P.S. And Always Be Thankful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)