Can I be perfectly honest right here; right now? I’ve been struggling lately with some discouragement and anxiety over this whole cancer thing. Sometimes, I wish I had the luxury of just sticking my head in the sand and forgetting that I am a cancer patient at all. I fantasize about going in and making a deal with my Oncologist ... and the conversation goes a little like this ...
“How ‘bout we just forget this whole cancer thing ever happened.
I won’t tell anybody if you won’t tell anybody!”
Fortunately, I know that I can’t just “forget” about it. I can’t stick my head in the sand. Gotta keep moving forward, pressing in, trusting my Creator. I know that physical difficulties are as much a physical fight as they are a spiritual fight for the child of God ... a battle for the mind, a battle to stay surrendered, a battle for my focus and my worship; and, knowing all of this keeps me reaching for the One who holds ALL of my hope.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still feeling good, aside from the usual aches and pains that we all get, and I still have a good report! Praise God! I even had a good routine appointment recently. My Doctor did the usual 6 month lab work, ordered a chest x-ray and a mammogram and then sent me on my way.
So, now I wait and, by the way, did I mention that I despise waiting? But, wait I must ... I wait for the lab results, I wait for the other two appointments, after which, I will wait for the results of the two tests that will be done at those two appointments that I’m waiting for.
Waiting! Ugh! ~ Trusting! Ah!
As I have faced my “wait” this week, I’m reminded that there is one thing I don’t have to wait for. What is that? Well, I’m glad you asked!
I don’t have to wait on the calm and comfort of my Father. I don’t have to wait on the peace that passes all understanding. I don’t have to wait for the strength that comes from prayer, submission, and daily abiding in His Word.
No, I do not have to wait on Him for these things ~ at all ... ever!
He is always there ... going before me ... shielding my way ... upholding me with His all sufficient arms ... renewing my strength ... mounting me up on wings like eagles ... exchanging my fearful thoughts for faith-filled ones. Giving me courage I did not know I could possess as I press in to Him. How good is our God!
I mentioned in my last blog that I’m memorizing scripture this year ~ two verses each month. Well, it comes as no surprise that God, in the midst of my discouragement, would lead me to my second verse of the year which is Isaiah 40: 28-31 (maybe you already know this passage) ...
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
the Everlasting God, the Lord,
the Creator of the ends of the earth
does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
and vigorous young men stumble badly
yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.
They will mount up on wings like eagles,
they will run and not get tired,
they will walk and not become weary.
Is. 40: 28-31 (NAS)
So there we have it. Waiting doesn’t have to be all bad; in fact, the word “wait” in this passage means “hope in”.
So, this passage reminds us ...
the Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired ... and those who wait for (hope in) Him will gain new strength, mounting up on wings like eagles ....
I’ll take a little of that. It’s just what I need today .... how about you?
About Me
- CIndy K
- Rock Hill, SC, United States
- "My heart is overflowing with a good theme. I recite my compositions concerning the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." (Psalm 45:1) This verse has become a life verse for me. As I continue to walk it out, I realize this journey as a breast cancer survivor has changed me but does not define me. I remain the loved, chosen, redeemed and blessed child of the living God who supplies me daily with more hope, strength, grace and courage than I ever dreamed I could possess! God has been so good to me ... indeed my tongue is the pen of a ready writer ... poised to tell the story of my faithful Father! I love Him so!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year, 2011
What are your plans for the new year? Are you setting personal goals such as exercising more, eating healthy, or studying the Bible more intentionally? The list of potential goals and resolutions can be long and full of good intentions.
In fact, there are many great things that we can strive for and they will surely enrich our lives as we see new disciplines developed. At the top of my list is memorizing scripture in 2011. I’ll be participating with Living Proof Ministries as posted on their blog page recently. I even ordered their handy-dandy, spiral bound booklet full of blank index cards ready to be filled with scriptures ... 24 of them ... as I memorize two verses each month.
By the way, you can learn more about this Siesta Scripture Memory Team by visiting the Living Proof Ministry blog entry at http://blog.lproof.org/2010/12/my-fun-little-siesta-surprise.html
So, anyway, I’m beginning with Isaiah 30: 20-21 (I know that’s 2 verses but they just seem to be inseparable) and these verses say ....
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, Your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it.” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
This passage refers to a time following the judgment because of Israel’s disobedience in which God opened their eyes once again to the sound teaching of the prophets but I think there is application for us today ~ as believers who have the living God within us in the person of the Holy Spirit ... our resident Teacher.
Sometimes, life can be so very difficult and we do indeed experience the “bread of privation and water of oppression”. Sometimes life just gets tough and it hurts! It may be something of our own doing which causes difficult consequences (like the Israelites in this passage) or it may be something that is totally beyond our control. Something that sovereign God allows into our life to refine us, mold us, teach us, shape us.
The point is ... don’t give up on God. He loves you and He loves me ... He longs to walk with us every step of the way ... in the difficulty and the ease of living.
Maybe we just need the reminder and the assurance that God has not forgotten us. This verse reminds me that He is my Teacher, my Guide, the Ever-Constant in my journey. One thing is for certain and that one thing is that I long to seek Him and find Him in the midst of whatever I am experiencing and, He promises that as I seek Him, He will be found ... gotta keep pressing in!
So, let me retype the verses now with some simple thoughts added because I don’t think it’s enough to just memorize scripture ... there must be some understanding of what it means ... of how it can apply to my right now moments ....
Although the Lord (the sovereign Ruler over all) has given you bread of privation and water of oppression (what difficulty or uncertainty is happening in my life right now ~ could it be the sovereign allowing of it in my life?), He, Your Teacher, (the Lord Himself, indwelling) will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher (seek and He will be found ~ Jer. 29:13). Your ears will hear a word behind you “This is the way, walk in it.” (the promise of divine guidance, divine direction). whenever you turn to the right or to the left (at all times; in all circumstances).
Puts a fresh perspective on this old testament passage for me ... so my prayer is this ... not just for me but for you ....
Ah Lord, we don’t know what this new year holds; what joy, what heartache, what laughter and tears, what indecisions or lack of clarity, but this we do know ... You ~ Holy, Sovereign, Loving, Faithful God ~ will supply all of our needs! And we rest assured that everything that touches Your beloved child will have been filtered through Your loving council and Your perfect will for our lives.
2011, as all other years since the dawn of time, belongs to You ~ Ruler of all that is! You are timeless, eternal. Let Your will be perfectly formed in us, day by day, as we walk into the unknowns of this new year.
In Jesus Name!
Blessings to you for a wonderful 2011 ~ full of God’s grace and never-ending mercy!
Cindy K
cindyrkessler@gmail.com
In fact, there are many great things that we can strive for and they will surely enrich our lives as we see new disciplines developed. At the top of my list is memorizing scripture in 2011. I’ll be participating with Living Proof Ministries as posted on their blog page recently. I even ordered their handy-dandy, spiral bound booklet full of blank index cards ready to be filled with scriptures ... 24 of them ... as I memorize two verses each month.
By the way, you can learn more about this Siesta Scripture Memory Team by visiting the Living Proof Ministry blog entry at http://blog.lproof.org/2010/12/my-fun-little-siesta-surprise.html
So, anyway, I’m beginning with Isaiah 30: 20-21 (I know that’s 2 verses but they just seem to be inseparable) and these verses say ....
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, Your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it.” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
This passage refers to a time following the judgment because of Israel’s disobedience in which God opened their eyes once again to the sound teaching of the prophets but I think there is application for us today ~ as believers who have the living God within us in the person of the Holy Spirit ... our resident Teacher.
Sometimes, life can be so very difficult and we do indeed experience the “bread of privation and water of oppression”. Sometimes life just gets tough and it hurts! It may be something of our own doing which causes difficult consequences (like the Israelites in this passage) or it may be something that is totally beyond our control. Something that sovereign God allows into our life to refine us, mold us, teach us, shape us.
The point is ... don’t give up on God. He loves you and He loves me ... He longs to walk with us every step of the way ... in the difficulty and the ease of living.
Maybe we just need the reminder and the assurance that God has not forgotten us. This verse reminds me that He is my Teacher, my Guide, the Ever-Constant in my journey. One thing is for certain and that one thing is that I long to seek Him and find Him in the midst of whatever I am experiencing and, He promises that as I seek Him, He will be found ... gotta keep pressing in!
So, let me retype the verses now with some simple thoughts added because I don’t think it’s enough to just memorize scripture ... there must be some understanding of what it means ... of how it can apply to my right now moments ....
Although the Lord (the sovereign Ruler over all) has given you bread of privation and water of oppression (what difficulty or uncertainty is happening in my life right now ~ could it be the sovereign allowing of it in my life?), He, Your Teacher, (the Lord Himself, indwelling) will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher (seek and He will be found ~ Jer. 29:13). Your ears will hear a word behind you “This is the way, walk in it.” (the promise of divine guidance, divine direction). whenever you turn to the right or to the left (at all times; in all circumstances).
Puts a fresh perspective on this old testament passage for me ... so my prayer is this ... not just for me but for you ....
Ah Lord, we don’t know what this new year holds; what joy, what heartache, what laughter and tears, what indecisions or lack of clarity, but this we do know ... You ~ Holy, Sovereign, Loving, Faithful God ~ will supply all of our needs! And we rest assured that everything that touches Your beloved child will have been filtered through Your loving council and Your perfect will for our lives.
2011, as all other years since the dawn of time, belongs to You ~ Ruler of all that is! You are timeless, eternal. Let Your will be perfectly formed in us, day by day, as we walk into the unknowns of this new year.
In Jesus Name!
Blessings to you for a wonderful 2011 ~ full of God’s grace and never-ending mercy!
Cindy K
cindyrkessler@gmail.com
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Rescue!
It’s been 2 weeks and 1 day since the 33 miners were raised from their underground prison in that collapsed mine in Chile. Were you glued to the TV, as so many were, watching the count being tallied as each miner reached the surface and breathed in fresh air for the first time in 69 days?
I was attending a worship rehearsal that particular Wednesday evening but kept my i-Touch close by refreshing the web browser between songs to get the updates of the ongoing rescue. I guess you could say I was somewhat “glued” to my i-Touch. How remarkable that all of them plus the rescuers were able to reach the surface safely. Just incredible!
As we began to rehearse the particular song in the Youtube clip above, ... You Alone Can Rescue (by Matt Redmon) ... I thought about the act of rescue. I thought specifically about that first rescuer standing on the surface, surveying the problem and accepting the challenge of what would be the only way to get those trapped miners out. I tried to imagine what might be running through his mind. I thought about the risk that he was about to take, the selflessness that he was about to display. How heroic!
But the more we sang that song ... and I especially love the chorus ... my thoughts turned to the greatest rescue of all time ... that is after all what the song is about ... here is what the chorus says ...
“You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You, alone, belongs the highest praise!”
Yep, I thought about that word rescue a lot that night as we rehearsed and about the One who has rescued me. Later I looked it up in the dictionary for the full, official definition. Now, I know that it’s probably a 3rd or 4th grade vocabulary word but it’s definition bears remembering in full detail.
Rescue:
–verb (used with object)
to free or deliver from confinement, violence, danger, or evil.
As I read this definition, my thoughts embraced it’s meaning in a fresh, new way. I really thought about the “what” of this definition that one is rescued from. I again pondered the risk that the first rescuer took ... humbling himself to be lowered, in that tiny capsule, to get to the ones in such desperate need of being rescued. He truly is a hero and deserves much honor for his bravery!
But even as heroic as he is, it is truly only a fraction of the heroism that Christ, our God, our Savior, our Lord, displayed for us. Think about it....(from Phil. 2:6-8)
.... Christ Jesus,
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
God, the Almighty Creator, the Sovereign One, the Ruler of all, Father, Shepherd, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords stepped down into our dark, lonely, chaotic world ... to rescue us!
It made me sing that song that night in a whole new way!
It made me glance toward Heaven and feel so small against the backdrop of His magnificence ... and yet feel so right in place!
It made me feel such overwhelming gladness that I have a Savior!
What about you? Have you thought about the bonds, the prisons, the chains that have held you down? Are they still holding you down in spiritual bondage and defeat?
Oh my friend, don’t remain in your prison, your confinement, your danger, your dread ... let me remind you that through the blood of one perfect Sacrifice, for all time, our freedom ~ our rescue ~ has been bought! (1 Peter 3:18 - look it up; rejoice in it; receive it!)
Because, one day, at the name of Jesus we will all bow and every tongue that has ever uttered a sound will confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2: 10-11)
Now that will be a real Hero’s welcome! I hope you are ready!
Simply abiding!
Cindy K.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Precious Memories ... Old and New
I spent last evening with a group of Sr. Citizens from my home church Woodlawn Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC). Mark and I grew up there and were married there as well. Its a place full of warm, fuzzy, Old memories! Where my faith took hold and began to soar.
I was there because I had been invited to be the musical guest at their monthly fellowship meeting. So, I enlisted the help of some of my girlfriends that are just incredible musicians/vocalists to go with me and build some warm, fuzzy, New memories as we ministered together in song. I’ve just got the best friends! Beautiful, inside and out. So glad they agreed to come with me. Thanks gals!
As we stood up front to sing and I looked out over the faces that sat before me the Old memories seemed to flood my heart and my mind at the exact same moment that tears were flooding my eyes. Filled to overflowing with gratitude for the heritage that God has given me ~
for my Mother who taught me to love the Lord and make
music for Him alone.
for the men and women who taught me in Sunday School
or Missions or were the selfless chaperones
on countless youth trips.
It was a special evening indeed ... each one of these special people touching me perhaps more than I touched them last night. All of them have had a hand in shaping the adult that I am today! Just an honor to be in their presence. And I began to think about things...
Our earthly heritage can be a wonderful thing but our real heritage, our inheritance, found in the Lord is of grand proportion! Do you know this? Can you wrap your mind around it? It matters not what your earthly heritage may be for as David says in Psalm 16: 5-6 ...
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
It’s true, I have been blessed with godly parents and a firm foundation ... my earthly heritage ... but even if I had not been blessed in this way I know that my heavenly Father, Creator of all that is, Lord of lords has wrapped me with a royal robe and called me His own. He crowns my life with righteousness and I am blessed indeed!
Yes my heritage is beautiful to me ... He is beautiful to me!
No matter what has gone before me (my past), no matter what is swirling around me now (my present) and no matter what lies ahead (my future) ... my God, my Father, my Portion is bigger! Yes, He’s bigger and He is enough.
Scripture assures me...
I am His and nothing can separate me from His love. (Romans 8: 38-39)
He is enough!
If I am in Christ, then I’m an heir according to the promise given to Abraham (Galations 3:29)
He is enough!
Yes, while I can trace my earthly heritage back to my parents and grandparents and great-grandparents ~ my spiritual heritage is traced back to highest royalty ... the King of kings! And as His child what a place of position He has placed me in....and you, if you are in Christ. How humbling to know that He loves us that much!
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.. (I John 3:1)
I pray that you’ll walk in His love today! I pray you will walk confidently in the royal position that He has bestowed upon you and hold fast to the Hope that is in Him!
Remember, He loves you with an everlasting love ....
I was there because I had been invited to be the musical guest at their monthly fellowship meeting. So, I enlisted the help of some of my girlfriends that are just incredible musicians/vocalists to go with me and build some warm, fuzzy, New memories as we ministered together in song. I’ve just got the best friends! Beautiful, inside and out. So glad they agreed to come with me. Thanks gals!
As we stood up front to sing and I looked out over the faces that sat before me the Old memories seemed to flood my heart and my mind at the exact same moment that tears were flooding my eyes. Filled to overflowing with gratitude for the heritage that God has given me ~
for my Mother who taught me to love the Lord and make
music for Him alone.
for the men and women who taught me in Sunday School
or Missions or were the selfless chaperones
on countless youth trips.
It was a special evening indeed ... each one of these special people touching me perhaps more than I touched them last night. All of them have had a hand in shaping the adult that I am today! Just an honor to be in their presence. And I began to think about things...
Our earthly heritage can be a wonderful thing but our real heritage, our inheritance, found in the Lord is of grand proportion! Do you know this? Can you wrap your mind around it? It matters not what your earthly heritage may be for as David says in Psalm 16: 5-6 ...
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
It’s true, I have been blessed with godly parents and a firm foundation ... my earthly heritage ... but even if I had not been blessed in this way I know that my heavenly Father, Creator of all that is, Lord of lords has wrapped me with a royal robe and called me His own. He crowns my life with righteousness and I am blessed indeed!
Yes my heritage is beautiful to me ... He is beautiful to me!
No matter what has gone before me (my past), no matter what is swirling around me now (my present) and no matter what lies ahead (my future) ... my God, my Father, my Portion is bigger! Yes, He’s bigger and He is enough.
Scripture assures me...
I am His and nothing can separate me from His love. (Romans 8: 38-39)
He is enough!
If I am in Christ, then I’m an heir according to the promise given to Abraham (Galations 3:29)
He is enough!
Yes, while I can trace my earthly heritage back to my parents and grandparents and great-grandparents ~ my spiritual heritage is traced back to highest royalty ... the King of kings! And as His child what a place of position He has placed me in....and you, if you are in Christ. How humbling to know that He loves us that much!
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.. (I John 3:1)
I pray that you’ll walk in His love today! I pray you will walk confidently in the royal position that He has bestowed upon you and hold fast to the Hope that is in Him!
Remember, He loves you with an everlasting love ....
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Psalm 37
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3~NAS)
Okay, so today I find myself asking for a fresh word from the Lord to address some issues that I must face. I ask for His strength and courage, wisdom and grace to walk through some difficult conversations, to abide silenced in some uncomfortable waiting and to endure some unpleasant encounters. Have you found yourself there lately? Ah, the facts of this life ... it’s sometimes quite hard!
Then I read Psalm 37 and it leaps from the page at me!
From verses 1 & 2: “Do not fret....” and “Do not be envious...” ~ Calm my anxious thoughts Lord!
Then the nugget ... from verse 3:
“Trust in the Lord...” ~ O God, I do trust in Your unfailing love. I bow the knee to sovereign God ~ I give you all my fear and my hurts and my “frets” and my “envy’s”.
“...and do good” ~ Teach me, Lord, to be pure, authentic, real, merciful, loving, kind, truthful and full of grace.
“Dwell in the land...” ~ Give me a steadfast heart O God to stay put and not run ~ not retreat ~ to DWELL right where you have me!
“and cultivate faithfulness.” ~ I did a little word study on this word cultivate ... it intrigued me. The original Hebrew word means to pasture, tend, graze. I like the mental image of those words that describe cultivating faithfulness. Tending to my call to faithfulness and grazing on God’s perfect faithfulness that does not fail.
So as I face these uncomfortable places where we sometimes have to walk I pray that You, O Lord, would remind me of Your faithfulness and Your unfailing love ... and may I confidently, comfortably dwell there ~ resting & cultivating (tending & grazing), and fully sheltered in your wonderful provision for my life.
Okay, so today I find myself asking for a fresh word from the Lord to address some issues that I must face. I ask for His strength and courage, wisdom and grace to walk through some difficult conversations, to abide silenced in some uncomfortable waiting and to endure some unpleasant encounters. Have you found yourself there lately? Ah, the facts of this life ... it’s sometimes quite hard!
Then I read Psalm 37 and it leaps from the page at me!
From verses 1 & 2: “Do not fret....” and “Do not be envious...” ~ Calm my anxious thoughts Lord!
Then the nugget ... from verse 3:
“Trust in the Lord...” ~ O God, I do trust in Your unfailing love. I bow the knee to sovereign God ~ I give you all my fear and my hurts and my “frets” and my “envy’s”.
“...and do good” ~ Teach me, Lord, to be pure, authentic, real, merciful, loving, kind, truthful and full of grace.
“Dwell in the land...” ~ Give me a steadfast heart O God to stay put and not run ~ not retreat ~ to DWELL right where you have me!
“and cultivate faithfulness.” ~ I did a little word study on this word cultivate ... it intrigued me. The original Hebrew word means to pasture, tend, graze. I like the mental image of those words that describe cultivating faithfulness. Tending to my call to faithfulness and grazing on God’s perfect faithfulness that does not fail.
So as I face these uncomfortable places where we sometimes have to walk I pray that You, O Lord, would remind me of Your faithfulness and Your unfailing love ... and may I confidently, comfortably dwell there ~ resting & cultivating (tending & grazing), and fully sheltered in your wonderful provision for my life.
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