Gray

Yesterday and this morning I felt gray…at least I felt like what I think gray might feel like.  Blah.  Empty.  Unmotivated.  Joyless.

I literally cried out to God as I drove to work and asked Him why I felt this way.  There are no new or extenuating circumstances that justified this grayness.  It felt terrible…lonely…sad.  Even the uplifting music on the radio did not pull me up out of this grayness.

I went on in to work, and sat down at my computer.  I began my work, but with an emptiness that was overwhelming.

I left work to meet a friend for lunch.  As per usual, my radio was playing 106.9 The Light, and Dr. David Jeremiah was on.  His topic?  “How Can One Book Change My Life” Part 2 (Psalm 19) about the Bible.   He went on to say that the Psalmist says the Word will:

• restore your soul
• refresh your inner life
• deal with your soul, the REAL you
• renew your mind
• make you wise
• rejoice your heart

I don’t know about you, but I could sure use all of that!  And I know it to be true in my own life, already!

I felt like God was speaking directly to me through Dr. Jeremiah, answering the question I had asked Him this morning….”Why do I feel this way???”  You see, I hadn’t been in the Word since Monday evening.  And no, I don’t think God was punishing me.  I liken it to physical exercise.  When your body becomes accustomed to a certain level of physical exercise, and then it misses a couple of days, it doesn’t feel good (or so I’m told by those who actually exercise :-)).  You see, God has recently given me an almost insatiable desire for His Word.  And I’ve been in there spending time and absorbing Him through His Word on a pretty regular basis.  It has brought me much joy and excitement.  But yesterday, I didn’t make time to do that.  And so came the gray.  But after hearing Dr. Jeremiah remind me of the impact God’s Word has on me, I honestly felt relief…for it became clear to me that this time, the gray came because I was missing my Father!  I’m not saying that’s the cause of gray for everyone all of the time, because I know it’s not.  But this time, yes, this time, it was!

So for now, the gray is gone…and replaced with colors of joy (at least in KathyLand).

Psalm 19:7-9

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wide the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes…

I hope that if you are experiencing some gray, you will turn to the Word of God, and be refreshed and renewed.

Loving Jesus…More!!!

As many of you know, I was blessed to be placed by The Father in a Christ-following, Jesus-loving family, and am I ever grateful!  I asked Jesus into my heart as a young 8-year old girl.  I loved Jesus then, and I love Him even more now.

How does our love for The Savior grow? For me, growth has happened through intentional activities, and some not so intentional trials and circumstances.  But one that has had enormous impact on me over the last decade is the study of God’s Word.  I can tell you that knowing Jesus through the written word has allowed me to know Him intimately….and has definitely increased my personal love for Him.

Do you want to know Him more…love Him more….allow His peace to become your peace???  Be intentional about being in The Word….I testify to you that your love for Jesus will grow, and your love for people will grow, too!!!!

We are getting ready to kick off our Winter Monday Night Women’s Bible Study, and I absolutely cannot wait!  The title of the study is, “Living Beyond Yourself” and is a study of the Fruit of the Spirit.  Come join us as we dig into the book of Galatians to see what Paul has to say about the Fruit.  Click here for more information.

Some would say I’m obsessed….

….with heaven!  And I would totally agree!  You see, I’ve heard about heaven all my life.  As many of you know, I was raised in a Christian home.  Talking about Jesus and heaven was a normal thing for our family.  It was as normal as talking about the weather or the news.  So it has always been a very real place to me.  But, until recently, I never thought about heaven in great detail, like “what will I actually be doing?”

My home church did the Dr. David Jeremiah study titled, “Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven,” which began my quest to learn more about this place called heaven, which according to scripture (John 14:2-3) is being prepared for those who choose to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  I went on to read the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn.  In my opinion, this is a must read for all Christ followers!  This book will stretch your brain in a good way!

Life on this earth is pretty tough, and getting tougher every day.  Thinking about heaven is a wonderful respite from the everyday of everyday living.   To me, thinking about heaven is kind of like planning your best and longest vacation, EVER (you know, since it lasts for eternity)!!!!  It is exciting!!!

I’ve heard people say you can become so heavenly minded that you become earthly useless.  Here’s what C.S. Lewis has to say about that, and I must say I wholeheartedly agree:

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next… It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither (p. 134).” Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Beginning Monday, July 21, we are starting our weekly Monday Night Women’s Bible Study at South Point Baptist Church.

If you need some encouragement, some respite for your weary and tired soul, come join us!

More Information

Freedom……REALLY????

Breaking Free: The Journey, The Stories – Member Book by Beth Moore leads you through a study of the Scriptures to discover the transforming power of freedom in Jesus Christ. Themes for this study come from Isaiah, a book about the captivity of God’s children, the faithfulness of God, and the road to freedom.

This in-depth women’s Bible study draws parallels between the captive Israelites of the Old Testament and New Testament believers in Jesus as the Promised Messiah. Beth looks at the Book of Isaiah through the lives of the kings who ruled during the prophet’s ministry. These kings exemplify many of the obstacles to freedom with which we must deal. Using Scripture to help identify spiritual strongholds in your life, no matter how big or small, Beth explains that anything that hinders us from the benefits of knowing God is bondage.

Join Beth Moore on a Bible journey unlike any other. God intends for you to know and believe Him, glorify Him, experience His peace, and enjoy His presence. Breaking Free is Beth’s life message that she wants to share with you. Taped live at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, this study includes testimonies of how women like you have found freedom and have been delivered from personal captivity.

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Monday Night Bible Study – YAY!!!!

I don’t know about you gals, but I am ever ready to dig into God’s Word and learn, learn, learn!   Our upcoming Bible Study, James:  Mercy Triumphs, is an in-depth look at Jesus’ brother and disciple, James.  Several of us studied James two years ago, and I can’t speak for others, but this study had a profound impact on my life.  I am very excited to see what The Father will reveal to me personally, and to us as a group.  Come study with us!

Bible scholars compare James to the prophet Amos. In other ways James more closely resembles the Book of Proverbs than any New Testament book. Come along with Beth Moore on a journey to get to know both the man and the Book of James. You will never be the same again.

Topics in this study include: joy, hardship, faith, reversal of  fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness,  the dangers of the tongue, humility, and prayer. Plus, Beth introduces a 5-tiered study approach that she has never done before.

When:  Beginning Monday, January 13th

Time:  6:30 – 8:15ish

Cost:  $16.00 for Listening Guide

Duration:  8 Weeks

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Intrigue, Love, Death and Feasts….YOWSA!!!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted (I’m a terrible blogger….if I can even call myself that)!  Oh well!  C’est la vie!

We’re getting ready for our next Monday Night Bible Study, Esther…It’s Tough Being a Woman, by Beth Moore.  Some of us did this study in 2009, and I LOVED it!  Karen and I still enjoy saying to one another, “If I die, I die!”  I like pulling out that saying (which Esther said) when things are getting tough, and I’m feeling a bit dramatic! 

Why study Esther, or any other accounting in the Bible?  Well, for me it’s because I really, really want to hear a word from God.  And, as I shared with one of my sons this week, God can talk to us using any means He choses.  But for me, I hear Him most through His word and through song.  

Do you desire to hear Him?  Then come study with us. 

When: Beginning Monday, September 9th Time: 6:30 – 8:15ish Cost: $16.00 for Listening Guide (scholarships available) Location:  The Shack Duration: 9 Weeks Register:  Click Here to Register

Lightbulb!

Randy and I have a beautiful dalmation named Maggie.  Do you know anything about dalmations?  They are CARAZY!  She could be described as skittish and spastic, and yet so very, very loving.  She’s the only dog we’ve ever had who will sit on our lap and rub her face against ours.  It is so sweet!

“Maggie” Photo courtesy of Beth Drennan

Anywho, I was upstairs working yesterday and she came up and stood at the frech doors of my office.  She came part way in, and then stopped and just looked at me.  I called her sweetly, but she didn’t come.  I tried again, to no avail.  Then I said in the gruffest voice I could muster, “Maggie, come here!!!”  And she obeyed.  I loved on her and told her she was a good girl.  Then I said to her “I wish your trust of me was stronger than your fear.”  I actually said it out loud.  As soon as I said it, I felt God was saying that to ME!!! I’ve been spastic for the last few days….feeling like things are out of control (which they are out of my control, but definitely not out of HIS).  I feel like God used Maggie to remind me that I must choose to trust Him and be obedient to Him, no matter what my fears are. There are so many scriptures that support this, but I’m going to use one that came to me Monday night as I  literally cried out (loud) to the Lord.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  Psalms 23 KJV BibleGateway.com

I pray that David’s words will encourage you, as they did me….that they will be a sweet salve to a raw situation.

I love you so much….

When I Feel Rebellious………………

Do you have one of those little daily flip calendars?  I do.  And I love it…”The Power of a Praying Parent” by Stormie Omartian. 

As I was flipping through to get it to the right day (I’m always behind….can anyone resonate???), the December 30 scripture caught my eye. 

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  Galations 6: 9- 10.

This scripture brought back a vivid memory of a season in my life that was very difficult and sad.  It was a time when I literally slept with my Bible on my chest….reveling in the comfort that God’s Word was bringing to me spiritually, emotionally and physically. 

But on this particular day, a Sunday, I was especially wrought with sadness.   I drug myself to small group study, already in session…tears streaming down my face (my group, actually my entire church, had become accustomed to my tears).  A dear friend of mine was talking about how  it’s hard always trying to do the right thing.  Still choked up with emotion, I chimed in “Yeh, I know what you mean.  When I feel rebellious, I drive without my seatbelt!”  Well, you could have heard a pin drop, the room was so quiet.  At that point, Karen burst out laughing, and then so did everyone else, including me!  To this day, I still get teased by folks who were in that small group! 

Do you ever feel rebellious, and tire of doing good (or doing the right thing)?  Be encouraged!!!! God knew we would grow weary, so he had Paul share some inspiring words with us!

Paul’s encouragement to “not grow weary while doing good” spoke sweetly to me today, and I thought maybe it would do the same for some of you.  Don’t give up on doing good!  It really does matter to our Heavenly Father.

I love you dearly, eGirls!

Are You Ready???

Wow!  It’s been a while since we’ve talked, huh? 

Isn’t it a wonderful time of year, when we think about, ponder on, and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!! And although our thoughts are on Christmas, it is not too early to talk about our upcoming Bible Study which will begin in January!   I am ever so excited….and hope you are, too.  Studying God’s Word has truly become one of my favorite activities.  God has given me a love and desire for His Word, and I pray that He is doing the same for you!  Read more…and register!

Behold He Comes!

Good morning!  And don’t you know it IS a good morning!  There is no God like Jehovah!!!!!!

This morning as I was driving into the beautiful city of Charlotte, one of my all time favorite songs came on the radio:  Days of Elijah!  Twila Paris and I sang this song together in my car at the top of our lungs! 

Do you really believe that HE is coming???  And HE will be riding on the clouds!!!  I DO!!!

As I sang loudly, tears began to fill my eyes and I felt an excitement and thrill picturing Jesus coming – made the hairs on my arms stand up!   I raised my hand (had to keep one of them on the steering wheel) praising my Savior and Lord…..(the guy in the truck next to me at the stoplight possibly thought there was a crazy woman beside him…oh well!!!!!). 

If you want some joy and excitement this morning, please take time and listen to this praise!  Days of Elijah

There is no God like Jehovah!!!!!!  Amen and Amen!!!!!