Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.(To do this, go to "notes" on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the righthand corner of the app) and then click publish.)
1. I buy a loaf of bread just to feed the ducks.
2. I love to learn. I'm like a sponge!
3. My love language is Quality Time (so invite me to hang out!!! but don't call often, I'm not a phone person... but am certainly trying to be).
4. I got kicked out of high school band and was abhorred by the entire band my junior year of high school because I made a website that publically exposed the bus sin of my band members (I didn't like hearing/seeing them making babies a seat behind me) and made fun of them (I was a bully when I wasn't being bullied)
5. I drink my coffee 1/2 caf, 1/2 decaf.
6. Backpacking Europe is something I hope to do within the next 5 years.
7. I was fired from my first job as a shoe salesman at JCPenney because I marked down a pair of shoes I planned to buy (my co-worker told me it was okay!!! .....I might add that I was 15)
8. Call me and invite me for a crazy adventure, and I'll likely drop everything to join you.
9. People are my passion; particularly children. My heart melts at the sight of a child.
10. I've had every haircut and haircolor imaginable, from a bull cut/short, spiky punk cut to long hair, to going red/black/brown and I was completely blonde for a few years.
11. I once repented to God of my sin for flushing my hermit crab down the toilet. He was already dead but I thought I was sending him "into the depths of hell". We had a burial service in my back yard for the next little guy.
12. I'm not passionate about cooking or baking, in fact I dread it.
13. I pierced my own nose when I was in 8th grade. It hurt.
14. My ideal bed time is 9-10pm and wake up time 5am... I've ALWAYS been that way.
15. Laughter is my release from frustration, and I often end up laughing at myself DURING my frustration.
16. My only fear is swimming too far in the ocean (had a bad experience and only go in to my waist)... but I'm willing to get past it if someone would stand with me!
17. My natural temperature is 95 degrees, I swear. (translation: I am always hot and rarely wear sweaters)
18. The only problem I have with bugs is that I stare at them with a papertowel in my hand and can't smoosh them for like 15 minutes. Stomp on them, NO PROBLEM, but feel their texture, BIG PROBLEM.
19. I honestly don't remember the last time I was mad--irritable and frustrated are more the words that describe my "other" half.
20. The first and last time I ate shrimp was when I was 8 and threw up... the thought of eating seafood still makes me sick to my stomach (other than a few types of fish), but I am always open to trying it again. ....possibly.
21. I am an intercessor and find myself becoming more passionate for God and people every day.
22. I see things in pictures and am very much a visual learner.
23. I'm not yet a football fan because I didn't grow up in a "football family" and have never fully understood the game because every time I watch it with people they're too "in it" to explain it to me... yet I've always wanted to date a football player because I think they're sexy haha. Help me understand that one?
24. Anything relating to the country brings me fulfillment (I grew up in the country) and so much joy.
25. I discern a lot more than I share, but have a terrible time reading certain people. And that bothers me.
26. I give 110% in everything I do and am known to be a "go-getter, nothing will stop her, determined" woman.
27. I've always been a saver and for three years have had a special fund building for my big day.
28. I have a REALLY bad memory. As much as I want to remember certain things sometimes I can't, and if I meet you for the first time, unfortunately I will probably ask you your name five times before remembering it.
And 29. I like confrontation.. PLEASE don't beat around the bush with me, I want the truth straight up and right away.
Must say 30. Bring blankets when you come to my house--it always stays at 63 degrees and under.
Can't forget 31. I'm a multiplier!!! If you ask for 25 I'll give you 30. If you ask for 30 I'll give you 40. Not always a good thing, though!
Last one, I promise: 32. I am very descriptive, love to share stories, and have a hard time limiting my words =)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday 1/16/09 7:43am
I'm not sure if this one is directed towards any specific person, but I know it's relevant for the church!
I had a vision in prayer this morning of a hallway... I saw blobs of darkness (people) slowly walking towards glass doors where sunlight was beaming through. I couldn’t see their faces or their body shape and they were weakly holding onto the rails in the hallway as they walked forward into the light.
The Lord says He is drawing those to His light who are living in complete darkness. Those who’ve been living in the darkness, & become overwhelmed and emprisoned with darkness are being led into the light. Hallelujah! The process seems slow as the blobs were inching with small steps toward the light, and the process is surrounded by spiritual warfare, but they’re headed in the “right direction”. But God keeps saying that WE play a crucial role in their progress!
Those of you who are interceding for lost family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors to receive salvation: Don’t give up!!! Don’t loose hope!!! Keep praying!!! Your loved ones need prayer to resist the devil so he will flee from them! When the blobs of darkness were moving into the light they were holding on to the rails with everything they had, but they were so weak because the powers and principalities of this world were pulling them back into the darkness--back into their sin. You have to keep praying!!!
We are in a pivotal moment in time where God is calling us to go deeper in our relationship with Him for the purposes He plans to bring about in this year. Warfare is increasing, so remain alert and obey the Spirit of God, but know that the gates of Hades have already been shattered; they shall not prevail against the church! Stand strong, church! Keep praying! I even see demons shuttering and coming under God’s authority because of prayer!!!
God wants to give our family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors the breakthrough they need! But you have to keep praying, intercessors, keep praying!!!
I'm not sure if this one is directed towards any specific person, but I know it's relevant for the church!
I had a vision in prayer this morning of a hallway... I saw blobs of darkness (people) slowly walking towards glass doors where sunlight was beaming through. I couldn’t see their faces or their body shape and they were weakly holding onto the rails in the hallway as they walked forward into the light.
The Lord says He is drawing those to His light who are living in complete darkness. Those who’ve been living in the darkness, & become overwhelmed and emprisoned with darkness are being led into the light. Hallelujah! The process seems slow as the blobs were inching with small steps toward the light, and the process is surrounded by spiritual warfare, but they’re headed in the “right direction”. But God keeps saying that WE play a crucial role in their progress!
Those of you who are interceding for lost family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors to receive salvation: Don’t give up!!! Don’t loose hope!!! Keep praying!!! Your loved ones need prayer to resist the devil so he will flee from them! When the blobs of darkness were moving into the light they were holding on to the rails with everything they had, but they were so weak because the powers and principalities of this world were pulling them back into the darkness--back into their sin. You have to keep praying!!!
We are in a pivotal moment in time where God is calling us to go deeper in our relationship with Him for the purposes He plans to bring about in this year. Warfare is increasing, so remain alert and obey the Spirit of God, but know that the gates of Hades have already been shattered; they shall not prevail against the church! Stand strong, church! Keep praying! I even see demons shuttering and coming under God’s authority because of prayer!!!
God wants to give our family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors the breakthrough they need! But you have to keep praying, intercessors, keep praying!!!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Seeking and Finding
Seeking and Finding
Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:19pm
After hearing some disappointing news tonight I decided to change my plans, fast and pray and go to a young adult prayer meeting… specifically for young adults and the deception the enemy is using to blind them and keep them in darkness.
I was crying out to God, calling forth the Kingdom of God in this generation, asking Him to bring breakthrough where there is warfare and an awakening to hearts. I asked Him to open the blind eyes; revive spirits again; bring revelation, and as I was asking Him to wake young adults from their slumber to His purposes and by His Spirit cause them to resist temptation, I saw a very clear image of Jesus raising a man from the dead. I heard God say, “Kellie, this is what is happening. I am bringing back to life those who have fallen asleep. I am recharging and reclaiming your generation in this time. And this will continue.”
Whew, what a scoop of hope! He's already doing it. And His power is the only way it will be done. My impatience so desperately wants people to “GET IT” and run with it (an intimate, dynamic relationship with God), and can’t understand how they can’t want to go deeper with God, or seek godly disciples to teach them how to go deeper, after hearing the Word. I am grieved by complacency. I understand relationships take time to establish and build trust, and God has His timing for everything, (I am living proof) but my prayer is for God to stir hearts so much that we can physically see young adults and every generation seeking God wholeheartedly and pursuing a radical relationship with Him. I want to see transformation and intercession. My heartcry is for people to experience deep intimacy with God—an undying hunger to know and encounter their tangible God. Everything else follows. I want to see ordinary people living extraordinary lives. God is a God who loves to woo, and I want people to know and experience Him in a foreign way.
Some say I’m a little too radical, others that I’m a little too intense, and some may think I may be a little too “expectant”. Or, maybe I am just that in love with my Savior that I can’t help but believe in the unseen and for the seemingly impossible, and risk it all for the cause of Heaven. The way I see it—I was created to worship God; I long to do everything I see my Creator do and be all that I see my Creator being. 20 years of my life were wasted away, then they were restored, by a loving God who pursued me and finally received an answer in response. I refuse to let another day be ordinary.
Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:19pm
After hearing some disappointing news tonight I decided to change my plans, fast and pray and go to a young adult prayer meeting… specifically for young adults and the deception the enemy is using to blind them and keep them in darkness.
I was crying out to God, calling forth the Kingdom of God in this generation, asking Him to bring breakthrough where there is warfare and an awakening to hearts. I asked Him to open the blind eyes; revive spirits again; bring revelation, and as I was asking Him to wake young adults from their slumber to His purposes and by His Spirit cause them to resist temptation, I saw a very clear image of Jesus raising a man from the dead. I heard God say, “Kellie, this is what is happening. I am bringing back to life those who have fallen asleep. I am recharging and reclaiming your generation in this time. And this will continue.”
Whew, what a scoop of hope! He's already doing it. And His power is the only way it will be done. My impatience so desperately wants people to “GET IT” and run with it (an intimate, dynamic relationship with God), and can’t understand how they can’t want to go deeper with God, or seek godly disciples to teach them how to go deeper, after hearing the Word. I am grieved by complacency. I understand relationships take time to establish and build trust, and God has His timing for everything, (I am living proof) but my prayer is for God to stir hearts so much that we can physically see young adults and every generation seeking God wholeheartedly and pursuing a radical relationship with Him. I want to see transformation and intercession. My heartcry is for people to experience deep intimacy with God—an undying hunger to know and encounter their tangible God. Everything else follows. I want to see ordinary people living extraordinary lives. God is a God who loves to woo, and I want people to know and experience Him in a foreign way.
Some say I’m a little too radical, others that I’m a little too intense, and some may think I may be a little too “expectant”. Or, maybe I am just that in love with my Savior that I can’t help but believe in the unseen and for the seemingly impossible, and risk it all for the cause of Heaven. The way I see it—I was created to worship God; I long to do everything I see my Creator do and be all that I see my Creator being. 20 years of my life were wasted away, then they were restored, by a loving God who pursued me and finally received an answer in response. I refuse to let another day be ordinary.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Yearning For More
As I was finally unpacking from my trip home for Christmas, and cleaning up my apartment, I had the IHOP (International House of Prayer in Kansas City) Conference broadcasting live online. The theme this year is focusing on teaching about and being prepared for the end times... a vital area of my Christian life I need and want to understand more. I took an hour to read Mike Bickle's notes on the signs of the end times and said to myself, "Why has this part slipped through the cracks with me? It's the entire purpose of why I love and live the way I do!" I was shocked at how much I forgot.
Hearing Mike Bickle, Lou Engle, Allen Hood, and the rest of these apostolic leaders and prophets in the church STIRS me. I want more. I want to go deeper in the Word, reach higher, and learn more. My soul and body tremble at the thought of knowing God at even a fuller capacity. My bones need more worship and more fellowship. I've only been out of Bible Classes for five months, but my mind and mouth are parched; I'm thirsty for deep knowledge and teaching again.
Lord, you are birthing a monumental movement I know you are calling me to be a part of. Baptize me afresh with your love. Saturate me with an outpouring of the Kingdom of Heaven. Teacher, give me more wisdom, insight and understanding into your Word. Let me learn from Your examples and receive teaching from Your Holy Spirit. Surround me with godly teachers, who can hear your heartbeat and know how to access heaven on earth. Bring mentors into my life for me to learn and grow from. Provide me with more prophetic training and give me opportunities to continue exercising my gifts. I ask for more discernment. Help me to always stay sensitive to your Spirit. Holy Teacher YOU are who I adore. YOU are who I desire to mirror. Continue leading and guiding me into the depths of Your heart. I hear You whispering, I feel you carrying me and I trust your guidance. May I walk in obedience to your calling for my life, and stay surrendered to Your will at all times. May I resist temptation to remain stagnant, and walk faithfully. May my heart remain knitted deeply with yours. I love you, Abba.
Hearing Mike Bickle, Lou Engle, Allen Hood, and the rest of these apostolic leaders and prophets in the church STIRS me. I want more. I want to go deeper in the Word, reach higher, and learn more. My soul and body tremble at the thought of knowing God at even a fuller capacity. My bones need more worship and more fellowship. I've only been out of Bible Classes for five months, but my mind and mouth are parched; I'm thirsty for deep knowledge and teaching again.
Lord, you are birthing a monumental movement I know you are calling me to be a part of. Baptize me afresh with your love. Saturate me with an outpouring of the Kingdom of Heaven. Teacher, give me more wisdom, insight and understanding into your Word. Let me learn from Your examples and receive teaching from Your Holy Spirit. Surround me with godly teachers, who can hear your heartbeat and know how to access heaven on earth. Bring mentors into my life for me to learn and grow from. Provide me with more prophetic training and give me opportunities to continue exercising my gifts. I ask for more discernment. Help me to always stay sensitive to your Spirit. Holy Teacher YOU are who I adore. YOU are who I desire to mirror. Continue leading and guiding me into the depths of Your heart. I hear You whispering, I feel you carrying me and I trust your guidance. May I walk in obedience to your calling for my life, and stay surrendered to Your will at all times. May I resist temptation to remain stagnant, and walk faithfully. May my heart remain knitted deeply with yours. I love you, Abba.
Monday, December 15, 2008
2008 Christmas Letter to Family and Friends
[Now you KNOW these letters only come once a year, so I KNOW you're expecting it to be somewhat long ;) ]
Dear Family and Friends,
It’s hard to believe it’s this redeeming time of year again! What an especially overwhelming, joyful time of year Christmas is to me. If it weren’t for God, who stripped Himself of His ultimate divinity and became a human, serving God for 33 years, all to be crucified on a cross so that my sins can be accounted for and I can be in relationship with God Almighty, I assure you I would not be alive to write you this letter.
2008 has been a year of life-long dreams fulfilled for me, as well as another year of preparation. In February, while still taking full-time classes at Regent University, I was introduced by a friend to Triple-R-Ranch, a local Christian ranch. I missed country life so much and wanted to be a part of the ministry there, so I began volunteering every Saturday for nearly 12 hours a day grooming, feeding, and saddling over 75 horses in the barn, assisting trail rides, and ministering to the children and junior staff. Without expecting it at all, as a thank-you the horsemanship director put me in a 10-wk riding lesson where I learned how to ride—a life long dream I have kept hidden in my heart. God not only remembered, but fulfilled the dream I had since I was a little girl. I’ll never be able to describe the joy and thanksgiving in my heart for that dream fulfilled!
That same month, as an undergraduate student, I was offered a part time position at Regent as the Editor of Focus Magazine, Regent’s graduate student magazine. The Chair of the Department of Journalism recognized my writing gift, published several of my articles in the magazine, and later offered me a position editing articles from students with a higher level of education than me. I worked there for a few months until the funds ran out and the magazine was left on stand still. It was a tremendous privilege to have my articles published in that magazine and later edit it.
In April, my video, salvation testimony was aired worldwide on the 700 Club at Christian Broadcasting Network. Dr. Pat Robertson and his co-worker, Terri, introduced my story. A few days later, I received a phone call stating that thousands of people all over the world called in and gave their lives to Jesus Christ. I wept in thanksgiving! They aired the story again at Thanksgiving, and because it was one of the only 700 Club stories that brought so many people to Christ, CBN decided to air it periodically throughout the year on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), along with the 700 Club. Recently, I even had some of my old, party friends in Pennsylvania contact me saying they were flipping channels, saw my story and could hardly believe how much I have changed! Praise God! (you can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R40vJSdPCl4)
Dear Family and Friends,
It’s hard to believe it’s this redeeming time of year again! What an especially overwhelming, joyful time of year Christmas is to me. If it weren’t for God, who stripped Himself of His ultimate divinity and became a human, serving God for 33 years, all to be crucified on a cross so that my sins can be accounted for and I can be in relationship with God Almighty, I assure you I would not be alive to write you this letter.
2008 has been a year of life-long dreams fulfilled for me, as well as another year of preparation. In February, while still taking full-time classes at Regent University, I was introduced by a friend to Triple-R-Ranch, a local Christian ranch. I missed country life so much and wanted to be a part of the ministry there, so I began volunteering every Saturday for nearly 12 hours a day grooming, feeding, and saddling over 75 horses in the barn, assisting trail rides, and ministering to the children and junior staff. Without expecting it at all, as a thank-you the horsemanship director put me in a 10-wk riding lesson where I learned how to ride—a life long dream I have kept hidden in my heart. God not only remembered, but fulfilled the dream I had since I was a little girl. I’ll never be able to describe the joy and thanksgiving in my heart for that dream fulfilled!
That same month, as an undergraduate student, I was offered a part time position at Regent as the Editor of Focus Magazine, Regent’s graduate student magazine. The Chair of the Department of Journalism recognized my writing gift, published several of my articles in the magazine, and later offered me a position editing articles from students with a higher level of education than me. I worked there for a few months until the funds ran out and the magazine was left on stand still. It was a tremendous privilege to have my articles published in that magazine and later edit it.
In April, my video, salvation testimony was aired worldwide on the 700 Club at Christian Broadcasting Network. Dr. Pat Robertson and his co-worker, Terri, introduced my story. A few days later, I received a phone call stating that thousands of people all over the world called in and gave their lives to Jesus Christ. I wept in thanksgiving! They aired the story again at Thanksgiving, and because it was one of the only 700 Club stories that brought so many people to Christ, CBN decided to air it periodically throughout the year on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), along with the 700 Club. Recently, I even had some of my old, party friends in Pennsylvania contact me saying they were flipping channels, saw my story and could hardly believe how much I have changed! Praise God! (you can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R40vJSdPCl4)
We welcomed my first niece into the world in May! Alianna Grace was delivered in good health by my sister, Shannon. Her first son, Colton, turns 6 this year. I loving being an aunt :)
Over the summer, I was offered a full time position at the ranch, and after a rigorous training program (for me, anyway) became certified as a Western Horseback Riding Instructor. It was extremely difficult being in school full-time in the summer and working full-time (let alone for 10 hours a day manual labor, in jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat in 95-100 degree weather), but with God’s grace I finished the summer semester with straight A’s, while ministering to and praying with at least 15 of my girls to first receive Jesus as their Savior. It was so worth it!
In July, I moved on the opportunity to minister deep in the villages of Macha, Zambia, Africa. This was my first missions trip, and for two weeks, I stayed alone with a woman in a hut in a village with no power, clean water, or toilets or showers. Every morning the rooster woke us up at 6am, we walked a half mile to fetch water that had to be boiled for morning tea, went to the bathroom in a hole in the ground, bathed in a bucket, and ate goat and fish, two foods I am still learning to like ;) To many different age groups I preached, taught, gave testimonies, performed in a drama, introduced clown ministry, face painted, sang and danced with the children, and witnessed hundreds of lives come to Christ, miraculous healings, and demon deliverance. My team included ten, young adult people of God whom I have grown extremely close to upon our return to the States. I returned so shaken that I was sincere when I told God I would “give it all up for the opportunity to go back”. He wasn’t late in answering that prayer, either!
When I returned to the United States in the middle of July, God stripped me of everything… school, money, housing, work, health insurance, my health, my grandmother, my favorite horse, and my car for a short while. I found out I didn’t have the money to go to school this year, which meant I had to move out of student housing and find a job. I was bummed about school, but knew I might not go because God had been speaking to me about “ministry” He had for me in the coming year. So the search started. It didn’t take me long to get frustrated because what apartment complex wants a jobless 23-year old? Finally, I just stared at the apartment guide and said to God “okay, what now?” He told me to go to Royal Pointe Apartments, I said okay, and when I walked in the office ladies told me they just started a special that day to accept anyone without restrictions, and they dropped the security deposit to $100 that day instead of the $800 most places wanted (and I didn’t have). I had a praisefest in the office, signed up and moved in a week later.
I slept on an air mattress, having no furniture, cable or internet for three months. It was truly a miracle that my bills got paid and the Dollar Tree could feed me! Eight to nine hours of my day were spent in Regent’s library searching online for jobs, writing cover letters and walking in resumes. No body wanted me even after I made follow-up phone calls, and I was denied a job at Crackerbarrel because I never gave a 2-wk notice when I worked there four years ago—talk about humbling! I wanted to work at Regent full-time because after working there for a year 100% of your tuition is paid, but no one wanted me there either. (That was God’s protection because recently, Dr. Robertson had to let go of hundreds of Regent employees because of economic conditions).
Some great news in the midst of a not-so-great time... After a month of prayer for my sister, Lona, to come home after being away for 15 years with a different family, she randomly called and wanted to come back home! She is 30 years old, unmarried, and occasionally still struggles with Epilepsy. I am praising the Lord that she's finally back home, reunited with her mom and sisters, and learning to stand on her own.
Just because I was going through what I was, I was not going to stop serving God—more than anything I needed to keep my eyes off of “me” and my situation. I continued to work Saturdays at the ranch teaching riding lessons to young girls and ministering to them; mentored an early teen volunteers at the ranch, volunteered more in the church, met with and ministered other young adults, and agreed to help lead New Life Providence Church’s first Women-Only life group. I wasn’t “employed”, but I was intentional about working hard every day to serve my Lord.
Three months after the beginning of my “Job” season, and endless hours of Craigslist searching, I was offered a dynamic position at a production company (music on-hold/video/jingles) nearby, exercising skills in my field of Journalism. The owner is even a Christian, close friends with the Robertson’s, and treats me exceptionally well. He had no idea my major was Journalism, and I had no idea the job I applied for (A/R, A/P) involved developing my writing/producing skills. A divine connection if I ever experienced one!
Also, this year I am helping to lead an all women’s life group within our church. God has continued to pour out His presence in our midst and reveal Himself powerfully to the women in our group. We’ve experienced breakthrough, deliverance, healing, all of the above! Included in our group is a once a month Naomi & Ruth gathering, where older women in the church come to mentor us and minister to us. And we also serve a single mom’s shelter once a month, spending time with the moms and playing with their kids.
Thank you for reading my testimonies and being a part of my life, whether in the past or present. I hope you are encouraged by the movement of God in our midst, and know that I love and care about you deeply. Someway, somehow, you have affected my life tremendously, and for that I honor you.
Knowing that our God is incredibly faithful and good, all the time, I pray you finish 2008 well, and are excited to experience His presence afresh in 2009. My prayer is that your year may be filled with a yearning and seeking to encounter your Savior in the fullest capacity, your faith continually increase, and your heart be completely surrendered to a crazy, awesome God who has a crazy, awesome plan for you in 2009.
Merry Christmas, and have an abundant New Year.
In His Love,
Kellie
Just because I was going through what I was, I was not going to stop serving God—more than anything I needed to keep my eyes off of “me” and my situation. I continued to work Saturdays at the ranch teaching riding lessons to young girls and ministering to them; mentored an early teen volunteers at the ranch, volunteered more in the church, met with and ministered other young adults, and agreed to help lead New Life Providence Church’s first Women-Only life group. I wasn’t “employed”, but I was intentional about working hard every day to serve my Lord.
Three months after the beginning of my “Job” season, and endless hours of Craigslist searching, I was offered a dynamic position at a production company (music on-hold/video/jingles) nearby, exercising skills in my field of Journalism. The owner is even a Christian, close friends with the Robertson’s, and treats me exceptionally well. He had no idea my major was Journalism, and I had no idea the job I applied for (A/R, A/P) involved developing my writing/producing skills. A divine connection if I ever experienced one!
Also, this year I am helping to lead an all women’s life group within our church. God has continued to pour out His presence in our midst and reveal Himself powerfully to the women in our group. We’ve experienced breakthrough, deliverance, healing, all of the above! Included in our group is a once a month Naomi & Ruth gathering, where older women in the church come to mentor us and minister to us. And we also serve a single mom’s shelter once a month, spending time with the moms and playing with their kids.
Thank you for reading my testimonies and being a part of my life, whether in the past or present. I hope you are encouraged by the movement of God in our midst, and know that I love and care about you deeply. Someway, somehow, you have affected my life tremendously, and for that I honor you.
Knowing that our God is incredibly faithful and good, all the time, I pray you finish 2008 well, and are excited to experience His presence afresh in 2009. My prayer is that your year may be filled with a yearning and seeking to encounter your Savior in the fullest capacity, your faith continually increase, and your heart be completely surrendered to a crazy, awesome God who has a crazy, awesome plan for you in 2009.
Merry Christmas, and have an abundant New Year.
In His Love,
Kellie
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Recognizing the Recognizable
Have you ever caught yourself forgetting the name of someone you’ve previously spent a lot of time with, or who has helped you in the past? If you have, you’ve probably questioned how you could forget someone who had such influence in your life. Recently, I went back to the ranch to help with a Christmas event. When I was assigning children to horses for pony rides, I accidentally caught myself calling one of the horses by a wrong name. I didn’t recognize her at all.
I haven’t had any time to spend at the ranch, or with the horses, in weeks. And even though I’ve known these horses for almost a year, I didn’t recognize Mercy, the very horse I rode first at this ranch. I called her Poco, who is a gelding! How could I have gotten those two mixed up?! They are not even the same gender!
Is it possible that we don’t recognize God because we don’t spend time with Him? Is it possible that when we get so caught up in the busyness of life, and we don’t intentionally position ourselves in His presence, we don’t see Him when He’s right in front of our face? Is it true that we can forget what we know to be true because we haven’t spent time exercising it?
Some of us complain so much because “God is not speaking to me”, “I can’t hear God”, “God isn’t doing as much for me as He is for you”, or “I don’t understand what He’s doing”. But, are we stopping to quiet ourselves and pray while expecting to visit with Jesus? Are we seeing with eternal eyes the little things God does for us on a daily basis? Are we truly recognizing Him? God is always speaking; are we LISTENING?
Unless you are spending enough time with Him to learn how He likes to surprise YOU, how He tends to teach YOU, how He answers YOUR prayers, and His methods for revealing your sin to YOU, you will never recognize His wondrous, miraculous and provisional ways, or the ways He reveals His presence to you in difficult times. It is very possible that God is telling you the answer to that prayer you’ve been praying is right in front of your face. Do yourself a favor: squash your unbelief, doubt and insecurity. Listen for His voice, recognize it, and obey it!
I believe that you are as close to God as you choose to be. You can’t let a wall of “stuff” block your view of Him or you will never experience Him in the capacity you were created to. I’m convinced you will miss a lot of what God does for you and how He provides for you if you don’t make time for Him, and if your eyes are fixed on something or someONE other than Him. Are you trusting Him wholeheartedly, and praying with expectation, or are you too distracted to experience intimacy with Him EVERY DAY? 90% of the time, you and I are the reason we can’t see or hear God. And you and I are the reason we don’t recognize Him like He wants us to. The problem isn’t God or His timing; it’s us and our distracted, stubborn hearts.
How much you recognize God in your life is rooted in your relationship with him. You can’t expect to know the Lord of Heaven, encounter Him supernaturally, and hear His voice daily if you don’t spend time with him. This is as practical as any human relationship. You’re in a heavenly marriage with your Creator—an intimate relationship that requires both parties to be actively and consistently involved. Don’t be stubborn like Pharaoh; pursue God radically like He pursues you. Maybe then you will recognize Him in His already recognizable self. Journey on!
I haven’t had any time to spend at the ranch, or with the horses, in weeks. And even though I’ve known these horses for almost a year, I didn’t recognize Mercy, the very horse I rode first at this ranch. I called her Poco, who is a gelding! How could I have gotten those two mixed up?! They are not even the same gender!
Is it possible that we don’t recognize God because we don’t spend time with Him? Is it possible that when we get so caught up in the busyness of life, and we don’t intentionally position ourselves in His presence, we don’t see Him when He’s right in front of our face? Is it true that we can forget what we know to be true because we haven’t spent time exercising it?
Some of us complain so much because “God is not speaking to me”, “I can’t hear God”, “God isn’t doing as much for me as He is for you”, or “I don’t understand what He’s doing”. But, are we stopping to quiet ourselves and pray while expecting to visit with Jesus? Are we seeing with eternal eyes the little things God does for us on a daily basis? Are we truly recognizing Him? God is always speaking; are we LISTENING?
Unless you are spending enough time with Him to learn how He likes to surprise YOU, how He tends to teach YOU, how He answers YOUR prayers, and His methods for revealing your sin to YOU, you will never recognize His wondrous, miraculous and provisional ways, or the ways He reveals His presence to you in difficult times. It is very possible that God is telling you the answer to that prayer you’ve been praying is right in front of your face. Do yourself a favor: squash your unbelief, doubt and insecurity. Listen for His voice, recognize it, and obey it!
I believe that you are as close to God as you choose to be. You can’t let a wall of “stuff” block your view of Him or you will never experience Him in the capacity you were created to. I’m convinced you will miss a lot of what God does for you and how He provides for you if you don’t make time for Him, and if your eyes are fixed on something or someONE other than Him. Are you trusting Him wholeheartedly, and praying with expectation, or are you too distracted to experience intimacy with Him EVERY DAY? 90% of the time, you and I are the reason we can’t see or hear God. And you and I are the reason we don’t recognize Him like He wants us to. The problem isn’t God or His timing; it’s us and our distracted, stubborn hearts.
How much you recognize God in your life is rooted in your relationship with him. You can’t expect to know the Lord of Heaven, encounter Him supernaturally, and hear His voice daily if you don’t spend time with him. This is as practical as any human relationship. You’re in a heavenly marriage with your Creator—an intimate relationship that requires both parties to be actively and consistently involved. Don’t be stubborn like Pharaoh; pursue God radically like He pursues you. Maybe then you will recognize Him in His already recognizable self. Journey on!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
From Trials to Thanks-giving
If nothing else this Thanksgiving, be thankful for the person you are becoming. Every day is a new day, with new mercies. The work being done in you is far more precious than any material thing because it offers hope to the hopeless. Your purpose in life involves experiencing trials of many kinds. You can't escape trouble and trials, so learn to embrace them.
I am truly thankful for what has seemed to be the hardest year of my LIFE. Moving here was a tremendous step of faith, but staying here has proven a much longer road of faith than I ever imagined. Everything I ever dreamed of is in my fingertips and in front of my face, and more than anything, the enemy wants to slip it out underneath my feet. I’ve been forced to cling, grasp and hold tight to Jesus in every area of my life, battling spiritual warfare and life’s frustrations left and right, but I gotta tell ya, it’s all been worth it. I’m eternally grateful that this past year was far from a waste; it has caused ME to die and Him to live, and the production of fruit that I can’t see. Most importantly, this past year has revealed God’s endless pursuit of ME. And to the Almighty Creator of the world to reveal His pursuing love to little ‘ol me, I am thankful beyond words.
Within the past four months, after serving in Africa for two weeks on a missions trip, God stripped me of EVERYthing—money, school, housing, work, health, car etc. I was nearly homeless, slept on an air mattress for three months after finding an apartment complex that would accept a jobless 23-yr old single woman, ate food from the Dollar Tree, couldn’t find a job for the life of me (I even got denied a serving job at Crackerbarrel b/c I didn’t give a two week notice when I left there four years ago…talk about humbling), got sick and couldn’t afford medications or doctor visits, all the while seeming to have every one of my friends fall off the face of the Earth. All of this on top of a girl who has paid every single bill she’s ever had weeks in advance, worked her butt off to be an A/B student, labored wholeheartedly and to the best of her ability, and was a health NUT. I was a good steward of everything I had, and for a couple weeks, couldn’t figure out why nothing favorable was coming my way.
But somehow, miraculously, my bills got paid (bills that were supposed to normally be due were miraculously not), people invited me to their home for dinner without even knowing my situation, I was offered some side jobs to make cash while I was still job hunting, and after praying for my sick self experienced healing. I lacked materially and didn’t have a thing to my name, but I never lacked spiritually. Some days were more exciting spiritually, some were extremely dry. But knowing Jesus, I knew I never lacked any good thing.
Some days I was secure, some I was incredibly discouraged and would just fall over weeping. I didn’t have a clue what God was doing in my life, but I knew I could use this dry season to learn something about myself and my God, so every day I continued to declare His love, goodness and faithfulness. I kept eternal eyes and was determined to not allow the enemy to have any room to enter this walking storehouse of redemption!
A few weeks into my job search, I asked God to “cause my resume to POP” (because I know it’s not that good haha) to someone and use that to confirm where He wants me to work. Two months later, I got a phone call from an owner of a million-dollar production company nearby. I responded to a part time ad on Craigs list a week prior for A/P and A/R since I have experience and needed SOMEthing (I don’t like accounting, but I have skills in it). I accidently sent him the wrong resume—I sent him my Regent resume with a Christian Objective—and he called me right away because he said my resume “popped” out at him. God has given me much favor with this man; He thinks I’m the next best thing to sliced bread, and for this job b/c of my lack of experience, I’m really not! He’s a Christian, too, and has been personal friends with the Robertsons for 30 years (who are the founders of the University God called me to attend last year, and who are technically the reason I am in Virginia Beach), and works in the field I studied in! Not only did I start out doing Accounting work, but a week later became a virtual model for our Online Website Advertising (which has potential to make a LOT of money), and a Production Assistant helping to write scripts for music on-hold. Hopefully soon, I will be traveling the United States promoting our products and doing business development. He and I have many of the same contacts through Regent and CBN, and have a great work chemistry. He pays me more than I really deserve to have b/c of my lack of experience, and gives me the best hours. He and his wife treat me like their daughter. I never expected to have it this good… God certainly created a divine connection between us.
Things were starting to look up, then normal, everyday annoyances kicked in and I experienced endless frustrations with moving furniture from PA to VA, washer floods, cable/internet rewiring in my apt and the ministry responsibilities I was juggling… I won't go into them since I've already got a book going, but if you ask me, I’ve got a million more testimonies of how God has proven over and over again through these frustrations that He is the God of the 11th hour!!! When I was about to break, He interceded and miraculously things worked. His presence has been so tangible, and His work evidence of His intimate and powerful responses to the “little things” in my life.
You cannot tell me that God did not provide for me each and every time I was “without”… and you cannot tell me that God doesn’t care about “little things”! I never once slept in the streets. Clothes were on my back. A car was available to drive. Food was in my belly. I was in relationship with God’s people… but most importantly, I knew my Savior and King, who first care-fully closed many doors and later opened many more.
God had me in a season where I was forced to rely strictly upon Him. I couldn’t rely on myself because I knew I couldn’t "fix it"; I couldn’t rely on people because for the most part, they weren’t there; and I certainly couldn’t rely on my circumstances to pull me out because I knew they were not what defined me. Literately, all I had was Jesus, and He was far more to me than anything or anyone else could have been. If I didn’t practice His presence sitting in my bare living room, I would NOT have made it through these past few months. Once again, He pulled me out of the pit, and is taking me on another ride to experience the palace.
A few years ago, I learned to stop asking “what”, “why”, and “how”; it is not my business to know what God is doing, why He’s doing it, and how it’s going to change me. His ways and thoughts are higher than mine. He knows me far better than I could ever know myself, so I’ll leave that stuff up to Him. All I know is that I long to be a mirror image of Jesus Christ, and I’ll do whatever it takes and walk through whatever I have to if it makes me more like Him. He is perfection, and while I’ll never be that, I strive to be more Christlike every day. And I acknowledge that I can’t be Christlike if I never experience trials…aka pain and suffering.
I've served homeless people who live with absolutely nothing, but I've never actually been able to say "I've been there, and look what Jesus did!" It's one thing to receive time from someone, but another to receive a story that's absolutely relatable, in every sense of the word. I'm glad this past four months is finally over, and that the Father rewards those who seek Him. The joy of knowing God is getting closer to completing the greatest work ever in me is inexpressible. One minute I'm bauling because I'm so thankful for what He has accomplished in me, and the next I'm dancing wherever my feet fall and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much because I'm THAT excited that I didn't give up and Jesus didn't give up on me. I feel like you would if you just won the Turkey Trot after training for three years.
I have learned that God can do more, faster, in a heart that is surrendered, listening, and willing to walk the walk rather than just talk the talk. I believe the key is to be purposeful in recognizing His absolute GREATness and GOODness in those trials, and that He has purpose in them. I don't believe that God needs to take as much time with us as He did with Job, if we could only internalize what He's doing behind the scenes and agree with His work. Your circumstances may seem like He’s not in them, but He truly is. You have to understand that what He’s accomplishing in and through you during those trials is the production of fruit that will influence someone else’s life. You were not created for yourself, but to worship God and be His hands and feet in the Earth, especially to the lost... you are on a lifelong journey to learn how to love like He loves, and live like He lived. That requires a mighty sacrifice of your comfort.
Make the choice to let God do His work. You can’t get to step B until you've gone through Step A. Be patient with God and yourself, and let Him do what only He can do. God plans to use you to reach the brokenhearted, so let Him do what He needs to do for you to be a part of that plan. You may never have the privlege of seeing or understanding the fruit and perseverance that is produced in you during your trials, but others will. And your life exists because of it.
Have you been in a dry season? Have you been confused and frustrated? Have you wondered why it seems God has abandoned you? Have you been lonely and wondered why everyone in the world has seemed to leave you? Take heart. Whatever your situation, God is IN it, and His heart is for you to grow and conform to His image through it.
Release your heartache, it’s okay! Many of our heroes in the Bible have experienced persecution and tremendous trials in every day life, and have wept before the Lord, wondering, waiting, angry by frustration. Don’t just give God a fragment of your weight and tears; give Him ALL of them. Every tear is counted by Him; He wants to capture you in the midst of your pain, lift every burden to show His presence in your life, utilize your surrendered heart, and continue preparing you for your next season. Don’t give up on Him! Let HIM have the last say in your circumstances; He’s waiting to blow you away! Don’t disqualify yourself from winning the Prize… Your Father is cheering you on, and He’s also awaiting you at the finish line.
I am truly thankful for what has seemed to be the hardest year of my LIFE. Moving here was a tremendous step of faith, but staying here has proven a much longer road of faith than I ever imagined. Everything I ever dreamed of is in my fingertips and in front of my face, and more than anything, the enemy wants to slip it out underneath my feet. I’ve been forced to cling, grasp and hold tight to Jesus in every area of my life, battling spiritual warfare and life’s frustrations left and right, but I gotta tell ya, it’s all been worth it. I’m eternally grateful that this past year was far from a waste; it has caused ME to die and Him to live, and the production of fruit that I can’t see. Most importantly, this past year has revealed God’s endless pursuit of ME. And to the Almighty Creator of the world to reveal His pursuing love to little ‘ol me, I am thankful beyond words.
Within the past four months, after serving in Africa for two weeks on a missions trip, God stripped me of EVERYthing—money, school, housing, work, health, car etc. I was nearly homeless, slept on an air mattress for three months after finding an apartment complex that would accept a jobless 23-yr old single woman, ate food from the Dollar Tree, couldn’t find a job for the life of me (I even got denied a serving job at Crackerbarrel b/c I didn’t give a two week notice when I left there four years ago…talk about humbling), got sick and couldn’t afford medications or doctor visits, all the while seeming to have every one of my friends fall off the face of the Earth. All of this on top of a girl who has paid every single bill she’s ever had weeks in advance, worked her butt off to be an A/B student, labored wholeheartedly and to the best of her ability, and was a health NUT. I was a good steward of everything I had, and for a couple weeks, couldn’t figure out why nothing favorable was coming my way.
But somehow, miraculously, my bills got paid (bills that were supposed to normally be due were miraculously not), people invited me to their home for dinner without even knowing my situation, I was offered some side jobs to make cash while I was still job hunting, and after praying for my sick self experienced healing. I lacked materially and didn’t have a thing to my name, but I never lacked spiritually. Some days were more exciting spiritually, some were extremely dry. But knowing Jesus, I knew I never lacked any good thing.
Some days I was secure, some I was incredibly discouraged and would just fall over weeping. I didn’t have a clue what God was doing in my life, but I knew I could use this dry season to learn something about myself and my God, so every day I continued to declare His love, goodness and faithfulness. I kept eternal eyes and was determined to not allow the enemy to have any room to enter this walking storehouse of redemption!
A few weeks into my job search, I asked God to “cause my resume to POP” (because I know it’s not that good haha) to someone and use that to confirm where He wants me to work. Two months later, I got a phone call from an owner of a million-dollar production company nearby. I responded to a part time ad on Craigs list a week prior for A/P and A/R since I have experience and needed SOMEthing (I don’t like accounting, but I have skills in it). I accidently sent him the wrong resume—I sent him my Regent resume with a Christian Objective—and he called me right away because he said my resume “popped” out at him. God has given me much favor with this man; He thinks I’m the next best thing to sliced bread, and for this job b/c of my lack of experience, I’m really not! He’s a Christian, too, and has been personal friends with the Robertsons for 30 years (who are the founders of the University God called me to attend last year, and who are technically the reason I am in Virginia Beach), and works in the field I studied in! Not only did I start out doing Accounting work, but a week later became a virtual model for our Online Website Advertising (which has potential to make a LOT of money), and a Production Assistant helping to write scripts for music on-hold. Hopefully soon, I will be traveling the United States promoting our products and doing business development. He and I have many of the same contacts through Regent and CBN, and have a great work chemistry. He pays me more than I really deserve to have b/c of my lack of experience, and gives me the best hours. He and his wife treat me like their daughter. I never expected to have it this good… God certainly created a divine connection between us.
Things were starting to look up, then normal, everyday annoyances kicked in and I experienced endless frustrations with moving furniture from PA to VA, washer floods, cable/internet rewiring in my apt and the ministry responsibilities I was juggling… I won't go into them since I've already got a book going, but if you ask me, I’ve got a million more testimonies of how God has proven over and over again through these frustrations that He is the God of the 11th hour!!! When I was about to break, He interceded and miraculously things worked. His presence has been so tangible, and His work evidence of His intimate and powerful responses to the “little things” in my life.
You cannot tell me that God did not provide for me each and every time I was “without”… and you cannot tell me that God doesn’t care about “little things”! I never once slept in the streets. Clothes were on my back. A car was available to drive. Food was in my belly. I was in relationship with God’s people… but most importantly, I knew my Savior and King, who first care-fully closed many doors and later opened many more.
God had me in a season where I was forced to rely strictly upon Him. I couldn’t rely on myself because I knew I couldn’t "fix it"; I couldn’t rely on people because for the most part, they weren’t there; and I certainly couldn’t rely on my circumstances to pull me out because I knew they were not what defined me. Literately, all I had was Jesus, and He was far more to me than anything or anyone else could have been. If I didn’t practice His presence sitting in my bare living room, I would NOT have made it through these past few months. Once again, He pulled me out of the pit, and is taking me on another ride to experience the palace.
A few years ago, I learned to stop asking “what”, “why”, and “how”; it is not my business to know what God is doing, why He’s doing it, and how it’s going to change me. His ways and thoughts are higher than mine. He knows me far better than I could ever know myself, so I’ll leave that stuff up to Him. All I know is that I long to be a mirror image of Jesus Christ, and I’ll do whatever it takes and walk through whatever I have to if it makes me more like Him. He is perfection, and while I’ll never be that, I strive to be more Christlike every day. And I acknowledge that I can’t be Christlike if I never experience trials…aka pain and suffering.
I've served homeless people who live with absolutely nothing, but I've never actually been able to say "I've been there, and look what Jesus did!" It's one thing to receive time from someone, but another to receive a story that's absolutely relatable, in every sense of the word. I'm glad this past four months is finally over, and that the Father rewards those who seek Him. The joy of knowing God is getting closer to completing the greatest work ever in me is inexpressible. One minute I'm bauling because I'm so thankful for what He has accomplished in me, and the next I'm dancing wherever my feet fall and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much because I'm THAT excited that I didn't give up and Jesus didn't give up on me. I feel like you would if you just won the Turkey Trot after training for three years.
I have learned that God can do more, faster, in a heart that is surrendered, listening, and willing to walk the walk rather than just talk the talk. I believe the key is to be purposeful in recognizing His absolute GREATness and GOODness in those trials, and that He has purpose in them. I don't believe that God needs to take as much time with us as He did with Job, if we could only internalize what He's doing behind the scenes and agree with His work. Your circumstances may seem like He’s not in them, but He truly is. You have to understand that what He’s accomplishing in and through you during those trials is the production of fruit that will influence someone else’s life. You were not created for yourself, but to worship God and be His hands and feet in the Earth, especially to the lost... you are on a lifelong journey to learn how to love like He loves, and live like He lived. That requires a mighty sacrifice of your comfort.
Make the choice to let God do His work. You can’t get to step B until you've gone through Step A. Be patient with God and yourself, and let Him do what only He can do. God plans to use you to reach the brokenhearted, so let Him do what He needs to do for you to be a part of that plan. You may never have the privlege of seeing or understanding the fruit and perseverance that is produced in you during your trials, but others will. And your life exists because of it.
Have you been in a dry season? Have you been confused and frustrated? Have you wondered why it seems God has abandoned you? Have you been lonely and wondered why everyone in the world has seemed to leave you? Take heart. Whatever your situation, God is IN it, and His heart is for you to grow and conform to His image through it.
Release your heartache, it’s okay! Many of our heroes in the Bible have experienced persecution and tremendous trials in every day life, and have wept before the Lord, wondering, waiting, angry by frustration. Don’t just give God a fragment of your weight and tears; give Him ALL of them. Every tear is counted by Him; He wants to capture you in the midst of your pain, lift every burden to show His presence in your life, utilize your surrendered heart, and continue preparing you for your next season. Don’t give up on Him! Let HIM have the last say in your circumstances; He’s waiting to blow you away! Don’t disqualify yourself from winning the Prize… Your Father is cheering you on, and He’s also awaiting you at the finish line.
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