Category Archives: Christian Living

The LOFT – Changes

Week Two of Giving Thanks at the LOFT. Graphic by Kerry MesserThe Loft: A weekly Hangout and Link Up for Christian bloggers

Changes

I’m giving thanks for changes. Like the changes that come with the turning of the seasons; from hot and sticky to cool, crisp, and cozy. Like souls evolving from strangers to hours of comfortable conversing. Like folks moving beyond suspicion to trust.

Good changes.

And I’m thanking Him for all such good changes, and for the seemingly not-so-good changes; I’m thanking Him that He, for those who trust Him, turns even the hurt-filled changes into soul-healthy memories. 

Romans 8:28 (AMP)

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie 

Thinking – Go Figure

Irish Statesman Edmund Burke said:“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” [source]

And so Satan is fast at work to redefine evil to good, so good men and women will do nothing.  (See Isaiah 5:20)

Truth. It is not my delight, or even comfort, to cause others to feel bad about themselves. And yet if we fail to carefully and correctly evaluate ourselves, not in comparison to one another, but to the Living Christ, we have missed the whole point of this earthly journey.

And have not I done a disservice if I placate others to feel good about themselves rather than pointing them to the only Standard of Character and Conduct that eternally matters? What if all their lives they continue feeling good about themselves, never comparing their character and conduct to the One who will one day judge their character and conduct? What kind of friend does that? What kind of friend has bread, sees another without bread and gives not bread to him (her)?

16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? [source] James 2:16

And you know the profound thing about it? Once, we admit our depraved nature to the Righteous One He changes us so we never have to feel bad about ourselves again. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17

So tell me what’s so bad about helping someone see their conduct and character in light of JESUS CHRIST when HE offers them a New Character and New Conduct that HE, Himself, has judged to be good, acceptable and perfect? Go figure!

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie 

Chain of Thought

Truth. I am nearly wordless tonight. So I went for pictures. This one stood out. DSC02580Not the Rose of Sharon but that was my next thought. Song of Solomon 2:1-3. Lily of the Valley. Battle Hymn of the Republic. That was my chain of thought. 

So here it is. What finer way to start November as we approach Thanksgiving.

 He died to make men holy; let us live to make men free.  Amen.

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie 

For all the lyrics click HERE.

Servant?

Today.

ABBA, I want to be a real servant. I have doubts that I know how; either that, or I am lazy and selfish – maybe all the above. You said You came to serve, 28 For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [source] and so You did. And I don’t think I am going to be satisfied until I serve well too. You have already started working in me, haven’t You? :) Thank You.

I write. That’s what I do. But that’s not enough. That’s too safe to be all I do.
I teach a class. I love it. I am grateful. But that is not enough.
I pray. Mostly alone. That’s good. I am grateful. But it’s not enough. I want more people to pray with, more often.

Then came this:

image

2 Corinthians 3:18 (CJB)

18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.

Romans 8:19 (AMPC)

19 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].

And there you have it – Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie