Monthly Archives: October 2015

Christian Living, For Fun, The Loft

Sit Out at The LOFT

Gallery 5 Comments

Okay, Leah, I’ve been thinking you have me stumped with this one. October 28 - Picture Prompt at The LoftPerhaps that is what our little fellow feels: stumped! Friends, I have been visiting at The LOFT this morning as I often do on Wednesdays. Leah’s Loft prompt this week, our writing opportunity, is this picture.

Leah’s posting regarding it is a good one. Click here to read and then scroll down the page to link up with some other offerings at The LOFT.

Now. What do I have to say about this?
Stumped.
Yep. I am.
I could sit out over at the LOFT and just read some capable writers and perhaps I’d get some ideas but I’m not so sure that’s the fair thing to do. Hmmm.

It seems to me our fellow is sitting something out. Perhaps he doesn’t want to put on that blue and white plaid shirt laying there. :)

Perhaps he does not like the plaid and thinks it would not bring out his best side. (I’m grasping here you know?) Ever done that? I don’t have a thing to wear so I’m not going! I’ll just sit this one out.  I admit sitting some things out is wisdom.

When we are tempted to sit something out, do we ask ourselves why? Is it because it’s out of our comfort zone? And if it is, is it possible we need to shake off the drag bag over our heads and get out there?

I think the first question I should ask when I am thinking it is time for a sit-out is does it line up with Scripture? Has GOD already said NO?
If He has, problem solved, and I can sit; in fact, I better sit!
But what if Scripture gives the green light? Is that enough to get me up and on my feet? Not necessarily. I need one more prompt to get me up — do I have a HOLY SPIRIT nudge within? Yes?
Then, Girl, you better get up and put that plaid shirt on and get out that door! :)

So, what am I trying to sit out on?

That was fun! Thanks, Leah. :)

The Loft: A weekly Hangout and Link Up for Christian bloggersGraphic by Kerry Messer

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie 
Christian Living, Guests

Well, Did It?

Gallery Leave a comment

As I begin I am thinking this post will consist of a few random thoughts and hopefully come together by the end with some continuity.

Starting with an excerpt from my journal. imageDon’t think those words didn’t hit me square when they came from the end of my pen.
So now I have to ask myself am I driven or do I follow well He Who is here to lead me? Do I race around like a woman with her hair on fire? Not all the time. :)

JESUS does not drive His flock, He leads them. So if I am driven — who’s doing the driving? And how quick can we put a stop to this?!

Another excerpt: A timely Sabbath from affluence and technology making room for a tranquil sanctuary for our souls. What brought that on you might ask. Kay Swatkowski. Page 120 of her book a Grand Mother’s Prayers.  She wrote in part: “I am tired of the rush. I am tired of the noise. I am tired of the endless commotion and the unending demands heaped on us by affluence and technology.  . . .
What I can do is create a tranquil sanctuary in my own home.”
And so I prayed for a timely Sabbath, a tranquil sanctuary for my GRANDS and their parents. And then it happened again — that pen of mine! Could it be I should practice what I pray?

And another: Busyness. Pervasive and widely accepted she said.  (Kay Swatkowski)
And I wondered: Have we been deceived into being proud of our busyness? I wonder if we wear it as a badge of honor evidencing how important and vital we are? My journal did some meddling today. But I’m glad.

And so all this began when I wrote, I am here, ABBA, 10:11, late huh? But, ABBA, instead of me deciding how long I have to ‘spare’ to be here – You keep me here or send me forth as You desire. I want to be here. I want to hear what You have to say to me today. 

I think I will try it again tomorrow. Might spare y’all the details though. :)

And a verse that sums it up for me. 

Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust is your strength,
    . . .  .

Repenting of my sin and resting in His finished work gave me salvation; brought me into Relationship with JESUS.
Disciplined quietness, and trust keeps me in Fellowship with Him. 

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~Kathie
Christian Living

Made Up Minds

Gallery Leave a comment

Daniel 1:8 (AMP)

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile (taint, dishonor) himself with the king’s finest food or with the wine which the king drank; so he asked the commander of the officials that he might [be excused so that he would] not defile himself.

This is the verse I’ve had on my mind today.

Daniel made up his mind.

A made up mind.

I’m persuaded that made up minds are less respected and less common than in years come and gone.  Does it seem that in some circles a made up mind labels a soul as uncompromising, non-pliable, straight-laced, intolerant, non-evolving; can you think of other descriptive words? To tell you the truth those don’t sound like such bad adjectives to me. Such qualities seem to me turned upward would fashion a trusty friend; one who had counted the cost and would storm the fires of adversity with you. 

Daniel was a trusty friend. Did you know that Daniel is one of two in Scripture wherein no disobedience against GOD is recorded? Not to say they were sinless men, we all know to give them that honor would violate the truth. (23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23) But to say they were men with made up minds surely applies. Minds made up to defile not themselves with the things of this world. Minds made up to do the right thing even if it hurts, especially if it hurts. Minds that say this __________ will not rule over me. In the throes of temptation a made up my mind is already enabled to win! 

A question was posed to me today. “What safeguards will you put in place to keep your heart undivided?” The correlation for me seems to be that a divided heart comes from a mind NOT made up. Seems to me a made up mind is a priceless gift; one I have to choose to unwrap every day, all day long. 

Luke 10:27 (AMP)

27 And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Colossians 3:1-2 (KJV)

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 Set your affection, make up you mind! That’ll preach! And it has! 

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie