Here you are. This is the very moment you have been waiting for...all of the scores have been added and every total has been tallied. You know you have won. The numbers are in your favor, but the game was apparently too close to call. The "powers that be" are deliberating, and the results are just a moment away. You know in your heart the way it will turn out.
Suddenly, to your utter shock and dismay, the verdict reveals the opposite of what you know was meant to happen. You lost it all. You didn't get the dream job. The promotion you deserved was given to a less qualified co-worker. The dice finally landed, the judge has ruled, and the headline of today's paper reads: "The nice guy finishes last...again."
The only sense you can make in these heartbreaking and dream-shaking situations is that it makes NO SENSE. The words bombarding your mind and rolling across your angry lips are, "This just doesn't add up. There's no way it can be right..."
In a world tainted with pain, destruction, ugliness, and heartache, the last thing we need is to be nailed by another of life's bitter stings. It seems no matter how hard we struggle, claw, climb, and crawl, we feel we can never quite get to the top of our hill. We are realizing it's made of quicksand. Without fail, the short end of the stick is ours yet again.
But, what if some of life's situations just aren't meant to "work in your favor?" What if you weren't meant to get that particular job, that promotion, that significant other? What if God's plan for you is different? Bigger? Is it possible He wants to keep you flexible and agile in your mindset, your trust, hope, and faith? Is that why He's allowing you these opportunities to EXERCISE these areas of life? Maybe He wants to free you up for something so much better and greater and higher than anything you've ever seen or known.
I think when it seems all of life's chips are down and we're at our very end, God is the closest to revealing His true, magnificent plans for us. The only thing that makes sense when life makes no sense, is that it must make GOD SENSE. You know He's really up to something divine when 2 + 2 doesn’t equal 4. He must be getting ready to bless us, to change our circumstances, to rearrange our lives, and to draw us into Him even closer...
How many times have we heard that God works in mysterious ways? Yet when it's time to put that on and apply it to our own intimate lives, it's as fun to hear as nails on a chalkboard and comfy to wear as our itchiest wool sweater. But if we can get past all of that to realize its deep meaning, we can see that He truly does work in mystifying ways and His ways, plans, and systems are much higher than ours. His ways are not our ways...they are so much better!
So as we find ourselves in a situation where the score has been added and we've won the game on paper, yet we're sitting there with the "2nd Place" trophy, let's look upon it with the understanding that when the only sense a situation makes is that it makes no sense, somehow it must make GOD SENSE...He must be up to something so much greater. The best part is that it's totally up to Him to work out all of the details; we've done all we can do and have come to the end of ourselves. He loves that! Our only job now is to stay on-board and hang on tight for the ride. This, my friend, is the ride of our lives...
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)
Love and grace to you,
Katie Marie :)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
MY NEW BOOK
Hello, all of my blog friends!
HALLELUJAH! I wanted you to be among the very first to know that I just submitted my first devotional book to the Women of Faith Writing Competition!
This project has been in the works for over two years, and finally, it's headed off for review!
To all of you who have been praying, I can't thank you enough! It truly is because of you that I seek to have this book published. I long await the day AN ECLECTIC DEVOTION is in your hands!
Now that my editing days are over, I hope to bring you some fresh insights on this Mighty King whom I love and adore!
Please keep posted for book updates and new devotions.
God bless you in 2011!
Grace and Abounding Love,
Katie Marie
HALLELUJAH! I wanted you to be among the very first to know that I just submitted my first devotional book to the Women of Faith Writing Competition!
This project has been in the works for over two years, and finally, it's headed off for review!
To all of you who have been praying, I can't thank you enough! It truly is because of you that I seek to have this book published. I long await the day AN ECLECTIC DEVOTION is in your hands!
Now that my editing days are over, I hope to bring you some fresh insights on this Mighty King whom I love and adore!
Please keep posted for book updates and new devotions.
God bless you in 2011!
Grace and Abounding Love,
Katie Marie
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
BOOK UPDATE
Hey awesome blog friends!
I just wanted to leave a little note to thank you for continuing to check in on my posts. I share my writing with you in hopes it will bless your life in some way.
To give you a little peek behind the scenes of my upcoming devotional book, we are hard at work in the tedious editing process. I surely appreciate your prayers covering us in this important phase, asking God to craft this book perfectly as He desires...nothing more, nothing less. Whatever He wants, I want!
I'll continue posting progress updates as the weeks draw to a close. I'm so excited to watch as God unfolds His plans for this project, and I look forward to having a physical book to share with you all!
Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support! Enjoy this month as we celebrate the incredible birth of our Savior, Jesus!!!
In Him,
Katie Marie :)
I just wanted to leave a little note to thank you for continuing to check in on my posts. I share my writing with you in hopes it will bless your life in some way.
To give you a little peek behind the scenes of my upcoming devotional book, we are hard at work in the tedious editing process. I surely appreciate your prayers covering us in this important phase, asking God to craft this book perfectly as He desires...nothing more, nothing less. Whatever He wants, I want!
I'll continue posting progress updates as the weeks draw to a close. I'm so excited to watch as God unfolds His plans for this project, and I look forward to having a physical book to share with you all!
Thank you again for your love, prayers, and support! Enjoy this month as we celebrate the incredible birth of our Savior, Jesus!!!
In Him,
Katie Marie :)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
NOT TALK...POWER
Happy day to you!
Have you ever read a verse from the Bible and been shocked to realize it was the first time you’d ever seen it? Have you been more astounded that you don’t recall ever hearing it? This one hit me today:
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Cor 5:20
Wow…if I could sum up my own interpretation, it would be: “Meet Him…then LIVE Him.” As I was thinking about this short, power-packed phrase, I really realized a mistake we Christians often make. Sometimes we’re so caught up in speaking out about Jesus that we forget to take some time and investigate the atmosphere we’re putting out in the world. Is the message we’re sharing evident and visible to a complete stranger brushing by? If our words were taken away, do our lives still convey His powerful gift?
We are clearly called and required to share Christ’s gift of salvation with everyone we cross paths with. But, if we are just talking a lot without evidence of His real love, grace, freedom, and power in our own lives, what are we? A resounding gong, it seems. We’re just another voice in the crowd, talking a “good game.”
This world is full of talkers…people who speak just because they enjoy hearing themselves. I do NOT want to be one of those people. Who on earth wants the life we have in Jesus if all they hear is talk and never actually experience Christ through us? I don’t want to be just a chattering noise for Christ, void of real life and joy.
Jesus said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 (Message) Who wouldn’t want that? IT’S AWESOME!
It blows my mind, but this is the life we are freely given to live out and to offer others. Let us not just talk a “good game,” but as Ambassadors for Christ, let’s each take some time to review our relationship with Him. As essential as it is to speak of our Mighty God’s Salvation, it’s just as important to stop and investigate the atmosphere we are cultivating in our circles of influence.
So how do we do this? How do we powerfully radiate Christ’s love, compassion, freedom, power, and grace? We seek HIM, first and foremost above all else. We search Him with all our hearts, we set our minds and thoughts on what He thinks about every single situation, and we simply love on Him.
It seems simple, but I believe when we do this, all else falls into place. God rewards us for our hearts turned in His direction and He responds by opening His floodgates. He sprinkles our Divine conversations and interactions with His anointing and POWERFUL things happen…lives are changed eternally.
Suddenly, we experience a deep joy bubbling from deep within our cores and we can’t get our minds off Christ. In turn, we can’t seem to do enough to show others how much He loves them, too. We even catch glimpses of Jesus as we pass our own reflections and smile thinking, “Wow, there’s Jesus in me…”
That sounds pretty powerful, don’t you think? “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
Experience…investigate…then radiate.
In Christ’s AWESOME love,
Katie Marie :)
Have you ever read a verse from the Bible and been shocked to realize it was the first time you’d ever seen it? Have you been more astounded that you don’t recall ever hearing it? This one hit me today:
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Cor 5:20
Wow…if I could sum up my own interpretation, it would be: “Meet Him…then LIVE Him.” As I was thinking about this short, power-packed phrase, I really realized a mistake we Christians often make. Sometimes we’re so caught up in speaking out about Jesus that we forget to take some time and investigate the atmosphere we’re putting out in the world. Is the message we’re sharing evident and visible to a complete stranger brushing by? If our words were taken away, do our lives still convey His powerful gift?
We are clearly called and required to share Christ’s gift of salvation with everyone we cross paths with. But, if we are just talking a lot without evidence of His real love, grace, freedom, and power in our own lives, what are we? A resounding gong, it seems. We’re just another voice in the crowd, talking a “good game.”
This world is full of talkers…people who speak just because they enjoy hearing themselves. I do NOT want to be one of those people. Who on earth wants the life we have in Jesus if all they hear is talk and never actually experience Christ through us? I don’t want to be just a chattering noise for Christ, void of real life and joy.
Jesus said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” John 10:10 (Message) Who wouldn’t want that? IT’S AWESOME!
It blows my mind, but this is the life we are freely given to live out and to offer others. Let us not just talk a “good game,” but as Ambassadors for Christ, let’s each take some time to review our relationship with Him. As essential as it is to speak of our Mighty God’s Salvation, it’s just as important to stop and investigate the atmosphere we are cultivating in our circles of influence.
So how do we do this? How do we powerfully radiate Christ’s love, compassion, freedom, power, and grace? We seek HIM, first and foremost above all else. We search Him with all our hearts, we set our minds and thoughts on what He thinks about every single situation, and we simply love on Him.
It seems simple, but I believe when we do this, all else falls into place. God rewards us for our hearts turned in His direction and He responds by opening His floodgates. He sprinkles our Divine conversations and interactions with His anointing and POWERFUL things happen…lives are changed eternally.
Suddenly, we experience a deep joy bubbling from deep within our cores and we can’t get our minds off Christ. In turn, we can’t seem to do enough to show others how much He loves them, too. We even catch glimpses of Jesus as we pass our own reflections and smile thinking, “Wow, there’s Jesus in me…”
That sounds pretty powerful, don’t you think? “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
Experience…investigate…then radiate.
In Christ’s AWESOME love,
Katie Marie :)
Monday, November 15, 2010
HANDS
"Your hands made me and formed me..." Psalm 119:73
Hi awesome friends,
As I was reading through Scripture this morning, I caught a glance at this verse. My eye was drawn to a tiny note I had penned next to it almost a year ago. Simply put, I had written, "You did not speak me, You touched me..." I'd like to expound on this for you today.
God explains in this portion of His love letter that His heavenly hands made us and formed us...WOW. Do you realize what he could have done? This is the God of the Universe - He could have simply breathed, spoken, struck a random rock upon a mountain, or coughed to create us, for that matter. He could have chosen any means He wanted, but none of those were good enough for our Heavenly Father. No, out of His great love, He longed to touch us with His own hands...to mold and form us from absolutely nothing into who we see reflecting back in the mirror each morning. Considering these things, doesn't this verse just drip with God's love and sweet adoration?
"Your hands made me and formed me..." Psalm 119:73
Now, not only did God take the time to knit and form us each with His hands (Psalm 139:5, 13), He also reminds us of His method for our creation over and over in the Bible. Why? So we would know just how prized, beloved, and treasured we are in His sight. We are His blessed children...the crown of His creation.
You, my friend, have been touched by the very hand of God. I speak of the One and only God who knows the exact number of hairs on your head this moment, precisely how many millimeters your fingernails have grown over the last 6.5 hours, and is keenly aware of all details surrounding your precious life.
Take a moment to stop and look down at your physical self. Each extremity and part you see, even the intricate systems you don't, have been lovingly touched and formed by the hand of Almighty God. He loves you, so much so, that He wouldn't settle for a second-rate means to create you. It wasn't enough to speak you into being; He wanted to touch you...to be involved in every single step and detail of your formation. Wow, what great love and undivided attention has been poured into each and every cell of your body! Will you recognize this today? And with a heart of thanks, will you lift your praise to Him who formed you?
When God created you, He touched you. This is still His desire...to be an invaluable part of your existence; your day-to-day everyday. There is no detail too small, no issue too huge for God's attention and care. After all, He is already present in the midst just waiting for You to let Him in. He wants you to share all of your life with Him.
God is the ONE faithful Father who is always there, intensely gazing, carefully listening, and deeply longing to share this life with you. His hands are the beautiful instruments that molded and formed you. Let Him touch you again today...
In His Great Love,
Katie Marie
Hi awesome friends,
As I was reading through Scripture this morning, I caught a glance at this verse. My eye was drawn to a tiny note I had penned next to it almost a year ago. Simply put, I had written, "You did not speak me, You touched me..." I'd like to expound on this for you today.
God explains in this portion of His love letter that His heavenly hands made us and formed us...WOW. Do you realize what he could have done? This is the God of the Universe - He could have simply breathed, spoken, struck a random rock upon a mountain, or coughed to create us, for that matter. He could have chosen any means He wanted, but none of those were good enough for our Heavenly Father. No, out of His great love, He longed to touch us with His own hands...to mold and form us from absolutely nothing into who we see reflecting back in the mirror each morning. Considering these things, doesn't this verse just drip with God's love and sweet adoration?
"Your hands made me and formed me..." Psalm 119:73
Now, not only did God take the time to knit and form us each with His hands (Psalm 139:5, 13), He also reminds us of His method for our creation over and over in the Bible. Why? So we would know just how prized, beloved, and treasured we are in His sight. We are His blessed children...the crown of His creation.
You, my friend, have been touched by the very hand of God. I speak of the One and only God who knows the exact number of hairs on your head this moment, precisely how many millimeters your fingernails have grown over the last 6.5 hours, and is keenly aware of all details surrounding your precious life.
Take a moment to stop and look down at your physical self. Each extremity and part you see, even the intricate systems you don't, have been lovingly touched and formed by the hand of Almighty God. He loves you, so much so, that He wouldn't settle for a second-rate means to create you. It wasn't enough to speak you into being; He wanted to touch you...to be involved in every single step and detail of your formation. Wow, what great love and undivided attention has been poured into each and every cell of your body! Will you recognize this today? And with a heart of thanks, will you lift your praise to Him who formed you?
When God created you, He touched you. This is still His desire...to be an invaluable part of your existence; your day-to-day everyday. There is no detail too small, no issue too huge for God's attention and care. After all, He is already present in the midst just waiting for You to let Him in. He wants you to share all of your life with Him.
God is the ONE faithful Father who is always there, intensely gazing, carefully listening, and deeply longing to share this life with you. His hands are the beautiful instruments that molded and formed you. Let Him touch you again today...
In His Great Love,
Katie Marie
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
COME AWAY
Hi, precious people!
I just want to share a cool little moment and insight I had this morning. Today I ducked away with God to the end of a very special private pier extending into Lake Michigan’s waters. At its concrete and metal edge stands a lone light pole with white power-pox attached. In the night, it brightly shines its red beacon to welcome boaters and announce the pier’s presence...hmmm - much like God, don't ya think?
This is the scene where I absolutely love to be, with arms wrapped tightly around this thin pole, perched atop its little power-source. This my beloved “Jesus Spot.” It’s the place I love most in this whole world to sit and hang out with my Savior King. Through countless seasons and years, God has faithfully met with me here. I’ve never once been “stood up” for one of our dates, though many times I was long, long overdue for our rendezvous. I guess that’s why He’s God and I am not ☺
As we sat there this mild, sun-soaked morning, my Creator wrapped me up in Divine comfort and drenched me in His unmistakable love. I couldn’t help but close my eyes, as I always do, to take in the gentle noise of the waters lapping as they hugged around the massive pier’s head. I looked out upon the open waters splayed out before me, watching the sunlight dance upon the rolling waves and knew I was being delighted in my Father in Heaven. The chilly winds of late fall nipped away at my cheeks, but I didn’t mind…I was warm everywhere else.
There I was, so fulfilled and enveloped in love, yet I found myself still desiring something more from God. I wanted hear His sweet voice echoing back at me…I wanted to know what was He was planning to unfold for my day, week, year, and life. I thought I needed Him to tell me what was on His mind for me for that moment...I did. Though His words came out differently than I expected to hear, He whispered forth the phrases I needed to hear most.
As my eyes followed the waters being pulled along by the channel’s current, God suddenly spoke so tenderly: “Come away with Me…don’t think about another thing, don’t take another step today; just come away with Me.” I clung tightly there to that trusty light pole and, yet again, released all of my designs and plans. I unraveled every strand of my tight-knit will for the umpteenth time.
Though sometimes, God reveals His plans and steps to me, today He wanted me to simply sit…to come away with Him. He wanted me to search out our own little nook in the world, away from the clutches of life, free from the tick-tock of time, and just sit in His loving arms. My Heavenly Father wanted to take me away to that special place…His embrace. That’s it.
This point is simple, but God sometimes is simple. He’s incomparably creative, complex, and mysterious, but every once in a while He strips all of that away to get down to the bare bones of it all:
He just wants you…
He just wants me…
He just wants us…
To come away.
Cozy up in your favorite blankie and oversized chair; sprawl out on your back and gaze upon the illuminated numbered and named stars; hike to your favorite overlook; bury your toes deep into your favorite beachy sands; grab the keys and take that one special drive only you and God know about. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whenever you can, carve the time out and get away with God.
Then close your eyes to hear Him gently calling out to you much like He did to me today: “Come away with Me; don’t think about another thing, don’t take another step…just come away with Me.”
I just want to share a cool little moment and insight I had this morning. Today I ducked away with God to the end of a very special private pier extending into Lake Michigan’s waters. At its concrete and metal edge stands a lone light pole with white power-pox attached. In the night, it brightly shines its red beacon to welcome boaters and announce the pier’s presence...hmmm - much like God, don't ya think?
This is the scene where I absolutely love to be, with arms wrapped tightly around this thin pole, perched atop its little power-source. This my beloved “Jesus Spot.” It’s the place I love most in this whole world to sit and hang out with my Savior King. Through countless seasons and years, God has faithfully met with me here. I’ve never once been “stood up” for one of our dates, though many times I was long, long overdue for our rendezvous. I guess that’s why He’s God and I am not ☺
As we sat there this mild, sun-soaked morning, my Creator wrapped me up in Divine comfort and drenched me in His unmistakable love. I couldn’t help but close my eyes, as I always do, to take in the gentle noise of the waters lapping as they hugged around the massive pier’s head. I looked out upon the open waters splayed out before me, watching the sunlight dance upon the rolling waves and knew I was being delighted in my Father in Heaven. The chilly winds of late fall nipped away at my cheeks, but I didn’t mind…I was warm everywhere else.
There I was, so fulfilled and enveloped in love, yet I found myself still desiring something more from God. I wanted hear His sweet voice echoing back at me…I wanted to know what was He was planning to unfold for my day, week, year, and life. I thought I needed Him to tell me what was on His mind for me for that moment...I did. Though His words came out differently than I expected to hear, He whispered forth the phrases I needed to hear most.
As my eyes followed the waters being pulled along by the channel’s current, God suddenly spoke so tenderly: “Come away with Me…don’t think about another thing, don’t take another step today; just come away with Me.” I clung tightly there to that trusty light pole and, yet again, released all of my designs and plans. I unraveled every strand of my tight-knit will for the umpteenth time.
Though sometimes, God reveals His plans and steps to me, today He wanted me to simply sit…to come away with Him. He wanted me to search out our own little nook in the world, away from the clutches of life, free from the tick-tock of time, and just sit in His loving arms. My Heavenly Father wanted to take me away to that special place…His embrace. That’s it.
This point is simple, but God sometimes is simple. He’s incomparably creative, complex, and mysterious, but every once in a while He strips all of that away to get down to the bare bones of it all:
He just wants you…
He just wants me…
He just wants us…
To come away.
Cozy up in your favorite blankie and oversized chair; sprawl out on your back and gaze upon the illuminated numbered and named stars; hike to your favorite overlook; bury your toes deep into your favorite beachy sands; grab the keys and take that one special drive only you and God know about. Whatever you do, wherever you go, whenever you can, carve the time out and get away with God.
Then close your eyes to hear Him gently calling out to you much like He did to me today: “Come away with Me; don’t think about another thing, don’t take another step…just come away with Me.”
Friday, November 5, 2010
WALLS OF WATER
Hi everybody!
I wanted to post an excerpt from the devotional I wrote this morning...I keep thinking I'm done with the content of my book, but then God decides to download more!!! What can I do? I'm just His lil typist...hope you enjoy!
Excerpt from "Walls of Water"
Looking at my life and the lives of those around me, I have come to conclude it is rare that we are completely satisfied with our place in life. Much like the Israelites, we have each been redeemed, justified, protected, and delivered; yet it is not enough.
Some of you are free from your oppressors, but today you awakened to realize God has led you into the desert. This arid climate you find yourself in can be an uncomfortable place…wildly vacillating temperatures and conditions leave you questioning your resilience and ability to endure. Food can seem scarce…spiritual, emotional, and even physical sustenance can be hard to come by day-to-day.
You may seem to have no sense of direction or plan for escape. Which way is north? South? East? West? Is there a purpose and plan in all of this? There must be…there IS.
If the Lord of all Creation is your God, He has chosen you…set you apart, and placed you exactly where you are today. He wants you right where He has you and though we may not understand why, we have to trust and KNOW that He does understand why.
There are so many awesome lessons and insights we could glean from those faithful saints who have walked the paths of faith and trust before us. There are countless generations who have put their every decision and moment into the hands of God and allowed Him to lead…wherever, however, and whenever He decided.
We cannot get caught up in the discomforts of our current roads and climates so we become distracted and impatient. It breaks my heart to read the countless stories of the Israelites in their desert times…how time and time again, God rescued and provided for them…how He led them faithfully and loved them despite themselves.
“He divided the sea and led them through; He made the water stand firm like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with the light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas; He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.” Psalm 78:13-16
More to come, my friends...thank you for staying with me on this journey we call LIFE!!!
In His AWESOME Love,
Katie MArie
I wanted to post an excerpt from the devotional I wrote this morning...I keep thinking I'm done with the content of my book, but then God decides to download more!!! What can I do? I'm just His lil typist...hope you enjoy!
Excerpt from "Walls of Water"
Looking at my life and the lives of those around me, I have come to conclude it is rare that we are completely satisfied with our place in life. Much like the Israelites, we have each been redeemed, justified, protected, and delivered; yet it is not enough.
Some of you are free from your oppressors, but today you awakened to realize God has led you into the desert. This arid climate you find yourself in can be an uncomfortable place…wildly vacillating temperatures and conditions leave you questioning your resilience and ability to endure. Food can seem scarce…spiritual, emotional, and even physical sustenance can be hard to come by day-to-day.
You may seem to have no sense of direction or plan for escape. Which way is north? South? East? West? Is there a purpose and plan in all of this? There must be…there IS.
If the Lord of all Creation is your God, He has chosen you…set you apart, and placed you exactly where you are today. He wants you right where He has you and though we may not understand why, we have to trust and KNOW that He does understand why.
There are so many awesome lessons and insights we could glean from those faithful saints who have walked the paths of faith and trust before us. There are countless generations who have put their every decision and moment into the hands of God and allowed Him to lead…wherever, however, and whenever He decided.
We cannot get caught up in the discomforts of our current roads and climates so we become distracted and impatient. It breaks my heart to read the countless stories of the Israelites in their desert times…how time and time again, God rescued and provided for them…how He led them faithfully and loved them despite themselves.
“He divided the sea and led them through; He made the water stand firm like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with the light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas; He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.” Psalm 78:13-16
More to come, my friends...thank you for staying with me on this journey we call LIFE!!!
In His AWESOME Love,
Katie MArie
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