I slaved all yesterday afternoon (and into the night) putting up the Christmas decor. It looks spectacular! But more than the physical house ready for the Christmas season, I desire my heart to be pure and bright with the light of Christ in this season of giving.
Our family is planning a simpler Christmas than we have had in all the years past. It is quite refreshing. We have usually been intense consumers around this time! As the children in my family are growing into young adults–with one in the Navy–we have all began to realize what we really cherish most: time spent with one another. Never before have I missed someone so close in proximity (still in the United States of America) as much as I miss my sister who joined the military this year. Madeline Elise is only in North Carolina, but for us, since we haven't seen her since August; it feels like ages... This Christmastime, more than ever, I long for our immediate family to be reunited and make memories that will last a lifetime! If I had a message to spread this holiday season, it would be: cherish the people you spend it with!
Lastly, I leave you with this insightful Christmas quote:
“God is here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter deep into our soul.”
― Josemaría Escrivá, Christ Is Passing by
Friday, November 30, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Me and Oswald
Oswald Chambers
"A saint's life is in the hands of God as a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see; He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, I cannot stand any more. But God does not heed; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly".
I found some interesting reading this morning about a famous man that has influenced my life with his writings for many years. His passages in his work, "My Utmost for His Highest" have been short and sweet reminders of the vastness of my Creator's love and His enduring strength.
I noticed in my readings from this passage, he had one daughter named Kathleen. This struck a cord in me, because my full name, Kathleen, and is not too common of a name these days. Upon discovering this I felt even more connected to this writer whom I will never meet in this life (but someday in heaven I can not wait to meet the saints who have influenced me)!
***See the passage below for some informative reading on Mr. Chambers:
"Oswald Chambers was born July 24, 1874, in Aberdeen, Scotland. Converted in his teen years under the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, he studied art and archaeology at the University of Edinburgh before answering a call from God to the Christian ministry. He then studied theology at Dunoon College. From 1906-1910 he conducted an itinerant Bible-teaching ministry in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
In 1910, Chambers married Gertrude Hobbs. They had one daughter, Kathleen.
In 1911 he founded and became principal of the Bible Training College in Clapham, London, where he lectured until the school was closed in 1915 because of World War I. In October 1915 he sailed for Zeitoun, Egypt (near Cairo), where he ministered to troops from Australia and New Zealand as a YMCA chaplain. He died there November 15, 1917, following surgery for a ruptured appendix.
Although Oswald Chambers wrote only one book, Baffled to Fight Better, more than thirty titles bear his name. With this one exception, published works were compiled by Mrs. Chambers, a court stenographer, from her verbatim shorthand notes of his messages taken during their seven years of marriage. For half a century following her husband's death she labored to give his words to the world.
My Utmost For His Highest, his best-known book, has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and remains in the top ten titles of the religious book bestseller list with millions of copies in print".
(Retrived from: http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Oswald-Chambers-Quotes/ )
"A saint's life is in the hands of God as a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see; He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, I cannot stand any more. But God does not heed; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly".
I found some interesting reading this morning about a famous man that has influenced my life with his writings for many years. His passages in his work, "My Utmost for His Highest" have been short and sweet reminders of the vastness of my Creator's love and His enduring strength.
I noticed in my readings from this passage, he had one daughter named Kathleen. This struck a cord in me, because my full name, Kathleen, and is not too common of a name these days. Upon discovering this I felt even more connected to this writer whom I will never meet in this life (but someday in heaven I can not wait to meet the saints who have influenced me)!
***See the passage below for some informative reading on Mr. Chambers:
"Oswald Chambers was born July 24, 1874, in Aberdeen, Scotland. Converted in his teen years under the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, he studied art and archaeology at the University of Edinburgh before answering a call from God to the Christian ministry. He then studied theology at Dunoon College. From 1906-1910 he conducted an itinerant Bible-teaching ministry in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
In 1910, Chambers married Gertrude Hobbs. They had one daughter, Kathleen.
In 1911 he founded and became principal of the Bible Training College in Clapham, London, where he lectured until the school was closed in 1915 because of World War I. In October 1915 he sailed for Zeitoun, Egypt (near Cairo), where he ministered to troops from Australia and New Zealand as a YMCA chaplain. He died there November 15, 1917, following surgery for a ruptured appendix.
Although Oswald Chambers wrote only one book, Baffled to Fight Better, more than thirty titles bear his name. With this one exception, published works were compiled by Mrs. Chambers, a court stenographer, from her verbatim shorthand notes of his messages taken during their seven years of marriage. For half a century following her husband's death she labored to give his words to the world.
My Utmost For His Highest, his best-known book, has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and remains in the top ten titles of the religious book bestseller list with millions of copies in print".
(Retrived from: http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Oswald-Chambers-Quotes/ )
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thanksgiving in the Midst
“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
Napoleon Hill
So... it has been almost a year since I have been seeking better employment. I am not completely satisfied with the position I am in right now! This decision comes after much prayer and deep thinking concerning the call of God for my life.
It is easy to get frustrated because countless applications have yet to yield a new employment. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to have a job, and rejoice in the fact I am able to keep doing what I have been to make ends meet. At the same time, I am fighting the lie that I will NOT find something out there for me! I am also writing, because I want to encourage anyone out there in the same shoes as me. Stay strong, and do not settle for something less than your dream job¬¬—God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). At the same time, the paradox we so often we find in Scripture, is the command to not despise small beginnings while pressing towards the mark (Zechariah 4:10, Philippians 3:14). So, my friends and peers who desire an upgrade from your current role, stay strong in your seeking, and “[l]et us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
In the season of Thanksgiving I encourage you with the following Psalm (100):
Napoleon Hill
So... it has been almost a year since I have been seeking better employment. I am not completely satisfied with the position I am in right now! This decision comes after much prayer and deep thinking concerning the call of God for my life.
It is easy to get frustrated because countless applications have yet to yield a new employment. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to have a job, and rejoice in the fact I am able to keep doing what I have been to make ends meet. At the same time, I am fighting the lie that I will NOT find something out there for me! I am also writing, because I want to encourage anyone out there in the same shoes as me. Stay strong, and do not settle for something less than your dream job¬¬—God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). At the same time, the paradox we so often we find in Scripture, is the command to not despise small beginnings while pressing towards the mark (Zechariah 4:10, Philippians 3:14). So, my friends and peers who desire an upgrade from your current role, stay strong in your seeking, and “[l]et us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
In the season of Thanksgiving I encourage you with the following Psalm (100):
“On your feet now—applaud GO
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
For GOD is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.”
Saturday, November 17, 2012
2013 ALREADY!?
So...
My New Year's revolutions are starting in 2012 (for 2013) this year! Why not!? Black Friday is staring on Thursday this year, Christmas decor was up next to the Halloween-time stuff, and I even saw real Christmas Trees for sale lining a gas station parking lot on my drive back to the country yesterday!
Some "early" 2013 goals are:
1) Jornal more (talk less, but write those feelings down more!)
2) Be a more punctual person
3) Stay postive in the midst of MANY complainers at the place of employment
4) Move to the city! (Man, I love country living, but the time has come to say adieu!)
5) ... ???
6) ... ????
These goals are still a "work in progress", hey the early bird gets the worm though!
Love,
Kate B.
My New Year's revolutions are starting in 2012 (for 2013) this year! Why not!? Black Friday is staring on Thursday this year, Christmas decor was up next to the Halloween-time stuff, and I even saw real Christmas Trees for sale lining a gas station parking lot on my drive back to the country yesterday!
Some "early" 2013 goals are:
1) Jornal more (talk less, but write those feelings down more!)
2) Be a more punctual person
3) Stay postive in the midst of MANY complainers at the place of employment
4) Move to the city! (Man, I love country living, but the time has come to say adieu!)
5) ... ???
6) ... ????
These goals are still a "work in progress", hey the early bird gets the worm though!
Love,
Kate B.
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