Living for ONE has officially packed up and moved! We built a new home and we would love for you to come visit. 


So, if you are here, thanks... but you will need to come to 


www.kelliwommack.com


to join the party!


Your readership is important to me, so please make the move with us!


Kelli

The Enemy Read My Blog Post

Seriously consider what you blog about. 


It seems that the enemy reads my blog and decides to challenge me in my new-found freedom. My growth in living for ONE. He wants me to fail. He wants me to quit. He wants me to feel hypocritical and worthless and damaged.


So, when I blogged Monday about going plan-less, it only took the enemy 24 hours to remind me that because I went plan-less last week on vacation, that now I have one million things to do. Anxiety. Set. In.


So, instead of feeling freedom from the plan-less-ness of my vacation on Tuesday, I entered into sleep-less-ness realizing my to-do list.


BUT... through the power of Jesus Christ, I have victory over the enemy! And here's how:


I am asking for at least 16 of you to pray for me, over me, and with me for the next sixteen days. Why, you ask? Here's what's coming up for me:

• I am thrilled that I will be launching a new blog/website next week (Tuesday or Wednesday) and there are still little tweaks to be made. This has been a six month project and can't wait to reveal it and share it with you. PRAYER:  That God would do what only God could do. That He would use the website/blog to minister to the hearts of people and ignite transformation in all of us!
• On the 19th of July, I will be headed to Concord, North Caroline to the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks Conference. This is my second time attending. PRAYER:  God would move in my life in a significant way. That He would clarify my calling. That He would allow me to meet friends for life. That He would speak and I would listen and obey.
• During the conference, I have 3 major things to prepare for: a 3 minute testimony message, a 5 minute Scripture teaching message, and ... two meetings with publishers.  PRAYER:  For my continued preparation to be Spirit-led and Spirit-filled. For me to finish the prep I have already started. That I would prioritize my time well and not be distracted by other things. Pray for sweet revelation from God! Pray for His will to be done. Pray for my nerves. Pray that I can sleep well every night so I can focus and listen well during the day. Pray for traveling safety. Pray for my sweet friend and ministry apprentice who will be attending with me for the first time. Pray that I will not be so nervous! Pray against the spirit of anxiety, fear, and discouragement.

Prayer is so important. I come to you humbly asking for you to join with me in this. If you are willing to pray for at least one day, it doesn't matter which one, please comment, or facebook me or even email me and let me know. I am confident that God is going to do something in both of our lives. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. James 5: 16 MSG

Kelli

Going Plan-less

Watching the sunset

I missed this place last week. My family went on vacation to the beach and did some "chillaxin'" as my kids say. My intentions were to blog at least once while I was there. But God obviously had different plans, because I could not ever get a safe enduring connection to the internet. I could have been like Michael Hyatt and planned ahead and posted all of my top favorite blogs of the year. But, I didn't. I could have gone across the street from our condo to a yogurt shop and spent a few hours away from my family posting a blog. But, I didn't. 


What I did do was enjoy some wonderful time with the Lord, my husband and my kiddos. ( And for a few days, my parents who are in remission from lymphoma and prostate cancers.) 


The term vacation actually comes from the Latin word, vacare, which means... (brace yourself), "to be unoccupied." For seven days, I tried to be "unoccupied" by the things that don't really matter. And be occupied by the things that do. After my family continued to ask me,"What's the plan?" on the first day of our so-called vacation, I declared myself, "PLAN-LESS." Let's just sleep until we wake up, eat when we get hungry, go inside when we get hot, and go to bed when we get tired. 
                       
The unforced rhythms of grace.


For those of you that fear going plan-less is as exposing as going top-less, you may want to try it. It is freeing, refreshing, and rejuvenating. 


This is what going plan-less did for me:

• Helped me to focus on people (little and big), not my to-do list, my laundry, or even my blog.
• Sparked a sense of creativity that resulted in the kind of writing where you put a pen to paper and it flows out of you like a waterfall.
• Clarified my purpose. What am I doing and why am I doing it?
• Exaggerated my blessings. I became overwhelmed by the goodness and the greatness of the Lord.
• Renewed a right spirit within me. We get tired. We grow weary. God provides rest and restoration. 

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Mt 11: 28 - 30 MSG

It's a good thing I got some rest. Because I am getting ready to pack up and move! Not from my home, but from this little corner of cyberspace. We'll be having a move-in day party soon... so be sure to watch out for the invitation! 

Until then, take some time this holiday week to go plan-less. And see what kind of plan God has...

Full, yet?

I finished cleaning my life plate and I pushed myself away from the table.


I am already hungry again. I eagerly and anxiously feel the need to fill my life plate once more. More activity. More service. More. More. More.


My loving God says:


Stop.


Wait.


Rest.


I want you to experience My fullness. "I have come that you may have life... and have it to the FULL." (John 10:10)


Unfortunately, my culture and even the church have taught me that a full plate is expected. A full plate satisfies. A full life plate brings joy. A full life plate denotes status and importance.


My loving, patient God says:


Stop. 


Wait.


Rest.


Do you feel it? Do you feel the satisfaction, the joy, the peace, the fullness of My presence?


"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11)

Lord, free me from the NEED to fill my plate out of any reason other than obedience to you. May I be satisfied in the FULL life that you give.

And when that plate is full of You, of Your life, of Your love, mercy, and grace... then I realize it is meant to be...


shared. 






Living for ONE,


Kelli


I am linking for the first time to 

Cleaning your "Life" Plate

A few weeks ago, an opportunity landed in my lap. A super, God-filled opportunity. I was excited, thrilled, and yet, wondering how I would fit this wonderful ministry possibility into an already filled plate.

I prayed. 

I am beginning to notice in my adult years, that either my sanguine personality lends itself to being unfocused, or I have a slight case of ADD. Or both. I am an enthusiastic person and when I see God at work, I want to jump in... even if I am already fully immersed in His work in other areas. Yes, I can be easily distracted. Yes, I can lose focus. But I like to say I am passionately unfocused.

So, what do I do with this new opportunity? My heart screams, "Yes!" My head fumbles for the word, "No." And my weary body has learned to just wait for the heart and the head to make their decision.

But God has been doing a work IN me... not just around me in the last few months. These last five months of my parents' going through cancer treatments, homeschooling my daughter, and my ministry blooming have taught me to make careful considerations of how to spend my time. Not all ministry opportunities are meant for me. Did I just say that? 

I made a list.

I made a list of all of my "non-negotiable" roles in my life. Christ-follower. Wife. Mom. Daughter. Sister. Minister. And so on. I am fortunate and blessed to have several of these. These roles are God-given and cannot be left unattended.

I then made another list. What are the activities that I have going on in my life right now? These may stem from a non-negotiable role or not. But the activities themselves... they are NEGOTIABLE. 

Then the final list. What are some new ways I see God is at work that interest me? This is where my super, God-filled opportunity was written down. Along with some other possibilities for involvement. 

I gasped.

I had no idea I was involved in so many current activities. I had to list everything... chauffeur to my sweet children, any team, committee, board, anything! Just writing and reading the list left my overwhelmed.

I prayed again.

Lord, help me to see the things you really want for me RIGHT NOW. Help me to ask the hard question of "Why am I doing this?" And enable me to answer honestly, even if it is, "Because I want to look like a good parent, wife, minister, etc." 

Lord, free me from filling my plate out of any reason other than obedience to you.

I was able to discern the activities that I needed to discontinue. I was able to see the possibilities of allowing others to help instead of doing things on my own. I confronted my pride and kicked it to the curb.

I gained focus.

Through relieving myself of some unnecessary activities, I could now turn to my list of potentials. The one that fell in my lap. 

I just knew that God had enabled me to clear my plate some to make room for this great opportunity. 

Not so. 

A God-filled possibility that I did not seek after falls in my lap and yet it is not meant for me to take? That's right. God meant for me to consider it, so that I would do some necessary heart evaluation. And instead of a filled plate, 

I have peace.

I want to encourage you to take a hard look at your "life plate." Perhaps God is asking you to do some heart evaluation. Are you stressed? Overwhelmed? What are you doing out of any reason other than obedience to God? I would love to help you by praying for you or coaching you through this! 

P.S. If you have not joined my ministry page on Facebook, this is your special invitation! Encouragement guaranteed. 

Living for ONE,

Kelli

I Wanna Be Great

photo credit

Don't we all? Let's be honest. We all have the desire deep down inside to be great. Here's how God dealt with me on that one... 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Cor. 2:14

This verse refers to the Roman triumph procession where the victorious general leads his soldiers and the captives that had been captured during wartime. I have to honestly say that every time I have read this verse before, I have seen myself as one of the soldiers marching behind God showing off my war trophies, listening to the applause, smelling the sweet incense, and shouting “Victory!”  You know, kind of like, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.”  


And no doubt, I am indeed a part of his triumphant troops. However, as I was studying this verse, I felt God saying to me, “Kelli, you may be one of my soldiers, yes. But you are also the captive. Just as Paul saw himself as a prisoner in Christ – the only way you can have true radical victory in your life is to make yourself a bondslave to Christ, a prisoner to Christ, His captive.”

  

This idea is also shared by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest. He says, 

“The viewpoint to maintain is that we are here for one purpose only – to be captives in the train of Christ’s triumphs. We are not in God’s showroom, we are here to exhibit one thing – the absolute captivity of our lives to Jesus Christ."

  

Ouch. How many times do I want God to put me in His “showroom”? Or how often do I want to get out my soldier’s uniform and my badges of honor and say to the world, “Look at me!”? And God says, 

“No, Kelli, remember you are the captive.” 

Thankfully, Christ has taken me as His prisoner. I am His captive, His bondslave. Oh, yes, I am able to march victoriously. But not because I have won any battles, or fought any wars on my own. Only because I have a victorious General who always marches in triumphal procession do I claim any victory.  

I know when I am a “captive to Christ,” God does His greatest work in me. When I am completely surrendered to Him and to His work in my life, He shows and shows out incredibly. When I was 23 years old, God gave me the awesome opportunity of ministering to college students. But I was 23! I felt so inadequate, so inexperienced, so not the person for the job. I stayed in that position of campus minister for three years and God blessed me and that ministry in a phenomenal way. I was totally “captive” to Him, totally depending on Him for my every move, my every word, my every opportunity. He was glorified! And I spread the sweet fragrance of Him as I went along.  

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.  2 Corinthians 3:5

You know why we cannot be adequate in ourselves. Because then pride would get in the way, and we could not glorify God. 

We would be glorifying ourselves – it’s in our sinful nature to want to be great and have others tell us we are great. 

God's glory is how God shows us who He is. To experience glory, we must realize that we are the captives graciously marching behind our Lord, our General and praise Him that He has given us the great responsibility of spreading the fragrance of the gospel. Because in our inadequacy and in our weakness as prisoners and captives, God shows us and the rest of the world how adequate and how strong He really is. 

What about you? Do you often think of yourself as a "soldier" or a "captive?" Share situations in which you have truly been “captive to Christ,” totally surrendered to Him, where He was able to do an awesome work through you. 

The Fix-It Girl's Guide to Faith

photo credit

I have never been great with tools - you know, the wrench, hammer, and stuff. I may attempt to fix something, but usually end up asking the husband to do it. (That ensures it will be done RIGHT.) But even though I am not handy with wrenches and screwdrivers, I like to use my tool belt full of life tools to help fix people and situations.


But some things are not meant to be fixed. Some things cannot be fixed. Then what?


I realized this in a major way the first time my mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There was nothing I could do. I couldn't make it go away. I couldn't minimize her pain or sickness during her chemotherapy. I couldn't get out my tool belt and develop a plan of action to improve our situation. I was helpless. 


Enter God. He can do anything. He can and does heal. He can and does take away pain and sickness. Realizing my helplessness and smallness enabled me to focus on His power and greatness.


Faith is born and nurtured when our fix-it mentality fails. When we come to the end of our rope, our God is there waiting to hold us and to do His thing in a big way.


Paul, too, was a fix-it person. As godly as he was, he still tried in his flesh to do things on his own. 

We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  (2 Co 1:8–9, NLT)

Not being able to fix things increases our faith in the One who is Able. 

And by the way, He raises the dead. What can He not do in your life?

So,when we are faced with affliction and difficulty, we need to:

• Realize our helplessness and inability to "fix" the person or situation.
• Release the situation or person to God who can do the impossible.
• Rely on God to comfort us and guide us.
• Remember that He can raise the dead!

But there's one more thing: what if it is something we can "fix?" 

Maturing faith still relies on God. Maturing faith realizes that without God we are truly nothing and can do nothing. There are times God asks us to bring our natural to meet His Super (quoting Steven Furtick) and then there are other times He asks us to drop our "fix-it" for pure faith. 

What are you going through right now that you are trying to "fix" and need to faithfully release to God? In what ways is He teaching you that He is enough - He doesn't need you... He desires your faith and relationship with you?  Would love to hear from you!

Have faith in God, He is on His throne!

Kelli

Linking with Jen at Finding Heaven and Seedlings In Stone and Playdates at the Wellspring

When God Turns Your World Upside Down

photo credit

In the most reverent of ways, I say, Oh My God... I feel awesome wonder, great humility and incredible excitement all at the same time.  What you have done these last few days is indeed a spiritual high, a pivotal moment that I will never forget. It has truly been one of those a-ha, write-in-your-journal, and blog-about-it kind of experiences. Only You can take a workshop meant to teach Spiritual Leadership Coaching and turn it into divine encounter with You. We make plans, but ultimately You do Your thing. And we are thankful.


You have completely turned my world and the world of about 35 others UPSIDE DOWN. My prayer is that others can tell we have been with You, Jesus. That others can see that we have experienced God. You have sure been with us. In us. Around us. On us. Through us. Now overflow from us!

 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  Acts 4:13

Let it be said of us. Amen. 


Note: I have a lot swirling around in my head... not to mention I am exhausted. But I plan to write a full post about my experiences at the Blackaby Ministries Spiritual Leadership Coaching conference. Until then... Acknowledge the work of God in you and around you and feel free to share!


Kelli

That's What I Want On My Tombstone!

Today I have the awesome privilege of guest posting for a popular home school site called...  Hip Homeschool Moms!  And if you are questioning my "hipness," I will send you a photo! So, if you are visiting from that site, WELCOME! I am so glad you are here. Though this is not a "home school" site, I am a mom and minister who home schools! My 12 year old daughter came to us and asked to be homeschooled. To read that story, click here.


And before you "regulars" click away and quit reading, my guest post is not just for people or moms who homeschool... I think it is applicable for all of us! 




Here's a sneak peek of my guest post today...

"There’s a great verse in Hebrews in the Bible that refers to the awesome faith of Abraham. The verse reads, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place...obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Honestly, that is a terrific description of my life, but particularly when it comes to homeschooling."

Click here to read the "rest" of this story...and I would love for you to comment on their site...or here...or both! It would just make my day to hear from you!


As for the tombstone...yeah...I would love to have:

Kelli Wommack

"Obeyed God and went... 

even though she didn't know where she was going."  

Now that is a goal worth living for! May we live a life of radical obedience and reckless faith. Live for ONE!

So, whatever...whatever He is calling you to do...obey. Though we do not have a GPS that tells us where we are going and how we will get there, we are following the ONE who is calling us. And HE knows it ALL...

Love to all of you,

Kelli

P.S. My new website is in the works and I can't wait to reveal it to you!!!!

Trust His Presence

photo credit

Let’s just get real. Sometimes I really want to see, hear, and touch God in the flesh. Sometimes I really need that tangible expression of God’s love. And it can be extremely frustrating when I am in one of those moments where “I am just not feeling it.” I know that faith is being sure of what I do not see. I have faith. But sometimes I want that faith to have arms, legs, and a face. I need to be embraced, hugged, rocked.

I know that I am not alone in this.  I know that you have felt this way, too.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.   (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 NIV)
 

So, in light of that verse, do we really feel comforted?

The word comfort in those verses is the Greek word paraklesis, a derivative of paraklete. This word comes from the verb which means, “to call,” and para which means “alongside of.” The God of all comfort means, “He is right there with you.” In the form of the Holy Spirit, God is right there in it with us. We are never alone.

We must learn to trust His presence even when we do not feel it.

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49: 13 - 16) 

Shout! Rejoice! Burst into song!  Why? Because our God comforts... He breathes forcibly, consoles, and shows mercy, pity, and wonderful tenderness on His people. He loves deeply, soothes hearts, and shows compassion on His afflicted...His children who are depressed in mind or circumstances.

Depressed in mind or circumstances? Overwhelmed? The God of ALL Comfort is here.

But Zion (Jerusalem) said “ I feel like God has left me all alone, He has forgotten me, forsaken me.”

Do you ever felt forgotten? The Bible tells us that God will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never, no not ever, forget you. See, I have engraved (etched, inscribed, written) you on the palms of my hands." 

Our names have been engraved on the palms of his hands by the nails that He endured on Calvary.

Have you felt forgotten?  Overwhelmed or depressed by your circumstances?  Let the God of comfort remind you that He has you etched in the palm of his hand.  Rejoice knowing that He is there to comfort you, to love you deeply, to soothe you, to have mercy on you.  Trust Him.

Trust His Presence.

When I desire to be close to God, to feel His presence, I like to worship Him, praise Him, and thank Him. It is amazing! God does indeed inhabit the praises of His people. So invite Him!

And here is one of my favorite songs to invite His Presence...

The more I seek you,

The more I find you

The more I find you, the more I love you

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/kari-jobe-the-more-i-seek-you-lyrics.html ]

I wanna sit at your feet

Drink from the cup in your hand.

Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat

This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.

I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

(Kari Jobe) The More I Seek You

Trust His Presence, today. He is there. 


Living for ONE by getting off the throne,


Kelli


Linking up with:


Jen at Finding Heaven Today and Shanda at A Pause on the Path

Looking for Trouble?

thanks, Flickr

We talked about God being the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort - the perfect source of comfort when we are need - on Monday. Today we are going to talk about the fact that we will suffer, we will endure hard times, we will face trials. But in those trials and troubles, we are able to experience God.

For just as Christ’s [own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us. 2 Corinthians 1:5 AMP

The overflowing of suffering AND comfort. Paul is saying that sure we will have difficulties. In fact, hardships will abound!  But just as we have an abundance of suffering, we will be overwhelmed with comfort and consolation. Ironic it seems, but as Christians the two – suffering and comfort – really do go hand in hand. Our relationship with Christ guarantees suffering, but it also guarantees His comfort!

There are many times that I find myself praying for someone who is going through a “trouble” or hardship in life. This difficult situation may be tragic, or just a temporary trial. But, God has taught me lately that when I pray for these people and their situations I am to pray that God Himself will be revealed to them. I truly believe that His word teaches that His glory is revealed through our sufferings and trials. Many think that “His glory revealed” speaks of heaven or His return. No doubt it does. However, I believe that His glory is also revealed all around us here on earth if we look for it. What is God’s glory? What are we searching for? Christian author, teacher, and speaker Beth Moore says, “God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.” 


Think of the people in the Bible that God used in extraordinary ways to accomplish His purposes and make Himself recognizable. Abraham. Moses. Daniel. Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. The disciples. Paul. Can you think of one of them that did not go through a trial or some form of trouble?


In every situation above, God’s glory was ultimately revealed.  He “was recognizable” in these difficult situations to show who He is to not only the one involved in the trial, but also the spectators looking on! Difficulties that we face ultimately reveal God to us and others. They often bring an intimacy with God we have never experienced before. 



So now, I ask you, are you looking for “TROUBLE?”  Probably not.  In fact, you are probably hoping that your relationship with Christ can grow without all the difficulties and heartache.  No, we would never ask for hardships in life.  But, when troubles come, and they will, we need to meet them with the longing and the anticipation of a closer walk with the Lord.  Because on the other side of that trouble is the knowledge and experience that God has revealed Himself and shown Himself to be the God of comfort and the Father of compassion.  


I want you to know that I am praying for you today, my friend. God loves you, He has a plan for your life, and He will never leave you or forsake you. He wants to reveal Himself to you. 


Living for ONE by getting off the throne,


Kelli




Linking with Winsome Wednesday, Internet Cafe Devotions, and Getting Down with Jesus

All in All

When I tell people that my favorite book in the bible is Second Corinthians, they often look at me funny. You can tell they are scanning their scripture memorization bank to recall any verse that might be worthy of memorizing in Second Corinthians. There are others who don't even know that there was a second letter written to the church at Corinth. 


For me, these thirteen chapters hold truths and powerful statements that have been transformational in my life and ministry. If you missed the first two posts of this series, I invite you to go back and read When God has a Different Objective and There's Only Room for One. 


So, if 2 Corinthians has never been your favorite book of the bible or if you've never memorized any scripture from this book, I pray that by the end of this series, you will have been prompted by the Spirit to do so. 


So, let's jump in! The third verse in the very first chapter of 2 Corinthians will stop you in your tracks. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  (2 Co 1:3–4)

There's so much packed in these verses, but I want to focus on the "alls" and the "any."  The God of all comfort is the One who comforts us in all our troubles. It does not say the God of some comfort is the One who comforts us in some of our troubles. Praise God, He doesn’t choose which situation in my life He will be there for me! He is always there for me.  And this verse even tells me that when I do run to others (spouse, family, friends) for comfort, guess what? He is the One who has empowered them to share it with me. The point is: God is the source of your comfort.  

I am reminded of a personal illustration. You see, if you know me, you know I enjoy talking – with just about anyone for just about any reason. Therefore, if a “trouble” comes my way, I often pick up the phone to call my Mom, or one of my closest friends to vent, and to seek the answers I want to hear. After “venting” recently to my Grandmother about a situation, she called me the next morning.  The conversation went like this:




“Hello?”
“Hey, Honey.” (She always calls me “Honey.”)
“Hey, Grandmother.”  (I always call her “Grandmother.”)
“Listen, Honey, I can’t talk long, but I just wanted to know if you were doing better today.”
“Yes, Grandmother, I am.  Thank you for letting me “vent” yesterday.”
“Well, Honey, I was listening to a pastor speak on the radio last night and I heard a very interesting comment.  In fact, I feel like the Lord wanted me to share it with you.”
“What, Grandmother?” 
“Well, this pastor said, ‘Get off the phone and go to the throne.’”
Silence.
“Ok, Honey, I’ll be going now.  I love you.” Click.
I. was. stunned.


You see, He is the source of all comfort. Our family and friends, or whomever we go to for comfort, are just the empowered distributors. Though it is great that we have people that we can go to and talk to, He would love to be your first stop for comfort. Tell Him what you are feeling. Let Him know your hurts and your fears. Tell Him how lonely you are. And when you can’t even put your thoughts into words, don’t worry; the Spirit is right there interceding on your behalf. Our Lord wants to be our Comforter, our Source of Compassion. He wants to be our All in All.  


What are you thinking right now? Do you allow Jesus to be your All in All? How has God been your source of compassion and comfort? I would love to hear your comments. In fact, as I prepare to write this book, your comments are more needed than ever. Please let me know if God moves you or if you have any insight. Reading by email? click here to go to the site to comment. If not, scroll down to comment.


Living for ONE by getting off the throne!


Kelli

Linking with: Jen  at Finding Heaven Today and

There is Only Room for One

I told the first part of this story on Tuesday. So, if you missed it, you might want to go here to read it.

thanks, Flickr

I left the classroom that day knowing that God was beginning something in me. I once again reminded Him that I really just needed some school credit and that perhaps we could put off transformation for another time. 

                                                                                                                            But He was persistent.

My thoughts quickly moved to getting some lunch. As I walked down the hallway, I saw a professor that I had not had for any of my classes. I smiled and gave the normal greeting. Out of the blue, she asked me if I had plans for lunch. I did not. We decided to go to the cafeteria together.

We sat down with our lunches and begin to chat. We shared comments about the summer, about seminary, about classes. Then she asked me to tell her about my life, my family, my ministry. I launched into this glowing description of my life.  My marriage was great. My ministry was booming and growing. My grades were great. I was moving forward in my calling. I told her that our extended families had just gone through some recent trials and that I had helped them through it. I was there to be strong. I was there to give comfort. I was there to provide advice and counsel. I was there to hold things together. 

My. My. My. I. I. I. I. Me. Me. Me. Me. 

She leaned gently across the table. I thought she was getting ready to applaud me and my efforts. But instead she said,

"Will you please get off the throne?"

                                                         I was mortified. I was humiliated. I was humbled. 

My heart lay there fully exposed on that cafeteria table.  And before you get defensive on my behalf and wonder who she thought she was saying that to me…those words weren't hers. Those words came from a God who loves me, who has a plan for me, who knows me, and who wants relationship with me. Those words began a journey of transformation that I am still on after fourteen years. 

It was then, right there in that cafeteria that I realized that as long as I sat on the throne of my life – in control, taking the credit for my accomplishments, and relishing in pride – I would never really see the power of God at work in my life.  There is room for only one on the throne – will it be you or Christ?

Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.  Psalm 51: 16 - 17

Friends, this is the introduction to a bible study/book that I am writing. The rich verses of Second Corinthians are woven throughout as Paul also addresses the issues of pride, self-sufficiency, and self-reliance. I invite you on this journey with me as we seek to get off the throne of our lives and let God be God. I would love to hear your comments. If you are reading by email, click here.

Living for ONE by getting off the throne of my life,

Kelli

When God Has a Different Objective

thanks, Flickr

The day began just like any other day. My husband left before the break of dawn to go to the hospital for his residency program. I got up not too much later and began to get ready for school. I was in seminary. It was the first day of summer semester. 


I had chosen to take a two-week course in Second Corinthians. How difficult could a thirteen chapter book be, right? Easy peasy. I walked in the classroom, sat down, and prepared to listen to my simple objectives for this two week course. Two weeks, thirteen chapters. Surely, we will just write a paper and be done. Unfortunately, the British-accented professor had a different plan.

And fortunately for my life course, God did, too.

So, the professor began his objective list for the course. I began taking notes. This is what he said:
At the end of this course on Second Corinthians, I would like for you to:

• Be less sure of yourself. 
• Understand that things go wrong in ministry, regardless.
• Develop a theology of weakness, not power.
• Realize we all have and will have pain and suffering in our lives.

Whoa. Wait a minute. 

I am here for information, not transformation. I do not have time for that! 

Seriously. I needed this two-week course to be simple and easy. Those objectives were not simple and they sure weren't easy. I contemplated dropping the course, but really needed the hours. So, I decided to stay. The rest of that day in the summer of 1998 only emphasized my need for transformation. 

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12: 2

Many times in life when we think we know what the goal is for something we are doing, God has a very different objective in mind. 

I will tell you the rest of the story on Thursday of this week. Stay tuned. :)

For now, I would love to hear how God has or is transforming you. Have you ever walked into something thinking that it was for one reason, and God used it to knock your socks off? I would love to hear. And promise me you'll be back on Thursday. Reading by email? Comment here.


Living for ONE,


Kelli


p.s. For all of you that watched my recent video blog, thank you. Your encouragement has been overwhelming. You are such a blessing!


today I link with my SDG girlfriends over at Finding Heaven, and Laura over at the Wellspring. Visit their sites for some awesome blog posts.