is just that, stuff. She's sincerely grateful for her life and all God has entrusted her with. And, she’s free from the weight of the pressures of daily living. As we’ve talked, she told me one of things that has continued to help her was to keep a gratefulness journal. She thanked me for suggesting it. Apparently, she took it more seriously than I have because in all honesty I occasionally enjoy a good ranting moment about some of the details of the day. And, seriously, I could do some ranting on her behalf because of what she faces

The thing is . . . being grateful is a huge part of the healing process . . . which enables us to live free from the pressures of the day, requiring us to intentionally pay attention to the gift of life, trusting God to be God.

Gratefulness is not based on circumstances; gratefulness is a state of being; gratefulness is a realization that life is a gift from God. It's when you're able to appreciate each day without grading it as good or bad. It's when you realize God is constantly at work on your behalf with never-ending love. Gratefulness is trusting God to make all things new. Gratefulness is intertwined with peace and contentment, a distinctive aspect of health and wholeness, changing the dynamics of the way we live.

Consider.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15b, NLT).

There seems to be almost a P.S. before the Apostle Paul was actually done writing his letter to the Colossians with the words, “and always be thankful.” When these words are studied in context, it’s clear this is a command, it’s part of the calling, it’s the way to live. We’re not told to wait until all the details of life are smoothed out, until all the hard stuff disappears, until things go our way, but to be thankful now and always. It’s an ongoing present tense command. To be grateful, to live freely, we are to be thankful.
So.
Develop a life of gratefulness.
Live free from the pressures of the stuff of life.
Pay attention to the gift of life.
Take time-out to intentionally give thanks--stop, breathe, and thank God for the gift of the day.
P.S. And always be thankful.

Learning to Kickstart the day being grateful,
Kerrie

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

Let It Be

2011-08-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

I'm always surprised when it comes to how people react to life. I've watched people face the worst tragedies and heartache with incredible peace--the kind of peace that only comes from the presence of God. Their response to the worst of the worst always makes my faith brand new. But. At the same time, I've watched individuals unravel over something minute, something that won't impact anyone or anything but what they planned for the day, something that in the end really doesn't matter. The tension and anxiety from the minute changes the dynamics of day, leaving everyone afraid of a major explosion. In the end, we're responsible for what we do and say, regardless of the circumstance.

Consider.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15a, NLT).

There's something powerful to the one minute word, let, used in this passage. This one word tells us that we have the authorization to have the peace of Christ rule us; however, it is an ongoing choice. The old Beatles' song, Let It Be, would fit perfectly with this Word of wisdom. Seriously, those old songs still wander around in my thought process. At least there's some use for them in this context and it's a reminder of the impact words have on us or whatever else we let in.

When you get down to it, the three words, let it be, define the choice of letting the peace of Christ to rule within. The thing is . . . the peace of Christ . . . is an active state of being.

And, yes, the stuff of life often strikes quickly and without warning. We've all been hit straight on with something which is at the very least irritating and at the most, devastating. The force of an unplanned and uninvited disruption may disorient our resolve at first, knocking us to the ground. But.

In our weakness, God has promised to be our strength, giving us the ability to stand and face whatever comes our way with the peace of Christ. And, we will have the divine peace, if, we let it be.

It's made clear, we're created for the peace of Christ rule in us, the key to health and wholeness, central to our walk of faith, the signature of the presence of Christ in you. But, it's a choice. Let it be.

Learning to Kickstart the day with the peace of Christ,
Kerrie

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

Satisfied

2011-08-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

It was a night to remember. People of all ages shared their stories of life without and with Christ. I'm always renewed when I hear how someone became new by saying yes to Christ. It's as if a fresh wind blows through the room when people begin to talk of their new love for God.

After being with kids and adults who've had their world divinely changed, I want to tell someone in need of encouragement about how all things are possible, about how life is a miracle, about how God is the God of more.

And, I want to hear more about the miracle of the indescribable sacred gift of the presence of Christ, completely satisfying the empty spaces of life.

When we pay attention to the gift, we realize how desperate we are for God and only God; there's no one or nothing that satisfies our need for God. The Spirit of God moves into our life, allowing us to experience the presence and power of Christ, freeing us to live fully and wholly. It's not to say that life is never challenging or downright hard after receiving Christ, but it's different because we'll know we're not alone in it all. And, it's why we realize there's nothing more valuable in life than being in Christ.

Consider.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13, NIV).

There is more to life than our wants. Without Christ, the hunger for more is never satisfied.
When we fully engage with the presence and power of Christ
with
all of our mind
all of our heart
all of our soul
all of our strength
we discover divine contentment no matter what we face.

Evaluate your life. Are you satisfied? Are you content? Do you have God in your life? Let the fresh wind of the Spirit of God blow over you today, satisfying all of your needs. Christ is more than enough.

Learning to Kickstart the day completely satisfied,
Kerrie

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

Grateful For Things Like The Moon

2011-08-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Madelyn continues to teach me about recognizing the gifts around me. The other night she became incredibly excited about the moon shining through the evening clouds. For a brief moment, the moon became ours. I smiled for hours, thinking about how God created the moon for many reasons, one being for the two of us on a summer night. I'll be more aware of the moon, thanking God for giving us the gift to see it.

When we take time to be aware of what we've received, we're more grateful and appreciative, seeing life more for what it is to be---a sacred and holy gift. It seems to me that the stuff, the good and the bad circumstances, block our vision of what really matters. Gratefulness changes the way we see and respond to life.

When you get down to it, the most courageous and faithful people are the ones who have an attitude of gratefulness and appreciation.

Consider.
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan (Luke 17: 12-16, NIV).

Jesus healed ten lepers; however only one out of the ten lepers thanked Jesus for their healing. And, that particular one, was considered an outcast as a leper and as a Samaritan. Luke mentions it in his writing because the Jewish people considered the Samaritans to be unclean. And, before we cast a stone at the ancient Jews, we too have a system that attaches a label on an individual indicating their worth by their background, power, position, and possessions. And, yet, it was the one considered less worthy who took the time to thank Jesus. I'm sure each of the ten lepers were excited, relieved, and very grateful for their healing; however, they went on their way without thanking the One who gave them the gift of new life.

It makes sense that humility is a part of gratefulness. We really are blind to God's great generosity until we humble ourselves.
Recognize God's great generosity.
Be aware of what you've received.
Give thanks morning and night.
And . . . when the moon is out . . . remember God put it there for you.
Be grateful for things like the moon.

Learning to Kickstart the day grateful for the gifts of life . . . like the moon.
Kerrie

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

More In You

2011-08-05T04:26:00.000-07:00

I've been getting ready to preach this Sunday by living the sermon. There's been some challenges in doing so. It's not always easy. The thing is . . . preachers will tell you . . an authentic message has to be lived out. When you get down to it, how we live is the message that speaks. God works through all of us in an unique and individual way, to say something through our lives. There are many facets to our narrative, that are touched by the presence and power of God.

It's incredible to think that part of the story of God comes together in and through our own life. But. We have the choice of whether or not we will live the story--one of relationship with God--which brings hope to the world.

Consider.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me (John 15: 4, NLT).

God is always ready to do something in our life, when we remain in Christ. Our greatest limitation to what God will do is our will. In fact, God will do more than what we could ever think, ask, or imagine. God wants to give us more faith, more hope, more love, more grace, more strength, more courage, more of everything and anything that will make us more like Christ. God is the God of more.

Let God do something more in you.
Be willing to go where no one can go except in Christ.
Live out the message God will speak through you . . . the message of more . . . in Christ.

Learning to Kickstart the day living with more,
Kerrie

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

Refuse to Waste the Gift of Life

2011-08-04T06:37:00.000-07:00

I used to teach birthing classes. It was always interesting how easily I had the students' attention; they wanted to hear something different than the frightening stories which were routinely told by family, friends, and complete strangers. By the time they came to class, the students were worried, fearing late pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I knew the first class had to begin with reassurance and a list of techniques and tools to learn, all of which would help them to manage what they were experiencing as well as what was to come. There were three major life skills which needed to be learned: breathing-relaxation, focus, and preparation. My goal was to help them to recognize the gift of life as something not to be wasted on worry and fear.

The students needed experiential learning, not just words, to remove fear from their mind. A good portion of the class was spent on "practicing what was preached." So. We took time at the front of the first class to breathe, relax, and focus on one thing, the gift of life. The simple exercise helped everyone to calm down and to see there would be a way through it all.

The thing is . . . when we stop and step back from the stuff . . . we are able to have a new perspective which dissipates fear and worry, enabling us to face the future with courage and anticipation.

Jesus clearly said there's more to our reality than what we see at first glance.
Consider.
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." (John 14:25-27, The Message)

Jesus gave us the Friend, the Holy Spirit, to give us clarity, to empower us to get through the stuff with supernatural peace, and to ensure we will experience the gift of life fully without worry and fear.

There's no reason to worry or have fear when we believe what God has made clear in the Word: "I will be with you. I will not leave you. I will not fail you." Without worry or fear, we are freed to live this life as it's been planned, as a gift. So. It's a choice to live this life as a gift, no matter the situation, with Christ's passion and courage, refusing to worry or to have fear, focused on walking in the presence, power, and peace of the Friend.

Step back from it all, learn what God has for you in the midst of it all.
Experience the presence of God.
Stop.
Breathe.
Relax.
Focus on the presence of the Spirit.
Refuse to worry or to have fear.
Follow the instructions of the Spirit.
Be at peace.

Learning to Kickstart the day without worry or fear,
Kerrie

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

Trusting

2011-08-01T03:29:00.000-07:00

One family--a husband, wife, and three kids, were distraught after they received bad news, the kind no one wants to claim or even think about. Their future was unclear as the news settled in and took over their feelings, thoughts, words, and behavior. There are times the stuff of life is too hard, when all things seem impossible, when trouble and darkness moves into each feeling, thought, and word, when it's difficult to face another day or for that matter another moment. No one escapes these times on earth.

I've been there. Even as I'm writing this, I'm facing something that I'd rather not face. But. There's more to life than what we see in the moment. Its taken some years of life to learn it's not as much about what we face but how it's faced. My teachers of life are the ones who possess courage and grace under fire, trusting God to be present and at work, regardless of what they're facing.

Long ago, there was a song, Bridge Over Troubled Water, which was totally secular but always meant something more to those of us who were following Christ:
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down (Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel).

The words from the song echo the words of Christ.
Consider:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1, NLT).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16: 33, NIV).

The thing is . . . as we trust Christ, even when we're faced with problems, troubles, and pain . . . we're able to see He's the way through it. Trust is not always easy, especially when life seems to be out of control; however, trust makes us better and changes the way we face the stuff. When life gets tough, when darkness comes and pain invades our life, Christ has already took our part on, willingly becoming broken for our brokenness that we might be healed.

Christ is your Bridge over troubled waters and dark times . . . don't let your heart be troubled . . . trust Him to be your Light in the darkness, your strength in weakness, your peace in chaos, your hope in the hopelessness as you face it all, giving you courage and grace with confidence it's been overcome.

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting Christ,
Kerrie

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

Light In This World

2011-07-31T06:46:00.000-07:00

I love Sundays. My life revolves around this day as being the big day of the week, when about 1,200 or more people in our small community come to our church. I try to stop for a brief moment when I enter the lobby of our building to see and hear the activity within the walls. It's when you know that a building is not a church, but instead the people in it. I know this has been said century after century and sounds like part of the Christianese language; however, when we grasp the truth of what it means for Christ followers to come together, we've glimpsed the purpose of the church in this world.

There's no other organization on earth like the Church; the sustaining power of it all is not through human effort but through the divine presence and power of Christ.

The dark forces of this world are seen more clearly each day; we all agree that something radical needs to happen to save us from certain doom. As people look for a way to escape from it all, the Church moves straight into it, not afraid but courageous, with the mission to be the light in the darkness, bringing hope to this hopeless, chaotic, dark world. The thing is . . . when we are connected to the source of Life . . . there's unmistakeable energy of being fully alive with a faith, hope, and love which just doesn't stop for anything or anyone.

Consider.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. either do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV).

Celebrate today.

Come together as the Church, moving forward with the courage to be Christ's light in the darkness, bringing hope to the world.

Take The Walk

2011-07-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

A visibly broken man stopped me after a church service on a gray and cloudy Oregon Sunday. He wanted to know: Why her? Why him? Why me? Why? The questions that start with "why" often are missing a satisfactory answer. But. I've learned some important things about God that I'm able to share.

One thing I know by experience as well as from the Word: God doesn't leave us stuck in the "whys" of life; however, we must be willing to move away from the questions.

And. It's not always easy to leave unanswered questions behind. The "whys" of life often nag us, creating hurt, anger, and eventually bitterness that settles into deep places of our mind and spirit. To move out of the stuff, we must agree to walk by faith rather than by sight, which of course makes sense for everyone else but ourselves.

Seriously, walking by faith is not always the easiest route to take in life. Even so. It's the most blessed way to live.

Consider.
For we live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV).

When we follow Christ, we learn life is a walk of faith. When we take the walk of faith, we choose to put our trust in Christ above anyone or anything else. When we're unable to see our way through a situation, we are enabled by the Spirit of Christ to take one step at a time, knowing He is present, powerful, and good. The things is . . . our God will shift every detail in the universe . . . breaking through the darkness, pain, and questions, transforming the places of hurt into healing, sorrow into joy, and the "whys" into peace.

God is faithful and will take you on a walk of a lifetime when you choose to go forward. There's always something more than you could ever imagined ahead of you when you go God's way.

Walk by faith, not by sight.

Anticipation

2011-07-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

Miss Madelyn anticipates each day with exuberance. The world is a place of discovery to her. Currently she describes most everything as "DEE-licious." There's nothing like a two-year-old teacher of life; through Madelyn's perspective I see some of the most ordinary things of life in a new and fresh way. I smile thinking about her delight over a long list of first experiences, including when she picked and ate strawberries at a farm, when she saw a duck and heard its quacking sound in the wetlands, when she sat in the sand at the beach and made creations with her shovel, and when she built a snowman and made a snow angel one unusually cold and snowy day.

The thing is . . . it's easy to become tired and worn out from dealing with the stuff of life . . . failing to anticipate and experience the new creative work of God.

Consider.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here (I Corinthians 5: 17, NIV)

The process of being made new is ongoing rather than a one-time deal; however, there are times we become stuck in the stuff of the day, closing ourselves off from God’s fresh new creative work of life in and around us.

Even so, God is always at work. It’s a holy work of love, grace, mercy, and peace. It’s a transforming work. It’s a powerful energizing work. But. It’s our choice to either enter into the work of God or to be weighed down by all of the stuff.

Anticipate the new creative work God has for you today.
Refuse to allow the stuff distract you from God's work.
Intentionally pay attention to the work of God.
Seek what new thing you’re to experience.
Experience and enjoy being made new . . . again.

Learning to Kickstart the day with anticipation of being made new,
Kerrie

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

Without Fear

2011-07-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

Madelyn has decided fear and pain are the same thing. When deer come into our yard she tells us, "Ow (Ouch), that hurts!" In her perspective, the wandering creatures who break through our barricades to eat our plants, flowers, and grass are destructive and, therefore, scary. There's reality in what she's communicating.

When we allow fear to invade our mind, we open ourselves up to pain, whether it's emotional, spiritual, or physical.

Fear is a part of our life experience, so, it's crucial to lean how to face it.

The thing is . . . until we really believe God is continually with and for us . . . fear will have the upper hand, cheating us out of experiencing God's liberating power, weighing us down with the cares of this world, destroying hope and faith, leaving us with heartache and pain.

If, we fail to address fear, it will explode within and around us. In the end, fear is extremely painful.

Consider.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
(Psalm 34: 4, NLT).

Fear imprisons the body, mind, and soul. But. God will free us from whatever kind of fear grips us. It's essential to turn from the fear and realize God is just that good and great to remove all of our fear. So. God doesn't just have good intentions but is continually doing a good work on our behalf. If, we could see through the stuff of life, we would see more: And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you (Philippians 1:6, AMP).

Remember fear is present in this world; what we do with fear is key to how we live our life. But. The reality of the presence and power of God far exceeds whatever we fear. So. In order to deal with fear, we must make time to see where fear has invaded our life and face it.

Live without fear.
Begin with prayer, acknowledging God first.
Pray about any fear in you. As you pray, believe God will answer and free you, enabling you to have faith not only in God's presence and power, but in the reality of His good and great work in you.
Thank God for continually being with you and for you!
Celebrate the goodness and greatness of God, which overpowers anything and anyone coming against you.

Learning to Kickstart the day without fear,
Kerrie

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

The Miracle of the Moment

2011-07-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

There are days which remind us how important it's to count the moment as a miracle. It happens when someone tells us the way we know life to be will end, when we want to change something but realize it's out of our control, when the normal of the day seems to be lost in the unknown of it all, when the stuff we've been consumed with seems irrelevant, when we realize we've held on to things which hold little or no value in the bigger picture, when we realize what's really important in each moment.

The thing is . . . at the end of it all, we discover the one thing, more important than anything else, is being in an interactive relationship with Jesus . . . which is the miracle of the moment.

Consider the miracle of one moment in time:

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink (Luke 5: 4-6, TNIV)

The disciples were experienced fishermen; they knew what they were doing. And, yet, their nets were empty after a full night of work. Jesus, known as Rabbi, a carpenter by trade, intercepted the tired and desperate fishermen. It did not make sense to do what Jesus said to do from their perspective. No one would've thought him to have any expertise on fishing. We need to remember the identity of Jesus had not been fully comprehended; yet, they changed what they were doing simply because Jesus said to do it. Their relationship with Jesus was the most important part of the moment. So, it makes sense the miracle began the moment they responded to Jesus.

They risked it all by letting go of what they had held on to, focused on what Jesus said. God had so much more for them in the moment; however, they would've never experienced the miracle if they had refused to push out into the deep and let go of their nets. When we do what Jesus says to do, the direction of the day changes and we experience a miracle in the moment.

Change the direction of your day: Actively respond to Christ. Push out into the deep and let go of your nets. God has something more for you--a miracle in the moment.

Learning to Kickstart the day in the miracle of the moment,

Kerrie

The Unstoppable Army

2011-07-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like knowing people are praying for you, knowing they're asking God to release power on your behalf, knowing they've joined heaven's army, willing and ready to fight the battle. I think it's why Matthew 6:10 has been one of my favorite verses to pray, repeating what Jesus said: Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

The thing is . . . when we pray what Jesus prayed . . . heaven and earth collide. After all is said and done, the result of this simple prayer is supernatural. So. We might as well throw a party.

Consider what Jesus said about asking:
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7).

It's spelled out. When we remain in Christ and His words remain in us, we are focused, engaged, and participative with Him, which in turn means we walk in faith, believing all things are possible, confident that what we are asking will be done.

In other words, prayer is about who Christ says He is and, if, a mountain needs to moved, it'll be moved.

The power of Christ is unstoppable, so powerful that not even death can overrule it. So. When we come together, aligned with Christ and His word, united with the will of God on earth as it is in heaven, there’s no doubt but that great and mighty things will occur.

Remain in Christ.
Keep the Word in you.
Join the unstoppable army of prayer warriors.
Pray for God's will on earth as it is in heaven.
Be ready for the mountains to move.
Celebrate and throw a party!
Learning to Kickstart the day joining the unstoppable army,
Kerrie

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

Strong and Courageous

2011-07-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had to believe for the impossible? There's a few times in life that we come to the place where questions must be honestly answered:
Do I believe God?
Do I believe what God says?

When the stuff of life comes at us, when we face something that no one can fix, when we must make the choice to either have faith or make room for fear, then, we discover what life with Christ is really about. Living in Christ is not even close to the soft Christian stuff discussed on a nice sunny Sunday morning in a neat and tidy package, but about hard core take-a-leap-of-faith-kind-of-living.

The thing is . . . we must be turn away from weak faith which gets us no where . . . to live in Christ's peace, strength, and courage, flowing over and in us.

I'm convinced God uses the stuff of life to form us into courageous Christ followers who believe, without doubt, all things are possible, who know God is the God of miracles, who stand firm, refusing to budge when the going gets tough. But. There's a sector of the people who want to believe, who hope what God says is true, but never discover the richness of living strong and courageously in Christ.

Consider what God says:
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)

God makes it clear. Faith, the kind that moves us forward, requires guts and determination. There's not room for fear when it comes to immersing our life in the presence and power of God. Fear is whatever turns our attention away from God. It comes in all sizes and shapes, but it messes with us, making us feel powerless.

God has provided a pathway through Christ to live strong and courageously.

Christ does not give the spirit of fear, but gives power to the powerless, strength to the weak, and courage to the faint hearted. In other words, through the indwelling presence of the Spirit, we can face all things and live in the realm of possibilities when it all seems impossible.

Live in the realm of possibilities.
Be strong.
Be courageous.
Refuse fear and discouragement.
Remain in the presence and power of Christ.
Your God is with you wherever you go.

Learning to Kickstart the day strong and courageous,
Kerrie

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

What's Important

2011-07-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

We've moved my mother-in-law from her home to a senior community, held a moving sale, and now we're getting ready to put her house up for sale. Change is difficult, especially when it comes to moving from the place on earth we call home. But. It's more than a change of location, it's surprising to be in the season of life where there's less time ahead of us than behind us. Time moves quickly, whether we want it to or not; what we do with the time is up to us.

These changes for our family have made me more mindful of the gift of the day, never intended to be wasted by useless living, but to be treasured and celebrated.

I've learned, by experience, a great portion of wasted living is derived from worrying about what comes next. When we've chosen to live in the reality of the presence of God, worry is needless. There's a bigger picture than what we can see in the moment, God-reality. But. When there's a question mark about the future, it's not always easy to forge ahead without worrying about what's in front of us.

Consider what Jesus said to the disciples:
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12: 24-26, TNIV).

Jesus' words in Luke 12 were specifically directed to the disciples. The question is worth meditating on, "Why do you worry about the rest?" Verse 34 spells out Jesus' point: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Luke 12: 34 TNIV)."

The thing is . . . what we live for, what we focus on, what really is important to us . . . is found in the heart.

The heart tells our story. If, we're consumed with worry, we've lost sight of the bigger picture. I'm not saying it's easy to live without worry, I'm saying it's necessary in order to live the life God has planned for us. To make adjustments to the heart, we need to take a break, focusing on the reality of the presence of God, asking questions: What's in my heart today? Am I preoccupied with God or self? Am I wasting my time worrying or am I relaxed with the belief God is God?

Focus on what's important in life.
Take a God-break.
Step into the reality of God's presence.
Let go of any worry which you've attached yourself to.
See the big picture of God-reality.
Relax.
Believe God is God.

Learning to Kickstart the day focused on what's important, the reality of God,
Kerrie

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

Never Abandoned

2011-07-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

I've learned many things by seeing life through Madelyn's perspective. This week’s lesson has been thought provoking. Madelyn discovered her shadow a couple of days ago. Depending on the direction we walked, we could see the shadow was behind her, beside her, and in front of her. She was visibly distraught when the clouds moved over us and the shadow seemed to disappear. The presence of her shadow was so real to Madelyn that she had a moment of hysteria when I stepped on it. She claimed I hurt her. I apologized.

I confess I'm able to find a spiritual lesson in almost everything. Madelyn believed her shadow to be a part of her. And, when you get down to it, her shadow is a reality of the way the sun reflects its light, which will continue all the days of her life on earth. But. Her discovery has given me a fresh perspective of the presence of Christ’s Spirit in me.

Consider what Jesus said:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, 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. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14: 16-20, NLT).

When we ask Christ into our life, we receive His Spirit, reflecting Christ to the world, revealing we're not alone. Jesus promised, "I will not abandon you as orphans. You are in me and I am in you." We no longer live on our own, but we are enabled to live fully connected and engaged with the living presence, power, and peace of Christ. Think about what this means. It literally changes our perspective, mindset, attitude, and response to all things.

The thing is . . . the power of Christ is as close as His presence . . . which enables us to do all things, regardless of the storms that rage against us and the battles we fight.

Even so, there are times we allow circumstances to overwhelm us and we respond as if we're abandoned, as if the Spirit is more like a shadow than the living presence of Christ in us.

So. First things first. Keep connected. Begin the day by engaging with Christ through prayer and meditation. Listen to what the Spirit says and remember it: "I will never leave you."

There's nothing we can't do when we connect and engage with the Holy Spirit's presence, power, and peace--all things are possible!

Get Ready to Dance and Wear New Clothes

2011-07-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

Alison, a blonde-curly-hair, motion-filled, sweet little girl, who lived six years was celebrated this weekend. An artist painted her image on a mural in our church's indoor playground. Though it's a picture, the image captured the revelation of God's unstoppable love in Alison's life, depicting an empty wheelchair with imprinted tiny footprints left behind as she made her journey to heaven. It's a picture of the joy set before Alison. Even so, there's unanswered "whys."

There are some who refuse to believe God until all the questions are answered. But.

Part of walking in faith is being able to trust God when things don't make sense, when there's suffering without just cause, when desperation becomes normal, and when there's more problems than solutions.

I've been reminded, once again, to look beyond the space and place we occupy to see there's a much bigger story. The thing is . . . it's not easy to trust God . . . when it seems we're destined to live in the middle of a storm of impossibilities.

Consider.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy (Psalm 30:5, NLT).

The book of Psalms, at the heart of the Bible, describes the hard as well as the good places of life, clearly delineating the truth, God makes all things new.

God's promise is profound, "I will turn your mourning into joyful dancing and I will take your mourning clothes away, clothing you with joy."

With God, there's more to the story than what we see in the moment, even death becomes life. Yes, there's times joy seems to be far away. To see more, we must intentionally look away from our circumstances to see God is present and will make all things new, bringing joy out of the darkest places of life.

There's really only one thing to do today: Get ready to dance and wear new clothes.

Learning to Kickstart the day with joy,
Kerrie

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

More To The Story

2011-07-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

Madelyn is a little thinker and talker. She became concerned about a deer who had wandered into our yard and ate the grass. She used the term, "ew--gross." When she decided the deer had become a problem, I could not convince her otherwise, especially during her nap. So. I took her back into the yard so she could see it had been barricaded to prevent the deer from coming in. But. The deer was there . . . eating the grass . . . uninhibited by our presence. Really? Madelyn could see we had a "big problem."

It's a lesson which will be repeated in her life many times: We will face problems.

When a problem does not seem to have a solution, when there's more impossible than possible, when worry becomes a familiar companion, when our story becomes problem-centered, we need to stop and shift our attention to God. There's more to the story, regardless of how bad, difficult, and down-right impossible it all seems, there's a way through it with God.

Consider.
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: 19, NLT)

It's worth remembering and repeating the truth, God makes all things new, even when we're in the wilderness and wasteland of life. Problems are a part of our story, not the whole story. There's another side to it all. It's how the story is told. When Christ went to the cross, it seemed his story would end in death; however, the story is not about the cross, it's about Christ overcoming death. Through Christ, we are more than conquerors, strengthened to do all things, released from the ending of death, freed to experience the fullness of life.

Refuse to think the story of your life ends with problems, regardless of how big the problem appears. Take another look at the story. God is about to do something new. Do you not see it?

Learning to Kickstart the day remembering there's more to the story,
Kerrie

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

God is Good All The Time

2011-07-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

People often send me requests to pray for them with long lists of hurt and loss. From the outside, I would've never guessed they were struggling with such a heavy load. The list of bad things happening is often long; however, there's a list of good things happening which are only possible through the goodness of God.

I can truthfully say there's no reason to think we've arrived at the end of the road when bad things happen. I've learned to trust in the goodness of God. Goodness is at the heart of God.

Of course, I know this concept is not new or innovative, but life changes when we trust God's goodness. I'm not talking about human goodness, good intentions, something that sounds good, or experiencing good times but about the powerful, complete, personal, active goodness of God. The thing is . . . God's goodness is not about a happily-ever-after ending . . . but about power that disseminates evil and brings all things in our life together for good.

Consider:
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100: 5, TNIV).
And.
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 (James 1:17, NLT).

When we trust in the goodness of God, we will see through the dark and difficult places of life, become strong as wings on eagles, healed from brokenness, moving forward through the most impossible situations, amazed as all things come together for good. It's a life lesson worth learning:

God is good all the time. His goodness will endure forever. Whatever is good and perfect is from God. He will never change or cast a shifting shadow. All things are possible!

Stop and Take Care of the Business of the Day

2011-07-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

She has cancer. Again. The doctors have said she will die soon. So. She has focused on death. As we prayed, it was clear God wants her to focus on life. It's easy to get lost in what others direct us to think about and do. When we put our attention on stuff, we lose our focus on God and begin to grab onto fear, allowing the stuff to dominate our life.

It takes intention to give complete attention to God when all we can think of is the stuff we must face and contend with. Even if a little thing has caught our attention, we must stop and take care of whatever is distracting us from living life.

The thing is . . . it's a conscious, intentional choice to interrupt the way things are going, to stop and take care of the business of the day, to believe God has the best plan for each moment, to have faith God is present, to ask God to examine each thought, word, and action, to confess what does not belong, to receive what more God has for the day . . . praying in Jesus' name.

Consider:
"Don't be afraid," he said, "for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!" As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, "Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me." (Daniel 10:19, NLT)

We have access to the same God who spoke to Daniel. The words which strengthened Daniel will also strengthen us when we anchor into them, words spoken to bring us to a place of strong faith:

Don't be afraid--Do not live in fear. Stop allowing fear to mess with you. Tell fear to flee. Declare God is always with you and will never fail you.

Your are deeply loved by God--Do not think anything can push God's love away. Stop thinking you are not good enough for God's love. Recognize who God is, what He has promised for your life, and what He has done for you through Christ. When you truly see the depth of God's love, there's an eternal change in the way you see life.

Be at peace-- Do not think anything matters more than the presence of God. Stop walking in chaos and unrest. Walk by faith not by sight. Open yourself to the Truth of Christ, who has been broken so that all of humanity might be healed and whole.

Take heart-- Do not be discouraged. Stop making excuses and start believing God is God and will do what He says He will do. There's always possibilities in the impossible of life, potential in places which seem like dead-ends, great things in small beginnings when we live a God-driven purposeful life.

Be strong-- Do not let the darkness of this world win. Stop thinking the darkness has ultimate power. Remember the darkness does not comprehend the Light. Ask God to give you eyes of faith. Believe God will equip you to do what you are created to do. There's no reason to back away from the purpose you have received, even when circumstances seem insurmountable and dark. Christ, the Light of the world, has given you new life. You belong to God, He will never fail you.

Learning to Kickstart the day by making time to stop and take care of the business of the day,
Kerrie

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