The Power of the Written Word

See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed,

but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass,

and the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

~1 Peter 1:22b-25a

Here we are at the end of another year. 2014 will soon be over and we will be ushering in another calendar year whether we like it or not. ;) May God go with you all as you traverse into the unknown, knowing thtat you are led by a God Who holds your future as a memory. Seek Him and He will be found of you. Don't let failures of the past, present, or future hold you back from doing His will today. And remember that you are salt and light in a dying world. Walk into 2015 with courage, because the Lord God Himself has said He will never leave you or forsake you. "Immanuel" means "God with us", and if God is with us, who can be against us? Nothing shall separate us from His love, and to those who love Him He promises to work all things for their good and His glory. God bless you all.

*****

Our union with Jesus is the basis for a bond with our fellow Christians. Because that bond is so vital and real, we can live with each other in an intimacy impossible in every other setting.

~Lawrence O. Richards

What makes the difference is not how many times you have been through the Bible, but how many times the Bible that been through you.

~Gispy Smith

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection.‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.

~Thomas Paine

To forsake the Lord through persecution is to set time before eternity, to barter heaven for this world's pleasures, to renounce eternal life for a few hours of ease, and to involve ourselves in endless misery rather than endure a stupid jest or a senseless jibe… Like true soldiers may we buckle on our harness and resolve that let the battle rage as it may, through divine grace we will not desert our colors. We prefer death itself to the disgrace of forsaking a cause so true, a doctrine so pure, a Savior so gracious, a Prince so noble, and so worthy of our most loyal service.

~C.H. Spurgeon

There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.

~Unknown

It is the nature of this God-given grace to bring distant things close to us: faith looks upon things promised as though they were actually fulfilled. Faith gives a present subsistence to things that are yet future: that is, it realized them to the mind, giving a reality and substantiality to them.

~A.W. Pink (in Elijah)

Do your duty where God has stationed you: plough up the fallow ground and sow the seed, and though there be no fruit in your day, who knows but an Elisha may follow you and do the reaping.

~A.W. Pink (in Elijah)

As long as matters are really hopeful, hope is a mere flattery or platitude. It is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength.

~G.K. Chesterton

Don't forget God's blessings in the past or the joys you experienced in the past. There will always be pain to remember; always mistakes we could regret. There will always be scars we wish we didn't inflict. However, don't forget that God upheld you through all of it, and He will never falter in carrying you through everything in the future. God can heal us from our past no matter how discouraging, dark, dreary, or dismal it is....God is infinitely bigger than anything in anyone's past.

~C. McConkey

How long do we stand? We always stand. How long do we pray? We always pray. When do we give up? We never give up.

~Michael Farris

*****

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Coaching through the Transitions

Many coaches are fond of the phrase 'I can't change the wind, but I can adjust the sails.'

Deal with obstacles directly as they arise 

and oftentimes you will find that they add excitement to the journey 

and are rich opportunities for growth.

~Gary Collins

*****

Name 2 challenging transitions that people often go through at some point in their lives and explain how a coach would help individuals through such transitions. Using those 2 examples, write specifically about what you would do to help someone move on past those transitions.


Transition is a normal part of everyone’s life, but sometimes a coach is able to make those transitions easier for the person. As Collins (2009) says, “life coaching is about improving life” and it is the coach’s job to “[coach] people through transitions and [enable] clients to find more balance in their lives” (pg. 238).

Using Hudson’s Four Phases of Change (Collins, 2009, pg. 243), I could help the client who is struggling to decide on higher education. During Phase 1, the client would list the university options and pros and cons for each place, as well as listing his interests, mission, and passions. In Phase 2, I would be sure to encourage my client’s enthusiasm for learning, and remind him of his commitment and purpose to gaining further education (Collins, 2009). Phase 3 would entail planning for financial and travel resources to attend the university, as well as much time spent in prayer. Action steps and accountability would ensure that my client chose one university. Phase 4 would see the client creating and experimenting with all the travel and financial options, networking to gain contacts with the university and other students, and prioritizing his current life to start university in the near future (Collins, 2009). Each of these phases is important in seeking the will of God for this client, while ensuring their interests and passions are included as they seek higher education.

I would help a person who is having difficulty finding an enjoyable job by using the same four phases. During Phase 1, I would assist and encourage my client in listing his talents, gifts, interests, passions, and values. In Phase 2, the client would re-evaluate his dream and inform his boss about his decision to find a new job in the near future (Collins, 2009). This phase would also include my client creating and sending out resumes to different companies. Phase 3 would entail prayer and seeking the Lord’s will for his life, taking into consideration the mission and passions God has given him. Also, actions steps would be taken to prepare financially and perhaps geographically in order to enter into a better job. Additionally, I would encourage my client to resign from his current job. Phase 4 would see my client moving to a different house (if necessary) and beginning his new job. I would stay in contact with him to make sure he transitions smoothly into his new routine. He would be creating and experimenting with daily schedules, networking with people in the workplace (boss, co-workers, customers), as well as learning to prioritize his other activities around his work schedule (Collins, 2009).

I would make sure to encourage both clients during these types of transitions to seek the Lord’s will through each step, explaining that He directs each individual according to their passions, mission, gifts, and calling in life. It would be my job to come alongside them and provide them with direction, asking powerful questions, and supporting them through prayer.

Reference: 
Collins, G.R. (2009) Christian coaching: Helping others turn potential into reality. (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: NAV Press. 

*****

We exist to praise God--to love, honor, and serve him--but coaching might be one of the tools he has allowed us to discover and use to be more effectie in honoring him and ministering to others. Coaching can be used to his glory provided we remember that coaching, including coaching across cultures, is a tool to accomplish greater divine purposes.

~Gary Collins

This was the last assignment I wrote for the Life Coaching discussion posts. Throughout this course I learned much about God, myself, and about what Life Coaching really entails, and as one who has been coached for several years through CollegePlus, I definitely was able to learn and apply some of the principles. And though the assignments I've posted are not representative of all that was taught and learned, I hope they are able to give you a small taste of what coaching really is. Coaching is a work God has called some of us to, whether short-term or long-term. And in coaching others we, as Christians, are given the opportunity to minister and lead others in the paths God has called them to.

God bless you all! 

Coaching the Client's Vision

Discerning a vision is neither straightforward nor predictable.

Sometimes it takes a few weeks of diligent effort; sometimes it takes years.

The process is perhaps more important to God than the outcome because

the effort we go through draws us closer to him.

~George Barna

God gives each individual an unique purpose. Some people call it a mission, vision, passion or life purpose, but they all have similar meanings. I remember creating my own life purpose three years ago, with the instruction of my coach. A coach is very valuable in this step as they're able to help the client find his direction and ask pertinent questions to make him think. Ultimately, though an individual will need to spend time himself seeking the Lord's will for his life direction. The summary of my life purpose is this: "Purposing to use what God has given me, I will encourage others to stand fast for the Kingdom of God and equip them to defend the truth to future generations (1 Peter 3:15)." And you can find the more detailed version HERE. ;) 

The question I had to answer for this third discussion assignment was this: What is personal vision? Why is it so important? How can a Christian Life Coach help a client develop a vision? If a client's vision fades, what are was to reinvigorate that vision?

*****

Dreams may outline the desired future, goals may establish the path, passions may drive us forward, but vision is the target—the “potential for the future…anchored in the realities of the present”—that pulls a person forward (Collins, 2009, pg.171).

The practicality of a vision is its most vital aspect. Visions are big; they are the dreams brought down to reality, but visions also must be focused (Collins, 2009). A client will be easily discouraged if they see no practical progress through their coaching sessions, so it is part of the coach’s job to, not only expand the vision, but also to bring it down to tangible, visible results. The author of Proverbs says “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Good coaches will help each client to recognize and find their vision, obtain a clearer picture of the vision, and then provide support and encouragement to keep the vision alive (Collins, 2009). People must have some sort of vision in order to have purpose for their life, and a Christian Life Coach will help his clients to pursue a vision that is consistent with Scripture and with God’s calling for that individual (Collins, 2009).

A good coach will help a client find out the answer to “Where do I want to go?” [vision] (Collins, 2009). They will also coach the individual to seek the Lord’s will through prayer and consistent Bible reading. A vision for life is not a rushed process, but rather one that takes time, thought, and communication, and a good coach will be readily available to provide insight and questions in order to spur the client on in their life vision (Collins, 2009). During this process, the client will need to be introspective in order to determine his gifts, values, and passions, for these will be at the center of his vision (Collins, 2009). Information from outside resources such as other mentors, family members, or friends, will also be helpful for the client to clarify his vision and provide extra insight. A good coach will be actively involved with his client, not only to help him focus on a clear and concise vision, but also to eliminate distractions or trivial information.

Keeping the vision is part of a good coach’s job. Sometimes the client’s commitment and passion for the vision fades, and that’s when the coach takes action by encouraging him to progress and reminding him of his commitment. Reinvigorating the vision will require work. The coach may need to step back with the client and clarify values and beliefs or maintain enthusiasm for the vision during obstacles. A coach will not allow a God-given vision to fade for the client. Collins (2009) says, “Coaches are cheerleaders for their clients and their visions, stimulating forward movement so the goals are reached and dreams realized” (pg. 181).

Collins, G.R. (2009) Christian coaching: Helping others turn potential into reality. (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: NAV Press. 

*****

As you seek to walk in the center of God's will, it's important to establish the spiritual markers in your life that have led you up to the place you now stand. Looking back on what God has done in your life may bring great clarity toward what he wants to do in your life in the days to come.

~Henry and Mel Blackaby

The Bookshelf Tag

The Bible is not only a book of divine revelation; 

it is also a book of literary grandeur, 

sublime influence, human interest, amazing accuracy, 

perfect unity, and everlasting challenge. 

~J. Edwin Orr

Last month I was tagged for The Bookshelf Tag by Schuyler M at My Lady Bibliophile. Schuyler is a close friend of mine, and you all should check out her book blog if you haven't already. ;) Thank you for the tag, Lady B! :) 

I've been collecting books since I started to read, and I have many, many favorites. And I keep going into second-hand book stores to find more treasures--sometimes you find them in the oddest of places. I read a lot of fiction when I was younger, and I still definitely enjoy it; however, I do find more benefit from non-fiction, as I usually read to gain knowledge and to learn, and I have found that I get more out of non-fiction (during this season of life, anyway). You'll see my collection of books in the three pictures in this post. I do have many others online, but I tend to forget about them because I love reading an actual book instead of staring at a screen. 

I'm having a difficult time choosing other bloggers to tag, so if you are a reader (and a blogger ;), consider yourself tagged! :) 

1) Is there a book that you really want to read but haven’t because you know that it’ll make you cry?

Crying over books has never been an issue for me, because it's been my standard policy never to do so. :P I don't pick out books based on whether or not I will cry over them because I just don't cry, and I don't remember ever crying over a book in the past, either. However, I have read two books that I will not read again because of the terrible endings. The books were both works of fiction and were well-written with solid morals, but I did not enjoy the conclusions. I think books should have good endings, even when there are consequences for wrong actions. Personal preference, I realize. :P

2) Pick one book that helped introduce you to a new genre.

I haven't expanded my genre "collection" for a while now. I tend to stay within the realms of historical fiction and non-fiction, but I did very much enjoy The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Those books introduced the meaning of allegory and fantasy to me. I have seen that reading fantasy that has a Scriptural worldview can really deepen your understand of the world we live in now in a way that fiction and non-fiction don't. And there are other books in the genre of fantasy that are on my to-read list.

3) Find a book that you want to reread. 

Actually a three-book series: the Crown and Covenant series by Douglas Bond. Except I might skip the ending of the third book. It's sad. :P

4) Is there a book series you read but wish that you hadn’t?

No, not a series. The two books I mentioned previously (that I wish I hadn't read) are Titus: A Comrade of the Cross by Florence Morse Kingsley (you can probably guess the ending to that book just by the title) and The Choctaw Code by Brent Ashabranner and Russell G. Davis. All the other books I have read have been more or less interesting, but those are the two I would not read again.

5) If your house were burning down and all of your family and pets were safe, which book would you go back inside to save?

Oh, dear. Schuyler changed this question a bit in her response, and I think I must do the same. Provided that my family, pets, and computer were safe, I think I would go back to save my three special Bibles. I discussed with a friend the possibility of being able to actually save the rest of my books because they are all in my bedroom which has a window, so I could potentially just throw them all out the window and be fine, depending on where the fire was, but I think that's overthinking the question. My Bibles, however, are in my work area, which would take some creativity to get to in an emergency. But I would try to save them because I've marked things in them, and they're the kind of books that I know where verses are because I can see the page in my head--where I've underlined or written things in the margins.

6) Is there one book on your bookshelf that brings back fond memories?

Well...there's this book I never got tired of as a little kid. I remember curling up on the couch or in my bed with my dad, who would patiently read and reread it for me. I'm sure I asked him to read it every night. I remember him reading it in all different sorts of accents (he was probably bored of reading it a million times, and wanted to make it more interesting for himself), and I would say "No, Dad. That's not how it goes! Read it properly!" And sometimes he would try to scare me during the scary parts. Or he would try to skip pages, but I always knew if he did. (Thanks for all the patience, Dad! ;) I can still see the pictures and pages in my head, and I can almost quote the first page from memory. There were parts I never understood as a child. For instance, I never did figure out if the "bad guy" was actually bad, but I didn't let that bother me because I didn't want to interrupt the flow of the story, and because I wanted to hear the end again. The ending was good. ;) My copy of this book has been taped and re-taped on the spine, and the front cover and pages are tattered, but I still have it. I actually searched it on Amazon.ca, and apparently it's worth 0.01 at it's cheapest (minus the shipping). Guess re-selling it as an antique isn't an option. :P I never heard of any other child who knew of the book when I was really into it, so I'm not sure it was very popular. But I lived and breathed it every night practically...for a few years. This book has other special memories along with it, but they aren't for posting on a public blog. ;) Oh, yes. The book's called Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman, and it's about ... a mouse. ;) 

7) Find a book that has inspired you the most. 

I think two books deserve a place here: So Much More by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin (most inspiring during the ages of 14-15), and The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges (most inspiring during the ages of 19-20). The former helped me to define my role in life as a Christian, sister, daughter, and friend. And in a way, the Scriptural principles it taught determined the direction I took during and after high school. The second book was especially encouraging as it laid out the definition of holiness, how we are to view it, and why it's vital for every believer. A short book, but a mind-changing one for me. And both of these books I intend to reread again in the near future. 

8) Do you have any autographed books?

I don't think I do. And if I do, it certainly wouldn't be because I went up to somebody and asked them for their autograph. At least, not yet--not in my current collection. Don't think I'm brave enough for that sort of thing, yet. :P There is one book I'd like to have autographed, though...and if you check out the blog I mentioned at the beginning of this post, you'll find recent snippets from the Work in Progress. And someday, Lord willing, I shall have a copy of it with an autograph inside one day. ;)

9) Find the book that you have owned the longest.

Oh, that would definitely have to be the aforementioned mouse book. 

10) Is there a book by an author that you never imagined you would read or enjoy?

No, actually. When people told me that I wouldn't like a book, I usually wanted to read it to see if they were right. And I usually *cough* liked it. And all the books that people were raving about...I usually liked those, too. So I don't think I ever went into a book thinking I wouldn't enjoy it. 

But no matter what books I have collected, enjoyed, or not so much enjoyed, there is still One Book that stands above the rest in all areas: the Word of God. God's revelation to man in the written word. Despite the books, genres, authors, and literary critics that have come and gone, God's Word still remains, and it will continue to stand the test of time until our Savior comes. 

"The Bible is of such universal and perennial interest that it will call forth comments and sermons without number, to the end of time. This of itself is sufficient evidence of its divine origin and character. It is now more extensively studied than ever before, and goes on conquering and to conquer in the face of all enemies. It is inexhaustible. It never grows old, but increases in interest and value as time flows on. Human books have their day, but ‘the Word of the Lord endureth forever.’"

~Philip Schaff

Puppy Update: In Conclusion...

(Toby and Kijah)

Dogs are like potato chips...

     ...you can't have just one.

Whether or not that statement is true depends on personal opinion; however, since June 2012, I've always had more than two dogs. This April brought 10 more dogs into my life, and it was a wonderful experience (and a great summer job!). But all things must come to an end sooner or later, and, in a way, I'm very thankful for that. Raising puppies this year took some multitasking, but I knew it wasn't permanent, and I enjoyed it while it lasted. And I plan to do it again in the near future, Lord willing. 

So, here is the final update of all my puppies. They have all found wonderful homes and happy families! 

Gracie.

Maximus (Max).

Jaeryn.

Zorro.

Sophie.

McKenna.

Danny Boy.

  

Sheena.

Blue and Rosie.

In Christ,

Kaleigh

Nine Week Puppies!

"Purple Ribbon"

 Blue.

"Red Boy"

Sheena.

"Runty"

Sophie.

"Pooh Bear"

These are the puppies who haven't gone to their respective homes, yet. Only the first one doesn't have a home; the others are just waiting for their owners to pick them up. The last one (in the set of pictures) is going home in a couple hours, hopefully. I know I will miss them all, but they all have great homes, and perhaps I'll get to see some of them again someday. Sarah's puppy, Jaeryn, is learning to live in the house, now. She's quite active compared to some of the others, but she's a quick learner.

Hopefully my next couple puppy updates will include pictures of the puppies who are in their new homes!

**The names in quotes are only my nicknames for them. Those without quotes are the names their owners have picked.

A Day in the Life of Me

6:15 I hear Dad’s truck start and him opening and closing the gate as he leaves for work.

6:28am My alarm rings and I shut it off and “sleep” until 6:55. I get dressed and feed Kijah and Bella. I check the fridge and kitchen to see if anything good to eat has “appeared”. I get on my computer and check emails, read devotionals, get my Swagbuck for the day, and review my weekly assignments for college.

7:30 I go out to the barn and feed the puppies, trying to clean up the outside run before they hear me and start barking and scratching at the door. I let them out and they go ballistic outside: growling and eating, digging and chasing each other. I clean up inside the barn from last night, and let Kijah outside. Dad emails me from work and tells me about the sun being a weird color, so I go outside to try and get a picture, but it’s hidden behind too many trees.

8:30 Mom gives me a piece of toast for breakfast, and I run through my collection of harp music, making a list of songs that Hannah I will play for an event tomorrow…while fending off my toast from Kijah’s eager nose.

9:00 I send emails to puppy customers and text a friend. Sarah and I run outside quickly to take the puppies 9-week photos. They sure are getting wiggly now! It’s harder to take good pictures of puppies than you think. But finally we finish. Mom drives Hannah to babysitting, and Sarah goes next door to babysit. I trim all the puppies’ nails (128 of them!). I clean up last week’s Sunday school material, and mentally prepare for this next Sunday—could be a full church as we have Pastor Todd Sivinksty coming to preach for four evenings. 

10:00 I take a call from someone interested in a puppy and send puppy pictures to customers. I scroll through personal social networking reading posts and saving chats, and realize how tired I am again. :P I read blog posts and find the inspiration to write this one, so I turn on music and write for a while, pausing more than once to rescue Kijah’s toy from her vicious attempts to shred it.

11:15 Responsibilities remind me to prepare for Sunday School, but first I go to put laundry outside and tidy my bathroom and bedroom. I do my devotions, reading from Isaiah for my 90-day plan, and from Psalms by choice. I talk with a puppy customer. Sarah returns home, and then Hannah.

12:30 I go outside to feed the puppies and make sure they have water. I continue preparing my Sunday School lesson—finding a new memory verse, deciding how I will present the story, and printing review worksheets.

2:00 I realize I’m hungry, so I go make myself some lunch. I continue to search for a memory verse for my Sunday school class. I text another friend, read blog posts for “study breaks”, and research college details for another friend.

3:30 I go outside to bring in some apples that a friend dropped off, and then I go check on the puppies again. Then I return to my sporadic Sunday school planning. :P

5:30 Dad arrives home and we all eat dinner together. Then I return to studying listening to “Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus” interspersed with texting friends.

6:30 My concentration wanes as my mind chases a thousand and one ideas, and I switch playlists to help me focus better.

7:20 I phone a puppy customer to arrange visits for tomorrow. Then I clean the kitchen.

9:47 I finish my lesson plan for Sunday school, and mentally review my schedule for the next few days. Then I find or create the review worksheets for my Sunday school class.

10:12 I finish things up completely. Then I go out to the barn to put the puppies in for the night. Then I will shower, maybe read and/or write, and then go to bed sometime before midnight.

A typical day, yet not so typical. I have college assignments on school days, but I set aside one day of the week, usually Friday or Saturday, to prepare for Sunday school. It’s a break from school for me, and I do enjoy it. My routines vary daily, though the activities are fairly consistent. :) 

Thus ends the 22^nd of August. Another day where the Lord supplied for our needs. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. 

Seven Week Puppies!

Male. Nicknamed "Pooh Bear".

Female. Named Sophie. 

Female. Named Sheena.

Female. Named Jaeryn. ;)

Female. Nicknamed "Purple Ribbon". :P

Female. Named Gracie.

Male. Nicknamed "Red Boy", "Tobias", or "Mordecai".

Male. Named "Blue".

Female. Nicknamed "Runty".

Male. Nicknamed "White Ribbon". :P

Thank you to Sarah S for taking pictures for me! It was quite the challenge this time, as the puppies do not stay still for one moment. They've been nursing once a day for the last week, but this morning Kijah refused to feed them, so I think this will be their complete break from nursing. It's good because they will be going to their homes within the next two weeks. 

Here are two videos from this morning:

Week Two: Puppy Update!

Video credit: My dad (taken late last week)

Hello, my friends!

Kijah's puppies are now two weeks old. Many of them now have their eyes open or are showing signs of it. They are quite active, crawling around searching for Kijah. Three of them (all at different times) have even managed to climb out of the whelping box and onto the ground--no idea how that happened. They still nurse frequently, though not as often as a week ago. And they are sleeping through the night now waking only about 3-4 times a night, instead of every 30-60 minutes. There are six females and four males. Several of them have a faint white "star" on their forehead from Toby.

The puppies have had many visitors already, and Kijah is getting better at handling "intruders". She still does not like Bella (our other dog) around at all, but she doesn't mind human visitors as much. :) Some of the puppies have been sitting up (like what a dog does when you tell it to "sit") and some of them make the occasional bark, instead of the normal puppy cries. So over all, they are gaining weight and growing quickly. I just gave them their first deworming dose this morning, which they'll have again at 8 weeks, and perhaps in between, too.

Two weeks old! Photo credit: Sarah Stroink
These are not posted in birth order, as I didn't record that. Some puppies were nice and sat still, and others had a mind of their own and wiggled all around. Even puppies have different personalities. ;)

Puppy #1

 Puppy #2: This one is Sarah's favorite. ;) Isn't she cute? :D

She's the darkest female, and she has the brightest white star on her head from Toby.

 Puppy #3

Puppy #4

Puppy #5: This is the only one who has a straight ridge of hair that runs up her nose. 

Puppy #6

Puppy #7

Puppy #8 (and me): This one's my favorite of the litter. 

He's also one of the two biggest and darkest males. I think he'll turn out the color of Toby. 

No, I don't intend to keep him. ;) My dad calls him Tobias (after Toby). :)

Puppy #9: This is the squeaky little princess. 

She's the runt of the litter, but she's growing well. 

Puppy #10: This is the other big male. He's almost a white color.

Sarah calls him "Mr. Chunk". :)

Which is your favorite puppy? 

Blessings,

Kaleigh

Happy birthday, Anna!

Dear Anna,

Happy 21^st birthday! I was trying to think of something exciting that would be happening since you turned the magic age of 21, but there wasn’t anything especially impressive…in terms of legal matters, anyway. 

However, you are now one year closer to a few things. Actually, a lot of things, but I could never list them all.

You are one year closer to finding complete satisfaction in Christ alone. You may have family, friends, food, and shelter, but only in Christ can your longings and desires be fully satisfied. Your satisfaction rests in His atonement and in knowing that His plans for you are better and more sanctifying than your own. Your satisfaction has a sure foundation if it is based on Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone—for He alone satisfied the greatest requirement for sin.

You are one year closer to finding everlasting joy in Christ alone. As you have sought and will continue to seek happiness in life, your true joy will remain in the Giver of Joy. The circumstances around you will fluctuate, but He who is constant, never refuses joy to those who walk in His Word. Joy comes from abiding in Him and in His Word—taking in Scripture and clinging to it when all else is gone. Because when everything is stripped away, you will see where your heart lies. If it is with Christ, then your joy is complete, for you need no other because the joy of the Lord is your strength.

You are one year closer to finding eternal hope in Christ alone.  We hope for so much, and sometimes it is difficult to hold on when all seems hopeless. To give up would be easier, but our God is not a God of hopelessness, but a God of hope who desires to fill us with all joy and peace. (Romans 15:13) It is His intention that you hold on, that you look to the One who was, is, and will be faithful, and who can refresh your hope when it is fading. Hope is an action (despite what dictionaries might tell you). It’s active, and you have to keep pursing it; but you’re not pursing the concept of hope, no, you’re pursing the Person, and His well of hope never runs dry.

You are one year closer to finding lasting peace in Christ alone. Christ’s peace is not something you’ll find here. You won’t find it in a world filled with distraction, pain, and sin, but you can claim it and own it as yours even during all the confusion and hurt. If you search for peace here, you will not find it for it is found only in abiding in the knowledge that our God is the author of peace. His peace passes understanding, but you will understand a little more of what it is when you find it.

You are one year closer to finding enduring victory in Christ alone. In Genesis 3, God pronounces judgment on the serpent and foretells of his future demise. Victory was planned even before defeat occurred. God did not intend for you to wade through the Slough of Despond all your life. He has conquered sin—ALL sin. He has conquered everything evil, and it is subject to His command until He returns again when sin will be banished forever. We live in the world, but we are not of it. Our kingdom is a heavenly one—meaning we share in the privileges of it even before we get there. Temporary defeat may and likely will happen, but it is not permanent, for we serve the King who has conquered. A King who will reign with all power and authority; a King who holds the life of all creatures in His hand. And He it is who has provided enduring victory for us—because He chose to, because He loves us. 

May you know more fully the complete satisfaction, everlasting joy, eternal hope, lasting peace, and enduring victory of the Savior you serve, Anna. Complete, everlasting, eternal, lasting, and enduring: those words carry a ring of finality about them. And so it is fitting, for the One who created satisfaction, joy, hope, peace, and victory will have the final word at the consummation of the age. May you walk as a daughter of the King Who has already conquered, and may you be blessed as you seek Him and serve others.

Love in Christ,

Kaleigh 

Be Ready Always

 
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” 
~Matthew 25:13

We hear a lot about the predictions made by man as to when Jesus is really coming back for His followers and the “signs” that point to our being in the end times. How should we respond to these predictions? Should we dress in white and stand on our roof tops waiting for Christ to swing down and pick us up? Should we believe that major, destructive storms mean that His return is nigh? Well, whether we believe in such predictions or not, we should not let these predictions or possible “signs” determine when we will be ready.

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.” ~Luke 12:35-37.

No matter when the end times start, no matter when Jesus will return, no matter what signs are predicted, and no matter how hard secularists bash us in our belief of His return, we need to be the sheep whom our Shepherd will “find watching”. We cannot honestly be leading Christian lives if we only get concerned about how we are living based on the predictions. Our lives should be lived in accordance with God’s Word at all times and in all seasons. Because it’s going to be one scary event to be left behind to face the Anti-christ and think about how we could have made a difference after Christ has already returned for that faithful.

“Then Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” ~Luke 12:41-43

One thing that I would like to add here, is that we should not be worried about the signs of the end times nor the predictions; rather, we should be concerned about how we are making a difference in the lives of those around us. How do they view us as different, in a positive way, from the world? Do even our “acquaintances” see Christ’s love shining through us? We need to understand how important our witness is, because eternity is forever: Heaven or hell. One will be a glorious eternity and the other will be a place of bitterness forever and ever with no end.   

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” ~John 3:17-18

In closing, I would like to share with you a testimony which Sarah Mally gave in her sister, Grace Mally’s book “Will Our Generation Speak”. This book was given to me last year by three of my friends and I have slowly been going through the book as I find the time.

“The Cost”

“I imagined myself as a spectator watching a scene unfold before my eyes. First, I saw a man who was helping others--yet not simply in the way that any man might help someone else. This was much different. It was as if tenderness and kindness were just flowing out of Him. I could tell He was a good man--GOOD in a way that I had never seen before. Every single thing He did was good. His face was so pure. I had never seen honesty like that, never seen love like that. It’s like I finally knew what love was--now that I saw Him. All I wanted to do was to keep watching Him because everything He did was so amazing. Even the simple normal acts of service that He was doing--I was astonished by them...by Him, I mean. The way He spoke...I could just tell He was right, that He spoke the truth, that everything He said was right by definition. And the way He looked at people. I wished He would look at me, but He never did. I was just a spectator. But I knew I would never forget this goodness that I had seen. It was almost as if I was in a daze, not quite able to comprehend it, stunned that this kind of righteousness could even exist. I wanted to just keep watching him. I felt that I would be content if I could simply watch Him for the rest of my life.

But then suddenly the scene changed before my eyes. I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing. People were looking at Him with angry stares. It was more than mere anger; it was rage; He was looking back at them with such..such..I don’t even know the word..it was as if He was on a totally different playing field. There was such tenderness in HIs eyes. A touch of sorrow, an ocean of love. Their rage turned into vehement shouting and accusations, and then I began to watch the most horrible scene of my life. The whips they were holding were cruel and scourging unbearable to watch. But how could this be? He was so good, so pure, so tender. He was the best person I had ever known. This must stop. I tried to yell out for someone to help, for someone to stop this. But I realized, again, I was only a spectator. Lash after lash. Blow after blow. I couldn’t look--especially because it was Him. It was the worst possible injustice I could imagine. This could not be happening. It had to stop.”

She went on to say…

“Stunned and traumatized, I stepped back. I forced myself to breathe. I tried not to comprehend what I had just seen: One so deserving of glory and praise, yet receiving such punishment. I’m not sure how long it was before I realized that I was holding something: I also had a whip in my hand. It was then I understood that my hand also was on the rod that fell on Him. Was I responsible? For this? I realized that I had not been merely a spectator.

At last it was over. It was finished. It--was--finished, for all eternity! It is done! God the Father has seen the anguish of His soul and has been satisfied. Never would I have dreamed that justice would have been this costly. How vast is the extent of my sin--that this was the price. And how immeasurable the extent of His love--that this much He would pay.”

~Sarah Mally (from “Will Our Generation Speak?” by Grace Mally, 2012)

In Christ,

Anna