MYSTERY OF FAITH

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels,proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

I Timothy 3:16

Dear Sara,

You recently asked on your blog, "I want to know what makes OTHER people tick? Why do OTHER people believe in God? What makes you think you arent just talking to yourself when you 'pray'?" I told you I would answer you on my blog...so here goes:

I have been thinking about your questions for a couple of days now. The reason I believe in God, is because of God. He is responsible for my faith. Am I confusing you? There is a passage of scripture that will paint a clearer picture. It is about a guy who is mentioned only once in the Bible. His name is Simeon.

Luke 2:25-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles,and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon knew God because of God...because God revealed Himself to Simeon. The same is for me. I don't the have the capacity to know or believe in God without God first revealing Himself and His truth to me. And it is through Jesus Christ, His death and His resurrection, that God has rescued me and brought me into a relationship with Himself. God has revealed His truth to me a number of ways...His word, His people, His creation, through beauty and through tragedy, through science and through study, through wise men and through simple things, through intellectual things and through things intangible. But there is a resonating deep in my soul that whispers to me, from His heart to mine.

What makes me think I am not just talking to myself when I pray? It may sound crazy to you and to others, to those who don't know God, but prayer is so relational for me. Sometimes I am doing the talking and sometimes I am doing the listening. Sometimes I am just being still and sometimes I find myself confessing things I am deeply ashamed of. Sometimes I have found myself searching, searching, searching and wonder why I am not hearing from God. But it is never talking to the air...to space...to nothing. God always responds....through thoughts, people, His word....again, so many different ways. It is a very intimate thing for me and I am finding myself at a loss for words that can adequately describe this time of communion. But it is central in my life and the centeredness of my life.

I am sure there are those who can answer your questions better than I. But the one thing I would encourage you to do, is ask God to reveal Himself to you. If I am a nutcase, religious fanatic...you have wasted nothing but a question. But if there is a majestic, almighty, and holy God- the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit - then you have everything to gain.

I will be praying for your quest!

Kathy

Image taken from here.

INSTANT MESSAGE CONFUSION

A few months ago, Vicki Sue was in my office using my computer while I logged on to a computer in our dispatch center. My daughter began to instant message me. Both Vicki Sue and I began to answer her, unbeknownst to each other. It makes us laugh every time we reread it...but here, have a read for yourself! The following key should help you keep the speakers correct...ummm, I think!

kaymc550: BLUE CAPS (Kathy)

kaymc550: purple lower case (Vicki Sue)

DrmWithinADrm1: Rachel

kaymac550: hi its vicki
kaymac550: i am at your moms computer
DrmWithinADrm1: hello
kaymac550: hi there
kaymac550: SORRY
kaymac550: I WAS TAKING CUSTOMER CALLS
DrmWithinADrm1: sure
kaymac550: sure?
kaymac550: SERIOUSLY I WAS
DrmWithinADrm1: ok
kaymac550: Rachel!
DrmWithinADrm1: yes?
kaymac550: what are you saying?
DrmWithinADrm1: im saying ok
kaymac550: OK
kaymac550: ok me too
DrmWithinADrm1: ok
kaymac550: fine
DrmWithinADrm1: alright
kaymac550: then theres no problem, right?
DrmWithinADrm1: alrighty then
kaymac550: great
DrmWithinADrm1: frosted flakes are more than good.. they're grrrrrrrreat!!!
kaymac550: Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner....
DrmWithinADrm1: c'mon everybody get it done you know the one...
DrmWithinADrm1: call 1800 hansons..(get it done)
DrmWithinADrm1: your daughter come on my property and she kick my dog
DrmWithinADrm1: now my dog need operation
DrmWithinADrm1: im going to kill you
kaymac550: what the??
kaymac550: I was on google looking up jingles real quick
DrmWithinADrm1: no im not im just kidding
kaymac550: because my mind went blank
kaymac550: where did that come from
DrmWithinADrm1: 800 588 2300 empire!!!!
kaymac550: LOL
kaymac550: U CRACK ME UP
kaymac550: this is why I SUCK at SHOUT OUT THE MOVIES
kaymac550: my brain gets all flustered
DrmWithinADrm1: ha
DrmWithinADrm1: that was from the you kicked my dog thing
DrmWithinADrm1: remember?
kaymac550: No, I dont know about "you kicked my dog"
kaymac550: when did that happen
kaymac550: YES, YOU MADE ME LAUGH
DrmWithinADrm1: ok am i talking to two different people?
kaymac550: well I told you this was VICKI, ten minutes ago
DrmWithinADrm1: but my mom has been talking to me too
DrmWithinADrm1: i think
kaymac550: what do you think she has said?
kaymac550: copy it back to me
kaymac550: because her comments are not popping up on my screen
DrmWithinADrm1: she said that she was taking some customer calls
DrmWithinADrm1: so i thought she came back
DrmWithinADrm1: or was that you?
kaymac550: no I didnt say that
DrmWithinADrm1: ok then i have been thinking my mom came back
kaymac550: okay well this is funny!
DrmWithinADrm1: is this a joke?
kaymac550: I wish!
kaymac550: I am at your moms computer working because my computer upstairs doesnt have WORD
kaymac550: LOL
kaymac550: VICKI IS IN MY OFFICE
kaymac550: I AM IN DISPATCH
kaymac550: LOL
kaymac550: I AM LOGGED IN BOTH PLACES
DrmWithinADrm1: no wonder i thought you were going insane
kaymac550: what? are you saying that I am insane?
kaymac550: HHhHhHAHAHAHAHA
kaymac550: GIVE VICKI THE LINK FOR THE YOU KICKED MY DOG
DrmWithinADrm1: k i will try
DrmWithinADrm1: but your comp doesnt have sound
kaymac550: what?
kaymac550: youi didnt answer my question
DrmWithinADrm1: no i was saying i thought my mom was insane
kaymac550: if your mom sounds like me, then she must be insane?
DrmWithinADrm1: cuz you were likekaymac550: No, I dont know about "you kicked my dog"
kaymac550: when did that happen and then my mom goeskaymac550: YES, YOU MADE ME LAUGH
kaymac550: NO, YOU WERE SAYING VICKI WAS INSANE
kaymac550: OH GEEZ
kaymac550: THAT IS HILARIOUS
kaymac550: ahh I see
kaymac550: so you have both of us typing at the same time
kaymac550: we could have planned something very confusing for you if we knew this wasgoing to be so much fun
DrmWithinADrm1: yea i am starting to think you planned it
kaymac550: I WISH we did
kaymac550: most of our great stuff happens on accident!
kaymac550: NO, TOTALLY WASN'T PLANNED
DrmWithinADrm1: wow this is weird
kaymac550: LOL
kaymac550: I BET
kaymac550: Okay I am almost done
kaymac550: so I will leave you alone
kaymac550: hope you have a nice afternoon
kaymac550: and I will see you tonight
DrmWithinADrm1: you too'

kaymac550: ME TOO?
DrmWithinADrm1: that was to vivki
kaymac550: what?
DrmWithinADrm1: vick*
kaymac550: Ididnt get anything
DrmWithinADrm1: vicki****8
DrmWithinADrm1: that was to my mom
DrmWithinADrm1: ok im gonna stop trying now
kaymac550: dont EVER give up, Rachel!!!
kaymac550: lol
kaymac550: read vickis blog
DrmWithinADrm1: i did
kaymac550: thanks!

Image taken from here.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Had a wonderful Christmas Day. Lazed around in the morning and watched the 1940's version of Pride and Prejudice. My daughter and I exchanged our presents. Then we went to Emagine Theater to see Dream Girls (which we enjoyed....lots of Motown history!) We handed out Hershey kiss filled candy canes to the employees-that was the most fun! After that, we were off to dinner at my brother's. Home early and settling in to watch another old favorite. Just wanted to wish everyone one more "Merry Christmas". God bless us, everyone!

Picture was taken by my daughter and is of our other tree!

THE FELLOWSHIP

My daughter and I watched "The Fellowship of the Ring" last night. When I was getting divorced, we were suddenly faced with making new traditions because we had always spent Christmas with my husband's side of the family. We decided that we would go to the movies and take some Christmas treats to the kids who had to work. This was the very first movie we saw to begin our new holiday tradition.

I forgot how much I really like this story. A group of diversely gifted beings, imperfect by themselves but a force when united, all focused on one quest. I've watched this movie a number of times but last night I was reminded of the "Fellowships" that God has brought me into over the years. Most of my fellow sojourners I have the privilege of staying in contact with, despite God calling us to new lands and battles. Some, I have lost and don't know where their wanderings have led them or what difficulties they have faced. And a few have gone on, to another world and existence...to the very courts of the Mighty One to live eternally. Each, I cherish...because we have fought alongside one another, defended and cared for each other, completed our missions together or were separated for a cause greater than each of us individually.

And for the fellowships that My Lord has brought me into for today, I vow to be true to the call, and to serve and protect you with whatever grace, wisdom, love, strength, and talent our God entrusts me with. For Him, His glory, today and forever!

Image taken from here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"When do those rats go out?"

Image taken from here...a site that proves even rats can be humiliated.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

I just finished writing out my Christmas cards during my lunch (uh-oh..then what am I doing blogging?!!) I love Christmas cards. I love to send them. I love to get them. Some I save to look at over and over.

Yesterday was the biggest mail day of the year...the day cards were supposed to be mailed to guarantee making it to their destinations by Christmas. Perhaps mine won't arrive until after. A couple of my friends joked with me about being so "late". Funny, I don't feel late. I feel happy that I had the money to buy and send cards this year. I won't stop celebrating, after December 25th, the joy that Jesus came. And I won't stop loving the people I send cards to, even if they arrive late.

So, for you my blogging friends, here is your (virtual) Christmas card...from my heart to yours...a few days early:

May the joy and wonder and comfort

of the gift of our Rescuer,

Jesus Christ

light your hearts

and fill your lives

with blessings and love

&

may you enjoy those blessings

with your families and friends!

Image taken from here.

prayer for my pastor

Send out your light and your truth;

let them lead me;

let them bring me to Your holy hill

and to Your dwelling!

Psalm 43:3

Father,

I pray for my pastor, the man you have called to shepherd this gathering of people.

Give him a thirst for You that is strong, and for Your Word that cannot be denied.

Let him run hard after You, and his desire be for closeness and communion with You before all else.

Before power, I pray for purity--that he would stand before You and others clean from sin and with a heart and mind filled with the righteousness that only Jesus Christ can bestow.

Give him strength to do what You put before him, no matter how daunting the task.

Give him courage to obey and trust You so that he can follow whatever path You have set before him.

Give him wisdom to understand You and Your word-so that he can lead, not according to his own preferences, frailties, or knowledge-but in Your truth and ways.

Give him discernment to recognize truth as easily as it is to recognize night from the day.

Give him men after Your own heart that can provide him with companionship, who can come alongside and help him, and who can lay him out if he needs it.

Give him a teachable heart so he can receive correction and is kept from foolishness.

Keep him from deceit, pride, bitterness and boasting.

Provide him with a reputation that honors You.

Fill him with joy and let him dance before You unhindered and unashamed.

Let him laugh with You.

Let Your Spirit be upon him as it was for David, all the days of his life.

Let Your power flow in his life and the work You have ordained him to.

Bring him into Your presence and let him hear Your voice.

Let him glorify You in all the areas of his life.

And may he and his family live with You in holiness in this life and forever.

Amen

Image taken from here.

BLOGGING PROBLEMS

I am in the number of those who are experiencing problems with blogger right now. It won't let me comment! I have been reading and hopefully, all will be well again soon in bloggerville!

GLAD TIDINGS OF COMFORT & JOY!

On the way in to work yesterday, I heard "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" playing on the radio...and the chorus touched me in a whole new way....."Glad tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, glad tidings of comfort and joy!"

It suddenly hit me how very appropriate that chorus is. Like many of you, I have been riding the emotional Christmas roller coaster. The other night, I was at a cookie exchange. I looked around this room filled with beautiful Christmas decorations that paled next to the beauty of the women who had gathered there. Young women, some with their babies (or expecting a baby), older women with their grown up daughters next to them, all just enjoying each other's company. I took a mental snap shot of the group and just breathed in the satisfaction of being together. Joy!

Even within that group, there were some who were going through difficulties or had hearts that were heavy with the cares life sometimes serves. I had been praying all day for some friends I love who were facing a tremendously difficult crisis. I continued to pray for them in between the laughing and sharing and caring of my evening, knowing that whatever the outcome, the situation rested in the hands of God and He would provide healing or strength to endure. Comfort!

Last night, Journey participated in a community Christmas party for those in need. I talked with families and played with children. I shared in the jubilation of kids who tore open gifts and laughed with glee at what lay underneath the wrapping. I watched the pain in the faces of some parents who had to tell their kids they had to wait...they were taking their gifts home so there would be something to open on Christmas morning. I loaded bikes into my SUV (a blessing I had received during this past year because someone responded to the need in my life) for one mom and her kids who had no way to get them home. I had the privilege of driving those bikes to their aunt's home. Their aunt and I talked for quite a while about being divorced and the struggle that presents. Through the sting of the cold night air, we shared stories of God's goodness in the midst of our difficulties. Comfort and joy!

For some, this Christmas season will be filled with magic and blessings. Others will face difficulty and sadness. For all, there is the promise...the promise of joy...and the promise of comfort. Because of the love of an amazing God, I can say to each of you...whatever YOUR circumstances...."GLAD TIDINGS OF COMFORT OF JOY!"

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11b

Image-My daughter took this picture of one of our trees.

7-11 UPDATE

I haven't seen Robert in several weeks. My friend Nebissi sees him everyday. She told me that other people are bringing him bottles now too. I asked if he had a coat, gloves, hat, and so forth. She said he has been dressed warm. So, he is ok. I have been giving her bottles for him. But I really would like to see him again in person, before Christmas. I worry about Robert, even though I am sure he doesn't need me to.

Nebissi will be leaving my 7-11. Her husband is taking over managing another one a few miles away. I will have to find a way to stay in touch. But it will be fun to meet her family, since I have heard all about them. But I feel a bit sad to know that I won't see my friend every day.

I met Nebissi's replacement. I will let you know more about her as I get to know her.

LEARNING TO RECEIVE

Last night someone set the most beautiful kid-wrapped package in front of me. When I opened it, there was a church to replace the one I had broken from my Christmas village! I was so surprised and pleased, but then I started to think...."gosh, she shouldn't have spent the money on this...their family has needs..." On the thoughts came. I even told the giver that I had super-glued the old one and asked her if she still had the receipt. I caught myself. How wonderful was it that this person had gone out of her way for me? My broken church was a fleeting mention in a recent blog, yet this person had picked up on that and here was this awesome little church that will look so perfect with my village. (I had my daughter take a picture so you could all see it!) So, I received this beautiful church and the gift of friendship that it was wrapped in.

I struggle with receiving. A couple nights ago, I was arguing with my daughter over how much money she could spend on me for Christmas. She pointed her finger in my face and laughingly said, "YOU can't tell ME how much of MY OWN money I can spend on YOU!" Then I caught myself. As I looked at her face and the sparkle in her eyes, she was absolutely radiant with joy at being able to give me gifts for Christmas that she knows I have been wanting. I thought "How is it that this kid loves me so darn much?" And I recieved the real gift she was giving, the love and devotion she has for her mom, that will be wrapped up in the presents I open on Christmas morning.

I have done this with God. Early on, I had a hard time receiving from Him because I knew I wasn't good enough, or smart enough, or a hundred other enoughs that I came up with. I guess I also thought of Him as this distant powerful being who wanted to rule over me and maybe even squash me, little bug that I was in His shadow. But I came to discover that, for some reason I can't quite figure out, God desires ME! I love this--"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zeph 3:17)

I have come to know that the same God who created my friend with the giving heart, who lit the sparkle in my daughter's eyes....laughs with joy over me, surrounds me with the loudest love songs. When I come into His presence I imagine the "A-ha! My Kathy is here!" look on His face. His displays of love make me speechless and breathless and I stand in awe at the wonder of it all.

So, for today...I recieve it all. I want it all. Friendship, a daughter's love, and the passion of an Almighty God that surpasses my ability to earn or fully understand. And I am humbled and grateful.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Z probably wouldn't want to support any teeth that weren't in her own mouth!"

SNIPPETS OF WHERE I'VE BEEN

Haven't had a chance to post nor read my fav blogs in the past several days. Here are some of the things that have been happening or that I would have blogged about:

THE EX: Weekend before last, I was bringing the last items from my house (which were in the attic) over to where we are currently living. I came across my ex's golf clubs. I contemplated giving them away but my God-conscience wouldn't let me. He happened to be town, moving things from his old house to his new house in Kansas. I called him to come get them. Good thing. Turns out he was gonna ask me for them. (Thanks, Lord!) I found out yesterday that he took our daughter's car (my old one) for a test drive b/c it has lots wrong w/ it and he told her he would help her keep it up & running. He told her there was a problem w/ the battery and not to be surprised if she goes out one morning and it won't start. So much for helping her keep it up and running. Made me wish I gave those clubs away after all. (Sorry, Lord!)

HUNTERS: My church helps box and distribute food. One of the supervisors of the center where we volunteer, a Vietnam Vet, keeps a knife strapped to his leg. Turns out he is a hunter. I overheard him say this to another volunteer last week-"I don't eat horn." Good thing I figured out he was a hunter!

When I was pregnant, we gutted our one bathroom and retiled it. We had to have a port-a-potty on hand during the project. When I was cleaning out my attic, I came across it. I thought maybe we could use it when we went camping. The look on my daughter's face told me there would absolutely NOT be any port-a-potties in our tent. So I asked my boss, who is an avid hunter, if he wanted it. He was more than happy to get it. He and his brother had been trying to find one. Now I know what gift to get the hunters in my life! Who would have thought?

A BLUSTERY DAY: Last Friday was an incredibly windy day here in Michigan. I could hardly open my car door against the wind. Our power went out at work. Since I didn't have a computer available, I decided to mail our 800 plus customer Christmas cards. I had to take them to a specific post office. There was a long line inside, and I decided to use the outdoor mailbox. As soon as I started dropping the cards in, I noticed a lady impatiently waiting in her car behind me. I asked her if she wanted me to drop her few letters in as I would obviously be a long time. (I had my hatch open so the many, many cards were clearly visible.) Her frown turned to a huge smile and she thanked me, waving happily as she drove away. Wouldn't you know it, car after car came and I ended up doing that for about 10 different people before I could finish with my cards. It turned out to be a lot fun. Laughing and talking w/ all these strangers with the wind blowing like crazy. When I got back in my car, I remembered that I had a company work coat on with our 1-800 number emblazoned across the back. I thought, it was a good thing I decided to do that and not give our company a bad name. Then I wondered....what if I had had 1-800-IBELONGTOJESUS on the back?

CHRISTMAS: Most of the stuff from my attic was our Christmas decorations. I spent the past week putting everything up. We haven't had it up for a couple years and it looks beautiful! I dropped the church from my Christmas village and broke it. Even that couldn't dampen my spirits. I put cedar roping and huge red bows on the porch outside. This past weekend I indulged and bought myself the new Third Day Christmas CD. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it!!! I got an escrow check in the mail that I will be able to use toward buying presents. I have two different cookie exchanges coming up next week. In the next few days, my daughter will watch my all time fav Christmas movie with me, It's A Wonderful Life. Last night I watched Miracle On 34th Street. I never grow tired of the magic of these movies. I thought there could be a movie just for me entitled, Miracle In My Heart, telling the story of the magic and grace I have experienced from God through His gift of my redeemer, Jesus Christ. Ah yes, it is "a Wonderful Life"!!!