Fresh Perspective

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)