The hurt and the HEALER!

Healing truly doesn’t come from the explained, but when the hurt meets the HEALER, when Glory meets your suffering, is the only way to explain it.

When the “hurt and the Healer” collide, is when you begin to feel your heart and hopes come alive, even though a part of you has died.

Have you ever experienced hurt so deep you could hardly breathe? Sometimes, that’s right where God wants us. He tells us, “Be still and know that I AM GOD.” (Psalm 46:10).  It is VERY hard to be still when you are in fear, and deep despair. Maybe it’s a loss of a loved one, or a horrible illness and you are watching a love one suffer. Maybe it’s a painful divorce, or a rebellious son or daughter. 

In my case it was a painful year of watching my husband battle cancer. In and out of the hospital, looking like things were getting worse instead of better, as the year went on. Feeling like a part of me was dying, because I just didn’t know the end.  

I remember crying so many times on my way home from the hospital trips I could hardly see. I didn’t want to leave him, but I had to go to work each day. So for a long while, which seemed like forever to me, it was nothing but hospital and work each day. My husband had some really scary complications with infections, feeding tubes not working right, blood transfusions, and rapid weight loss, due to not being able to eat solid food for a while.

I remember trying to hold on to many promises of God’s word. But sometimes I was so mad, His word just became words to me. I was losing hope. The hurt of watching him this way was taking me down. Never once did I hear my husband complain.

I cried out to God many times with questions, and then my prayers got very simple, but they came right from my BELIEVING HEART! Right where I believe God wanted me to be all the time. I prayed, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You hold it all God, You know the end of all of this, so I have to trust You, no matter what the end is.” 

Well that’s when He began to take my heart and breath it back to life with hope and, “[Confidence] I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14).   Now I am going to add what He said in my heart, “don’t listen to the doctors or see things as you do. I AM THE HEALER. I have this, the doctors, and you in my control, watch and see.”

Well I saw God's goodness, He broke my fear, took my tears, and awoke my heart to His glory right where I was at.

No matter what you’re going through, it’s AMAZING what God can do, when you let your hurt collide with the HEALER. , “Therefore we do not lose heart... we are being renewed day by day... fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen...” 

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18). 

We will go through sorrow and pain as long as we are here. But I can tell you from experience, and from others who share their stories, that HE IS your LIFELINE... The lifter of your head, the air that you can breathe when you can’t seem to breathe in, because Jesus tells us, “I am with you ALWAYS.” (Matthew 28: 20).

That is enough for my heart and soul to live on.

Thank you all for your prayers for my husband’s healing. We received our miracle. 3 years cancer free.

 

The grace of God be with you always

Kim

More than a story.

Jesus is so much more that a story, more than words on a page. He’s alive, and wants to live in you, and through you, to a world that is getting darker, and darker. If we could only get them to taste and see. We all have a story that we could share to give hope to those who seem to see no way out of their situation.

I remember the day that I was so desperate to really know Jesus. Not just the Jesus I heard about every time I went to church on Sunday. But the One I saw in people who always seemed to have this joy, and peace shining from them, even with the problems they were dealing with in their lives. I remember a dear friend of mine, Debbie, and she asked me, “Kim do you have a relationship with Jesus?” I remember my answer, “Yes, I go to church.” She would always tell me, “He’s so much more than that.” I really didn’t understand, but she was in my life for a time. While I was her trainer with weight training, she was my trainer, helping my eyes to open, and my heart to begin to see this beautiful Jesus, and the light at the end of the tunnel I was in.

Well after that, God sent more people my way: Mary, Lisa. They picked up from there. You know, God works that way through His servants.  He sends some to plant, and some to water, the growth was up to me.

Babies are dependent on their mothers for nourishment, they can’t feed themselves. Toddlers begin to learn how to feed themselves using their hands, and then to a spoon and fork. As you grow up you begin to look for food yourself, cook it, and eat it. It should be that way with a relationship with Jesus. To grow you have to feed on His word every day. Just as a baby would starve and die physically if you don’t feed them, so will your Spirit die if you don’t feed it with the word of God.  “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).  I use to just listen to the word. Now the word of God is shaping my life. It does exactly what this verse says.

Now I live for Jesus, in hopes that someone else my see like I did. He’s more than a story.

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Won't you be my love?

When you go to sleep at night in your warm and cozy room, do think of those who lie awake at night and have no shelter and no food? We are all homeless without Christ.  Jesus needs our help to lead all who are hungry and without Him to the cross. We need to be His voice calling, His hands healing, His feet walking into a broken world.

On the other side of walking with Christ in this world, you see many in need, but you also see many who have it all and don’t realize where it all comes from.

I want to share something my daughter shared with me. She works as a concierge at Animal Kingdom, planning what’s suppose to be happy vacations for people. Disney is known to be the, “happiest place on earth.” She had a gentlemen come up to her desk checking in. She said he was so miserable. She asked him what was wrong, and he said, “I was forced to come here, I don’t even want to be here.”  That blew her away. Can you imagine someone saying that? Some of us can’t even afford to go on vacation. I know some people don’t think before they speak, and yet some speak what is truly in their heart... “As water reflects a man’s face, so a man’s heart reflects a man.” (Proverbs 27: 19).  

The next family my daughter checked in was a, “Make a wish family.” In this case, the child was very sick and dying. It was the families' wish to bring their child to Disney, “The happiest place on earth.” 

We have so much to be grateful for. So many people have pain in their life that is beyond what we can imagine. Especially when it comes to your own child. I know we all can be guilty of complaining, I sure do at times. I know I don’t deserve all the goodness and blessings that He gives me, but I am still a work in progress, as long as I’m here in this world. His grace is what covers and develops us into who we are, and what we reflect.  1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.”

We will meet all kinds of people who are a work in progress. Some are very hard to listen to and deal with. I can become so angry inside just listening to them. I usually quiet the anger I begin to feel inside by praying in my heart right at that moment how much that person needs a Savior. Also hoping my smile just might brighten their day. Even if it is a phony one, that’s o.k.

Remember like Thumper said, “If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.” So just smile, J

We can be the peace and joy people need to see, but ONLY by the grace God gives us each day, can we go forth.

Grace and peace to you

Kim

I know your there.

“If I could rise up high, 

and catch a glimpse of every eye, 

I would make them believe what I feel inside.”

I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine at work. We have had many short conversations of the valleys now and then that none of us like to be in, but God will use it for His glory when He puts you on display. Speak life into your situation, stay positive.  “The tongue has the power of life and death,” (Proverbs 18:21).

  

Thank you Odette for sharing your heart, hope, and showing your faith in your situation. You must have made the heavens ring. The positive words you shared with me were being heard, and carried straight to the throne of grace. It’s amazing how you knew God was preparing you from past valley situations, for this time now with you son Anthony, and the tests that are being done for his severe headaches. I know I always call you “little O”, but you were so “Big” to me as we spoke. I praise God, and give Him all the glory for how he has shown His word to be true in your life. You are certainly rising above all your valleys to the mountain views. That is faith as described in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Prayers continue to go up for Anthony, and you.

I have seen heartache, fear, and pain in many people’s lives. We all can’t escape rough times. It’s the pressing on, and not giving up that matters. God gave us the gift of life, and this life is not easy, but it’s not home either. It’s your story while you are here to point to Jesus. So while you walk it, I pray you’re walking with Him. Let Him be the ground beneath you. All the roads of the Christian life lead to this: to trust God completely, or trust ourselves. We can’t mix the two together, for, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1).  

When you rest in the Almighty, you are trusting Him fully. It always helps me to know God is there. I know He sees and hears me. So whenever I feel I’m sinking, I will find some promise in the bible related to what I’m going through, and say it back to my Father in heaven: “Remember Your word to your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this, Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119: 49).  

“Rise up high, and catch a glimpse of every eye, make them believe what you feel inside!”

The load that you carry, becomes your story that can turn people’s attention to your Savior. Don’t hesitate to share how He preserves your life.

Glory to God

Kim

Hallelujah

You may not realize it at the time, but God will take anything the enemy is using to shake the ground beneath you, to draw you nearer to Him. Exodus 14: 13, 

“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”

Broken marriages, fear, anxiety, hurt, painful situations, the weight of sin, whatever you may be going through, He wants you to enter in, to seek His face.

I use to stop at a church on my way to the gym to teach a kickboxing class. There was a little chapel they would keep open, and I found such peace the moment I entered in the doors and sat down for a little while. Then I would leave that peaceful little chapel, and the fears I had struggled with, would be back in my thoughts and steal my moments of peace. Not realizing, the Holy of Holies was drawing me nearer. Into a relationship with Him. He is the peace I sit with now.

Let’s face it, we all have problems. It could be in our marriages, dealing with raising teenagers, health problems; Jesus is there with us. He is the Holy of Holies drawing us nearer. He wants to be our confidence, joy, strength, refuge, strong tower, our all in all. It is not just entering a building for part time peace. It is seeking His face  and inviting Him in to enter your life, you are His creation.

So where do we think we can hide from sin or problems? Can we really tuck things under the carpet? They will just come back up again. Problems never go away, and either does Jesus.

For our peace - Matthew 11: 28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Psalm 17: 8-9, “hide me in the shadow of your wings...”

He spread His hands and made a refuge for the weak and blessed, the weary, bruised and broken, took our sin inside His wounds. That’s the only place we can take our sin and hide it away. Isaiah 53: 5, “the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” His wounds are precious to me, and I am no longer just His creation, I am His child. Accepting this truth of my Savior who saved me from all my sins.

So now whenever I am afraid, I know the Holy of Holies is drawing me near for another adventure. Without God, life can take you in a frightening direction. But with Him it can be a great adventure for whatever purpose He is using you for. God promises in Joshua 1: 5 that he will, “Never leave or forsake you.”

Ask God to direct you, and you will see things more clearly. If His voice is like thunder, shaking the ground you’re on; enter in. Whether it be the weight of sin, unbelief, or the pressures of life. Hebrews 4:16 tells us: 

“Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, 

so that we may receive mercy and find grace 

to help us in our time of need.”

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Live like that!

I often think of this…. When Jesus calls me home, how will I be remembered? He doesn’t ask much of me. I’m not living in a country where Christians are being persecuted and losing their lives for their faith. Yes, maybe we get made fun of for our beliefs, but I can deal with that. It’s hard not to lash out at them, but the more you see them though the eyes of Jesus, you begin to feel sorry for them. You realize, there is so many who need to see the love of Christ. 

My daughter brought this verse of a song to my attention:

“King of all days, so highly exalted, Glorious 

in heaven above. Humbly He came to the earth He created, 

all for loves sake became poor.” (Link).

  

Think about that. He was Glorious in heaven, and we were such a mess, He came to us. That blows my mind, and really tugged at my daughters heart. Thank you Michelle for your phone call to me about that.  

When I heard the song I posted below, “Live like that,” I thought of the missionaries who go all over the world in obedience to the call on their life. So many lose their lives for the sake of their call. What is Jesus asking of you? Is it just to mention His name to someone? Or mention how He changed your life?  Maybe how He healed you of an illness, or a loved one? Maybe He’s just asking you to share your faith, or love someone who is hard to love.  I know one thing for sure, we are to show who Jesus is in us. My heart’s desire is to live like that.  I know I fail Him at times, but He picks me back up again so I can keep trying.

Who are you afraid of offending? Are they afraid of offending you and your beliefs? Most non believers are very vocal. Common, we are His children, and He is wanting to reach a lost world through you. So get it out on your face book, emails, however God leads you. Can’t we do that for Him? Be love for Him. Don’t have the attitude of getting even, or “I’m not talking to them anymore.”  Be different, be set apart... "now you are the people of God” (1 Peter 2: 9-10).

  

We have to be the proof that Jesus is who He says He is.  “As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1: 6).  

Look what 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says about love: 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy... 

it is not easily angered... it keeps no records of wrongs... 

love never fails...”  

Read this whole scripture for yourself, and tell me if you pass. I know I don’t, and Jesus extends His love, Grace, and Mercy to me anyway. I want to live like that. I want to give the best I got for Him, because in the end, it’s always been between me and God, and what He’s doing in and through me to those in need of a Savior.

I know I fail Jesus at times, even with my own family. But as long as I live, I will never give up my heart’s desire... to show the love He gave to me.

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Best thing that ever happened to me.

Jesus is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, how about you?

You know we all have a life story. Pages full of life’s ups and downs. Anyone who knows me, knows that Jesus is between each line of pain, and glory, and it’s all because of Him, that I make it through. I don’t like to say I’m lucky. I like to say, “I’m blessed,” for all that I have made it through.

We all will have pain, and hurting times in our lives. But the more you grow in your relationship with Jesus, those moments of hurting become less, and less. Not that anything goes away, but you have begun to look to Jesus more and more. So the moments of loving Him, and putting your hope and trust in Him getting you through each gifted day, becomes a way of life, "for only He will release [our] feet from the snare.” (Psalm 25: 15).  

He is our stronghold. (Definition - A place of survival or refuge) Psalm 31: 4 “Keep me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”

Life comes at you every way it can. The enemy is in on it, but Jesus is always there, "[He] arms me with strength and makes my way secure." (2 Samuel 22: 33).

Jesus is your hope, and He’s created in you a heart that lives in victory that He’s already won! He is our protection from the enemy. “You set me high upon a rock, and you defend my soul. And when their ways advance against me I am confident, that they cannot make me less, for You have made me whole.” These lyrics are sung in a song by Watermark.

What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. The blood of Christ NEVER loses its power.  “Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6: 53).  

So as you walk through this life into eternity, glorify Jesus in the ways you overcome the ups and downs. It’s all because of Him! The best thing that can happen for you too. BELIEVE!

Grace and peace to you

Kim