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!!!!

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

The Purpose of Difficulty: On Purpose Wednesdays

It has already been "one of those days." And it is only 9:00 AM! I forgot to do something that is due on someone's desk -- today. I received an email with news I didn't want to hear -- and honestly don't want to deal with. I have a to-do list with at least 10 items -- and that is being conservative. And my seventh grade homeschooler is testing this week. 

I am a huge fan of Sarah Young and her "Jesus Calling" devotional. I read it every day and there are always words that stir my heart. Yesterday these words leaped off the page: 

Though the Holy Spirit is infinite, He deigns to be your Helper. He is always ready to offer assistance; all you need to do is ask. When the path before you looks easy and straightforward, you may be tempted to go it alone instead of relying on Me. This is when you are in the greatest danger of stumbling.        Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Back to my day. The path does not look easy. I am struggling. And I found myself literally crying out to God for his help. His knowledge. His direction. His love. His mercy. His grace. I am in desperate need. I cannot do it by myself. 

Unfortunately, my yearning for Him is not as great when life is going great. 

It is in the difficulties that I am reminded that He is always present even when I am presently distracted.


It is in the difficulties that I trade my independence for His intervention.


It is in the difficulties that I see my great need of Him and His great love for me.


It is in the difficulties that I learn to trust Him even though He is always trustworthy.


It is in the difficulties that I realize my inadequacy and His insurmountable power.


It is in the difficulties that I am silenced and He speaks.

What do you learn in difficulties? I would love to hear from you today! If you are reading by email, you can click here to comment. 

Unwrapping the gift of difficulties,




Kelli








Linking with my sisters over at :

eMpowering Mondays

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”  -~ Albert Einstein

Last week was incredibly difficult for me. For a multitude of reasons. And in the midst of it, I honestly wanted to quit and run.  Run like Forrest Gump. Keep running and never stop. Maybe then I would finally end up somewhere where I wouldn't feel the need to run again. 

You and I both know that wouldn't happen.  There will always be difficulties.  We live in a fallen world where things just go wrong and life is hard. So, if we can't or shouldn't run away from those problems, what should we do? 

Ask God to show you what He wants to teach you in this difficult time. Instead of asking, "Why me?," let us ask, "What do you want to teach me?" So, Thursday night after four days of tears and wounds brought by the enemy, I approached the approachable Savior and asked Him for instruction. 

I found clarity in the midst of chaos. God began to lay out for me what He wanted me to focus on - especially in my blog writing.  I had been praying for God to help me find my niche in the writing world.  This is the result of my time with Him:

eMpowering Mondays - Each Monday, on the blog, facebook page,and twitter, I will focus on unwrapping the gift of God's incredible power. Together we will:

• recognize and record the power of God at work in our lives. (I'll be asking for your stories!)
• learn to access the power of God that is readily available to us.
• discover the value of empowering others to live out their calling as we seek to live out our own calling

I am so excited about this! (I'll be introducing another theme on Wednesday.)

So, for today, I am asking you to help me "tell of the Power of God's awesome works." He is worthy of praise!

 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; 

his greatness no one can fathom. 

One generation commends your works to another; 

they tell of your mighty acts. 

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— 

and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 

 They tell of the power of your awesome works— 

and I will proclaim your great deeds.  Psalm 145: 3 - 6

Now, it's your turn! Leave a comment and tell us about a recent experience where you saw the power of God at work in your life.

Grateful to unwrap this gift of His power together,

Kelli

Linking up with Playdates at the Wellspring