The Familiar

They are there.


Tucked in between dashes to the grocery store or the office or the school.


They are there. 


Waiting to be seen, to be heard, to be noticed and given attention.


They are there.


Sometimes showing out, but only to give pleasure and delight.


They are there.


And they often come and go without a glance, without recognition, without acknowledgement.


They are the precious gifts that God has given us in our familiar.


They are the beautiful golden leaves on the trees that are intermixed with the reds, oranges, and the greens.  They are the clouds that either separate to form pillows that you can name or that come together and present a masterpiece yet to be attained.


They are the sunrises in the morning or the sunsets in the evening. They are the blades of grass that glisten in the morning, full of dew and readiness.

They are the ways that God makes Himself known to us through His amazing creation. 


They are in our familiar. We often take them for granted. 


But when we focus on God, our familiar becomes fascinating. We recognize the Giver and the gifts. 


Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances...   1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18


Lord, give us eyes to see the beauty of your gifts. Fascinate us with the familiar. We are thankful.


Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I am thankful for each of you.


Kelli


Linking with Women Living Well today and Jen at Finding Heaven and Winsome Wednesday...

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

Living On Purpose

I was putting his clothes in his drawers when I noticed it. The wonderfully engraved name and doodles on the top of his dresser veneer. Ryan. Etched in wood. Forever. I cannot tell you some of the words I thought, but I can tell you that I gasped and then quickly yelled for that precious name etched in wood forever to come to me.

"Why did you do this, Ryan?  You know that we don't damage furniture.  Furniture is expensive.  We want it to last a long time...and this piece now has your personal autograph. Forever."

"Oh, mom, I am sorry.  I didn't do it on purpose.  It was an accident."

"I didn't do it on purpose." Those words clearly infer that there was no meaning behind the action.  There was no specific intent for the deed. There was no clear goal. Now we know that Ryan's actions most likely did have a goal (ha!), but I think about the times in my own life when I don't live on purpose. My days are not filled with meaningful moments, but rather aimless wandering. I treat time as waste, and throw it away.

Dear friends, God has purpose for our lives.  He longs for us to live in the fullness of His love, mercy, and grace. He has great and wonderful plans for us that flaunt hope and anticipation. But we have to choose to live on purpose. It will not happen by accident. We have to choose to give our days to the One who is the Perfect Planner. We must "take up our crosses daily and follow Him." That is when we find purpose. 

"Run in such a way as to get the prize. We do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." 1 Corinthians 9: 24; 25b; 26

What is keeping you from living "on purpose?" Comment below. Or if you are reading by email, go here to comment.  I would love to pray for you.

And join me each week, for "On Purpose Wednesdays." I can hardly wait! We will:

• discover and embrace the unique design God has given each of us
• seek to live a life "on purpose" using our God-given gifts and passion

Unwrapping the gift of His purpose,

Kelli

I am joining Soli Deo Gloria today @ Finding Heaven sharing what God is doing in my life.

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

So Glad I Don't Have to "Like" God to Follow Him

Although I do LOVE God, I am grateful that I didn't have to click a "Like" button to follow His newsfeed or @mention Him on Twitter to get Him to recognize me. 

A few months ago I had all but written off social media. I was fed up with Facebook, and not willing to figure out Twitter or Google + or anything else. I felt like it was meaningless, time-consuming, and honestly, irritating. I didn't want to update my status when I was doing laundry, watching paint dry or going to the grocery store. The only time I wanted to post anything was when I felt I had some great contribution to society (which was rare.)  

And then it happened. I decided to start blogging....again. I had started a couple of years ago, and my sanguine personality started with a bang and ended with a fizzle. So, here I go again. If anything, this blog could serve as a journal for what God was doing in my life. One of my first few posts was How God Used the Food Network to Speak To Me . I had such a great time writing it, and then found out that others enjoyed reading it.  Really? I was asked to guest post for a popular Christian speaker and author Sheila Gregoire . This was crazy. My She Speaks Conference friends encouraged me to create a Facebook page and join Twitter to have links to my blog. Whaaaaa? When I had a publisher show interest in my book idea, her next question was, "Do you have a platform?" Platform meaning how many social media followers or readers do I  have.  My answer of "60 or so" did not seem to impress.  (Ha!) So, I officially joined the social media craze. Not because I really wanted to, but simply because I felt it was a necessary evil.

My distaste for the internet and social media stemmed from the idea that I felt the enemy had gained ground because of these things. Consuming our time. Focusing our minds on "un"lovely things. Distracting us from our priorities, especially God. However, when I began to dig deeper and I read more blogs, joined Twitter, and followed others' Facebook pages, I realized something. 

"(The enemy) meant to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

Now I know that the enemy is still using the Internet to gain strongholds in peoples' lives, but God is using it to accomplish His good! Christians are utilizing the Internet and social media to encourage, equip, empower, and evangelize. What a method for His message! The first time someone commented on my blog and asked for prayer, I was thrilled. What a way to minister! So my sour reaction to social media has now turned into a enjoyable challenge to determine how I will share God's love and story through the keyboard each day. I have titled my blog, Unwrapping the Gifts of God in hopes of helping readers understand that  we can see the gifts of His presence, purpose, and power in everything if we are willing to unwrap those gifts. I want to pray with and for readers, get to know them, encourage them in their walk, and help them see God. I am just a messenger for the King. 

So, I am thankful that I don't have to click a "Like" button to follow God's Word or @mention Him to get him to notice me on Twitter. I am so grateful that my God "hears when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3. I love it that He knows what I am going to say, even before I say it. And I enjoy the gift of His presence...at all times.  And that's what I want to share with you through this avenue of social media. So that if you choose to tweet, Facebook, read blogs, that is great. But when you turn off the computer, I want you to know that God loves you very much and He is always there for you. A "Like" button is not required.

Please allow me to minister to you today. Comment below so that I can pray for you. Or if you want to comment about social media, feel free.  

Thank you for the gift of your readership.  I do not take it for granted.

Kelli

From Attitude to Gratitude

It was Saturday morning.  And then it happened.  You know this sound.  It is the sound of little people feet who like to get up early and like your company as well.  Sigh.  I decide to fake sound sleep.  Little feet stop.  Little feet turn around.  Little hands close door.  Yes!  I did it.  I go back to sleeping, not faking it this time.

Twenty minutes later, scenario repeats.  Only this time, little  big voice announces that he has made me breakfast in bed.  I am foggy.  He continues to tell me that his daddy taught him that this was the way you make your wife happy.  Wait!  What kind of breakfast did he make me all by himself?  Daddy is gone to work.  Tween sister is at a sleepover.  Yikes.  I am wide awake now.  And then he presents.  Slightly burnt crunchy yummy toast with four ounces ample squeezable grape jelly and nine manhandled lightly washed blueberries.  Yes, there were nine.  I counted them.

Wow.  He is thrilled to serve me.  I am proud to be his mom.  He is so proud of himself.  I am...in desperate need of coffee.  (Especially with the sugar high I am feeling from the jelly right now.)

It was a beautiful moment.  My almost eight year old is growing up.  We relish in the moment together.  I drink my coffee and eat my lovingly prepared breakfast in bed.

Twenty minutes later, it happens.  You know "it."  "It" is the attitude that creeps in after we have done something nice for someone.   "It" is the attitude of reciprocity.  And "it" came on with a vengeance in my son.  He wants to know if I will take him to ToysRUs to get a toy because he made breakfast for me.  Whaaaa?  My motherly instinct of teaching life lessons in the middle of life crises kicks in.  "Son, you made breakfast for me because you wanted to do something nice for me, to show your love for me, right?  Not to get something in return.  We do things for people because we love them and want to serve them, not  to gain leverage for purposes of negotiation."  (Ok, so I didn't say that last part, but I wanted to!)


He makes a sour face.  He leaves the room.


Twenty minutes later, he returns.  (He kind of works in 20 minute shifts.)  He is now fixated on the idea of going to TRU and getting a prize.  He has now positioned himself firmly with a sense of entitlement.


Patience wavering.  Life lesson #2.  I give him a sheet of paper and write at the top, "What I am thankful for..."  I tell him it is hard to have this "attitude" of entitlement if we take time to think about and be grateful for what we already have.

He begins his list.  He gets frustrated.  He throws away the first paper.  He starts the second paper and this is what he comes up with:

Ritzy and Cookie are our dogs.  Bunk Bed comes in third, with food, pool, upstairs, and trampoline following.  And then...my personal favorite...he is thankful for having a lot (not just a little) TALINT.  So true, my sweet boy.  And then lots of toys with oh, and a family there at the end.

Gratitude.  When we realize the amazing ways in which God has blessed us.  When we realize we have everything we need and a lot of what we want as well.  When we gain perspective.

Gratitude has an uncanny habit of replacing "attitude."  Because it is really hard to have a sense of entitlement and need of reciprocity when you realize that the Ultimate Giver has lavished His love, grace and mercy on you.  Undeservedly.

Lord, I know that I am so often like a child desiring recognition and reciprocity for my service.  I can also be very needy and "wanty" not realizing what I have already been blessed with.  Give me an attitude of gratitude that I might see the amazing gifts that You have graciously given me.

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."  1 Thess. 5: 16 - 18 (Msg)

So, do you need an attitude change?  What would your gratitude list look like?

The Dream of the Gift

Three years ago I had a dream. The vividness of it brings it ever close today. 

The dream.  I walk into a room. And I see Him...Jesus.   He is beautiful. He is sitting on a beautiful throne. And He is holding something. As I look closer I see that He is holding a beautifully wrapped gift.  It was wrapped in exquisite paper and topped with a perfect huge bow.  I look into His eyes and ask, "Is that gift for me?" He peers into my eyes, into my soul, and gently gestures me to come closer. And then I wake up.

When I had that dream three years ago, I was going through one of the most painful and difficult times in my life. That painful situation had left me feeling raw, numb, and abandoned. I felt unworthy, inadequate, unusable.  Though I had been very involved in ministry, this situation had made me seriously doubt my identity, my mission, and whether or not I would ever be involved in ministry again.  

Then the dream.  Though it took me a while to process what God was saying to me, I realized that His main message was that the painful trial I was going through was indeed a gift. A gift only realized if I came closer to the Gift Giver Himself. That's why when I asked Him in the dream if the gift was for me, He only responded with a gesture to come closer to him.  My trial a gift?  I didn't understand, but I trusted that He would continue to reveal Himself to me.

That painful situation necessitated that I leave a very comfortable zone and head straight into one that was unknown, uncomfortable, even unraveling.  I enjoy new things, new challenges, but I don't enjoy discomfort.  I am just being honest.  But I was devastated and needed restoration and rebirth.  As Ann Voskamp shared in a recent post, "It's only in the uncomfortable places that we can experience the tenderness of the Comforter." It was in that place that I received the gift of His intimate Presence. He longs to meet us all there. He is the God of all Comfort, the Father of Compassion.  

2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 5, says "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comes alongside of us when we go through hard times, and before you know, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us."  (NIV, MSG)

Looking back now, I realize what a gift that painful experience truly was. For it was in that pain, in that open wound, that I sought the comfort of my Savior in a way I never had before. His Presence was soothing, healing, and life-giving.  He was IT for me...and He was enough.  He was truly my All in All.  He restored my soul and my mind.  He reminded me that my identity could only be found in Him, not in other people, titles, or even ministry.  He not only restored my mission and ministry, He expanded it!  

Unwrapping the gifts of His presence, purpose, and power has now become the message I feel He has given me to share with others. Sharing and marketing that message is another trip out of my comfort zone! However, this time, I take the trip out of my comfort zone, not out of obligation, but out of desire. Because I know that being out of my comfort zone means being in the arms of the God of all comfort. And that's a gift!

As I write this, I am praying and preparing to go to a conference in July offered by Proverbs 31 Ministries called, "She Speaks Conference." I have known about this conference a couple of years, but have been unable scared to attend. Lysa TerKeurst, author of Made To Crave and When Women Say Yes To God, is one of the women on the Proverbs 31 team and I look forward to learning lots from her and many other women.  The conference is for speakers, writers, and leaders "to receive the tools and the confidence to answer God's call on your life." I consider it such a blessing to be able to go and I look forward to listening to God and being obedient to His leadership in my life.  

I am asking for your prayers as I attend the conference.  I am on the Speakers Track and will present a short message to two different groups for evaluation.  I am excited about receiving feedback and encouragement from women with similar callings and love for the Lord.  In addition, I am FINALLY meeting with someone to discuss the bible study I wrote based on 2nd Corinthians.  And it scares me to death, but I also have two meetings with publishers to "pitch" my bible study.  I don't know if it's because I am turning 40 in October, but I have gotten really brave  crazy these days.  As I write this, my heart beats out of my chest.  Literally- and I am sitting in a chair!

Please pray for God's divine wisdom, guidance, and timing in all these things.  And do me a favor, if you  will, and click to follow my blog on the left hand side of the blog posts.  They say this is important when trying to pitch a book.  Anyway, I hope to blog at least twice a week on God's gifts to us.  I hope you will join me in unwrapping those gifts...  as we move closer to the Gift Giver.

I attended the conference since this posting and it was truly life-changing.  If you would like to read about my trip, you can go to He Speaks and She Listens.  

Any recent gifts from God that you want to share in the comments?

I'd love to know what they are!

Much love and gratitude for your friendship,

Kelli