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KayleneElise.com

2010-09-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

If you aren't already... you can follow me over here at KayleneElise.com for further Hungary updates. I doubt I'll be updating this blog much for the next few months. Look forward to seeing you over there. :-)

Well, Folks...

2010-09-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

I am coming to the conclusion that one must be very careful about "blogging about tomorrow" because "you never know what that day may bring.". Just for example, you never know when one day you might leave for a photography course hoping to return and share pictures with your blog readers, only to find yourself, upon your return from said photography course, in a whirlwind of preparation to move to another country without any time to update the blog!

True story. You can read more here. (Read from the bottom, up, to get the whole story)

Frequent Flyer

2010-07-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

Starting another adventure today! I'm headed to Portland to hang with friends and go to a photography workshop I've dreamed of going to for literally, years.

Hope to return with amazing tales and photos to prove it. This summer has proved to be somewhat surreal. So many opportunities have worked out, many of them involving travel. I'm feeling very blessed and don't take a minute of it for granted! What are you up to this summer? Working? Playing? Fill me in...

Check It Out

2010-07-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Step Out

2010-07-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

You shall not go out with haste . . . for the Lord will go before you,

and the God of Israel will be your rear guard Isaiah 52:12

"Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.

Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands,

and step out into the invincible future with Him."

Oswald Chambers

6 MONTHS!

2010-06-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

I just finished the best chapter in the Bible. Is it ok to say that? Don't take that as a theological statement or anything. I'm just feeling biased at the moment.

Revelation 22. [thats a huge hint to go read it.you won't be sorry] Its been a favorite for the last few months, and was a wonderful way to end this reading challenge.

Did you catch that? I just finished reading the Bible. And the fact that makes me the happiest is that a number of you have finished already as well. I'm curious how many of you really thought you could do it??

So far I have heard word that Leah (finished in 3 months), Anna (finished in 5 months),Angela, Laura, and Melinda have finished in 6 months. Would anyone else who's finished please comment! To all of you, I am blessed that you were blessed. And I deeply appreciate your accountability.

If you are not finished by midnight tonight ~~you are automatically disqualified and you lose!~~ please, please don't stop. =] Keep reading those deliciously large amounts of The Word. Keep on keeping on. We're still in this with you by prayer and accountability!

I kept wondering how we should end this. I thought about doing my first blog giveaway or having a drawing of some sorts. I finally decided-- I think all of us gained an incredible amount through reading the Scriptures. I don't want to take away from that. Nothing I can do in celebration of us reaching a goal, can really compare with that. So bloggy party?? Someday. But today lets just relish in God's goodness in the revelation of His written word and strive to share it with others. Please feel free to comment here on what blessed you the most during your journey through the Bible. Also, please link to your "finale" blog posts concerning the challenge. Thanks, thanks, and thanks!

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let him that heareth say, 'Come.' And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17

[ all the posts I ever posted regarding the challenge]

The Beginning...

2010-06-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

...And end of my modeling career ;o)

Choosing to Trust

2010-06-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

"When life hands us situations we cannot understand,

we have one of two choices.

We can wallow in misery, separated from God.

Or we can tell Him, 'I need You and Your presence in my life

more than I need understanding.

I choose You, Lord.

I trust You to give me understanding and an answer to all of my whys

only if and when You choose.'"

-Catherine Marshall

Counting Down!

2010-06-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

There is less than 1 week left for all of the 6-month-Bible-readers to finish on time!

I am in Hebrews and am simply basking in the richness of it and the books proceeding it.

I've spent this week sitting in a hospital room, next to the sweet elderly man I've been caring for the last few months. (When things are good I care for him at the assisted living--its been a bad week for the poor guy) Its been a sort of blessing in disguise to have that time to read the scriptures. Its amazing how through out these 6 months my circumstances have felt bathed in scripture. I often read in short intervals through out the day. God's perspective has been on my mind a whole lot more because of it. Thats what its all about isn't it? O to intimately know His heart more and more each day.

Later, peoples.

Peace.

2010-06-22T05:26:00.000-07:00

He Himself is our peace.

Ephesians 2:14

That's My Daddy.

2010-06-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

patient.
loving.
gentle.
manly.
strong.
wise.

careful.
faithful.
playful.

He's not perfect, But he's my daddy.
Happy Father's Day!

Meet Melinda

2010-06-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday!

I was just briefly going through my google feed reader when I came across my friend Melinda's post. In it, she very honestly, but sweetly shares of sister Rachel and their relationship. It blessed me this morning so I thought I would send my readers over to read it.

Interesting tidbit about Melinda and I. We met in Oregon. I was visiting a home fellowship one Sunday and I had shared where I was from. A couple (and their daughter, Rachel) came up to me afterwards asking me if I knew a family that used to be from my area. I did. Come to find out this couple was from Oklahoma! We kept talking and realized we had even more mutual friends (mostly thanks to the homeschool scene). It was such a treat to talk of friends from home after being away for several months. Anyways, Melinda's mom told me she had a daughter my age, so I gave her my contact info, sincerely hoping to hear from Melinda sometime. Melinda promptly emailed me... and the rest is history! Melinda is a sweet friend, and though we haven't gotten to spend as much time together as we would have liked, we stay in touch, and I'm thankful.

Go check out her blog.

I'm off to finish my laundry and cleaning this messy room so I can escape this afternoon to a quiet place somewhere to do ~~a little~~ a lot of Bible reading* and photo-editing.

*only eleven days left! where are you? how can I be praying for you?

Sit down...

2010-06-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

...We need to talk.

Ah, its ok. No one is getting spanked... unless you all rise up and decide I need a good one for leaving the blog unattended for going on two weeks with no explanation.... shame, shame on me.

But here's the scoop.

Two weeks ago I left on a ca-razy trip. The destination was the Oregon coast for a missions conference. The means of getting there... was the craziest [funnest] part of the whole gig. Its a whole post in itself. The conference was great. I have yet to discover how to summarize/describe a weekend like that in a single blog, with out actually live-blogging it. Hmmm... maybe I should look into that.

I'm back. I'm alive. And I'm trying to figure out what parts of the trip would be interesting enough to the world, that I should actually blog them. My sister also videoed me sharing a testimony in the ladies meeting. I have very mixed emotions about posting it. I'm undecided.

Now on to the current and more exciting news...

We are down to three weeks, Bible readers, three weeks!! The end of June will mark 6 months. And me oh my has it come quickly. Thats ok, and I'm excited to hear everyone's testimonies --whether it was victorious all the way, or struggles here and there. I know of a couple who have already finished. One accidentally chose a 3 month Bible plan and decided to stick with it--- and she really did finish in that time! Another one of you finished in 5 months! I'm blessed beyond what I can express, to hear/read of your desire for His Word. No matter the date you finish.

I thought maybe I should also mention...

If any of you are still subscribed to my old blog (everythoughtcaptive.wordpress.com) You may be getting posts in your feeder... that aren't from me. I handed the domain over to someone else who wanted to use the theme 'Every Thought Captive'. So that explains that... and the really cool templates the new inhabitant has been trying out that you may have noticed. Oh, and my archives from that blog have been moved to : kayleneelise.wordpress.com.

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!!

"...Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." Proverbs 30:8&9

No Place I'd Rather Be

2010-05-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

I'm excited that I'm excited to spend some time with Jesus tonight.
Because... Some days I do it because I know I should.
Some days I do it because I'm desperate.
Some days I just don't do it.
Some days I do it because I need to feel assured of His love.
But tonight. I do it because I feel I need to assure Him of mine.
Refocus. Deep breaths. Hand over the controls.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.

Search Me Out

2010-05-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

–As the Psalmist implies in Psalm 139 –

“Thou art the God of the early mornings, the God of the late at nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea; but my God, my soul has further horizons than the early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature. Thou Who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot trace, dreams I cannot get at–My God, search me out.”

by Oswald Chambers. (emphasize mine)

Fun Stuff

2010-05-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

hI've been given several blog awards in the last few days and I thought it would be fun to go ahead and acknowledge them here. I've been awarded a few over my blogging years (years?? I've been blogging for years?? Oh my.) but haven't always taken the time to post them and do the associated tag or assignment.

Blog awards don't necessarily represent prestige or rank in blogdom. They are more like just a fun ways to share your favorite blogs and, depict by the award you give them, why that blog is one of your favorites. Or thats the way it seems to me. But I for one, always feel a little special after receiving one. Between comments and blog awards, its fun to know people actually read what I write.

Abbie and Anna awarded me the 'You're going places, Baby' award. I'm with Anna, this has got to be the most unique I've ever had. Made me smile. The rules to this award are: Share where you see yourself in ten years and then award this to ten other bloggers.

In ten years I'll be 30. And that right there, is sorta hard to wrap my mind around. The last 5 years especially have been so unpredictable its hard to actually put in writing what I imagine myself doing/being in 10. But here goes! I would love to be married and have some kids by then. If not, I'd like to be on the mission field somewhere. To be oober specific, I would like to be found, in ten years, surrounded by bunches of little black babies who need me at least as much as I need them.

I award this to (because I see all of these people going places, leading purposeful lives):

Sarah H gave me this award:

- Post about the tag.
-Choose 5 bloggers who deserve this award.
-Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged, letting them know they were awarded.
-Answer the questions along with your post. (Omit questions you don’t want to answer)

1. Which do you prefer–Apples, Oranges, or Bananas?

Oranges. Is this supposed to say something about my personality?
2. How many siblings do you have?

Three. a brother and two sisters
3. Where do you live–a prairie, Woodland, city, or other?
Hmmm. I guess that would be prairie. Cuz its definitely not the other two.
4. What is something you enjoy doing with your family?
Playing banana-grams and watching movies. Spending time in the Word and prayer.
5. Is your room clean?
we're working on that. :)

6. Which would you prefer to vist–Italy, Greece, France, Spain, or England?
Mmmm. maybe Spain. I'm not picky.
7. What is a scripture that encourages you?

Just one? Ok. Psalm 138:8 "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
8. Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans?
Gum. I know, I'm weird for not saying chocolate, but I'm being honest!
9. What are your favorite types of books?

Missionary biographies. by far my favorite.
10. Which is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla.
11. If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be?

Potatoes. Potatoes. Potatoes.
12. Are you an outside or an inside person?
Depends.
13. Describe yourself in three words.
pretty. much. impossible.

14. What chore do you like to do the most?

this is by far the hardest question for this here lazy bum. I'm going to have to say cleaning toilets. Its not as degrading as it sounds. :)

This award goes to:

Sarah also gave me the following awards.

-State 5 random facts about yourself.
-Award 5 of your stylish blogging friends.

1. I like cars.

2. I love to fish.

3. I'm not a huge fan of shopping unless its shoe shopping.

4. I pretty much flunked Algebra 2 in highschool.

5. I have a mild form of computer geekiness but when it comes to a cable TV remote I'm totally lost.

There. Was that random enough? :)

I give to ye 5 bloggers:
Anna, Alexis, Abbie, Eden, Lauren

And now for one more fun thing. Ashleigh over at Heart and Home is having a giveaway week and today she's giving away some Thrive Coffee and a traveler's mug. Pretty cool giveaway-- go check it out!

To Oregon and Back....

2010-05-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

...in exactly one week.

I haven't done a picture post in quite awhile, and I took a bazillion or so photos on my trip last week, so I'd thought I'd post a few. The scenery on the way to Oregon, was scrumptious. The wedding was beautiful. And the company was, well... the company made the whole trip worth every cent and more. I'd take a week off work again in a heartbeat to be able to travel with my grandparents, attend my cousin's wedding, and fellowship with my dear friends in Bend, Oregon (where I took the Discipleship Training Program last year). Hope you can experience a tinge of my excitement and memories through these pictures.

Many thanks to my parents for loaning me the family vehicle for my trip. A tad bit of humor comes to play when you see its a minivan sporting a bumper sticker that says 'I love horses!' I happen to be the only one in my family whom that sticker does not speak for! But take note, a mini-van is the safest way for a young single gal to travel by herself. it seemed to scream 'married with kids'. Almost as good as having a man right next to you to protect you. Hehe.

These are my grandparents. They were so generous to let me ride along. (I drove a day by myself, to get to their house in Colorado and rode the rest of the way with them). It was so fun to hear family stories and share the memories of Ashley's wedding and meeting up with old friends. I was reminded of the godly heritage I've been blessed with. Their hearts for God are tried and true.

Meet Julie. She was assigned to me as my 'accountability partner' during the training program. I don't think either one of us knew to expect such a precious and long lasting friendship out of the deal. I'm so thankful for her wise counsel and the fun times we've had.I was thrilled to stay a night with her and her family and do a little catching up.

This is Ashley: in two photos she's pictured with her new hubby Jose, and the other one she's pictured with her dad, my Uncle Greg. She was a stunning bride and it was such a happy day.

I simply love to travel. Anyone want to take a trip? I promise it will be fun and interesting, and only occasionally embarrassing to travel with me. One night on our way back, we stopped in Ogden, Utah for the night. We went looking all over the place for a WalMart and much to my delight found a Super Target instead. It was almost closing time for them so it was kind of quiet for a big store. Oh and have I mentioned how much I love Super Target? Ehem, anyways. I buzzed through all the departments I love, out to prove I could do it in the same amount of time Grandma took to pick out her groceries. I finished and then tried to track her down. A nice young man with a red target apron asked me if he could help me find something. I was headed the opposite direction he was, but I slowly turned around as he made the offer and looked him in the eye. With many a mischievous thought running through my head, I said in a pitiful voice "Do you know where my grandma is?" He looked at me. Shook his head. and quietly said no. I purposefully laughed, hoping he would know I was teasing him. To this day, I'm not sure what was going through his head and it seems better left up to the imagination... So yeah, anyways... who's game? I'm ready to take another trip! :)

Oh and more pictures are here if you're interested.

Missing in Action Personel Reports

2010-05-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Well hello lovely people! I've returned from the short little silent spell with good news and happy things to share.

(1) I took a trip to Oregon for (2) my cousin's wedding and on the way there and back (3) I got completely caught up on my Bible reading! Then (4) while I was gone a shipment of graduation invitations came for one of my senior photography clients, and she was very happy with her pictures and cards. And I would have to say that (5) is just that the weather is simply divine right now. I'm so thankful winter is over.

There are tons of details and pictures I'd love to share right here and now about my trip up north, but it will have to wait. Thank you all for your patience with me, and my blog!

Catching Up . 4 .

2010-04-20T05:03:00.000-07:00

Something I was reminded of while going through Kings and Chronicles is that heaven is so not the point. King after king is named and their deeds recorded. Good kings, bad kings. A few lukewarm kings. But at the end of their lives all that mattered was whether or not they served God in the time they'd been given. The kings either "did what was right in the sight of the Lord." or "did evil in the sight of the Lord." We're never told whether or not their deeds or decisions to follow God landed them in heaven or not.

I feel like I could preach a sermon [gasp!] about how I believe the Gospel is being taught from the wrong perspective these days. It seems like we make whats important to us the emphasis, as though it were what is important to God.

Living forever. Seeing loved ones again. Streets of Gold.

We talk about being saved from Hell. We take about being separated from God forever. Both are true. But I've been thinking lately how its more important to realize, that Christ died and rose again to save me from myself. 'Myself' being that sin infested creature that can only be truly changed with a transformation starting from the inside, moving outward. My heart sometimes even deceives my mind. Without the Lord it is "desperately wicked", void of discerning truth and loving sincerely. Heaven is a mere stage in that transformation that must take place, but the transformation must begin now. I think the kings of the old testament are good reminders of that.

Chapters read since I last posted: 44

Strength of the Lord

2010-04-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

This old song sure puts everything going on in my life,

into the right perspective. Thankful this morning that I

can trust instead of trying and failing miserably.

I can rest instead of running and losing the race.

I can pray instead of endlessly worrying about the future.

Catching Up . 3 .

2010-04-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

27 Chapters. The books of history have some looooong chapters. Just sayin'. ;-) God's Word is amazing and reading it in these amounts makes it easier to see patterns and notice more about the way God works for and through His people.

In Honor of Tax Day

2010-04-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

[because paying my taxes is something I just really enjoy, and this day is so special to me *cough*]

I thought I'd take you to the archives. Two years ago, I gave you the play by play of my tax day. I go back and read it occasionally and laugh pretty hard remembering the details of that crazy day.

Don't go fishin' on tax return day.

This is my day,chronicled that all may learn from my mistakes.

9 AM Leave to fish with Grandpa and Bro.

9:15 AM Drive up to the lake and think”wow, I haven’t taken off on a weekday morning just for fun, in so long…and I really don’t have time for it, but hey I deserve the break.” (go ahead. roll your eyes.)

10 AM Catch a whopper of a 4.5″ Bass

12 PM come home to finish filling out taxes

3 PM leave to go to former employer to request replacement for lost w-2 form. grin and bear the ribbing from past co-workers about filing late.

4 PM finally have w-2. Attempt to finish up paper work as Dad and I pull into post office parking lot.

4:05 PM Meet up with someone in P.O. parking lot. Hadn’t seen these people in a while. we talked.

4:15 PM finds me tapping my dad on the shoulder and asking “hey, did you ask the postmistress if they’re stamping late today?”

4:16 PM Dad says no and I run inside to ask. ” NO. 4:30!” she says.

4:18 PM “Hmmm. Should I take the time to counsel this postmistress who seems to be overwhelmed by this question she’s undoubtedly been asked millions of times today?” (j/k this was the last thing on my mind.)

4:20 PM sitting in car trying to read and figure out the japanese directions on an american 1040 form.

4:22 PM dad’s back to help wrap this thing up. I write the check while I’m nodding my head in misunderstandment of what he’s explaining about what I did wrong.

4:25 PM cell phone rings {might i add, that cell phone service was down until that very moment this afternoon?} there’s a semi-plumberical emergency back at home. (something about a broken faucet, flooding bathroom)

4:26 PM Kaylene runs inside of post office so at least she’ll be inside of the locked door at 4:30.

4:28 PM borrow scissors, stapler and tape from the postmistress (wouldn’t ya know the envelope wouldn’t seal.)

4:29 PM post mistress counsels me. “You’ll be fine.”

4:30 PM My taxes are mailed.

Moral of the story: don’t go fishin’ on April 15th, or better yet and more commonly stated…don’t wait till the last minute to file your taxes.

This year I beat my record, but still got them in the mail on the very last day. I'm learning, slow but sure.
Photo caption: my photo, my pole, and my feet :)

Catching up . 2 .

2010-04-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

The devil's been a fightin'.

Just as I purposed to read more, a whole slough of shall we just say 'stresses' slammed me over the weekend.

I know for a fact it was the devil trying to get me down. Oh yeah. He was. I felt it way beyond the number of chapters I [didn't] read. Its a bigger battle and it goes on somewhere deep, deep inside of you and the circumstances you're placed in.

I would like to make a public, insincere apology to the enemy of this here reading challenge.

I'm sorry.

but no matter my personal failures-- In the end? You lose. My God reigns. That part's sincere.

Read over the weekend (or since last time I posted): somewhere around 40 chapters. Finished 1 Kings and into the next and a lot of Psalms. O. the beautiful Psalms.

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD:

my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

even thine altars, O LORD of hosts,

my King, and my God.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:

they will be still praising thee. Selah.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;

in whose heart are the ways of them.

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,

than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

-Excerpts of Psalm 84-

Catching Up . 1 .

2010-04-09T04:18:00.000-07:00

The last two days I've read 22 chapters. I finished up 2 Sam and am now in 1 Kings. I also read in the Psalms. A single sentence (a parenthetical one at that) put some issues in my heart and mind at rest. "For Thou, even Thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men." 1 Kings 8:39 How comforting, when I can't even reach the depths of my own motivations, emotions, and thoughts.

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Help!

2010-04-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone says it, and pretty much all the time. But can I just say? WHERE in the WORLD does 2010 think its going in such a hurry?? Seriously?

I had every intention of writing a post on the midway mark for the Bible Reading Challenge. I did. I did. I truly did. Just like I had every intention of writing my dear aunt a birthday note. ...Back in February. ...And still haven't gotten to it. *sigh*

But the time passing quickly is no excuse, because truthfully, time always passes quicker than we think it will.

So having gotten that squared away... Hows it going? Specifically, your Bible reading? I think now would be a good time for everyone who is still with us on the journey, to in one shape or form report their progress. Comment, post, email, etc... Please link to any posts in a comment below so I can be sure and read them and others will know you posted as well.

Any comments like ' You can do it! ' 'You're almost there! ' and ' We love you anyway!' would also be greatly appreciated. I'm kidding. That's just my lead-in to confirm that yes the rumors are true. I'm behind. And not just a couple of days. More like a couple of weeks.

I promised transparency and I asked it of you too. So I'm showing the innards here. I need ya'll to help me catch up. Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will be posting my progress every other day until I am caught up. I've said before, I don't want to water down the reading of God's Word by being so driven by 'amount', but honestly I've just not been disciplined in my schedule to really take time out for God's Word. (ever try to read it on the run? Yeah, thats me) And I think this will help me to be more deliberate. They may be really short posts.: "I read 15 chapters today. Feeling refreshed. The End." But knowing I have to write that, will really motivate me.

How did I get so far behind? Well for every legitimate excuse I can think of, I can also think of other activities (uh...hum, facebook, twitter, sleeping) that I could have cut back on and didn't. So they pretty much cancel each other out and leave me very much behind and need of an extra "push" to get me swinging again. I've been trying to wake up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to have more time to read. On work days this means getting up at 4:30. Um yes, prayer would be good.

So, so far today I have read 13 chapters. And I am feeling refreshed. Tired, but refreshed. Only the Lord. : )

2.8 months to go!! Who's still with me??

A Beautiful Thought

2010-04-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

"His timing,

His way of showing,
and the thing shown,
may not be at all according to the child's expectations.
But never mind.

The Father will give all the help His child needs,
will take him by the hand,
and the child will learn."

- Elisabeth Elliot

{photo- Tana Lee, the baby my family babysits during the week}

Matters of Fact . 7 .

2010-03-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

I have a twitter.

And its ok if you don't "follow" me, because then I can say things about you and you'll never know. Hah. Now I know March 28th, 2010 shall always be remembered."the day Kaylene's twitter follower-age exploded in numbers"

Slash kaylenelise. Find me.

Matters of Fact . 6 .

2010-03-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Ricedream is my milk of choice.

Its what I grew up on, and when I say "I'm pouring a glass of milk"
Rice milk is what I'm referring to.

Read more matters of fact

A Reader Shares

2010-03-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you all to Marcus. he's the real deal and a great friend to all who know him. There are several reasons why I have chosen this day and way of introducing him to you.

First of all, today was his birthday and I want to give him a personal shout out just to say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Second of all, he's got a great blog he's got going on over here that you would do well to visit.

Thirdly, he's really been an encouragement to me when it comes to my favorite topic as of late: evangelism. When I blogged about going door to door, Marcus emailed me and shared what had been on his heart. He incredibly graciously has allowed me to post parts of that letter. I can't help but think that it would be beneficial for my blog readers to read someone elses heart on this matter other than my own.

...The past few months God has really been working on my heart about telling others about Him. [a mutual friend] asked me to teach the youth on Sunday nights this past summer, and I really wanted to share with them what I feel that God placed on my heart. I was not very comfortable sharing the gospel with other people, and so I thought we could all learn more about it and practice sharing the gospel so that when God gave us the opportunity we could boldly share. I always thought that I did not know know enough or I would somehow mess it up when I shared the Gospel. As the weeks went by, I learned a lot and God really begin to change my attitude towards evangelism. I could do this, God had called me to do this, but I had to trust in him and open my mouth and let the Holy Spirit speak through me.

Jesus Christ was in Heaven, but he chose to come down to earth and humble himself to die for ME! He was willing to do that for me, but I was too afraid to open my mouth and tell the people I know and the people that live in my town about Him. There was something wrong with that picture...the fear of man was greater than my love for Christ. I told myself that cannot be...I LOVED Jesus and was so grateful for his free gift, but God kept working on my heart..."If you really love me, then why wont you tell others about me?"

I felt so guilty and ashamed, but God continued to work in my life and tell me that he still loved me and had chosen to die for me. Nothing I could do would seperate me from his love. His grace and mercy was more than enough and even though I have failed to share the Gospel with others in times where he has given me the opportunity, he has forgiven me for all the times I stayed quiet.

Anyways, I write all of this to say that I am in the same boat you are in about evangelism. I want to share the Gospel with other people. I want to tell the world of what Jesus had done and the free gift of eternal life. I know that we are in separate states and all, but if you ever want to get people together and go door to door to share the gospel let me know and I will be there if I can. ... If you go door to door while I am here at school text or call me and let me know so that I can partner with yall in prayer. There is a battle for souls going on right now in our world, we need to be bold and share the Truth with the lost.

This summer in our class we came across this quote that I thought was really cool. It really puts it into perspective that we should not be afraid to tell others about Jesus because if we don't tell them, they may not have another chance.

"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for." --Charles Spurgeon

See? You really should go read his blog and be encouraged. He hasn't been blogging long, but he even has a post about his own 6 month trek through the Bible which I recommend to my fellow Bible challenge readers as having some important insight.

Bible Readers Unite!!

2010-03-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading Update 3.19.10

The Psalms were my food this week. I ate real food too, but it wasn't what really filled me up, you know? The Psalms speak of God's faithfulness and they are, quite literally, God's faithfulness to me as I read them. Read that again. God's word says He's faithful, and the very words that say it, prove it. I'm not sure I give the thought's relevance justice by how I wrote it, but I know that what I meant to say, is truly incredible. Only the Lord.

I also detoured from my reading in the New Testament and read Ruth. I love the story of Ruth and God's faithfulness to her. This song I heard this morning sums up what I really am dwelling on from Ruth's story, and what I'm trying to grasp about every day life. "It may be unfulfilled . It may be unrestored, but when anything that's shattered is laid before the Lord ..." Listen here: Unredeemed" sung by Selah.

Its been lovely reading what ya'll are learning from the Lord. Forgive me for not leaving better record of the fact that I truly did read your post or comment. I've been a bad blogger/commentator.>spanks hand<

Love to all,
Kaylene

May it be so.

2010-03-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

"Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me;

lay any burden upon me, only sustain me;

and sever any tie, save the tie that binds

me to Thy heart, and to Thy service."

.David Livingstone.

"Be still and know that I am God."

2010-03-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

"Trust in Him at all times; ye people,

pour out your heart before Him..."

psalm 62:8

"Still, let me be still

Let me be okay

With the quiet in my heart

Still, I want to be still

I'm so quick to move

Instead of listening to You

Shut my mouth
Crush my pride

Give me the tears

Of a broken life

Still."

[lyrics-Watermark's 'Still']

May I Have Your Attention Please?

2010-03-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

I know today is almost over, but I just want ya'll to know its my sistah's birthday! She's 23 years old today. She's 2.5 years my senior so I've learned 90% of what I know from her. ;)

Happy Birthday, Jolynn!

And hey! Remember Harry? Some of you have asked how he's doing and if he might make another guest appearance on the blog.

Well in celebration of my sister's birthday, I thought I'd post pictures of just how well Harry and my sister (who was there during the whole medical emergency awhile back) get along with each other. uuuuhuh. quite nicely.*grin*

She's such a good sport. Being in a public place, we had numerous onlookers when I told her "kiss the snowman! kiss the snowman!" and she did. So now you know what really saved Harry. How romantic.

Farewell February

2010-02-28T19:40:00.000-08:00

Good riddance snow.

Bible Reading Update

2010-02-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

So much for the post-once-a-week-to-let-ya'll-know-how-its-going idea. But you. You all are amazing. Because between emails, blog posts, comments, and conversations in-person, you've left me encouraged and "accounted" for. Even during this busy spell I've maintained progress, though definitely not in the daily amounts I had hoped for. (the whole getting-ahead-of-the-game-by-reading-ten-chapters? not happening).

I'll admit, that because of the busyness, I don't always feel as focused in my reading as I would like to be, so you could pray for discipline for me in that area. I'm currently reading in Joshua and John. I've really enjoyed going through the Gospels. The next couple of weeks I will be filling in for a friend, teaching her Good News Club at the school.The Bible lessons I will be teaching the kids will be on the life of Christ, which is what I just got done studying! I like the way He thinks. :-)

Two things that are still prevalent in my mind, from my reading.

Old Testament:

I was pondering the death of Moses and the fact that after all he did in service to God, one mistake--just one!--kept him from the promised land. It shed new light on the need for Christ to pay the penalty for my sin. I've done so many things wrong, but even if I had the meekness of Moses (or his resume', if you will) I still wouldn't be good enough to enter the promised land. Not by works, lest any man should boast.

New Testament:

I was really sobered by the innocence of Christ and His unjustified death. Pilot said at least 3 times-- "He is innocent!". And the people raged on. I reflected on the second coming of Christ with a new sort of excitement. Not only will I be set free from the carnal, but JESUS who took MY guilt, will be vindicated. In some ways, that happened at the first resurrection. But at the second resurrection? Every knee shall bow.What a great example Christ is of humility and patience. He did not defend Himself-- He who had only good works to defend with. Someday those who mocked His kingship, will bow at His feet. For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

What has He been showing you??

[ insert synonym for busy ]

2010-02-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

Someone needs to invent another word for busy. I'm tired of using that as an excuse for not blogging.

This week has been simply hectic. There, that will work.

I should probably number the following like so: excuse # 1, excuse # 2 etc.. but I'm not going to. Because I don't like to think of it that way. I would rather just pretend that you all actually care about what it was that occupied my time.

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday I worked as a caretaker.

On Monday, Thursday, and Saturday I had EMS continuing ed.

On Wednesday I taught ESL.

On Thursday I had a job interview for working on an ambulance service.

On Friday I had a Senior photo shoot.

On Saturday I had an all day EMS class.

*EMS = emergency medical services

*ESL = english as a second langauge

So guess what. When I woke up this morning to find that the roads were icy and I would have to reschedule an engagement photo session, as well as another appointment that I had out of town, I was not in the least bit disappointed. I mean, I'm really tired. Imagine that. After my two hour nap this afternoon, and a good rest tonight, I ought to be ready to start another crazy busy week at 5:00 tomorrow morning.

To you who've emailed me in the past couple of weeks, and I have yet to respond-- sorry about that. I truly appreciate your thoughtful emails and what you have to share whether it be by way of email or comments. I don't deserve you. Ya'll are the best.

Update on Bible reading challenge to come. For now, here are some photos from Friday's photo shoot. Feedback (+ or -) welcome.

Jesus and the Olympic Opening Ceremony

2010-02-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

As I watched the faces of the athletes from the individual countries, I, along with the rest of the watching world, really got caught up in the moment. Can you imagine the privilege of walking beneath your country's flag, and personally representing the incredible initiative and hard work that it took to get there?

Now me--I don't really know how to say this-- but I'm an 'international' sort of person. I haven't traveled extensively, but I've never heard of a country I didn't want to personally meet. I find incredible beauty in different cultures and races. It was magnificent to see so many represented, in one place, for one purpose. Even if that purpose was just sports

I sat there watching and thinking.

Which of those smiling faces find their true satisfaction and joy, in Jesus? So many people, so many lost.

How amazing would it be, if they were gathering in the name of Jesus, instead of sports?

And then I started getting energized. I felt like singing at the top of my lungs "WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!"

Because, believe it or not, there is going to be a day like that.

Think about the the wonder (words fail me) of the privilege of being a part of the saints from every nation, someday marching under the banner of Christ and glorifying our Beloved and relishing His victory.

I just can't stop thinking about it.

What a day that will be. I can not wait.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;

on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;

brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;

brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.

We are not divided, all one body we,

one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Graphic Content : Medical Personel Only

2010-02-07T21:26:00.000-08:00

There are several contraindications for posting the following.

First of all, these are the first pictures I've posted since purchasing my new camera, and they lack the quality to adequately display the general amazingness of my new camera.

Second of all, HIPAA the national privacy act, very much dislikes publications of patient photos. In fact, the patient has every right to sue me.

Thirdly, the graphic nature brought embarrassment and horror when the pictures were taken and will no doubt be the cause of it when viewed.

But for your "entertainment", (if you can call it that) I will risk all. This is dedicated to my fellow EMTs. Viewer discretion is advised.

This is my sister and her friend Harold (Harry). The three of us were out to eat the other evening when the unthinkable happened.

I had just returned to our table from the ladies' room when I found Harry doing the universal sign for choking.

I quickly gathered my bearings --all of my training for Emergency Medical Work was filed in my brain for moments like this.

I didn't tell Harry that he was the first one I'd ever done the Heimlich maneuver on.

Harry is very small, but he is not a baby. So I was unsure of which procedure to perform. Thus the awkward hand positioning and worried expression. All of a sudden I realized we were dealing with syncope.

Soon we had a cardiac arrest on our hands.

I had my sister begin chest compressions as I prepared to do full blown CPR.

head-tilt-chin lift and then mouth-to-carrot

compressions (again, different arm position than normally, to avoid trauma to his small body.)

He started vomiting so we moved him to the recovery position.

At this point, I was really wishing for a suction device.

All seemed to be going ok. We were maintaining the airway, giving respirations, and he soon began to breath on his own again.

Fowler's semi-sitting position

He seemed to be making a speedy recovery. I kept checking on him and asking how he was feeling. One time, I looked over, and he was in the tripod position-- obviously struggling to breath.

Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. I may never be able to forgive myself for not being there at the right moment, to catch him. See, Harry started walking around, and fell right off the table. (Hypoxia can cause confusion because of lack of oxygen to the brain) I again rushed to his side, calling his name.

I held C-spine until the medics arrived.

I'm relieved to be able to report that Harry lived through that potentially fatal day, with only slight brain damage. [He now believes he is a snowman].

Please forgive me. I couldn't resist. ;)

Then The Lord Touched My Mouth (part 2)

2010-02-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

Note: Thanks to all, for your for your feedback via comments, email, or twitter. I'm truly appreciative, and I am considering all your thoughts. I respect even the differing ones. This is very much a journey for me that is not over yet. I fail more than I care to admit, at sharing the Gospel and taking every opportunity. The least I can do is share the experiences I've had, in hopes of encouraging others.

--------------------------------------------

Post 2 of 2

There's so much I want to say. Please bear with me.

With the undeniable realization that I needed to be a bolder witness, came feelings of inadequacy. Not the sort that bring feelings of failure necessarily, but rather the kind that motivate. Because of this and multiple other ways that God was leading in, my parents and I began praying more about me attending Shield of Faith Missions Int'l discipleship program. The decision became final as the Lord worked in providential ways for me to go. I moved to Oregon for 7 months. [obviously, nobody needs to go to this extent to be "qualified" to share the Gospel--this is just how the Lord led].

In the first couple of weeks of the training program, my classmates and I were to go door-to-door witnessing. My initial thoughts before we went the first time were that though it sounded awkward, it was something I had signed up for. So I would attempt it whole-heartedly. I wondered though, wouldn't people just lump us in with religious groups that were known for going door-to-door? We are so very different, yet here we are doing something the others are known for.

My prayer was that the Lord would impress on my heart, that He wanted me to do this. It being something the Holy Spirit must lead in, I didn't want to go along with it as merely as a "class requirement".

Obedience

The first time we went, I was not expecting the feelings of dread that washed over me. It physically weighed me down. I puzzled over it and tossed thoughts back and forth in my mind, in between knocking and doors being shut in our faces.

Am I afraid of what people are thinking? Is this what spiritual warfare feels like? Is it God, telling me this isn't the way it should be done? Is it because I'm "showing up" without calling first? Am I trespassing? Is it because I'm an American and they are Americans, and this is simply not appropriate in our culture? Isn't it a bad testimony to do as the Mormons do?

I wracked my brain for verses to support what we were doing.When we finished that day, I was sick to my stomach. I was still confused about some things, but sure that "Thou shalt not go door-to-door" should have been the 11th commandment. Moses had fallen down on the job.

I went home that evening and begged God that if this was of Him, I needed to see it in His Word. I opened my Bible. I didn't open it to where I had been reading in my daily reading, and with no previous thought of scriptures that might apply to the situation, my hands opened to and my eyes rested on the passage where Jesus tells a couple of His disciples "Follow me. And I will make you fishers of men." Over the next week, I studied how the disciples followed Him.

I also talked to my accountability partner (part of the program, but also a woman who was to become one of my dearest friends) and expressed my struggles. She nodded her head knowingly as I spilled, but then asked "What if you had baked some bread and offered it to every one of those people, instead of the Gospel?" She asked me if I would have felt like I was trespassing then. It finally hit home-- and shook me up a little over the next few days. The quality of my faith was being tested. If I truly believed those people were going to Hell if they didn't receive Christ, then what is a loaf of bread compared to CHRIST?!

The call was clear. The way was still blurry. I prayed for grace to obey. I went door to door several more times. It still didn'tseem to be my personality. But it got "easier" each time. I read and read and read the Scriptures. God taught me about fear of man vs. fear of God. I learned about how prayer alters attitudes and perspectives. Not to mention circumstance and conversation.

At first I simply did it out of obedience to the call. God taught me that it is enough to follow Him. and that He will make me a fisher of men.

Reward

I wish I had time to type all the stories of people we met. We usually went out on a bi-weekly basis (one day on the street downtown, another going door to door.) We didn't promote a church or denomination. We promoted Jesus. We had tracts that we offered to everyone. Our goal was to use them as a tool to initiate conversation and provoke thought, should we not be given a chance to speak. In the entire 6 months, we never had someone 'pray the prayer'. Because we didn't encourage it. Our goal was to turn their hearts toward a God and his Word Who could answer their questions and could save them from the road they were on and the devastation it leads to. We weren't looking for emotional decisions, we were looking to plant seeds, and yes harvest, but only if the fruit was ripe. Basically, this is what I say to people (many, of whom are Christians) who accuse us of "shoving Christianity down someone's throat".

Because we were in an area where athiests and new-agers were more common than professing Christians, we often would start the conversation with "do you believe in God?". Sometimes the curt reply was followed by the door being quickly shut in our faces. We heard some of the undoubtedly lamest excuses ever for being too busy to talk. (ok, yes we've all made them :)

And then there were those people who said "I was just thinking about this", or "my buddies and I were just having a discussion about God the other night" and incredible conversations would follow. We experienced the work of the Holy Spirit when we said things and found scriptures, we didn't even know we knew. I remember one time in particular when, after we had stated our reason for being on their porch, their jaws dropped.They had just been talking to each other about how God was drawing them, and they knew they had come to a fork in the road and must decide. The timing of God leading us to certain doors, left us in awe. Week after week we had assurance that God was in what we were doing.

Please note. There is a wrong way to go door-to-door. It is not my goal in this post, to teach someone how-to. But just as we tell Athiests not to let a bad experience prove there is no God, so I ask you, if you've had a bad experience with door to door-ing, don't brush off the potential that remains.

I could go on. And on. But I shall close with this. Its very important and must be grasped for you to understand where I'm coming from. Going 'door to door' isn't the crux of the matter. Speaking the Gospel is. I just figured the example of us trainees standing on street corners with huge Jesus signs would be a little much. ;-) My point is, however its done, wherever its done, is mostly irrelevant to the topic that is really on my heart to share with you. Our actions do speak so think about this: You know your self, your weaknesses and failures. If your friends or acquaintances only see your actions, but never hear of your God, where do you think they are going to spend eternity? Though its something we daily strive for as Christians, I know my actions aren't enough to reflect the perfect Son of God.

If you talk about everything and everyone else you love, why not Jesus?

Jeremiah 1

⁶Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. ⁷But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. ⁸Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. ⁹Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

Baby Steps (Part 1)

2010-02-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

Post 1 of 2 - Learning to Share
Read: Matthew 10:16-33

My first exposure to door-to-door witnessing came at a young age. Two men, nicely dressed in white button up shirts and ties and bearing backpacks, knocking on our front door. For most, I won't even need to explain. You've probably seen them riding their bikes down a street near you. (Pardon the stereo-type)

I don't claim to know a whole lot about what Jehovah Witnesses believe, though more recently, I can at least claim to have talked to a couple of them for more than a couple hours which was obviously very revealing. But back then I didn't know much at all about what they believed except that they thought they could earn their salvation by telling others to go out and tell others to get saved. Or something like that.
[Edit: Mom says they were Mormons (LDS), I stand corrected. Thats what I get for stero-typing. Hehe. Their beliefs about salvation are similiar I think, but I guess its the Mormons who ride bikes typically. ;-) We've had Jehovah Witnesses come to our door a couple of times too.]

As my mom explained to the ones at our door that day, that we were Christians and that they happened to be knocking on a parsonage door-- I stood behind her, listening and wondering. I couldn't swallow the irony. We were the ones with the Good News. Who should be knocking on whose door?

Fast forward a couple of years, and you will find me just starting out in the working world and striving to find the balance of living in the world but not of it. I often fell under conviction, that though I was confident of the Lord's work in my life, I was not confident to speak of it or give Him glory in places I thought I might be ridiculed, or horror, in places I might be considered to be "weird" if I did. I'm not saying [my taking a bold stand] never happened, but its an embarrassing amount compared to the opportunities I had, that I didn't take.

In the summer of 2008 I took a couple days off work and attended a Voice of the Martyrs Conference. I sat there listening to the testimonies of those Christians who had died for their faith, praying that the Lord would give me grace should there ever be a time I had to endure severe persecution for the name of Christ. By the last session I was in tears, overwhelmed by the clarity of the call I had been smothering. It was, simply, to speak the Gospel. At this point, I knew, that no matter what case others and myself could give, fear of man was the ultimate reason I had not been free to share what was so clearly put on my heart. If I wasn't brave enough to speak His name, how could I be bold enough to die for His name?

I prayed, oh how I prayed, that the fervency I felt wouldn't leave me as I returned to work and the normalcy of daily life. It weakened, but it didn't leave. I remember being more apt to offer to pray for my patients and more than willing to pull out the Gideon Bible from their nightstand and encourage them to read it. Baby steps, but the story isn't over.

I'll post the rest soon. I know this is an uncomfortable topic for some. Feel free to be a silent bystander as I post, and others discuss. But this part of my story and what I came to realize, aren't mere matters of opinion. God says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:32&33

The People Have Spoken.

2010-01-31T17:19:00.000-08:00

I posed the question "Would you participate in Door-to-Door Evangelism?" to you all, and I'm here to share the results. Thank you, thank you for voting. I really was curious to get your feedback.

So without ado... The results.

Would you Participate in Door to Door Evangelism?
Maybe.

10 (22%)
Absolutely!

14 (31%)
Yes, and I have

9 (20%)
Nope, thats for Jehovah Witnesses

3 (6%)
Its not my personality.

3 (6%)
Other -explain in a comment

5 (11%)

Total Votes: 44

You Maybes out there, I hope to brainwash ;)

You Absolutelys, how can I find you so we can go together? The same goes for you Yes and I haves.

You Nope thats for Jehovah Witnesses, join the party that I just left. :)

And for those Its not my personality peoples, you might be interested to know that this is the most common reply I get when I mention vocal evangelism to Christians.

You Others that emailed me or left a comment voiced some reasoning I've used myself.

Now, I wasn't trying to trip you up. There wasn't any right or wrong answer necessarily. I sincerely thank you for being honest. Buuuuut, I do have an opinion [surprise,surprise...ok, not really a surprise] and I plan to share with you what I would have voted, had I voted [For those of you who haven't already figured it out. heh]. So keep an eye out.

But seriously, those of you who are all for it, WHERE ARE YOU? Because I've done some looking, and I was beginning to wonder if we even exist. Kidding. Kinda. I've met a few. But very, very few and even fewer in my hometown.

Ok. Ready or not. More soon.

"Hundreds Gather to Protest Global Warming"

2010-01-28T11:58:00.000-08:00

....One of the few email forwards I was glad I opened. :)

Its snowing like crazy here right now.
For you snowmen and women out there,
you have nothing to worry about.

Today is Her Birthday

2010-01-27T13:29:00.000-08:00

Hopefully everybody has a friend like Anna. She's the kind of person you can be yourself around, even if you're loud and silly. If you ever feel like talking about yourself, go have a chat with her, because she gives you all the opportunity you need to spill life's joys and trials. You'll leave still wondering what she's been up to lately, because for the last 5 hours, you've talked about you.

5 and half years ago -- though I can't believe its been that long-- her dad flew her, my dad, and I out to Zion Nat'l Park in Utah and we had a 3 day hiking and rappelling adventure. Even those moments when I thought I was going to die, I look back on with fondness. : ) Good memories. Good friends.

[Song: You've Got a Friend in Me]

Some of my best adventures ever have been with Anna-- Everything from rappelling to "fighting" over potato chip flavors. I hope we have many more. : )
Happy Birthday Anna! Hope this years your best yet!
Love Always,
Kaylene

My life I Give, Henceforth to Live

2010-01-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

I read an obituary in the paper today that made me smile. Whats with that? An obituary making someone smile?

It was for a 50 something year old man with Down Syndrome. The picture showed a cheery smile, a kind face.

It said he "enjoyed flopping his newspaper, drinking his Dr Pepper and going to worship. He enjoyed a very simple life and was a constant reminder to never take things for granted. He loved life and being with his family."

It made me smile, and then it nearly made me cry for his family and friends. A family I've never met, friends who I don't know who they are. Yet somehow, by this short story, I had seen a glimpse of his life and what they all must be missing right now.

I wondered how many people would read his story and put it in the "successful people" category.

I wondered how many kids would read his story and say "I want to be like him, when I grow up."

I figured, not many.

Yet, I wondered how many people would be inspired by his story, touched by his smile, and moved by his testimony.

I figured, more than a few.

I wonder if we limit ourselves when we imagine that success is defined by popularity, indepenence, and A+'s.

I wonder if, when I die, people will remember whether or not I had a degree; or if instead they will remember whether or not I smiled a lot and how I treated other people. Did she talk about "me" or Jesus? And if she talked about Jesus, did she walk the talk?

I figure that though a lot of people have a lot of opinions as to what success might should look like, true success is actually very simple. Its being that person God created you to be. Its the person you already are, excelled to the limit.

I desire to succeed. But the only mold I want to fit in, is Christ's. I want to bear a quiet impact on the world and blow the limitations we've put on success at the same time. Taking a day at a time-- Lord use me.

You Think You've Got it Rough

2010-01-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

Bible Reading Challenge 1.26.10

I was behind most of last week on my reading. I think, if I've calculated right, I'm at least mostly caught up. I'm reading in Numbers and Matthew right now. Leviticus was a good challenge for me. I was struck by how many times God told the people "I AM THE LORD" following giving them a command. I was reminded that the very fact that He is LORD is enough of a reason to obey. I don't have to understand, I don't have to have all my questions answered first. Obedience is what opens the door for understanding.

“All God’s revelations are sealed to us until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God’s truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it. Obey God in the thing He is at present showing you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. We read tomes on the work of the Holy Spirit when… five minutes of drastic obedience would make things clear as a sunbeam. We say, “I suppose I shall understand these things some day.” You can understand them now: it is not study that does it, but obedience. The tiniest fragment of obedience, and heaven opens up and the profoundest truths of God are yours straight away. God will never reveal more truth about Himself till you obey what you know already. Beware of being wise and prudent." .Oswald Chambers.

I really don't have a good reason as to why I have been behind, but let me tell you, there are some who do have reason, and for all I know they are caught up and maybe ahead, I'm not sure.

Sarah K. one of our participants, is enduring a painful trial right now.She's a sweet friend, whom I know personally. She's been faithful to email me once a week to let me know how her Bible reading is going. A week or so ago she burnt her hand with boiling water and steam. She has 3rd degree burns and is in the stage of recovery that is extremely painful. Pray for pain relief and for her spiritual vigor to endure through this trial.

Kate had a baby girl! She is absolutely a doll, according to pictures. Her blog is set to private, but she enjoys meeting new people so if you send her a request I'm pretty sure she'll approve you. Can you imagine doing all this reading with a newborn? Well, like I said, I don't know where she's at in her reading, but the fact that she started out with the intention of reading that much, is bravery to me.

Also Renate (find all these names in the sidebar for their links) is attending her first semester of college and attempting the reading challenge. I think so many of you have more on your plate than I do, which is really inspiring to me. Pray for each other-- pray for me! :-)

Blessings,

Kaylene

PS... If you haven't already, you only have 4 days left to vote on the poll. Thanks to those of you who have voted and even let me know who you were and why you voted what you voted. Interesting results to say the least. I plan to share with you why I chose that topic, my personal testimony, and what I would have voted if I had voted. So be watching for some more opportunity to discuss the subject!

The Heart of God is For Yours

2010-01-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

Although I've always considered the 'Ten Commandments' general rules to live by, the Old Testament used to seem like an exception to "God is the same today, as He was yesterday". There was somewhat of disconnect, in my mind, between the Christ who called for surrender of our lives and the God who called for sacrifice of animals. And yet, when put in that way, I can see [now] that the common denominator is m.y. h.e.a.r.t. God wants our hearts. Sacrifice, surrender... they speak of the same attitude.

I think the first time it really clicked for me was when I was reading in Exodus a couple of years ago.

This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD..." Ex. 35:3-5

Lip Service
By the time Christ came to earth and even before, there was also a big disconnect in the Jews' minds, which led to a huge disconnect between their hearts and the very heart of God. The god the Jews worshiped was not the same God who had commanded them those years ago "take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart..." And regardless of the countless times God had told them "I the Lord do sanctify them." "I am the Lord which hallow you..." They treated and lived the law, as if it was the law, that sanctified them. Jesus said that Isaiah was right when he wrote "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me..."

The consequence? They missed knowing Jesus.

Heart Service
Recognize the potential for disconnect and do all you can to avoid it. Namely, let your motivation in keeping God's commandments be pure. Choose you this day, sweet communion or fatal bondage. Surrender because you can't love with out Him. Obey because you love Him (because you love Him you will obey Him.) Sacrifice, because He is Lord and worthy of every heart-felt offering.

Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me...

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me with thy free spirit...

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:

thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:

a broken and a contrite heart,

O God, thou wilt not despise...

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,

with burnt offering and whole burnt offering:

then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

[excerpts of Psalm 51]

Dear Haiti, Hope Has a Name

2010-01-22T18:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Haiti,

There is a Tower that never crumbles. His name is Jesus.

We can have Hope. His name is Jesus

We can have Life. His name is Jesus. Pray for Life for Haiti.

Matters of Fact . 5 .

2010-01-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

200,000 miles on a car is embarrassing. 344,769 is just down right impressive.

But since most of them were driven by someone else who took extremely good care of everything about the car, and then gave me a steal of a deal when I bought it from him-- I guess its his bragging right, not mine.

Matters of Fact . 4 .

2010-01-18T14:37:00.000-08:00

If I have a bad side, the way to get on it, is to tell me I'm spoon fed.

I acknowledge those who have had an influence and impact in my life, but I refute anyone claiming that those people are the lone reason I keep on believing. I have a brain and a heart of my own, thank you . And by the grace of God I've received and fully believe in the saving power of His plan of redemption and everything that decision entails. ["Work out your own salvation..."]

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

Post Of Divers Topics

2010-01-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

(hows that for a title? Tried to be more original than "random topics" you know.)

Bible Reading Challenge 1.14.10
Sarah K., who is one of the participants in our challenge, has been emailing me her progress and thoughts. I want to share this thought of hers with you all.

"Over the last few years I have come to realize that it is ok if one doesn't 'make it through the bible in a year' or in half a year for that matter. The important thing is that we are constantly in His word, seeking Him, studying who He is, and most importantly knowing Him. I think it is easy for people to get caught up in a 'Challenge' and I think that is one of the main reasons people fail to complete their year or half year of reading. If you just view it as a challenge, once the novelty of that wears off, you have no more motivation."

By way of a word of caution, I would just like to say, she's right.

Also, I read this the other day and thought it was a perfect article to help keep us on the right track during this challenge. By the way, we have 3 new participants. Please remember to be in prayer for each other. We don't want this to be an exericise or mere accomplishment of discipline.

Regardless of the fact that I'm a few emails behind in life, I'm taking a short trip over the weekend. I'm happily leaving my computer behind, so you won't be seeing much of me.

Please vote in my poll in the sidebar. Feel free to expound in a comment below. When I say I'm curious, its because I can think of no stronger word that means the same thing. =)

Before I sign off I want to acknowledge and remind you to pray... I know I am not alone when I say, my heart is burdened for the people of Haiti and those lives who've been impacted by the trauma. I'm far removed from the reality that is devastation for so many right now. Yet my mind is left reeling from graphic images and my heart hurts... and so I pray. May people turn to Jesus because of it all.

Matters of Fact . 3 .

2010-01-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was born in the country of Turkey

and the month of November.

Some call me "Turk"

Matters of Fact . 2 .

2010-01-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, indeed. I am admitting in a ~~some what public~~ ok, very public place, that ...

Monster's Inc is one of few movies I've willingly watched more than 3 times.

"I'm resisting you. I don't wanna like you!!"

Matters of Fact . 1 .

2010-01-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

I rarely--if ever--wear high heels because my ankles pop when I walk in them. (not to mention my fear of heights and falling)

[and thus ensues a series of posts for the easily excitable and in hopes to disspell and/or confirm rumors regarding my state of mind.]

Better Homes and Garden's Guide to ... Courtship?

2010-01-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

I think the love story of Isaac and Rebekah is a beautiful one. Unarguably.

But if you don't mind me sharing a pet peeve ...

Every time I hear it used as a model for "Biblical courtship" I cringe. And even more, when I see those attempting to replicate it.

With the failure of the dating system came a generation seeking an alternative. We turned to scriptures for guidance (which it gives) and specifications (which it does not).

I don't believe God gave us a play by play. And as much as we think one might help us in our 'quest for love', surely God truly knows best and thats why He didn't give us one. Therefore, I think we should be minimalists when writing "How-to" books, giving advice, or laying down the rules.

However... [ read more]

believe it or not, I find my own opinion on this matter to be annoying and even restricting at times.(not because its not truth, but because of my human tendency to get off balance). I found that having stepped outside of one "box" I had stepped into another. Every time I read the story I remembered the way it had been misused. I was distracted from its worth and message.

Well, I read it again the other day. This time sincerely hoping and praying for a fresh perspective.

I saw some fundamentals that no Christian should ignore or down play. And of all things, they have nothing to do with how much the parents should be involved in a courtship relationship. *wink*

:: Abraham wanted and believed his son should be equally yoked. He went to some extreme measures to assure that it happened.

"Thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: but thou shalt go unto my country..." vs.3&4

:: Rebekah had a servant's heart. The essence of the Proverb's 31 woman.

"And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted... And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. [note: camels drink a. l.ot.] And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. vs.18 & 20

:: Abraham had faith. Not in his servant, but in the Lord. Isaac must have had faith too, to be a 40 year old man who let his father's servant choose for him. (amen?)

"And the servant said unto him, peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land...? And Abraham said unto him...The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence." vs. 7

:: Their faith was rewarded by God's unquestionable guidance. Prayer and the answer thereof.

The servant said, "...I bowed down my hear, and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham which had led me in the right way..." vs. 48

As you can see, each of these relate to not only courtship and marriage, but other areas of life as well. Maybe I am splitting hairs when I say that these aren't specifications for courtship. All I know, is that these are all principles we see through out scripture. For that reason, I feel fairly confident in saying, "And this goes for all of you." Rules and grid-lines bring us temporary peace. But God wants our utter dependence to be on Him, not a bullet point outline. The result? Everlasting peace in knowing that we truly did it God's way.

I'll limit myself to only one disclaimer: I do believe parents should be involved when possible. I do not believe this is a commandment, but rather a measure taken because of wisdom and dare I say, logic. (along with scriptures which tell us to honor our parents so that we'll live longer and heed their advice as it is wisdom.) I do not find this principle being taught in this passage. Abraham's involvement was to trust in the Lord (good) and to send a servant to pick a wife for his only son. (um, no thank you?)

Which extreme to do you lean towards? What other fundamentals do you see in this passage? Hash it all out and get back with me.

Weighing In

2010-01-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Bible Reading Challenge 1.09.10 + ten million other things I'm thinking about right now.

Hello my friends,

How has the new year been for you thus far? Blogging time has gotten away from me, but I'm very thankful for the amount of work hours I've had. And the amount of reading time!

I'm on in to Exodus at the moment. I'm always challenged by how the Lord used Moses, even though he showed signs of unwillingness and complained of incompetence. Its the Lord who gives purpose and grants success.

I'm excited for the fact that I've been reading reports of several participants who are already experiencing growth and encouragement from their reading. And I can most definitely say the same.

This happens a lot in my reading, but I'm hung up on a particular story back in Genesis-- The all too familiar Isaac and Rebekah story. I think I may post my thoughts on that in its own post. We'll see.

I'm making headway with my memory work -- the first chapter of James has proved to be a good sort of challenge to me spiritually, more than it is mentally challenging to memorize. Uh, does that make any sense?

Please be in prayer for my friends Marcus, Laura, Daniel, and Alana. They just headed off to Nepal with three others, to minister to youth by way of discipleship themed conferences. As there are a lot of unknowns about their trip, I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Also, please note that today is my lovely friend Laura's 23rd birthday. And yes, she's the Laura that just left for Nepal. So since I won't get to say this personally, I'll say it with the whole world reading-- Happy birthday abroad, Laura Lou!

Ok, back to the reading challenge-- If you've posted about how its going ,why don't you leave a link to it in a comment below. Thanks to those of you who've emailed-- Hope to send a return note soon. If you would rather email then comment or post, feel free to help yourself stay accountable and encourage me at the same time : kaylenelise[at]yahoo.com (or if you happen to have my private email thats fine too)

PS... Don't save Leviticus for last. Or Numbers for that matter. Just a suggestion. ;)

I'm Grateful

2010-01-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

Many hellos and too many goodbyes

pain. mistakes. joy. overcoming.

Reminiscent of the year 2009

Family and friends. The Discipleship program. Living with the Grandparentals. A truckload of Propel. Street and door to door evangelism. Saying a temporary good bye to Uncle Chuck. Carenet pregnancy centers. Meeting new people. The Coast. [my f.a.v.o.r.i.t.e. place on earth] Eating fresh crab for the first time. [it was h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e.] Bought another Honda. Laura comes to visit. Mission conferences. Meaningful time with missionaries. Thousands of photos. 6 months away from home. Driving with my bro, 1500 miles cross country- going home. Camp nurse for Good News Camp. Fourth trip to Mexico in 3 years. Home again. Back to Oregon for Family vaca. Home again. Trips to the city with Alana. Home again. Caregiver for the elderly. Colorado for Thanksgiving. Home again.

Welcome to Twenty-Ten

2010-01-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

I realize not all my blog readers are participating in the Bible Reading Challenge. I think I've said before I don't think its something everyone should do. One reason being that its hard to do in depth word studies when we place a time restriction on ourselves. The most important thing is that all of us are in The Word daily. How much?-- Well, thats between you and Him.

But keeping in mind that not everyone is doing "our challenge", I hope to keep a fair balance of posts on other topics-- though I hope you all can gain from our journey through the Bible.

Remember friends, as we're headed into this new year, that God is seeing the big picture that we are not. Pray for the Lord to give you a revelation of eternity. Pursue those things of eternal value. I've run across a few links over the last few days, that I deem worthy to be pondered and shared. All pertain, in my opinion, to the start of a new year as we re-focus our hearts and minds on new or revised (and hopefully worthy) goals and ambitions.

10 predictions for 2010 --a short list that helps "keep it all in perspective".
When Social Media is Distracting -- A thought provoking look at virtual versus personable communication

Death is Not Dying -- The testimony of a woman who passed away from cancer last July. I highly recommend watching this. Take the time, sit down (maybe even with a pen and paper), and listen to these incredibly wise words. If this doesn't help give you eternal perspective, I don't know what will. It will inspire you in your Bible reading. It convicted me even more of my lack of a servant's heart. (HT: hope road blog)

Through trials and joys-- may this be the best year yet. Cheers to 2010!

And we're off!

2010-01-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

You all have done so well with spreading The Word. I'm excited that twenty two (!) of you and your friends have joined me in the Bible reading challenge. I'm motivated and challenged when I think about each of you individually being willing and motivated to pursue the Lord in this way. I'm praying for you as we begin this challenge. Be sure and comment, post on your own blog, or email me to let me know how its going for you! Also, check out each other's journey by clicking the names of particpants in my sidebar. I think you will find them inspiring.

I'm off to a fairly good start to my Bible Reading. I decided to go ahead and start in Genesis and maybe here pretty soon, split part of my reading up and read somewhere in the New Testament as well. I'm amazed because everytime I start Genesis, I have expectations of being bored with a book I've read so many times. How foolish I am. I see something new e.v.e.r.y. time.

I'm also going to attempt 365 verses in a year-- a challenge Melinda is doing over at her blog. I'm going to start off with the book of James. This book and I have a love/hate relationship. Intending no disrespect, I only mean that the truth both hurts and yet gives guidance and peace. I love the beauty of that paradox. James constantly puts me in my rightful place. As I was previewing the verses I plan to memorize the following ones struck me as very very important to those of us who are committing ourselves to the reading of The Word. James 1:21-25:

herefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with

meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass: For he behold himself and goeth

his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

But whoso looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth

therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

A needful reminder, yes? May God bless the reading of His Word!!

Looking Forward

2009-12-30T11:32:00.000-08:00

Like I said, I'm pretty bad at keeping resolutions. But I'm really, really good at making them. So naturally I have this impulse to write out a new year's "priority list". I've got a lot of purposeful statements floating around in my head. Some of them are depressing, because they were on this year's mental list and didn't get accomplished. Others (well, all of them really) I realize just aren't happening, until I fully surrender that area to God. For some reason that simple lesson seems to take a whole life to learn.

My thinking and plans for 2010 go something along the lines of: Exercising more, drinking more water, eating healthier. hehe.. the normal stuff you see on a list of resolutions. But there are some heavier ones too, like: Speaking less, doing more. Using my time more purposefully. Maybe see if life goes just as well, if I complain and worry ~~a little~~ a lot less. (its gotten so bad that I complain that I complain too much.) Eradicating selfishness. Yeah, all of that and more. So basically, I'm on the transplant list for a servant's heart. Prayer would be nice.

What are you're thoughts for the New Year? Or are you a resolution maker?

My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.

I see the things You do through me as great things I have done.

And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me

and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.

I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up,

when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,

how far will forgiveness abound?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face,

You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."

photo- "trainees- kaylene sam alexis t.j." by Soryn V.

song- "grace" by Laura Story

Because I love them

2009-12-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

...And because I think they're special, I must take time out from my regular posting to bring to your attention a most notable date and to introduce to you these two lovely people (if you don't already know them). Today makes exactly 24 years ago that my parents, Ken and Marcy, got married. (the picture was taken just a little more than 24 years ago, I think)

As handsome of a couple as they are (they sure are pretty people, aren't they?) this is not their greatest attribute. They both strive to please the Lord in their relationship and how they've raised us kids. That is their greatest attribute, for which I am deeply grateful and forever indebted. On that train of thought, this could be a very long post, so I'll just leave it at that and without further ado, I would just like to wish my parents a very....

Happy Anniversary!

Bible Image

2009-12-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Here's the code the for the Bible Reading Challenge image for your sidebar. Simply copy & paste:

<center><a href="http://kayleneonline.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-hereby-resolve.html"> <img style="width: 180px; height: 183px;"src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j89/kaylene-pics/bible2.png"/></a>
<center>

Countdown!

2009-12-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

Only 4 days 'til we start our Bible reading challenge. I'm really looking forward to getting started. If you haven't already, you're welcome to join us! In fact, you can join at any time even after January 1 as long as you don't mind reading extra so you can be sure and finish with us by July 1.

This is the best reading checklist I found online. I strongly suggest printing it off, or one like it, and marking as you go. This gives you liberty to do a little bit of skipping around without losing track of what you've already read. Plus I find it motivating to have a "picture" of progress (or lack thereof- hehe).

Please be in prayer going into this. I wasn't kidding when I said Satan's going to fight you on this. He uses the smallest things to distract from this very important element in your relationship with God. Blessings on everyone's new year!

Will you hear the call?

2009-12-24T14:31:00.001-08:00

Facebook 2009 Re-lived

2009-12-21T17:51:00.000-08:00

I actually started out the year, as somewhat new to Facebook.

I'd been known to say that Facebook was taking over the world,

and I would be the last to succumb. I wasn't.

Here for your enjoyment and pleasure and education, is a sampling of my statuses of 2009.

[Click to make it bigger...]

No Need for Pepper Spray

2009-12-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

The safest way for a young woman to travel alone, is for her to have a Starbuck's Caramel Brulee Frap in hand. This distracts from her personal appearance and vulnerability. Sinister plans are disarmed. Potential interest and affection transferred. Admiration shifted. True love defined.

The crowd silently parts-- all eyes fixed on the coveted beverage. Calmly and gently remind stalkers and those who may approach you, where the nearest Starbucks is.

I'm not just kidding with you. As I write this, the Continental Express check-in person is staring at me my Caramel Brulee. This is by far the most effective way to make yourself invisible.

picture credit

Merry Christmas or Christmas?

2009-12-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

So the last few Christmases there has been this major battle about keeping Christ in Christmas. And here we are again--Christmas time and lawsuits. I'm not going to lie or beat around the bush: I don't really think its an important cause to join. Hear me out. (Or read me out, however its ~~said~~ written.)

I think its ironic that we as Christians are trying so hard to keep something in Christmas, that wasn't there to begin with. Some of you may have heard of the pagan roots of Christmas? Let's face it. its true. Christ was "implemented" so the religious leaders of the day could ease their consciouses about celebrating a worldly festivity.

This post is not about Christmas and its roots. Its not even about my beliefs concerning wishing people a 'Merry Christmas'. Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, who cares. Not the point. I'm not attempting to say 'peace, peace where there is no peace'. That's not my personality or conviction. I definitely believe in Christians beings trend setters and boldness for the Gospel's sake. My point is -- Christians should pick greener hills to die on. I say, we be a little more careful about choosing our battles. I acknowledge that those who use 'X-mas' are often purposely trying to remove Christ from their vocab. Those fighting against keeping Christ in Christmas, are opposing Christianity. But lets clarify something. Christmas is not the gospel. Keeping Christ in Christmas is not the epitome of Christianity. . We got along fine with out it before, and if its taken completely out in the future, we'll get along fine with out it again. (Maybe we'll even get along better without it, but maybe thats a post for another day). Suppose it just wasn't meant to be? You may direct all hate mail to kaylenelise@yahoo.com or feel free to comment. Happy Holidays! ;)

Reading the Bible in 6 Months

2009-12-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

There's something I really want to avoid in making this challenge to my friends. And I keep thinking about it so I thought before I go on posting about reading the Bible in 6 months, I'd make a clarification.The goal in doing this, is not to be able to say “I've read the Bible in 6 months” or to become "super spiritual". Say you do successfully read the Bible in 6 months. Whooptie doo. Don't get too excited. Some of the most Bible literate people remain unsaved and cold-shouldered towards the will of God. I personally know most of you who have already agreed to join me, and I know this is not your heart. But I'm confessing here, its something that tried to creep into mine. Beware.

The months during and following reading the Bible through, were some of the toughest and humbling times of my life. It wasn't the amount I was reading. It was what I was reading and the life experiences God gave to reinforce what I was reading. Don't be fooled. The hardest part about this challenge is not making the time limit. Its fighting Satan as he tries to keep you from the Treasure of God's Word.

Then why should I? Why go through the trouble?

I'm not saying that everyone should. But these are the reasons why I found reading so much in a short time, to be such a helpful growing experience. I tend to skip around a lot in my Bible reading, which can be good at times, but through reading God's Word in context I saw so much I had never seen before! And as Laura said, there's nothing magical about reading it through in “6 months”. But having a time limit teaches discipline. If you're like me and daily wanting to know the Lord's will and how you should walk, the more you read the clearer you see the best set of directions for life ever written.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path."

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

Yeah, but thats a lot of reading.

You may struggle finding time in your day to read just one chapter a day, so some may ask, how in the world is reading more possible?
Plan Ahead- I recommend starting with ten chapters a day that way you've covered for the days when you really only have time for less than seven (the average amount to get it done in 6 months).
Calculate- If you're not convinced its doable or your discouraged, calculate how much time you spend on the internet, watching tv, or reading. Then compare that to how much time you spend in God's Word. Ask yourself, “Which is more important to me?”
Establish a habit- Let it become part of your normal routine. That way, when you go to bed at night, and you haven't done it, you know and feel something was missing from your day. But be careful, never let it become “just a habit” or simply part of your day. Don't make it “just a rule” to read certain amounts. We're not trying to put a guilt trip on ourselves. By establishing a habit we're only trying to condition or discipline our reading habits.
Pray- Before you begin, pray for understanding. Expect to hear from the Lord. Pray during and after. And listen to what He may be saying to you. Conversation with the Author is essential.
Meditate & Journal- as you read, or after you read write down what God's teaching you. Don't just rush on by. Since we're giving ourselves a time limit, its very important that we remember its ok to slow down and meditate. This is not a race-- We're trying to draw near and learn more of the Father!
Memorize- part of meditating, is memorization. If you're hungering and thirsting after righteousness then memorizing scripture is the best way. “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Reading and all these things CAN BE DONE! IT IS POSSIBLE!

Spiritual warfare? Much. But more than conquerers are we, through Him that loved us.

Spread the Word!

2009-12-04T16:22:00.001-08:00

So far five people (via comments & facebook) have said they would like to read the Bible in 6 months. The numbers don't mean so much, but to think of the treasure of God's Word and how we as Christians take it for granted sometime, its so thrilling to see anyone excited about it!

I hope to post more with tips and advice both encouraging those who don't think they can do it, and for those who've already said they will. I don't have time right now, but hopefully soon.

Meanwhile, if you have a blog and you're joining the challenge, please feel free to use the image at left, to put in your sidebar and help spread [the reading of] The Word! Please link the image to this post.

I Hereby Resolve

2009-12-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty bad when it comes to keeping resolutions. No, really. I am.

In October I purposed to do a physical exercise plan for 30 days. Just 30 days. I made it to like day 3. Maybe 4.

Last month I made a resolution to not listen to music while in the car, for 40 days. I try to spend my commutes, praying and singing. Oh singing. One day I got so tired of my own voice, I started blowing bubbles in my water by humming songs into the straw. I'm not even kidding.

So I need some help. >everyone nods their head< But probably not in the way you're thinking. I'm making a resolution, and this time, I have a proposition.

Starting January 1, I would like to read through the Bible in 6 months. Genesis to Revelation. And I want you to do it with me. Yes, you. In fact, I need you to, so I will stay motivated. ;)

This same challenge was presented to me last January, as a requirement for the discipleship training. It wasn't easy or convenient to say the least, but it was one of the best things I've ever done.

I'll leave the details up to you. I don't care if you read it straight through from beginning to end, or read several books at one time. [I'll link to a printable bible reading checklist when we get started.] It takes an average of 7 chapters a day just so you know, but as long as you're done by July 1st it doesn't matter how many you read daily.

I'll probably make a badge for you to put on your blog if you want-- to help spread the word about reading The Word! We can hold each other accountable and encourage others by what God is teaching us. Every week or so I'll try to post my progress, as well as share a little about what I'm learning. You're welcome to do the same on your blog and leave a comment with your link on my post. Or simply leave a comment letting us know how its going for you. I'm not encouraging competition, so even an honest "I'm not reading much lately" or "I haven't been getting much out of it" will do. We'll all learn to take each other at 'Face Value'.

If you're a teeny eeny bit interested in accepting the challenge, would you leave me a comment and let me know? You have almost a whole month to pray about it. You do not have to have a blog to participate. I'm going to seriously resolve to do this-- will you join me?

I Just Want to Say, Thanks.

2009-11-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

Hmmm. I've lost my blogging momentum. I've been busy, plus blogging seems rather blah to me right now. Not sure what that means, but I guess thats what they call writer's block. I dunno though. I've written a couple posts, but they're in my draft folder and there they shall probably remain. They're rather emotional, dramatic scores that are probably best left unpublished.

>insert thank yous from the readership<

You're welcome.

I always seem to jump back on the blogging band wagon though. So ready or not, I'll be back.

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and dear times with friends and loved ones. I am thankful for you. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that though "I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me..." And that means everything in the world to me right now. I am nothing and have nothing, besides who He is and what He bestows.

Oh and one more thing. Holiday or no holiday, I just want to encourage you to count your many blessings, name them one by one. I have been, and I'll be honest-- I was surprised to see (and blessed just knowing) what the Lord has done.

"Master Forgive, and Inspire Us Anew"

2009-11-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

"Oh God, stamp eternity on my eyeballs!"

"When I see the church in the New Testament... They didn't have stately buildings. They didn't have paid evangelists. They didn't have a lot of money. They didn't have organization. They weren't able to get on TV and beg. But I'll tell you what they did, THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!"

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10

What do you think? Do you see the "church" today as a success or failure? Do you struggle to keep an eternal perspective? Which quote from this sermon struck you as most profound or convicting?

To Be a Woman

2009-11-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

Another week. Another month. A month wherein I pass from the years of adolescence and into the twenties. I don't know whether this is extremely relevant. I mean, I sincerely hope that the marking of my twentieth birthday will symbolize a significant jump on the measuring stick of "maturity". But some how I doubt it. Thats ok. I'm content. I've tried to force it before when I felt everyone was poised and waiting expectantly for "my blossoming". An old, but appropriate analogy would be forcing a rose bud open. Petals tend to break off or wilt, because of meddling fingers and too much effort.

There are those days I miss being carefree as a child. We all enjoy our moments. (unless we really are still a kid, then we want nothing but to be an adult). Then there are the days I struggle to define myself as a true woman instead of a girl. To me, as a child, the word woman described someone with so much more grace, self-control, and wisdom than I possess right now.

Elisabeth Elliot's quote "maturity starts with the willingness to give of oneself" pretty much pins the crown on a true woman. I speak as an adult. I'm often mistaken for someone older than I am. But herein lies the struggle. I am more willing to give of my words, then my self. I am more willing to give of my words, than my time. Its the simple things--the day to day-- and the "little" opportunities I seem to be missing. Lord, open my eyes. Wake up O womanhood.

Fall Portraits

2009-10-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

He Always Shows Up

2009-10-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd join in the fun over at YLCF this week, by sharing the mundane details of a day in my life. The main emphasis is on being "real" and since, that is, after all, the theme and "punchline" of this here blog... I thought it would be cool to participate.

I was considering writing about my Monday this week, but then thought “No, I should pick a normal day to share about.” And then I had to ask myself-- what in the world is a normal day? My life is not exciting to the average passerby, but its rarely ever normal.

So without further ado, I am going to tell you about my Monday.

It started off rather normal. I mean its normal for the alarm clock to go off and its normal for me to not want to get up.

5:00 am: The alarm clock went off.

5:43 am: I woke up. If only good intentions counted in the end.

6:00-7:00 am: I was buzzing around getting ready for the day. Read the Psalm of the day. Ate very little for breakfast. Had a brief but pleasant conversation with Dad.

7:05 am: I headed out the door. I stopped in at the coffee shop to get my fix(es) for the day. Chai tea and a quick chat with my dear friend, the barista.

7:20 am: I'm on the road. I work as a care taker for the elderly in their homes. Lately I've been working for a sweet (& spunky!) elderly lady in a town about 40 minutes from mine.

8:00 am: Arrived.

Rest of the morning: I helped her with little projects around her house. She's quite motivated and keeps me on my toes. We took a trip to the post office and grocery store.

Afternoon & evening: she rested some which gave me a little free time. I did some reading and checked email. I read the end of Revelations. I'm also reading a devotional titled 'A Call to Die'. I'm daily being challenged. But its so much easier to read about dying to self and talk about dying to self, then to actually live about dying to self. I also took this free time to talk through some details with client for an up and coming senior portrait shoot.

When my lil' lady woke up, we went for a drive. We found some pretty fall scenes to take pictures of. She gets quite a kick out of my picture taking and seeing the pictures afterwards. Hey, its a win-win situation for me!! I brought the car to a stop and took a picture of an old antique pickup sitting in someone's yard. She laughed and said “You're easy to please!” maybe I am when it comes to that. I enjoy finding value in the simpler things. [maybe thats why I'm writing this post???]

8:00 pm: My sister showed up for her shift. I was looking forward to getting home. I had a lot to do before I hit the sack.

8:10 pm: I was on the road again

8:15 pm: I was randomly singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and thinking how amazing it was that the words never became dull or meaningless to me no matter how much I sing it. I was silent for awhile trying to remember the 3^rd verse. And then I remember whispering a prayer. “Lord, thank you for this car. I'm so blessed to have a car that will get me from here to there safely and effeciently.” How ironic I thought later. But really, God was fixin' to teach me something.

8:15 pm: I was about 15 miles from home and had just gone through a small town. I was increasing back up to highway speed when all of a sudden I started losing speed and my gas pedal was not responding. I pulled over and stopped. I shut my car off and tried to restart it. It wouldn't start. I had a fleeting thought, “Thank you Lord for cell phones”.

8:25 pm: I reached into my purse and pulled mine out. No bars. I sat there for a minute, praying and turning the key. Praying and turning the key. Nothing. I hopped out of the car and stood behind my car, checking again for a cell phone signal. YES! One, then two bars. I called my daddy. To make a longer story shorter he was soon on his way. I sat in my car waiting for him. I knew the Lord was teaching me something. “Will you still know I'm faithful when something goes wrong?” “Will you still trust me when I don't provide a car that runs?”

I sang out loud and clear making sure the devil, the messenger of doubt, could hear me.

“GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

O GOD MY FATHER.

THERE IS NO SHADOW

OF TURNING WITH THEE.

THOU CHANGEST NOT.

THY COMPASSIONS

THEY FAIL NOT.

AS THOU HAST BEEN

THOU FOREVER WILT BE.”

8:40 pm: A car pulled up behind me. A state trooper came to my window and asked if I was ok. [had he heard me singing??? ;)] I told him my dad was on the way so I was good to go.

8:43 pm: I had Dad on speaker phone. The trooper came back and offered to stay in the area till Dad got there. He paced in his patrol car between a half a mile in front of me to a half a mile in back of me.

8:50 pm: Trooper pulled up again and offered for me to get in his car with a heater. By this time Dad was close by so I declined but thanked him.

8:55pm: Dad showed up. Trooper shared his flashlight and then was on his way.

9:10 pm: We were back on the road! I actually thought it was a lot of fun being towed- steering and maintaining a speed that kept the tow rope tight.

9:30 pm: I “coasted” into the driveway. It was good to be home!

Sometimes my spunky side tries to find an adventure in everything. I'm a little impractical at times. While I was sitting in my car excitedly plotting what might happen next 'on this a dark and windy night', my mom was at home worrying. I wasn't really thinking about the implications of being broken down in the dark and alone on the side of the road. Looking back I can see that God was showing His faithfulness through the circumstances instead of taking me around them. How clearly this illustrates to me that His faithfulness is unchanging even though life always is. Someone please remind me of this when or if we can't get my car running again!! :)

Okay. So my car stalling on the side of the road, doesn't happen everyday. But if I'd take the time to slow down and think through every day, I think I would find God's faithfulness to be the reoccurring theme. So yes, there is something normal and consistent about my life, but it has nothing to do with me. Only Him.

Whew, long post. But hey. I'll make you a deal. You post about your "normal" day and leave a comment here telling me you did, and I promise to read it! You can enter it over there too. For those who don't have blogs, email me about your day !

How Do You Want to Die?

2009-10-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

Then Judas which had betrayed him,
when he saw that he was condemned,
repented himself and brought again
the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying,
“I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.”
And they said, “What is that to us? See thou to that.”
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple,
and departed and went and hanged himself.

This was in my Bible reading today. I was slammed with the realization that I once was a Judas. And at times, I allow that old nature to slip in.

To live for myself is to betray my Maker who created me to live for Him.

I had to ask myself and now I ask you. Will you crucify your “self” and serve the Lord; or will you feed your “self” until you founder on the world’s pleasures?

Either way, you die.

The question is, for what purpose will you die? Eternal purpose or the temporal?

For one you live and then die. That's it. The other, you die and then live. Abundantly and Eternally. How can they even compare? How you decide to die, Depends mostly on how you decide to live.

Surely this is what Jesus meant when He said, "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

photo shot by- Soryn V.

"Jesus didn't come into the world to make bad men good; He came to make dead men live!"

- Leonard Ravenhill

Psalm 36:5

2009-10-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

For the Chronic Matchmaker

2009-10-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

All matchmakers, pay close attention to detail.

...The number of times you mention his name has nothing to do with the odds of me actually falling in love with him.

...The simple fact that he goes to church proves absolutely nothing to me (romantically or spiritually!)

... The fact that you're his grandma, indicates to me I should automatically assume bias in anything positive you have to say about him.

... There is nothing about his dog being the most important thing in the world to him, that touches my heart.

...No matter how many pictures you show he does not grow any more handsome in my eyes than the first one I saw.

... When I say his kindergarten graduation picture is cute, I am referring to the chubby cheeks and big eyes--I am not comparing him to rest the of the men in the world.

... The fact that you care enough about me that you want me to be happily married someday, really does mean something to me, but I hate to see you disappointed.

... The fact that he is shorter than me is irrelevant compared to the fact that I am simply not looking to get married at the moment. (I have a funny feeling this one will come back and bite me someday.)

... The fact that I don't flirt with other men, does not mean I'm already in love with your grandson, whom [did I mention?] I have yet to meet.

Based on (a) true story(ies). Written without cynicism, rather only with affection for the sweet matchmakers-- and smiles for the ways they went about it. ;)

Only One Life...

2009-10-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

... Twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.

"Life is too short, too precious, too painful to waste on worldly bubbles that burst. Heaven is too great, hell is too horrible, eternity is too long that we should putter around on the porch of eternity."-John Piper

"Let us lay aside ever weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run, with patience, the race that is set before us."

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation..."

photo of- Alexandria

Happy is She Who Stays Busy

2009-10-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I like to stay busy. I don't like the repercussions of being too busy for too long though. I'm learning to not spread myself so thin. I think. I still have a lot of aspirations that could cram my calendar, but this week was fairly balanced.

Tuesday and Thursday I took care of an elderly lady in her home. She is adorable. And feisty. I enjoy fiesty. Especially at her age. :) She wanted to take me to the local bank in her sleepy little town. Because "There's young handsome men in there, and you would like to meet them." But we got too busy (thank goodness) with cleaning her crystal and linens; a pedicure; listening to 8 tracks; and trips to the cemetery.

I just started something new that I love. Wednesday evenings I've been teaching English as a second language. SO fun. But do you have any idea how weird our language is? It is. I didn't fully realize it until I tried to explain some of our funny rules and pronunciations. Thanks to my trips to Mexico and now, teaching my [totally amazing, beautiful and bright] ESL student, I've learned a very special lesson. There is a way of communication that reaches beyond languages of the tongue. Its known simply as smiling and laughing. If you don't know how, I highly recommend you learn how. And no, we don't just sit there and giggle. I mean real laughter and a smile every once in awhile that communicates "I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to know you."

Amidst the rest of my schedule I have to find time to study for my online Doula class. Do you know what that is? A doula mothers mothers. Now you know!

Um, lets see what else? Oh yes. I am designing some wedding invites for a couple whom I helped shoot engagement pictures for. Its been fun to get in on a couple projects for my friend's clients. I may help shoot their wedding in December. Fun-ness.

In other news, I know how much you wanted to know that I made my second sale on Ebay today! Delightful day. I was so happy. Its the simple things.

I really like living with my family. They're good people and they are good to me. I wanted that to go down in the records, since I'm not always that great at showing my appreciation. I also miss my Grandma and Grandpa. They did a lot for me while I was there earlier this year, and have been supportive of me. Love you two and thanks again for everything.[ooooh scary shark picture. haha, aren't we cute?]

This post has been rather helter skelter. Wonder if I missed anything. :) Blessings on your weekend!

I have accomplished nothing if I have not taken up my cross.

Matthew 10:38&39 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

You are so patient with me, Lord

2009-10-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

My Brain Aches ;-) But My Heart is Full

2009-10-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

Written night before last...

My heart is overflowing with a good theme [and my fingers are that of a ready typist :)]

I keep thinking about my last post. There are so many aspects to consider. A comment I received upon posting the link to facebook, provoked even more thought. My friend Brendan said, "It is truly out of love that God does let us to a point 'reap what we sow'. Although we never truly get what we deserve..."

Its the truth. The penalty for sin has been paid in full! We don't get what we deserve at all. To me this is all the more indicative of the mercy of affliction. If its not punishment, what is it? By allowing us to "taste" sin and its consequences He is conforming us into the image of His Son, which has the potential to keep us (if we let it) from going back to the deep turmoil of a purposeless life of sin.

"The world has lost its transient lure— Its evil spell I shun; I've set my course for higher things. Till earth's brief race is run". —Bosch

I would probably be getting in over my head to try and say any more than that. What's the difference between penalty and consequence? And if through Christ we are justified, can the consequences of a saint sinning, still be considered judgment? Your thoughts are welcome. All I know, is that right now I'm just overcome by the mercy of it all. I deserved to die. Christ died for me. I deserve to fail in times of temptation and go straight to the depths of Hell. Every temptation I've ever endured (or caved to!) He's endured too.

My evening is coming to a close. I just came across this simple yet meaningful song. [HT: Bryant] It summarizes my thoughts on the previous post and this one. It expresses the honor I feel in my heart towards Christ Who gave His all for me. Jesus, You deserve to be lifted high. What thanksgiving wells up inside me as I go to bed this night.

And even now that I'm inside your hands
Help me not to grow prideful again
Don't let me forsake sacrifice
Jesus you be lifted high

Can You See the Mercy?

2009-10-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever stopped to think about how merciful it is, that there are consequences to sin? Maybe I'm the only one, but I must admit to learning as a little child learns. I don't touch the hot stove, because I disobeyed once and know it to be hot.

If I couldn't feel the pain, more damage would be done. I would leave my hand there only to see the effects later. I would be helpless to reverse them.

In His judgement I find mercy. A paradox our human minds wrestle to comprehend. Its beautiful, really.

The incredible thing is that if I do leave my hand there too long, His mercy comes in the fashion of forgiveness. Grace. Grace heals me.

Not all affliction is the result of personal sin. But this kind too, is merciful. Life is good, days are packed with seemingly worthwhile endeavors, when something emotionally, spiritually, or physically disastrous happens. Nonbelievers and believers alike stop and consider. Why?

And thats their answer. They stopped and considered and asked why. In troubled times the lost seek. The believer re-focuses. When He's all you have, you'll realize He's all you'll ever need.

"In all their affliction he was afflicted." Isaiah 69:3

He. feels. your. pain. If He can feel it too, don't you think His reason for the affliction must be of more consequence than the pain?

His mercy endures forever. His compassions fail never.

The following passage is excerpts of Lamentations 3. I highly recommend looking it up and reading it in its entirety. It seems like it could be my own personal testimony... and I'm sure, many others' as well. Pay attention to the detail of this amazing passage.

I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.

...

And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity.

And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.

...

Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission.

Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven.

...

I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.

Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

O LORD, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.

Fall Give-Aways

2009-09-29T18:22:00.001-07:00

I don't know if you've noticed, but there's been quite the smattering of blog give-aways lately. I thought I would let you in on a couple.

-- My friend Melinda is hosting a Marie-Madeline Studio give-away for a $35 gift certificate! All you have to do is go and comment here, and tell her Kaylene sent you. Then you can get repeated chances my telling your friends. So GO comment! And while you're at it, check out Melinda's whole blog. She's pretty new to the blogosphere, but is already an ol' pro!

EDIT :: here's a rule I missed-- be sure and let me know if you entered because for everyone of you who enters, I get another chance. :-P and you can do the same on your blog, or by email!

--Another one that I found through Kate, is hosted by Leanna. She is giving away a pretty lil' gift bundle. Go here to see details and leave a comment, saying what your favorite thing about fall is.

So as the word is around here, Happy Fall Ya'll. I hope you win ;-)

What's It All About?

2009-09-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

There are some things more important to me than wit when it comes to blogging. I remember back when I wrote about my issues with blogging, and saying that I might post someday one the reasons I do blog. Someday has come. As I'm sure you've all been waiting for it with bated breath. Sorry to keep you waiting. Its really quite simple.

I don't blog just to vent.
I don't blog like I journal.
I don't blog for comments.
I don't blog because I think its important that my voice be heard.

But...

Yes, blogging is therapeutic.
Yes, blogging is a fun way to 'keep record'
Yes, comments are extremely rewarding.
And yes, it is somewhat gratifying to think I'm getting my opinion 'out there'.

There are multiple little reasons that I think blogging is worthwhile. But what it really comes down to, is this: My testimony.

I've read a lot of blogs. Too many really. And I've wished mine were a lot of different things. But really? The only thing I've got to offer the world, is what Jesus is doin' in me. Sometimes I post about life, with little reference to "this is what I learned". But that too is part of 'me'. God uses circumstances to shape a person, yes?

I'll be completely honest. My motives for clicking 'publish post' on every individual post, can vary quite a bit. I probably couldn't even tell you exactly why I post certain things I do. Sometimes, I've got extended family in mind-- knowing they like to keep up with my family. [ Hi Grandma!! :) ]

But the reason I keep on blogging? I blog, hoping you see Jesus in me. That what He's teaching me, teaches you too. That my daily life will encourage someone else, maybe just because they can know they're not the only one. There's a sense of indebtedness I have, to the authors of the blogs or books I read, to which I am able to say, "ah, yes, I know exactly how she feels. I am not alone."

I've come thiiis close to quitting. And then someone says, "such and such post really encouraged me." Or I find out that someone who doesn't know Jesus is reading my blog! That's what keeps me going. And I really enjoy keeping going.

Please Pass the Talent

2009-09-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

I think of so many things to write as I lay in bed at night. In the morning, I realize I think so much better than I write. Which doesn’t say much for my thinking. I take pictures. I don't have to think to do that. Or write.

Seriously though. I’ve been reading some blogs that leave me a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y. inspired. There are so many different tones to writing. Some write essays. Some write diary entries. Others write some really witty words. Some are capable of writing as though they just typed their thoughts out as they were thinking them. Those kind totally engage me and keep me begging for more. It just comes across as so real-- as though I were sitting across the table from them, having a two way conversation.

Anywho, I think I’m learning the difference between the natural and the wanna-be (like me). But hey, who’s to say that the wanna-be can’t someday be what she wants to be? Just please hold my dry humor and attempts at wit in check, so I don’t go over board trying too hard.

While I’m getting my “act” together here are some blogs of note for you to read. And I really mean that. These blogs float my boat. (please rate that sentence on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the wittiest thing you’ve ever read. Thank you.)

Annieblogs.com (its like she’s right there talkin’ to me)

Latte-with-love.blogspot.com (gets down to the heart of the matter)

Reflectionsfromkt.blogspot.com (A heart to serve, the size of Texas)

Loveforthetruth.com (a perfect blend of purpose and intellectual stimulation)

Alirae.net (Beauty she is as beauty she does. and writes.)

and thats just to name a few... what are your favorites?

Good Success

2009-09-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Not a day goes by when I don't think about what God might have in store or how He plans to use me. Its not always an issue of discontentment, but rather a question from little me to a big God. "What do You want me to be doing?"

The day we received our certificates for completion of the Discipleship training, one of our teachers read Joshua 1:8 as exhortation to us to continue in The Word. Its from my Dad's favorite passage and one I've heard over and over.

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

I was struck by what almost seemed to be a redundancy. Good success. Good success? How often do we, as Americans especially, think of success as anything but good? I realized that at times I equalize the two in my mind and consider lack of career and financial goals to be a sacrifice of success. In a sense, if those things are not in God's plan for me, they are bad success. And rather than being a sacrifice on my part, His purposes are actually deliverance from the bondage of this world.

Romans 12:1&2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

At All Times

2009-09-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

"Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is our refuge for us. Selah." Psalm 62:8

"You will think that He is an unkind friend, but remember? He is not. The time will come when everything will be explained. There seems to be a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller fellowship and oneness. When God appears to be completely shrouded, will you hang on with confidence in Him?" O. Chambers.

Choosing a Cause

2009-09-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

I was reading in the Psalms this morning and began to think about the belief system that I referred to in this post. I had written,

"Many people believe in what they believe in, because they trust with a mere 'cause and effect' sort of mentality. “I tried it. It worked. It must be true.” Can you see how dangerous this must be, when a person who thinks this way, sees a medicine doctor heal someone in the jungles of Africa?"

I cautioned, "Christians must beware of validating their faith merely by experience." By saying that I didn't mean to downplay sharing personal testimony as a way of witnessing to the lost. Personally, I believe that is one of the most powerful tools the Holy Spirit uses to cut to the heart of the sinner.

I got to thinking though. If cause and effect is a part of your testimony like it is mine, then what's the difference? How can it bear weight when they may be able to counter with their own experience of cause and effect... that may or may not include God?

My realization this morning may not be as relevant to you as it was to me, as in some ways its the obvious answer. But as I considered these things, my heart was filled to the brim with gratitude for the hope I have in the Lord. The difference is the effect. What the world is looking for is different than what an individual whose heart is seeking after God, desires or receives. The world on the other hand generally doesn't care what or who the cause is, as long as they get the desired [fleshly] effect.

If God heals or blesses in any capacity it is for his purposes not for furthering our human endeavors. What the world cannot understand, but through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, is that the greatest privilege is serving the Lord and walking in accordance to his purposes. Isn't that our hope?! Wow, that excites me!

.Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me...Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust... Many, O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward. They cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. [bits&pieces]

.Psalm 44.

Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people... All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee...Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way... If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long. [bits&pieces]

Bigger Than I Can Dream

2009-09-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

I look back on a thousand roads I wandered down
And just as many dreams I chased but never found
From where I stand I see the way You’ve held my heart
The times You closed a door or left a light on in the dark

And for every broken path
For every storm held back
I shake my head in wonder

I don’t know the half
Of what You have for me
What You’re holding back
That You don’t let me see

You give me everything I need
And more than I can ask
I can’t help but be amazed
And I don’t even know the half

The God who whispered life into an empty space
He’s prepared for us an even better place
I hear about the mansions and the golden streets
But I still can’t imagine all that heaven holds for me

Cause even when I dream
It’s still beyond my grasp To try and comprehend it

You cover me with wings of grace
Hold me in your sweet embrace
When it comes to who you are
I know it’s just a taste
-
sung by Mark Harris, 'The Half'

Travel and More Travel

2009-08-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

This year has definitely been the year of travel for me. I'm on a road trip with the siblings and Mom right now. We made it to Oregon tonight but this morning we were in Twin Falls, Idaho. Since there were sights to be seen, we did a little sight-seeing. (You can't assume all sight-see-ers see sights worth seeing)

Good night!

[edited: not original post in its entirety]

Does Romance Equal Love?

2009-08-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

My friend Laura wrote an exceptional piece on her blog. I'm thinking that possibly the majority of my readers would get something out of it... Don't miss out. Its not only thought-provoking, but also a very tender view of what I believe true love to be.

Fotos De Mexico

2009-08-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Perpetual Movement of Time and Circumstance

2009-08-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

Caption: Jolynn, Kaylene, Jeb in 1993(?)

Change. It must be the most prevalent paradox in my life right now. Its good and yet at times it seems oh so ... wrong. I would like to one day find myself whole heartedly taking hold of the future without looking back at what used to be or what could have been. Memories are beautiful things of course, but when compared with the present, at times it brings one an edge of discontentment.

Perhaps the most disconcerting part is the realization that who I've come to know as being "me" is also changing. Daily circumstances and temptations show that I am not who I sometimes make myself out to be nor am I the person I once was. Growth is definitely a good thing but sometimes I stop mid way and ask "who is this new me?"

A million different song lyrics come to mind for this post. Everyone must experience feelings like this, and think similar thoughts at certain times in their lives.

I find a magnitude of comfort in knowing that though circumstances change, people change, and even I change, God does not. My perspective of Him may. My comprehension level in other words. But He does not. And for that, at this very moment, I am tremendously thankful for.

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17

Just Checking In

2009-08-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

There is no place like Mexico. But it is good to be home.

Choosing Sides

2009-08-05T07:41:00.001-07:00

*written 8/4/09

I was thinking this evening about the reality of other belief systems. Not that they do exist so much as they are not based on all falsehoods. As Christians we often refer to them as false religions. But really how “false” are they? Now hear me out on this. I may not mean, what your first impression might have been. We all know many religions are full of fallacies and inconsistencies. But the truth that they do embrace is often times the hook, line, and sinker.

It must be true that the billions of people who “sink” are genuinely deceived. But look at it another way. Are they allowed by God to be deceived, because of the rebellion in their hearts already towards the Lord? Are they truly poor helpless creatures whom we beg for God's mercies upon, to open their eyes to the truth? Or is it more, that their hearts need softened(by God's mercies of course); responsibility for their sins needs to be taken; and humility and brokeness will cause the scales to fall from their eyes?

Many people believe in what they believe in, because they trust with a mere 'cause and effect' sort of mentality. “I tried it. It worked. It must be true.” Can you see how dangerous this must be, when a person who thinks this way, sees a medicine doctor heal someone in the jungles of Africa? The religion he would embrace would not be the way, the truth-- and it would not be the life! There is one way to the Father, but many ways to try. There is only one truth, but Satan is a mastermind in packaging many different lies by wrapping them in truth. Lastly, he would indeed be living a life. But it would be a fleshly one, submitted to the wiles of the Devil. Consequently, I believe that Christians must beware of validating their faith merely by experience. Our faith is a reality and so may be theirs. But in the war of good and evil, we are serving the King of Righteousness who has power over the king of darkness. What we must not forget is that this evil king, does have power.

We all know, but fail to be aware of it on a minute by minute basis, that we are in constant spiritual warfare. Our enemy is often times those other religions who claim to 'work'. Their god does exist. Other times our enemy is that person who says the God does not exist. That person's god is himself. These gods are real. The war is real. The power behind the truth mixed with lies? Its all real!

But what power do these forces have that were not given to them? When I say I worship the one true God, I mean that I am worshiping the only one who is worthy of the title, and with a capital G!

"Wherefore, should the heathen say, where is now their God? But our God is in the heaven: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased." Ps. 115:2-3

One last thing. Haven't you ever gotten caught up in the 'cause and effect' religion? I believe we Christians easily stumble at times because we are looking for the wrong effect when we pray. When we don't see the effect we expect, we begin to doubt the cause. And when we doubt the cause, we are in truth, doubting the goodness of the Lord. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Allow your salvation from sin be the guaranteed effect of trusting in a Righteous God. And then trust Him to know whats best in all circumstances.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,

But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
’Round His standard ranging, victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

-Francis Havergal

Mexy-co!

2009-08-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning I leave for MEXICO!

Cart

2009-08-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a short film by my cousin Jesse Rosten. Its a touching story of love and sacrifice. How many do you know who would go out of their way to make child happy in such a self-sacrificial way as this? Grab a tissue box. Prepare for an inspiring, award-winning film.

Some Loves of Mine

2009-07-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

Alexandria-Alexis-Alex-Ria-Lala tagged me. I'm to share with you some things I love. I've been tagged for things before, but I kind of like how this one doesn't have very many rules. So here, simply said, are some of my loves.

:: My Savior, Jesus. And telling others about Him.

:: People [watching]. Fascinating creatures that they are.

:: Taking your picture. And making you smile.

:: Baby [toes]. And everything else about them.

:: Seeing God at work. His Word and Spirit are ALIVE.

:: Driving Ambulances. Serious thrill issues, I know.

If you read this, and you blog, consider yourself tagged. :)

Couldn't Have Said it Better

2009-07-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

I heard someone say the other day

They'd seen in me true love displayed

Blessed by something I had done for them
No sooner had they said these words

I found myself somehow discouraged
Uneasy as I took their compliment

Cause I know the heart inside this man
I know the truth of who I am...

The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
I know me well enough to know
No matter what this life may show
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus

If you could walk the hallways of my heart
And see things as they really are
I wonder if you might be surprised
Seeing faded walls of pride and fear
Rooms I've filled with faithless tears
And corners where I've stood in compromise
But you'd see the work His grace has done
You'd know just how far I've come

In a thousand years
When the dust of this world clears
And I look back on my life
And see in perfect light

The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus
I know me well enough to know
No matter what this life may show
The only thing that's good in me is Jesus

-sung by Ronnie Freeman
[photo- collage of the moon on July4]

Sweet Home Sweet

2009-07-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, thats where I am. Finally! Last week, my brother Jeb and I took off on a 1,500 mile venture towards home. We made it in good time and 2 days later I left for a week to be "camp nurse" at Good News Camp. Now, I am resting up and enjoying being home.

This last week in my Bible reading I read about God's call on Abram's life. I thought long and hard about the following verse.

Genesis 12:2
"And I will make of thee a great nation,
and I will bless thee, and make thy name
great and thou shalt be a blessing..."

The Lord impressed on my heart this week at camp, that the greatest blessing is to be a blessing. And the biggest way to be a blessing is by sharing--in word and deed-- the gospel of Jesus Christ. And no matter how the people around me define success-- my aim should be to honor my Father by serving others for the sake of the Gospel. There is no greater call. And there is no greater blessing. The challenge comes when we are faced with the temptation to become self-righteous in our service. We must pray that our motives are to bless people- not to impress them. And yes, I struggle with this, but I think the more unaware we are of the impact we have on people, the easier it is for God to use us. Be willing to remain the peon.

I look forward to catching up with so many peeps from here at home and around the area -- but dear friends who I've left many miles behind me, please do stay in touch!!

Love,

Kaylene

Maybe.	10 (22%)
Absolutely!	14 (31%)
Yes, and I have	9 (20%)
Nope, thats for Jehovah Witnesses	3 (6%)
Its not my personality.	3 (6%)
Other -explain in a comment	5 (11%)