I'm a Mountain...

Last week was a challenging week for me to say the very least.  The good news is I’m still standing in faith, joy and hope in my heart for God’s glory to be revealed through it!   I can’t go into detail about it but have learned that God has prepared me ahead of time for this coming season. I’m so grateful HE knew my situation ahead of time! In fact, I’m surprised at how I’m already conquering it with His loving grace that is available to  me as I need it. This is priceless.  Now I know why He was filling me with faith scriptures all year.  Makes me smile even now as I revel over His provision for me.  Needless to say, it’s not me, God’s grace is more than sufficient in my weakness and I can boast that much more that His power and word over me are gold!!

I had my battle though of ups and downs and  found myself needing to cycle through my  emotions with God constantly--this was a good thing!  Sometimes we think we can't have feelings. Instead, we have to try and hide them and act like nothing is bothering us.  Not so with God!  God was there the whole time, hearing me cry out to Him my raw and honest feelings. Notice, I said to Him.  I know where my help comes from and I've learned there is no greater resource of relief in the storms of life!

 Not once did He judge me or criticize my thinking.  Instead, He opened up His arms of grace and  graciously listened, allowing me to reveal my fears and hurts.  I simply LOVE this about my Father in Heaven!    However, God’s Word pulled me through each and every time. I grew stronger and stronger day by day as I allowed His truths to make me feel secure in faith.   I can’t say enough about the truth and power behind His Word.  It has unspeakable power over me.  When I fix my eyes on the truth and the character of God and not on myself or circumstances –it changes everything because it takes my eyes off of me and puts them on the ONE who has all the answers.

Growing in faith and trusting God is part of our journey.  Some days are different than others. Some days require more of getting on our hands and knees and surrendering ALL to Him because we simply don't have anything left.   I’m finding that my journey is never without a deeper level of understanding of scriptures I hold so dear to my heart.  God is in the business of moving us deeper into  the revelations of His love for us, for this-- I’m grateful!  There is no joy that speaks greater to me than to move through a season with God where your intimacy with Him is the very thing that keeps you breathing at times. Every deep breath I take in says, "Jesus, I need you!" 

 Unless you have been through that kind of season then you won’t know what I’m talking about. Don't run from these seasons because there is much treasure to be found buried deep in them.  Even now, I have my shovel and I'm digging deeper than I ever have before because I know that I will find Gold.  I’ve found that trials in the end are a blessing in disguise because they grow you closer to God than you ever dreamed of.  They are an opportunity to allow you to see Him in ways you never imagined.  He shows up big time in provision, in grace, in love and in forgiveness.  What a gift! God is always wanting to shower us with more of this kind of love.  My arms are wide open to receive it.  Are yours?

Psalm 125:1 says, “ Those who trust ( confident, secure, sure) in the Lord are like Mt. Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.”   I’m so grateful that no matter what happens with my situation this hour that I don’t have to have the answers to all my questions or need to see where I'm  going.  If our trust is only dependent on God's manifestation of power and favor, we will never be able to stand!  Instead, I can trust in God simply because of WHO He is and not what He can do for me.   For me there is no greater place to be then to be desperate before the Lord and waiting for Him to show Himself faithful because HE is faithful!

What are you trusting God for  today?  Are you needing answers or an end result and you find yourself reasoning and asking why? If so, stop and be still and know that you are secured in love. Trust with confidence and be secured knowing that God does not fail in what He allows to come into your life.  The answers may not always come and the path may seem endless, but you can be sure that the He will not mislead you or leave you on it.  This is where I trust Him to make me like Mt. Zion. I will choose not to be shaken, but rather remain forever in God’s provision and love through it.  May you grow in the same trust today!

What Closet Jewelry Are You Hiding?

If you’re like most women, you dream of one day being able to have a beautifully sophisticated, organized closet to store all your possessions in.  Maybe it will be one where you have a high back, satin-upholstered chair to sit in to change shoes or casually read a magazine, while drinking coffee and eating whatever the butler serves you.  After all, you have  more than enough  time to ponder your  choice of wardrobe before heading to the post PX or commissary , right? Not!  For most military wives, you are just grateful for a sufficient enough closet to store your things. Never mind elegance.  Closets are the least of your worries!  Functionality and enough room for hubby to store his dirty combat boots and ACU’s( Army Combat Uniform)  is the mission at hand.

I’ve had many closets throughout my travels as an army wife. Some of them were awesome, meaning that I was able to have enough room to spread out my belongings and actually see what I own.  However, I don’t allow myself to get spoiled because you never know what the next move will bring you.  It might be that old brown cardboard box that the movers  make into a makeshift closet for you!

So, why all the talk about closets, you might be asking?  Well, recently while standing in line at my local Wal-Mart, I happen to pick up a magazine to help pass the time while the woman in front of me purchased enough groceries to last her a month or two if she were ever stranded in the wilderness!  Patiently, (well, maybe that is a stretch!) I read an article about how the average woman in America wears only a small percentage of what she owns. The article went on to challenge women to get rid of what they were calling, “closet jewelry”(basically items or clothing that are not being used but  rather only add to the décor of their closet).  They suggested donating the items to people in need.

Well, I am guilty as charged; I am one of those women who have beautiful clothes, purses, and shoes that I have NEVER worn. In fact, some of them still have the price tags on.  Feeling convicted, I decided to start going through my closet to get rid of the “closet jewelry.” It was liberating to know that these valuable items would finally find some purpose and hopefully enrich lives.

However, today my blog is not about just useless “closet jewelry” that collects in your closet and looks pretty, but rather about you as a person. You see, as I began to reflect on this matter, I felt there was a deeper message that the Lord was imparting to me.  What is it about my closet these days that God chooses to speak to me?  Maybe I’m in the movie Narnia and don’t realize it!-lol…

We too are like closets. We hold some really valuable things within us that are not being used.  For example, some of us might hold the talents for taking pictures, cooking, baking, teaching, parenting, dealing with kids, encouraging people, listening, etc.- the lists are endless. God didn’t create us without a purpose. Our gifts and talents were never meant to be “closet jewelry.”    They were meant to be on display like fine, sparkling jewelry.  He wants us shining with His glory!

So, what closet jewelry are you hiding? What would God have you do with what He has given to you? Don’t let those items or gifts go to waste today. Instead, clean out your closet and give it all away!

Casting Down our Crowns....

And so the story went…..

The beautiful princess, with her hair wet, matted and stuck to her face, stood silent staring at the huge altar before her. Her golden scepter in hand was of no use here, and she knew it. She fell to her knees in shame and despair. How did she get to this place, this point in her life? Exhausted from her weary battle, she realized this was it; the moment of truth was upon her. The enemy destroyed her kingdom, and she narrowly escaped her demise.

Her gown of elegance was now torn and battered in the wind. The sparkling material that once flowed was ripped to shreds, laying in pieces around her. Really, all she had left of her deity was her crown--oh yes, her crown of glory! The crown that displayed her purpose, her agendas, her power, her authority and her life, became the symbol of her identity and was now the sad display of indignity.

Somehow, the crown seemed heavy now, and it felt awkward on her head. She reached upon her head and felt the sharp edges of metal that always displayed the royalty and power of the kingdom she built, an inheritance from her father. She began to weep, realizing that her crown became her downfall. No longer did it represent supremacy, but rather places of shame, guilt, inadequacies, failures and fears, and most of all, a heart of stone. Her crown became her idol as it allowed her the excuse to not trust in anything but her own self righteousness.

She began to shake violently in anger and rage as she realized the longing of desperation in her heart that was never fulfilled. The reality of a lifetime of mistakes and disappointments hit her heart like a ton of bricks as she fell prostrate on the altar of grace.

Sitting up, she took a deep breath and violently cast the crown down with such a force it knocked one of the sapphires loose.

It shimmered in the moonlight on the altar in front of her, and its radiance danced in her eyes. Closing them, she took a deep breath and prayed that one day God would bestow her with a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of despair. Her desire now was to be a display of splendor and be planted by the Lord, to instead serve under His crown of humility and grace, where she knew she would find peace and love.  She could only hope that her stony heart would become flesh once again.

Like most princesses, there comes a place in our walk of faith where we learn to put those crowns down--the crowns that once represented pride, control, selfish ambition, and much more. As those of us who have walked there realize, like the princess in the story, our kingdoms are not built on truth but on pride. They slowly crumble under our own demise. However, God promises us in Psalm 103:4 that He will redeem our life from the pit and crown us with love and compassion. This is what true royalty is about, wearing the crown of righteousness that is not of our own but from the Highest King in the land, Jesus Christ.

So, today, are you willing to lay those crowns down that display false power, shame, envy, self pity or fear in your lives? Are you willing to let God crown you with His righteousness and not your own?

His desire is to bring us a crown of love and compassion that will shine throughout His kingdom. This is by far the highest crown we could ever wear, holding power and authority that could never be compared. It has the power to transform not only our own lives but the lives of others. Make the great exchange today and once again walk as the royal princess you were meant to be!

Let Your Words Run!

The other day a friend of mine left this status on her facebook and I was humbled by her words. It read:

“I was running this morning, when out of nowhere I heard a very loud "Woo Hoo!! Go Kristen!! (or something like that) from out of a car window. Now THAT is encouragement at the exact time that I needed it. Thank you, Kimchi Lya McMahon Blow! I'll pay it forward - women encouraging other women and not tearing each other down. We need more of that! :)”

First of all, I didn’t think she knew it was me that was yelling out  the window at her.  I figured she thought it was some crazy women on post!  Secondly, it made me aware of the power of my words.  I was humbled… Immediately,  I thanked  God for allowing me to be used that day.  She must have caught me on a good day because I will be the FIRST to tell you, I’m not always so encouraging.  just ask my kids and hubby-just saying!  I must've had two cups of coffee that day and some great time with God!   Thirdly,  it inspired and encouraged me to get out there more and give out life giving words!:D

As my friend shared her story on facebok, it reminded me of a similar experience  I've had while running in a half marathon a couple of years ago.  I was at mile 10 and out of nowhere, a stranger screamed out, “Mother of Four (this was the sign I was wearing on my t-shirt at the time), you’re doing awesome—keep going!”  Those words were exactly what I needed to hear at that moment because I was feeling the pain! God knew what I need in that moment. It was like Jesus personally cheering me on.  That man had no clue of how he helped me get past my mental wall that day. May God bless him even now as I recall the story! Isn't that crazy that it's been almost 2 years and that stranger's life giving words still give me life! LOVE IT!!   More importantly, we must be willing to let God use us to  deliver His love and encouragement to those around us.  There are a lot of people around your sphere of influence who need to hear some life giving words from you today!

My friend stated in her  Facebook message above that she loved that a woman was not tearing her down but rather building her up. It made me sad that she has ever had to deal with that, but  I could so relate.   So many times, I see this kind of thing happening in the world we live in, especially among women.  Why?   Jealousy is a spirit that runs rampant among us.  Why can’t we celebrate the differences,  the victories and  the talents in one another? Why must we feel we have to  compare ourselves and bash one another to make ourselves feel lifted up? I  simply don’t get it.  Nor do I want to get it because it’s ugly.  I remember a time when I was like that.  I’m not proud of it, but I’m grateful that God's love and grace healed me.  His Truth has allowed me to see that my worth is not measured in what I am, who I am, what I do or much less what others think of me, but rather by His truth.  It NEVER changes.

 I’m just grateful that most of my friends and acquaintances  are women who choose life for themselves and joyfully give it out to those around them.  You know those kind of women who willingly and sincerely cheer you on.  This is who I want to be to others and for God.  This is my heart's desire to encourage people, but I can't do this without receiving God's love first.  Only then, can I give it out abundantly to others!  My true friends celebrate with me and I try and do the same with them.  In fact, a lot of the ladies in my life are an inspiration to me, just like my friend above!  I was so proud to see her being the strong women God was calling her to be, an example of health and vitality to me. Seeing her running made me want to run, too.  These are the kinds of women I need around me.  Life is far too difficult enough to have friends as enemies!

In the end, words are powerful!  Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.” When was the last time you thought about the words you speak?   Take an opportunity today to empower someone with love and encouragement.  Sometimes those words can be as few as a hello, calling someone by their name, taking time to give a sincere compliment, or simply acknowledging something special about another person that you admire. Never underestimate the power of a compliment Or the power of your words.   Today, be loved and love those around you because this is what makes Christ go around!

The Turtle on the Fence

                        When Ralene and I named our blog, Encourage. Empower. Extend, we wanted it to be an extension of the truths we held importantly in our own lives.  As women of faith, we are called to put our faith into action daily.  Faith without works is dead, and we can’t become the women God calls us to be.  Today, let's  look at what it means to extend.  

At first when I thought of the word extend, I chuckled to myself as I recalled attending some Yoga and Pilates classes where I had to stretch my body into some funky positions. Trust me; it was not a pretty sight!  I was definitely stretching myself past my normal capabilities.  It’s good to challenge ourselves every once in awhile and extend our minds, bodies and spirits into new places that God requires us to go.  It’s part of the process of maturity and God loves opportunities to also extend His grace and power to us so that we can do things we never dreamed of before. 

Another way we can extend ourselves is helping others.  I’ve always loved the verse from Deuteronomy 5:15,  “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.”  The word outstretch is another word for extend.  The Greek word for extend is  Didomi,  which means to give something of one's own accord,  to give for advantage, to bestow a gift, supply, furnish, stretch, expand, deliver, to reach out, or enlarge.  It makes me smile when I think of God reaching down from the Heaven with an extended arm to help me.

             So how can we extend ourselves to others in a world that desperately needs it?  We live in times where women everywhere need help.  The world demands a lot from us today.  We are expected to hold down full time jobs while being a loving, caring, perfect wife and mother, who is also the ideal example of health and beauty too.  Oh, and don’t forget to put a smile on your face as well!  Just typing those demands makes me tired and my mind spin, never mind doing it!  However, if it wasn’t for the awesome women that God placed into my life that extended themselves to me in the ways of friendship, time, love, encouragement, knowledge, grace, hope and vision, I may not be the woman I am today. 

             Alex Haley, the author of Roots, keeps a picture of a turtle sitting on top of a fence in his office.  He was reminded daily that the turtle didn’t get up there on his own, but rather someone helped him.  We too need to keep this truth before us that helping others is one of the noblest occupations we could ever do as a human being.  In the end, it is not about us but rather about extending ourselves to others who need it. 

            This is the same vision we have for Encourage. Empower. Extend.  We want to be an extension of God’s love and help to those women around us daily.  We all have something to give that God desires us to use.  In what ways are you like that turtle on the fence?  How can you begin to extend yourself today?  Be encouraged with Proverbs 31:29 that says, "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Now go put some turtles on the fence! 

Old Jeans…New Ways

                Okay, so I admit, I need some help with better titles to my blogs. Pray for me.  Hopefully , the content is more entertaining than the name.lol..  I never thought that choosing a pair of jeans would send me on a spiritual journey.  Much less, blog about it!   However,  God is in the business of speaking right into the heart of matters and getting our attention.   Levi Jeans just  happen to be the subject matter He used for me.   Let me try and explain.

                As most of you know, I’ve been desperately trying to take off this last 10 pounds.  To say the least,  it has been no easy task, but I’m gaining far more than I’m losing in this battle.  One of the things I’m learning is about self discipline.  This word, “self discipline” is not as ugly to me as it use to be.  Before, if I heard that word I would run and hide.  Now, I swallow hard and remind myself that it’s good for me.  Put it this way, discipline and I are not BFF’s but we are at least on speaking terms right now. 

                Now , back to the whole point of this blog…jeans and new ways.  I was standing in my closet the other day, trying to find a pair of jeans that I could wear.  Most of the jeans I own are too big for me now because I’ve lost some weight. This is a good issue to have and I’m excited.    I was rummaging through my huge collection and noticed all the different sizes.  Then, out of nowhere, God butted into my fashion thoughts.  Weird, I know but bare with me here.   

 “ Kim, why  haven’t you gotten rid of all these  old jeans that don’t fit you?”

  “ Uhm, because I don’t want to.” 

“You don’t want to?  Aren’t you trying to get into a new size?  If that is the case,  why do you keep holding onto the old sizes , Kim?"

Honestly, I didn’t know what to say.  So,  I simply replied back to God , “ Well, I don’t want to have to buy new ones because they are so expensive!”  Ha, I thought that would be an appropriate answer to  God because certainly He understands  the economy and all!    Instead, God responded , “ Am I not your new supply and provision?” 

                “Well, yeah, God, but..”

“ Kim, don’t you see that wanting the new but continuing to choose the old is not how my Kingdom works!  You must be willing to be stretched into those new places, agree with them and allow the old supply to be let go, so my new supply for you can begin to flow!”  Obviously, at this point, I knew Levi Jeans is not what He was referring to , but rather God was showing me something greater than denim or fashion.  I put my listening ears on. 

                You see, God had a point.  God was showing me something that I didn’t realize I was doing.  You see, I held onto the old pair of jeans because of security --a “just in case” excuse.  I kept them around in case I needed them again!  I held onto those old jeans because I felt comfortable in them. I was use to their size.  In a way, I  was enslaved to them.  This new size I’m in feels odd to me.  I haven’t quite gotten use to the firmer fit.  I need time to stretch into them.  It’s odd for me to even shop for this new size because I don’t quite believe yet that I’m really smaller.  In fact, I feel like I'm an imposter. Satan is trying to make me feel like I'm not worthy of this size.  Do you know what I mean? Silly, huh?  But you know it's true.  Some of you may have been here or maybe it's speaking to you about something else in your life.   Maybe there was a small place of unbelief that had crept into my walk and God was faithfully showing me a place of hindrance in a very real place of my life.  Yikes…I needed the humbling. 

                Our spiritual lives are much like these jeans.  We desire new things, but when it comes time to throwing  away all those old things that hinder us, we have a problem letting go.  Without realizing it, we’ve bought into a slave mentality.  When it’s time to be set free, we don’t really believe we are free. We don't believe it or feel worthy of a new victory or position in our lives.  What do I mean by this?  Simply, it’s hard to adapt to changes both in our physical and spiritual lives.   We can EASILY  get stuck without realizing it.  I wanted to be a size 8 again, but I was still acting like a size 14!  It’s not about the number people, it’s about the mindset. What mindset do you have?

                When Joshua crossed over the Jordan River from the desert, God stopped the old supply line of daily manna because they had just entered into the NEW place.  The OLD has to go for the NEW to come!   They wouldn’t need that OLD manna anymore because there were NEW sources to be fed from. God always has a NEW supply waiting for us to tap into!!   Also, let’s note that the first thing that God had Joshua do was to  circumcise the Israelites as they entered into this NEW territory..  This represents God cutting away the old places so they could be set apart for the new  places God had for them to take hold of.   God still does this today with His people. 

                It’s great to want new things to happen to us and for God to do new things in us but we will never get there unless we align our thoughts, actions and words to agree with His truth.  We must take hold of all those new places that god wants for us to tackle and have victory in.

                We must be willing to be stretched into new jeans if you will, even if the old jeans feel comfortable and acceptable.  Kind of like,  we need to let new wine skin be stretched so it can hold the new wine or it will burst.   OLD  wine skin can’t hold new wine.  My problem was that I had this old slave mentality of agreeing that I might one day return to my old sizes, so I held onto the old jeans.  However, God was trying to show me that if you want the new size then shop for some new jeans!lol…(Did someone say, shop!... )

I hope you are getting what I’m trying to say here ,people.  If you want the NEW things of God then throw out the old ways of doing things, thinking, speaking and acting.  It’s the only way.  Hebrews 12:1 tell us to throw off those old things that hinder us and to fix our eyes on Jesus!   Let us  take hold of the new mind set and path God has for each of us.  Let us  agree to walk in it completely and throw off every hindrance that might entangle or entice us to remain in Egypt.  Are you not a new creation in Christ Jesus?  Are you allowing the old supply to stop so that you can make room for the new?  Trust me, my closet is NOW ready for some new jeans!!

What jeans(old ways) do you have stored in your closet  (life) that God wants to clean out , so you can start wearing the new size this season?  Is it old habits? Old thinking? Old relationships? Old sin? Old ministry ideas?  Will you allow God  to peek into your spiritual closet for a makeover today? 

                As for me, I’m wearing and claiming those new sizes today! I’m stepping out and agreeing for the truth to take root in my life.  I will be all that God has called me to be and I plan to look good while I get there!  Be blessed today….