When God Turns Your World Upside Down

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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

Balancing Life Series: Not Bound by Time

I look back at the last month and wonder how I did not go crazy. (All those who think I did, please do not correct me.) It is amazing to me how we managed to juggle everything. 

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In the midst of normal family duties, taking care of my mom during chemo and the aftereffects, continuing ministry, I had a writing deadline for a magazine. I was so excited about the opportunity, but freaked out that I was not going to finish not one, but FOUR articles for this magazine.


I sent in my first article on time. Done. I did my research for the other three that were not due for another couple of weeks. It's a good thing. Because right after that, life went full speed throttle. 


My deadline for the other three articles was quickly approaching. It was my mom's chemo week and I felt quite certain that while she was receiving chemotherapy, I could work on my articles on my laptop. Plan fail. She needed me. During her long day at the cancer center, I managed to open my laptop for 20 minutes max. 


My other attempts that week to finish the articles failed. I had to take my daughter to an out-of-town science fair. My laptop stayed in the car the entire time because I realized that I needed to be "present" for her. (Her team of three home schoolers ended up winning, by the way!) I spent the next day at the office trying to catch up on ministry and the laptop remained untouched. This was Thursday. My man's birthday. My deadline was Friday morning. 


Needless to say, I was a little frantic. I had my research and half-written, unedited articles, but nothing completed. And now, my mind was very preoccupied with other things. Important things. I sent the editor an email and asked to extend the deadline until the end of the day on Friday. I didn't hear from him. So at 10:30 pm, Thursday night I began to pray for God to supernaturally enlighten me. Seriously. I put my hands to the computer and prayed that my half-written work would be completed. The longer I attempted to type, the crazier my sentences got. I was exhausted...physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How could I possibly formulate thoughts that would make sense?


Still no answer from the editor about the extended few hours for the deadline. I finally gave up and went to bed. I knew that these articles were due in the morning. I dozed off, praying that God would help me. I know Him as the God Who Sees. I know Him as the God Who Provides. I know Him as the God Who Hears. 


3:30 am. I awaken. Wide awake. Yes! God woke me up so that I could go write. Yes! Except that in my heart, I did not feel like that was why God awakened me. To my surprise, and honestly my distress, I felt He was telling me to lay there awake and pray and rest. 


I questioned Him. "Do you know I am really awake, Lord, and that some of my best writing occurs at 3:30 am? Are you sure I can't get up and finish these articles that are due in FIVE hours?" But, as best as I can hear God at 3:30 am, I really felt like He said, "I will bless you for doing what I am calling you to do. Rest and pray." So, from 3:30 to 5:30 am, I prayed. I prayed for Mom. For Dad. For healing. For my family. For my extended family. For grace. For love. For mercy. For my friends who were suffering. For my church family. For missionaries. For my ministry. For my calling. For anything and anyone God brought to my mind during those hours. 


At 5:30 am, I fell asleep and I slept until 6:15 when I had to get up and start getting ready for the day. After a quick cup of coffee and a peanut butter slathered waffle, I sat down at the computer. I was ready to write.


I decided to check my email. And there it was. An email from the editor of the magazine. He told me not only to take until the end of the day on Friday, but to take the weekend to finish the articles. To say I was relieved was an understatement.  I was incredibly grateful for the extension. 


And then I read the time stamp on the editor's email.


3:30 am. 


In God's economy, time is never wasted. In fact, it is usually multiplied. He is not bound by time. He can actually make time abound.


He is faithful, friends.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

His mercies never come to an end; 

  they are new every morning; 

great is Your faithfulness. 

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, 

“therefore I will hope in Him.” 

I would love to know how God has blessed you lately. Maybe with extra energy? Time? Please share below or here if reading by email. We celebrate the faithfulness of God! 

Living for ONE,

Kelli


If you are joining this series on Balancing Life today, you might want to go back and read the previous articles.


A Balancing Act: Juggling Life


First Things First


Priorities vs. Reality

My Life on the Mine Train

I remember it vividly. As we loaded onto the cars that would take us up and down and twisting and turning, there was a mixture of fear and thrill. You know that blending of emotions that causes you to want to throw up and jump up and down simultaneously. The fear starts to produce doubts, but the opportunity of a thrill enables you to get on this crazy roller coaster.

Yes, we climbed into our two-passenger seats and waited for the rote instruction... "Arms up as the safety bar comes down and locks in front of you." Except it didn't come down. The safety bar did not come down! We screamed for help and for the attendant to stop the train from beginning to move, but no one could hear us above all the other noise.

Thrill seemed to fade quickly as we literally hung on for life to the front of our car. Thankfully, there were only minor turns and hills before we saw another attendant. As we ascended onto one of the major hills, we yelled for the attendant to stop the train and pull down the safety bar. Once again, we were not heard. By now fear was our faithful attender. My aunt who was in the car with me did her best to support my twelve year old frame. The mine train coaster was in full motion now and we were about to rise to our highest peak. 

There at the top of the biggest hill was another attendant. Screaming at the top of our voices, we frantically yelled for the car to stop. Finally we were heard. The coaster was halted. Our safety bar which served as a belt to hold us in finally came down around our waists. Relief does not describe our feelings. Had we not been protected with the safety bar at that time, we most likely would have been thrown from the cars and badly injured.

My life has resembled that crazy mine train roller coaster lately. 

I am having my first article published in a printed magazine in April. UP.

My parents are both going through cancer treatment right now - Mom in chemo and Dad in radiation. DOWN.

My speaking ministry is taking off and I am so excited to see what God is going to do! TWIST.

My house is so disorganized, it is a miracle that I ever get anything accomplished. TURN.

Just spent the weekend with my husband of 20 years ministering together at a Marriage conference. UP.

There are relationships in my life that desperately need healing. DOWN.

You get the picture. There are times I jump on board this roller coaster called life with that same mixture of fear and thrill. And there are times that I wonder if Someone forgot to pull down the safety bar. I feel out of control. Desperate. I cry out and don't feel heard at times.

BUT JESUS. Even though life is crazy, unpredictable, lonely, and broken, we have a GOD WITH US. We have a GOD WHO SEES. We have a GOD WHO HEARS AND LISTENS. We have a PROTECTOR and a PROVIDER. JESUS is our SAFETY BAR. He is our ATTENDANT. He will never leave us or forsake us. He LOVES US! 

I hold on to you for dear life,

and you hold me steady as a post.  Psalm 63:8

Friend, whatever you are going through, I want you to know that God loves you and He will never abandon you. Even when you feel you are not being heard, He is there. Trust Him. He has a plan for your life and it is greater than you could ever ask or imagine. I feel that we are a community here. I have shared some of my struggles, would you share yours, so we can pray for you?

Living for ONE,


Kelli 


joining in with Jen at SDG...come join us!

A Date with the ONE and ONLY

It was a morning I would rather forget. Life seemed to be going so smoothly, so well. And then it all seemed to fall apart in a matter  of minutes. 

Ever had one of those days? The more I tried to fix things, the worse they got. 

I had been invited to attend a women's ministry Christmas gathering later that night. That was the last thing I wanted to do. After all, I would be surrounded by cheery voices and laughter. I just didn't feel cheery and laugh-y. 

I argued with God for a while about going. He nudged. I resisted. He paved a way for me to go when my sweet husband volunteered to watch the children. I finally gave in.

All the way there, I cried. Seriously, Lord? This is supposed to be a happy event -- I do not want to show up with a white-washed face with swollen eyes. I do not want my pain to be visible!

I walked in the door of this very welcoming home with my Apple Dump Cake in hand. Just as I had suspected, I was met with smiling faces and warm hearts. Ordinarily, I would have been so excited to be with other women and share such sweet fellowship. But today was different. I really wanted to go dig a hole, crawl in it, and somehow disappear from life for a while.

I reluctantly joined a few conversations. Then our women's ministry leader who is a sweet friend of mine explained to me that there were "reflection" stations scattered throughout the house.

The stations were all different. One had a board on which to post prayer requests and pray for others. Another station had some Scripture to read and offer reflection. The third station was near the fireplace and had a cross. The cross was to remind us that Jesus carries our burdens -- whatever they are. My eyes welled up.

But it was the final station that got me. There was a basket filled with small rolled up pieces of paper. We were to take one as a gift from Jesus. I assumed that these papers would contain words of affirmation, words of hope, words of love. This excited me as God knew I needed that, especially today. I opened my small yellow scroll slowly, anticipating what God may say to me. And this is what He said:

I wept. I actually had to excuse myself. 


One of the reasons this was so profound and so personal for me is that a few weeks prior to this I had gone to Starbucks while I was waiting for my daughter during drama practice. I had taken my journal and Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts with me. I approached chapter 7, "Seeing Through the Glass." The more I read, the more I cried. Right there in the middle of Starbucks. God spoke in volumes that night and I declared that Starbucks was a date venue for me and God. 


So, you know how much this little yellow scroll of intimate words meant to me. Yes, there was a gift card waiting for me on the fridge. Yes, anyone would have been happy to receive this token. But for me, it was a reminder to me that the God of the Universe knows me intimately. He knows when I am having a terrible, no-good day and I need to know He is still in control. 


I am continuing my Love List today. I know this post is long. But I wanted you to know that I LOVE the fact that my God, our God, is so very personal. He longs for intimacy with us. He desires deep relationship. And He loves us like no other. 


Whatever kind of day you are having, or whatever trial you are going through, God wants to be WITH YOU. He is GOD WITH US. I would love to hear from you and pray for you.


Now go...

He is waiting. (Maybe even at Starbucks!)


Living for ONE,




Kelli


Linking with Jen at 

God Believes in You!

Thanks for all of you who entered in the giveaway for Teri Johnson's empowering book, Overcoming the Nevers. It was such a fun day to interact with Teri and hear her heart!

THE WINNER OF THE SIGNED COPY IS.... Daniela Castila!  (Daniela, please email your mailing address to kelli{at}ccclive{dot}org. Thanks! Congratulations!

We are going a new direction for November and December on the blog. We are going to be discussing Spiritual Gifts and Personalities. I am so excited to share this with you...I think it will have impact on your life.  So, join me the next few weeks on Mondays and Thursdays as we explore how God has created us and how He wants to use us to glorify Him and benefit others. Today is a foundational message.

Photo credit: only Alice, flickr

God gifts every believer.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Cor. 12:7

GOD is the giver of spiritual gifts! 

EVERY believer has at least one gift – usually more than one.  Why?  because

God believes in you.

He loves you.  He has a plan for your life.  He wants to use you.

One of the greatest blessings of my ministry at CCC is spending an hour with people after they go through the SHAPE class. During this hour, God allows and empowers me to speak truth and life into someone’s heart.  God loves and believes in us, and He wants us to know He has a purpose for our lives, no matter what we have done.  


Jesus spoke words of truth into Simon Peter while He was still on earth.  “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter exclaimed, "You are Christ!"

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church...’”  Matthew 16: 17 – 18

Even though Christ knew that Simon Peter would soon deny Him three times, He also knew that Peter would be the one to proclaim the Gospel on the day of Pentecost and be the rock on which His church was built.  He believed in Peter and He believes in you!

Paul goes on to emphasize this in his book to the Corinthian church. “We are Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making His appeal through us.”  2 Cor. 5:20

Wow!  We are His representatives.  We have been entrusted with the gospel of Christ because He chose us to be his ambassadors.

Isn’t it amazing that He could have accomplished His purposes all by Himself, but He chose to use us?  Every member of the body of Christ is a minister!  He has gifted us to join Him!


Do you need to hear that God believes in you? That He has gifted you to join Him in accomplishing His purposes? Please comment and let me know.


Unwrapping the gifts God has entrusted us with,


Kelli

Overcoming the Nevers: A Book Review and a Giveaway!: eMpowering Mondays

I had the blessed opportunity to meet several hundred women who have a similar calling as me this past July at the She Speaks Conference. Though I learned pages and pages of ideas and tools from the conference, my greatest gain has been the relationships that I have developed. Many of these friendships were not started at the actual conference. In fact, I have never seen some of these women in real life. Our commonalities drew us together and we have nurtured our relationships via phone calls, text messages, emails, Twitter, and Facebook.

Teri Johnson is one of those women I have not had the privilege of actually hugging in person! I was reading on Twitter one day that Teri was publishing her first book and I responded by supporting her and offering to review it with my readers – that was Labor Day weekend. Our relationship that began virtually morphed into real life phone calls. I am now honored to call Teri my friend. And now, I am excited to tell you that her book is OUT and I have already read it and want to recommend it to you! AND BE SURE TO READ TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE HOW YOU CAN WIN YOUR OWN SIGNED COPY!

The book is titled, Overcoming the Nevers. It’s a catchy title – and Teri explains that the “nevers” in our lives can be positive (I never thought I would go to seminary, but I did!) or negative (I never thought I would live in fear, but I have.) Teri focuses on the negative “nevers” because those are the ones that leave us in a state of disappointment, failure, regret, insecurity, anxiety, fear and shame. The “after-effects” of those “Nevers” are what keep us from living life – a full life, a joyful life, a content life. We begin to believe lies about ourselves – lies of inadequacy, of never measuring up, of insignificance. The pain surrounding these “after-effects” and lies often causes us to resort to unhealthy behaviors.

 

Overcoming the Nevers is about experiencing freedom in our lives as we triumph over our Nevers and their lingering effects. As we gain victory, we begin to see how God has uniquely created us and has an incredible plan for our lives.  Teri uses the analogy of a garden to talk about our lives. She reminds us that “whatever we feed and focus on grows.” She highlights the tools that we need to tend to that garden of life – to weed out the feelings and behaviors that need to be removed and to nurture the growth of seeds and plantings that enable us to be who God created us to be.

This book is empowering! I realized that though my “Nevers” are different from Teri’s and most likely different from yours, I still have them. For example, I never thought I would go through depression. I thought that my personality did not lend itself to depression. And yet, a few years ago, that is exactly where I found myself. I am confident that whatever your “Never” is, by the grace of God, you can overcome it! I am thankful to Teri for sharing her incredible journey with God through Overcoming the Nevers. It is a powerful collection of tools for anyone desiring to live the radical, abundant life Christ desires for us!

Some of my favorite quotes:

“By acknowledging our powerlessness we are actually empowered, and this cultivates strength.”

“Wrong thinking can also prevent us from experiencing joy and being fully alive. When we decide something is true, that “truth” adheres to us, even if it’s false. Believing messages about who you are, that are simply not true, is wrong.”

“We are inviting Him to separate us from what we’ve uncovered and discovered, what He revealed to us in our lives that is not pleasing to Him... We are asking Him to heal us, restore us, refine us, and transform us.”

“We will clean our house daily with the ultimate goal of our inside matching our outside – wholeness.”

Good stuff, huh? 

I want you to win your own signed copy of the book!  You can enter the giveaway by:

1.  Commenting on this post – share with us maybe why you would love to read this book! Teri Johnson will be joining the blog comment conversation as you comment...so give her some comment love and some questions!
 
2.    Following this blog if you are not already...you can subscribe over on the left via email, Google Reader, or Networked Blogs.
 
 
3.    Sharing this book review post via Twitter or Facebook and leave a comment letting me know that you did that!
 
4.    Following me on twitter at http://twitter.com/kelliwommack and let me know!
 
 
5.    Following Teri’s blog http://keepingitpersonal.com where I have the honor of being a monthly contributor and let us know in the comments.
 
6.    Follow Teri on Twitter at http://twitter.com/keepitpersonal

You can also order a signed copy of the book or an e-book by going to http://keepingitpersonal.com/overcoming-the-nevers/

or order a copy from Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159932251X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=keepitpers-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=159932251X

Teri is the President and Founder of Keeping it Personal.  She is a writer, speaker, and sought-after personal growth expert.  Great conversations while sipping coffee and soaking up as many sunsets as she can, make her tick — along with running and taking pictures.  She’s passionate about helping others; an encourager and a cheerleader to many.  Teri lives a joy-filled life deeply devoted to her husband, her two boys, and her relationship with God.

As always, I am grateful for your reading this blog. You are the reason I write. Now, go...Overcome your Nevers!

Unwrapping the gift of abundant life,

Kelli

Purpose in the Process

I have come to the in your face realization that I spend an awful lot of time trying to figure out what in the world I am supposed to be doing here on this earth. I know that comes as a shock since I write about purpose every week...  Yet, I struggle with "Am I getting it right?" You know, I have this fear of looking back at my life when I am older and having regrets. So, I pray, I read, I write, I research, I do life plans, and so on. And all of those have been extremely helpful. 

I started this whole On Purpose Wednesdays writing about the fact that we can't live life "by accident." We must be intentional.  And I still very much believe that and preach that. I also believe that we must have goals and life plans, or we will spend a lot of time wasting time. Being willy nilly, with no vision or direction. I believe we must seek Him with our whole hearts and He will show us the way -- 

but not necessarily the destination. 

I don't know about you, but when I go on a trip, one of my least favorite parts is the actual traveling piece. I am extremely prone to motion sickness. So whether I travel by car, boat, plane, or train, (yes, I have) I most always have to take a Dramamine or this girl is going to yak. Sorry, it's true. I really wish our scientists would figure out the whole "Beam me up, Scotty!" thing so that I can just be momentarily and motionlessly transferred to my destination. I just want to get there, for heaven's sake!

So, when trying to discern MY PURPOSE in life, I am equally as impatient. I want to just get there, ok? Why do we have to do all these trial runs? Make mistakes? Listen? Research? Seek counseling? I just want to get THERE, for heaven's sake! 

And so, last week as I was "researching" purpose for my sake and yours, I came across this written by Oswald Chambers...

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome,that is glorifying to God.

What????  His purpose is in the process itself, ever drawing me near to him; ever growing my trust in Him; ever wooing me into relationship to Him; ever demonstrating His absolute love and grace and presence in my life.

While I spend (and waste) my time considering and agonizing over His purpose for my life, He is there in the moment ready to reveal that seeking Him, walking with Him, listening to Him -- well, that is my purpose. 

You see, God is not about having us ARRIVE. He is about having us JOURNEY.

-- and Dramamine is not required. 

Are you like me and find yourself just wanting to find that ultimate PURPOSE...to reach that destination? Please share so that we can encourage each other and pray for each other.  You have no idea how much your comments mean to this "newbie" writer. 

Unwrapping the gift of the journey with Him!

Kelli

linking up with my friend at 

and Courtney for the Women Living Well Blog Bash!

Simple, Obvious, But Powerful: On Purpose Wednesday

thanks, Dom Dada, Flickr

"I just can't figure it all out. I want to know what my purpose is. What I am here on earth for? I want to know God's plan for my life."

I hear this statement often as I counsel people. They are often perplexed and confused. I totally understand. I have been there and honestly, still find myself there from time to time. We all want to make sure that we are being obedient to God, that we are fulfilling the calling that He has placed on our lives.

A few weeks ago at a women's retreat, I was introduced to a new and wonderful song called "Come Away" by Jesus Culture. One of the verses says this:

I have a plan for you,

I have a plan for you,

It's gonna be wild,

It's gonna be great,

it's gonna be full of Me.

As I sang this song again this past Sunday morning, I was so focused on "the plan." I get so excited that God actually has a plan for me - a great and wild plan, how exciting!  So, what is this plan, God? And am I already on this plan? And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  How I know that what I am doing is God's plan is not its wildness or its greatness. Because honestly there are a lot of plans that can be wild and great. The difference is that God's plan and purpose will always be full of Him. If I am caught up in a plan that is wild and great, but full of me, chances are it is not God's plan. Wow. What a simple, obvious, but powerful revelation.


Are you trying to figure out God's plan for your own life? Ask yourself, is this plan full of Him or full of me? If you struggles with this, I would love to know so that we can pray for each other! 

The song finishes out with, "Open up your heart and let Me in." Lord, if our plans and our hearts are full of ourselves, help us to open them up and let You in. Fill us, Lord, with You.


Unwrapping the gift of surrender,


Kelli