Deep Contemplation

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I need to preface this article today, with the following statement “I harbor no hatred, no condemnation, no ill feelings whatsoever toward those who are living in the type of lifestyle that I’m going to be talking about today you must know this as you read these words. I have nothing but the deepest love and respect for all people. If you know me, truly know me, you will know this as a fact.”

Things today, were read to me (by my husband) from an article that he had shared on a platform that he is involved with online where the topic is a heavy-duty one.

The article was written by a woman. A minister high up in the Lutheran church. She had stated that they are truly considering changing their policies to open up their pulpits to ordination for those who consider themselves to be gay, transgender, etc. As long as they are not practicing the lifestyle. Have to admit to you, I ended up in tears. You see I have friends, people I grew up with, even family members who have gotten mixed up in the lies of the enemy of their souls and believed that they can’t help who they are or the way they are. For over 30 years I had a secretary who is transgender I cared very much for her. I had a gentleman who works for us for close to 15 years I knew what his lifestyle was I didn’t think anything less of him I talked to him of the Lord he knew where I stood I never degraded him I loved him like a brother I continued to care for him and continued to talk to him never once did he feel ridiculed or belittled he respected me I respected him I knew he had my back, he knew I had his. Yet it broke my heart that he made the choices he made.

Dear ones everyone of us, every single one of us do you hear me?! NOT ONE OF US is without sin. We have no right to judge another person. We are to love each other with the love of Christ. We are to care for one another to share His love with them in the truth of His Word with them. Then if they decide to choose His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to help change the lives or choose to reject it that’s between them and God it’s our job just to love them.  BUT when it comes to allowing them to get behind the pulpit and preach God’s Word, how can we even begin to think that that’s right when they are clearly going against what His Word says?!

God loves them YES!!!! But He does not condone the choices they are making, the lifestyle they are living!

When I think of those that I love so dearly, I cry (sob, actually) I can’t help it… My heart literally breaks I feel like it’s ripping there is a physical pain inside of me because I know that their choices are hurting my Abba father heart and what hurts him hurts me. I want to wrap my arms around them and hold them tight and tell each one of them how precious they are how much their loved. How valuable they are… That they are worth so much more than the choices they were making.

We all make choices every single day. We make choices to pick up a bottle of alcohol or cases alcohol and drink ourselves into oblivion. We make choices to buy drugs and smoke or shoot into our veins so we don’t feel the pain that tearing us apart in life. We make choices to rip the baby out of the womb because it’s inconvenient. We choose to have sex outside of marriage because we are not satisfied with what we have. They’re all choices… And every single one of them starts with a thought that’s put inside of us a whisper from the enemy of our soul, Satan… He doesn’t want us to know God’s love he wants us to fail he wants us to be unhappy he wants us to think there’s something different out there that something else will satisfy us and so we start believing the lie which chase after things that don’t matter.

In this day and age is become so successful at it in the LGBT community that it is everywhere starting even in preschool it is absolutely breaking my heart! I literally sob  right now as I write these words especially because it is so near and dear to my heart because some of those most precious to me so deeply affected. And then to top it all off, to hear this morning that the Lutheran Church is even thinking of changing their policy it is almost too much to bear. Shortly after I became ordained the Lord actually called me to minister in the Lutheran Church for two and half years and it was an amazing experience the liturgy was so rich and beautiful I was so blessed during that time.

Beloved sons and daughters of the most high God we need to be on our faces before God! We need to fast and pray like we have not done in a long time. Satan knows his time is short and he’s pulling out all the stops and it is affecting those around us. So armor up beloved be ready for battle and let’s go forth the time is now be ready for battle let’s forward NOW go in the mighty name of Yeshua our Lord and Savior!

Scripture references:

Romans 1:18-32                         Genesis 19

BUT THERE IS HOPE . . . His Name is JESUS CHRIST He came, He Lived, He died and He arose on the third day  . . . ascended into Heaven and is interceding on YOUR behalf . . . He sent His Holy Spirit Who is awaiting your request to enter in to your life to help change everything – fill you to overflowing with the OVERWHELMING PRECIOUS LOVE OF GOD!!!!

© klh 4-Given Ministries

 

Peek-a-Boo Sky

image from http://www.fabiovisentin.com/photos/world/25_841/sun-shining-through-cloudy-sky.ashx

Oh how I LOVE to see the sky peeking through the clouds like this!!! It absolutely takes my breath away!

I find myself straining to see my Lord riding on his white horse coming through those clouds… Can’t you just see Him coming?

I believe with all my heart it’s going to be a sky like this when that trumpet sounds in our Lord burst through those clouds followed by myriads of angels rushing towards the earth (Revelation 19) … Can’t you see it, oh beloved can’t you see it! Can you feel the excitement building in your heart now as you imagine it? Oh my heart just yearns for it so deeply!

I find myself with songs in the night building up with crescendos. I open my eyes expecting to see the heavens splitting open in it to happen any moment and yet the time is not quite yet.

Yes beloved, there is more work to be done and our precious Lord in His wonderful sense of humor gives us the tease of a peekaboo sky. I can hear His gentle laughter in my heart as I glance up I can almost see the twinkle in His eye, I can almost hear His voice, “daughter this is for you” and “I love you!”

What a glorious Lord we have. The depths, the heights, the expanse of His love for us we cannot even begin to fathom. The more we see Him, the more we get to know His personality, the riches of His grace, the greater our expectancy of His return.

© klh 4-Given Ministries

When it Rains it Pours!

image from gettingstronger.org

Golly! What a time we have had these past three weeks!

Debris on the roadway which to go to the left would have caused a crash; to go the right would have caused a crash; so we slowed down as much as absolutely possible and then prayed and straddled the left over tire from a semi that had had a blow-out! It was bumpy and LOUD – our vehicle was hurt but at least the big red pick up behind us (by about 3 feet at the time we hit the debris) didn’t plow into us and kill us, causing a pile up. Whatever other choice we would have made, people would have been injured and/or killed. It was the ONLY decision that could have been made. We went on to our destination, quite shaken up but alive, praising the Lord for His protection.

On the way home, however, we started understanding just how bad our little vehicle, our “gift” from the Lord had taken the hit. We started losing the underpinning (the protection for the engine and such), then the bumper started to loosen! We took it in for estimates. With a high deductible, and never having anything like this ever happen to me before,  we chose the place walking distance to our home, took out a loan to cover it and got it fixed, BUT it wasn’t fixed. Long story short, we ended up having to involve the insurance company after all, taking it in (which we should have done in the first place) to another place and now we are in a real mess because they can’t repay for what was supposed to have been fixed (but wasn’t – it’s complicated – we will have to go to small claims court, praying about that one), anyway, there was mechanical damage done as well the underpinning was thrust up into things (I’m not mechanically inclined, so I do not understand the details), but that was just the beginning . . . the snowball began to roll . . . so now the bumper which was just barely reattached is hanging again, plus cracking, not safe cannot be replaced (like it was supposed to be) and . . . and . . . etc. we will have to live with that – oh well.

Then there were many, MANY other little things that came at us . . . checks stolen about a year ago showing up at our bank, although dealt with, somehow now released, etc. . . . . miscommunications with this company and/or person and/or organization about this/that or another thing . . . just as soon as one thing gets cleared up; like with Job in the Old Testament, it was like that at our home the past three weeks – honestly – I am not exaggerating, no deaths, but it has been tragedy after tragedy.  Financial, Health, Property, Family, you name it – boom, BOOM, BOOM!!!

Then, bless the Lord, as He always does, He surrounds us with His prayer warriors – calls, texts, messages from all over come in from loved ones – THANK YOU!!! and this morning – in one of our devotionals this came across and I will share it here, followed by the song it reminded me of by Twila Paris from years ago . . . may the Lord encourage YOUR hearts by both of these as well, precious ones . . . in His LOVE, I remain His Handmaiden, Karin

(c) klh 2018 4-Given Ministries

Being Vunerable

Venerability . . . oh, how we fight against being vulnerable with one another . . . why?!

I used to hide behind masks myself – believe me – I had a mask for almost every situation! “never let anyone know what I was really feeling”, that was my way of approaching life . . . yes, even as a Christian, even in Ministry! I would be sharing with others about the Love of Christ and living in victory, but be torn apart inside . . . never letting others know what was REALLY going on in my own shattered world! NOT ANY MORE!!!!  The Lord has shown me that there is a reason His Word tells us to “bear one another’s burdens”! Galatians 6:2

How can we truly be healed, if we do not allow others to minister to our wounds?!

How can we grow, if we do not allow the weeds to be pulled, the branches to be pruned and the roots to be fed and watered?!

I ask again . . . why?! Now, I answer . . . PRIDE, plain and simple . . . one of satan’s nasty tools that he loves to use to keep us from reaching our potential as becoming the beautiful whole sanctified Bride of Christ . . . (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life; 1 John 2:16), his tricks never change! But why are we so quick to fall for his silly little dangling carrots in front of us?! For years I did, but NO MORE!!! I now make the conscious effort to choose to be vulnerable – to be open, even IF people make their own choice to think differently of me – that is their problem. I will forgive them.

So, here I am, with NO mask, sharing my heart . . . things have been REALLY chaotic to say the least, for a while now . . . took care of one side of it . . . now more ‘stuff’ has come up, and WOW! Mercy, I’m listening to a song just now that is talking about ‘the bottom falling out’ – how appropriate – BUT GOD! He has it ALL in His Hands! It is the trusting in Him through it that causes me to remind myself to “Breathe, girl!” (honestly, I do forget sometimes, and have to remind myself when I find myself really lightheaded!)  And I look at those I love, and sometimes find my thoughts going “who IS this person? why are they talking this way? what is going on? where is all this coming from?” Of course, I KNOW we do NOT wrestle against flesh but against principalities and powers . . . etc. Ephesians 6:12  and that I just have to crawl up on Abba Father’s lap and rest in Him, drawing upon Holy Spirit’s never ending PEACE that passes ALL understanding and press on ahead . . . but, being REAL here . . . the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak (sometimes)…. remember, I’ve left the masks behind!

I am choosing to press ahead . . . for God does NOT lie and His Word promises that He is Faithful to complete that which He started!!!! Philippians 1:6

Masks down, head bowed, on my knees, tears gently falling, heart shaking, asking for brothers and sisters to surround with loving prayers and arms of love; words of encouragement . . . words of corrections, if you see anything that needs correcting, I am open – I do NOT want anything to hinder my growth! I desire to remain a handmaiden that He can use for His glory, for the furthering of His Kingdom . . . nothing else! I never want to be a stumbling block to anyone in any way! Not ever, especially not in my vulnerability, but I refuse to wear masks ever again . . . I must continue to allow my Precious Lord to mold and shape me into ALL that He desires me to be! I long to be the spotless Bride that He longs to return for! I want no blemishes, no wrinkles, no scars!!! If there be ANY thing that is NOT right – I want it GONE!!!! Oh, Jesus, You alone know the depths of anguish within my being . . . I feel as though somehow I have failed you, but I am not responsible for those around me, we are each responsible for our own walk . . . help me to remain steadfast and true to you and to them through every step of this journey . . . in love and honor and respect.

I love how you just answered me, Lord . . . WOW!

“It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” Joshua 1:7-9 The Message

Now THAT sets me to rejoicing!!!!! 

image from oslchurch.com

© klh 4-Given Ministries

WHEN Will It End???

We need to Rest/Abide/Walk . . . that was one of the very first things we studied back in school for the Biblical Counseling courses I took. The title of the book we studied was the same, written by Watchmen Nee – POWERFUL!!! I highly recommend it, by the way.

Just returned from a very important trip that the Lord had me take regarding some urgent family matters in another state. WOW. Difficult does not even begin to describe what my flesh/inner man had to deal with in the spiritual battle . . . I am going to share two pictures to kind of describe how it ‘felt’ . . . one was taken from a fellow christian blogger (I recommend you click on the link below the photo and read their blog associated with the photo) and the second one I am sure you will recognize from an old movie. Combine the two together and that will give you a good visual of the word picture I cannot adequately describe because I REFUSE to use the kind of words that I was bombarded with (AND continue to be bombarded with on the phone since returning home . . . S I G H ).

https://christiandfahey.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/treat-your-mouth-as-a-loaded-gun/

So, here I sit, typing up these words as tears still fall gently from my eyes (they were not so gentle a while ago) and I think of how in world people can be SO VERY DIFFERENT from one another! Sure, we truly do love one another, but there it ends.

We think differently, we act differently, we see things differently, and we choose our words differently! (There IS power of life and death in the tongue!!!! Proverbs 18:21 and words truly can feel like a never ending barrage of gunfire when let loose over and over . . . )

There is a time where love is given, it is taken as an insult . . .

There is a place where a kindness is extended, it is taken as an intrusion . . .

There is a moment where one desires to give all they can to help improve a situation, and it is shoved back in the face with such venomous hate that one wishes to crawl into a hole and completely disappear from sight, but you cannot, you have to lower your voice, speak with love and continue on . . . it is difficult, but focus on what God has called you to do! It is His assignment that you are on, not man’s. I make the choice to walk in LOVE and FORGIVENESS . . . at all times, praying for their peace and supernatural encounters in their own lives!!!

So . . . as the tears continue to flow . . . I sing along with Kristene DiMarco . . . 

Abba Father, I Love You with ALL my heart! I do let it all go . . . I TRUST IN YOU!!!! You are my EVERYTHING . . . I know that You have all parties in Your Hand . . . You love them even more than I do and Your heart is breaking probably even more than mine is right now over this whole situation . . . I can boldly say (even through the tears)

IT IS WELL . . . WITH MY SOUL!!!

Philippians 4:6-7

 

© klh 4-Given Ministries

 

 

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Fall?

Oh my GOODNESS!!! What a HORRIFIC few days . . . tests, trials,Hurricane Force Winds blowing our way from the enemy camp, attacks on all sides . . .

image from http://www.ino.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/fshoe.jpg

PRAISE GOD!
We MUST be doing something right!

“Why in the world are you saying that?” (you ask) Because If these kinds of attacks keep happening one after the other, boom, boom, boom . . . we have to be on the precipice of something wonderful for the Kingdom of God and we have riled up the troops of enemy!

You know . . . he can ‘see’ the path we are on, and he knows where it is leading. When he sees the stance we take, and hears the plans we have voiced/set in motion, and knows what victories those same plans have brought others in The Kingdom of God – he begins to SHAKE . . . and (I can almost see it) I believe even froth at the mouth! Perhaps spewing out in anger, “No! Not another one!”, then turning to  his cohorts, “You must stop them, they cannot proceed, you must NOT allow them to move forward with their plans!!!!”

Yes, these past few days (weeks) have been very rough (painful), and yes, there have been some tears . . . but I have taken every single struggle, every single dart the enemy has thrown my way (every stone/arrow/lightening bolt/shoe dropped/etc) before my King’s Throne! I have crawled up on My Daddy’s Lap and cried . . . He SEES, He KNOWS, He IS in CONTROL over every circumstance and HE REIGNS SUPREME OVER ALL!!!

Then . . . NOW . . . I tell that ole’ devil . . .

you….ARE….DEFEATED! 1 John 4:4

you …. ARE …. under MY FEET!!!!! (because Christ is in us and we are in Him) Mark 12:36

you . . . can throw whatever you want, but you STILL LOSE!!!!! It is written, it WAS SAID, and it is still true . . . John 19:30 . . . the “IT” was EVERYTHING (sin, sickness, wickedness, etc.)

IT IS FINISHED!!!!! 

This has REALLY helped me through . . .

© klh 4-Given Ministries

WOW – Once Again, the Time has Flown By!

And I didn’t even realize it had passed me by!

Yet, here I am and it has been months since I have even written a blog . . .

image from https://nikipedia87.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/racing-against-time/

Guilt? NO
Shame? NO
Remorse? NO

I have still been about The Father’s business . . . still following after all He has been leading and guiding me to do on a daily basis – it is simply different than before.

It has been a wee bit awkward in the adjustment department . . . I remember in the beginning of my “Blogging” I would rush to the computer each morning after my Bible Study and Devotional times and begin pounding the keys to post  a blog on at least two  blogs – one here and one on one of my other blog pages, if not on two . . . now here I am, months gone by and have not written or posted on any but on our website, and only once or twice on there! WOW – it is amazing what happens when God changes the directional steering of the ship!

Last year, my husband and I fasted and prayed for several months on (and some of you may already know this, so please bear with me) very specific topics for clarity of direction. God answered VERY directly. “NO”, “YES” and “CHANGE”. We have been obedient to His directions and, as Heidi Baker says, “Lord, put me on like a glove and use me.” we have been going forward. It has been (and IS) an incredibly amazing journey!!!

Some days I cannot even fathom where the time has gone, to be honest with you, yet it each day, the richness of His presence, the JOY He brings into our lives, the songs He wakes us up with, the Hope He plants deep down inside and encourages us with each and every day . . . too much to even begin to explain here today.

As we continue on this path, I will be sharing more. For now, let me leave you with some Scriptures to reflect upon for your own lives today:

“Great peace have they that love Thy Law!” Psalm 119:165

“To obey is better than sacrifice!” 1 Samuel 15:22

God gives very specific details IF we listen! Noah , and the building of the Temple  1 Chronicles 28:12, just to name a couple of examples

Abba Father, thank You for changing the direction of the wind . . . the sails of the boat, and the boat itself! Even forgiving our stubbornness of not wanting to change in the beginning. You are SO gracious, Lord, and we Honor You, we love You and we worship You!!! We give You ALL the glory for You are Great and we magnify Your Holy Name!

 

© klh 4-Given Ministries

 

Struggling to “Feel” Christmas?

This year, I admit, it has been a struggle for me . . . yes, me . . . Miss Christmas . . . always one of the first to decorate – always singing the great carols of days gone by. Not this year.

Last year, our new kitten was fascinated by our tree and ended up destroying it – we did not replace it.

This year I was dealing with various health issues that kept me from even decorating my windows (I usually paint them with “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”, Snowflakes, Bells, etc.) . . . then, when we went to get our lights and items to put up around the inside of the house we discovered that our outside storage area had been so badly damaged that water had gotten in, thus causing mold to destroy all things inside – so into the dumpster they went!

On top of all of that . . . four people close to my heart are no longer present in this world but in the next, all within the course of a three-week time span . . . add to that the songs I am hearing all around me are NOT the songs I have such fond memories of singing but similar with ‘added’ twists and/or completely different lyrics and/or melodies, plus the newer songs which almost hurt my heart altogether . . . needless to say, it has been difficult for me to GET into the usual ‘feel’ of Christmas . . . until late yesterday afternoon, when my beloved husband put this YouTube video on for me while I was preparing our supper . . . ah . . . down memory lane I went.

Memories of years spent up in the upper mid-west, snow falling, walking down streets dressed in our long coats, hats, scarves, mufflers, singing Christmas carols, others joining in, stopping in front of stores, houses, people bringing out hot chocolate, or hot cider, it was such a joy-filled time. Everyone celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior! Peace on Earth, good will toward ALL!  Even in the malls . . . this type of music was played, people would sing along, smiling at one another, some gathering around a live piano player, singing at the top of their voices while young ones played together, such a wonderful time – not anything like the malls today, loud, rushed, fighting . . . sigh . . . people forget that it is JESUS we celebrate!

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

 

Grieving Together

We find ourselves the nation on our knees today after yesterday‘s horrible shooting in Sutherland Texas. It is a small town not too far from where I live. I don’t know anyone from that church but they are still my brothers and sisters. I do however know many who have gone down there to minister to those who are affected by this disaster, this tragedy, this horrific thing that should not of happened. Our heart aches, our tears flow freely yet there’s a part of us that knows beyond any shadow of any doubt that these precious ones who went from praising the Lord in their church home to praising Jesus in Person in their heavenly home with their Heavenly Father! Yes, that that does bring some comfort to our souls, yet the more mourning process is still heavy on our hearts. Yes Christians do grieve, Christian still mourn, Christian still cry. Remember, even our Lord Jesus Christ mourned and wept at the graveside of his dear friend Lazarus …

We drop to our knees, allow our tears to flow, ur hearts to cry out our anguish before the Throne, then we get up and be one His arms extended. We become His voice of love, speaking words of Hope and comfort and compassion. We start to help rebuild one moment, one step, one hug at a time. Through His LOVE. 

WE…the body of Christ need to act with one heart, linking arms together….we are planning on bringing down Thanksgiving meals to the community, continued prayer and counseling….please join with us in praying for their faith to remain unshattered and for their healing to be quick; for the Lord to somehow turn this tragedy around into a glorious triumph for His Glory and the good of this precious tight-knit community. 

Grieving Together

We find ourselves the nation on our knees today after yesterday‘s horrible shooting in Sutherland Texas. It is a small town not too far from where I live. I don’t know anyone from that church but they are still my brothers and sisters. I do however know many who have gone down there to minister to those who are affected by this disaster, this tragedy, this horrific thing that should not of happened. Our heart aches, our tears flow freely yet there’s a part of us that knows beyond any shadow of any doubt that these precious ones who went from praising the Lord in their church home to praising Jesus in Person in their heavenly home with their Heavenly Father! Yes, that that does bring some comfort to our souls, yet the more mourning process is still heavy on our hearts. Yes Christians do grieve, Christian still mourn, Christian still cry. Remember, even our Lord Jesus Christ mourned and wept at the graveside of his dear friend Lazarus …

We drop to our knees, allow our tears to flow, ur hearts to cry out our anguish before the Throne, then we get up and be one His arms extended. We become His voice of love, speaking words of Hope and comfort and compassion. We start to help rebuild one moment, one step, one hug at a time. Through His LOVE. 

WE…the body of Christ need to act with one heart, linking arms together….we are planning on bringing down Thanksgiving meals to the community, continued prayer and counseling….please join with us in praying for their faith to remain unshattered and for their healing to be quick; for the Lord to somehow turn this tragedy around into a glorious triumph for His Glory and the good of this precious tight-knit community.