Happy Birthday

It isn't my birthday today...tho I wish those who's it is a very happy one! I was sitting at church today and a child was baptized and I thought to myself as greatful as I am to celebrate my birthday that I should be willing to celebrate my spiritual birth through baptism as well. May 29, 1983 I was brought and baptized by water and the words. What a wonderful day that was and how I wish I could remember it in my mind. What does Baptism mean to you...is it important in your life?

God Bless

As I sit in my apartment, I think in my head I wish I was back home and it was sunny outside...oh how I wish it were sunny outside...cloudy days make me grumpy and kind of sad and mopey.

Sin

Back in Luther’s day good works were used to help your life in purgatory be much shorter. Purgatory is the place where it is told we would go if we aren’t a person like the Pope, Paul, or Mother Theresa. It is a place where we are to wait until we are good enough to get to Heaven…it is the in-between place of earth and heaven, a place where we could make things right with God. They believed that Christ died but that only took care of the Original (Alien) sin. So they did good works to counter act the Actual (Proper) sin, which they didn’t feel the average person was ever good enough in their life time to take care of their proper sin. The church then sold indulgeses for those who were in purgatory…a piece of paper that said they were forgiven for a sin. You could buy them for you or for some one that has gone before you. Looking at this it just doesn’t make any sense to me, if it were really up to us we would never be good enough for God.
I brought up the words Alien sin that is the sin that is passed down person-to-person…human nature, sin since conception…Proper sin is the sin that comes from us, we are the source of the sin.

If you were asked right now on the spot… “If you were to die today are you going to heaven?” What would you say?

Back in the day most people would have said “ I hope I am a good enough person. I hope so…”What would you say?

I think that Christ died not only for the Original sin but for the Proper sin, he died so that we may have everlasting life in Him, He died for the salvation of all people. He died so that all our sins no matter what kind they are taken away, so that we may become righteous.

What does righteousness mean to you?

Thought for the day…

God Bless,
Kris

Just listen...(don't watch)...Think of it as a spiritual uplift??!

sorry can only listen to one song at a time...had to take it off.

Hmmmm

I would love to know what you are thinking….
What do you say sin is…
What is Righteousness…..
Can we work our way to heaven….

Next blog posting thoughts!Please at least post a name if you don't have a blog site...i'm always curious who reads my blog.

Thanks~Kristy

Are you looking out for #1?

Yesterday I took a look at Martin Luther’s writings Heidelberg Disputation. I would paraphrase and summarize…but it is a little hard to do and Luther said it much better than I ever could.

21

A theology of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theology of the cross
calls the thing what it actually is.
This is clear: He who does not know Christ does not know God hidden in suffering. Therefore he prefers works to suffering, glory to the cross, strength to weakness, wisdom to folly, and, in general, good to evil. These are the people whom the apostle calls “enemies of the cross of Christ” [Phil. 3:18], for they hate the cross and suffering and love works and the glory of the works. Thus they call the good of the cross evil and the evil of a deed good. God can be found only in suffering and the cross, as has already been said. Therefore the friends of the cross works are dethroned and the old Adam, who is especially edified by works, is crucified. It is
impossible for a person not to be puffed up by his good works unless he has
first been deflated and destroyed by suffering and evil until he knows that he
is worthless and that his works are not his but God’s.

Wow, I know you must be thinking….what does this mean to me?

We need to stop looking at the theology of glory and start focusing on the theology of Christ. Take a look at the line that states “good of the cross evil and the evil of a deed good.” Do we do good deeds because it is going to get us in to heaven, make us look good, make us a better person, advance our own earthly lives….? Those are selfish reasons aka the theology of glory I was talking about. Don’t get me wrong I love to be “good” I love to help others…., but the key is I don’t do it to better myself, but because I know that Christ has saved me from my sins and that I don’t need to work for them. I do “good” things not because I have to but because I want to do them for Him and because of that Love of Christ and the love He has for us aka Theology of Christ.

When you look at success in your life do you see it? When you look at Peter’s or Paul’s life in the New Testament would you consider that a successful life? I’m taking a look at the line above that says “enemies of the cross.” What do you think that means…what is an enemy of the cross? To me that is saying that those are the people looking for earthly success. Those that say they are Christians but are because they think that God is going to give them “blessings”. When I was a child I was told I have several blessings in my life…and I would think to myself….(that is true)I have a car, a house to live in, a yard to play in and two legs to walk around on. Now that I’m older (not much wiser) I know that I do have all of my blessings…I have spiritual blessings. I don’t need to look at earthly things and consider them the blessings God promised. God promised to take care of us and to bless us. He has spiritually. These blessings are genuine, they challenge us to lead, they are sincere and real in our lives. That doesn’t mean that being a Christian is going to be easy, it means that even though I’m blessed I’m still going to be led down a bumpy path, but it means that I’m not walking it alone. When we look at earthly blessings we are looking out for number one in life (yourself) Instead we need to look at the blessings in our lives from a different perspective and pray for others who don’t see that God has blessed each of us by saving us from our sins and His death on the Cross.

Lord I pray that each of us take the time today and open our eyes to you, to see the spiritual blessings in our lives. Amen.

May you see God’s Blessing in your lives,

Kris

Sorry for the typos…I have had to post this ending like three time…you would have thought I would have saved it the first time…my blog site hasn’t wanted to work for me yesterday or today.

Ability

For the past couple of weeks I have really struggled, I was told that I was a “mean teacher” to me those are just crushing words. My goal in life is to be a wonderful teacher, wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, granddaughter, and daughter-in-law and someday an awesome grandmother. I know these are big goals…and so it just crushes me when a student says such words. I know that I shouldn’t let them get to me…I know that it is because I have rules and structure that they must follow, which is unlike any of the other teachers they have had. I have my good days where I’m all smiley and days that anything can set me off (I’m a woman….it is my purgative to be moody). I have had good conversations with parents and ones that upset me and make me just want to scream and shout.
So I let it go…I got past it…or so I keep telling myself….
Last night after one really long day at work I was to baby-sit for a family, when I pulled up she was waiting at the door…nose pressed against the glass, really brought a smile to my face. This was the first time I had gotten to watcher her, she is a first grader…a all round great kid! She is filled with daily hugs when she sees me…you know me, I LOVE hugs! We were walking through the park later that evening and she said… “do you know what?” what? “you are my favorite teacher!” with her arms rapped around me I just had to tell her she made my day.
Do you ever have days where you are having up and down feelings…there are moments I question my ability to be a professional teacher someday soon. I know that I shouldn’t fear this upcoming step in my life. I need to be willing to “take a risk, take a chance, and break away.” I know that being great at what I do will take work, determination, perseverance, love, endurance, and patience along with many other things…but is something that I can do…..but so often these questions of ability or lack there of, pop up in other aspects of my life.
I pray that Lord leads me down the path of life that I may keep my trust in him that I will do great in whatever he has chosen me to do. I ask that the Lord help me keep in mind that everything in my past helps give meaning to my future. May I learn from my past from my small town up brining all the way up to the several colleges I’ve been to, everybody I will never forget, and those that are at the back of my mind.
I hope that everyone else has had a great week!

God Bless,
Kris

I promised a photo of Grace...so here she is, sleeping!!! 

Great Flood

I know no flood really compares to the great flood back in Genesis, but I’m going to share my day with you. Yesterday I went to go unlock the door at work and as soon as I entered I could feel something wasn’t right, things didn’t look right nor did it sound right at all. I kept hearing water rushing from somewhere…..I looked down at the floor and found water slowing creeping its way up to my toes. I started to walk through it and it got deeper and the sounds got louder. As I looked through each room it covered the floors. My classroom looked like a swimming pool with an algae problem (dark green carpet) I finally found where the water was coming from and for the life of me couldn’t get it shut off. Under the kitchen sink water was pouring out like Niagara Falls. I made all the calls, tired to prepare for children to show up. While trying not to panic. I don’t think I have ever seen that much water in one building. Some pipe broke under neither the sink and had been running the hot water full pressure all night…..GREAT FLOOD 2005. So for the next week I will being dealing with a little wet mess, lots of messy stuff, and a whole lot of fans! I’m a little frantic right now because I don’t like having the children in this situation and having to turn parents away and not be with their children yesterday was really hard. Well there is my week for ya…just thought I would share!
God Bless,Kris

Pentecost

Yesterday we celebrated Pentecost (Birthday of the Church). Acts 2:1-21 Is the story of Pentecost when a great changed was noticed when change amazed and shocked many. Pastor kept repeating the words “my have you changed” he said that when people show up at graduations, class reunions, family reunions…the common words are just those. We see physical, political, and even spiritual changes being made in people’s lives. Pentecost is about recognizing the change in the church…..seeing how each of us are touched by the spirit. Where would we be today if it weren’t for the changes that were seen in Saul. (Paul) Where would we be if Martin Luther didn’t nail the 95 Thesis to the door….which later led to the Reformation, if he hadn’t felt the spirit and made a change? On July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed, but yet the King of Britain had written in his journal, “nothing important happened on this day.” Yet through those changes we have all been changed here in America. Change might not have been seen at that time, by the people around them, or the people on the other side of the globe. Changes were made, lives altered….It was ten days after the ascension of Christ that lives where noticeably different for His disciples that then through that transformation were others changed as well. When the Holy Spirit came down to them and leaders were then teachers, that those that were reluctant were peaceful at heart, those that were disciples were now apostles. They made there way to thousands speaking in the people’s native tongues, worshiping and sharing the message of God’s love to others. What an awesome change.

Think about how many people you are connected to, how many lives to you have a chance to change, mold, and influence? On facebook it says that I’m connected to 4526 through my friends…and that is a big number. How can I not want to share my faith with at least one of those who don’t know about His almighty and awesome love?

Lord I pray that you may help to bring changes in our lives, be good or bad, help us to grow in your love, help us to share that love with others. May we all have a chance to grow and change not only physically (we are all getting old) but spiritually.

As we think of Pentecost think of change….think of how we can invite the Holy Spirit to Come.

God Bless,
Kris

Forgive the typos…I was a little scatter brained when this was written!

Also if you want to read another interesting blog check out…. http://www.innerthoughtsofkeith.blogspot.com/

"To Move the World, We Must First Move Ourselves."

quote by Socrates

Bridge Closed A Head...like 2 feet..

Road Blocks

I just got done holding one of the most precious things in life….a little child. Grace is truly a gift.... a little side track when I make it home I will post a picture of us!


As I was driving home from seeing her I found myself making a u-turn….nope I didn’t forget anything….there was a sign that said bridge closed. There was no warning that the road was closed a head and in the country that means 3 or 4 mile turn around and 5 or 6 extra miles back tracking. Heaven forbid I wasn’t very happy. They didn’t give any warning of this before I got to it. As I continued driving I started thinking…wow how many times do I find myself faced with road blocks…my path in life isn’t going the way I want it to? How many times do I miss the warning signs or there aren’t any to look at and I just smack right into a dead end. Life can be directed by signs…can be ended by others. One thing is for sure God is the driver and we are the passengers along for the ride. I know I am a backseat (side seat driver) and get lost among the way, but I know that I need to put my faith in the pure fact that God is leading me so I don’t have to worry about the road signs…I have my personal navigator.
God Bless
Kris

'Creme-Puff" aka drop of FAITH

When God invites us to know Him, He draws us into His light. He encourages us to cease hiding, to end pretending, to stop all the lies and fabrications, to come as we are, like that song says, “Just as I am.” The light tells us, even before we believe, “Come. It’s safe. I won’t hurt you. See, it’s just a little doorway out of the darkness. I promise, you won’t be destroyed; in fact, it’ll be the greatest thing that will ever happen to you.” It’s true. When we come to God into His light, we need not fear being scorched or burned. He is gentle, kind, never accusing, never mocking He shows us the truth only as we are able to receive it. He leads in the way only as we become ready to walk in it. He light nudges us toward the truth with the lure of real food, (The way to most of our hearts is truly through our stomachs) real thirst-quenching spiritual water…life. When we finally partake, we are overwhelmed that the all-powerful, all-knowing, and infinitely holy God is a crème-puff who at the drop of faith is wiling to give us everything…His kingdom, His presence, His heart…and never look back.

“God has no problems, only plans.”~Corie ten Boom

Not My Will, But Yours Be Done

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Psalm 22:9-11

One of the most difficult prayers to pray is that one which Jesus uttered in Gethsemane: “Not my will, but yours be done.” When we have some plan or hope which is very dear to us, it is extremely difficult for us to give it up. We may even feel resentful or bitter that God doesn’t see the matter our way.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, had prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” The prospect of the agony and the pain he would have to endure was almost unendurable. But it could not be any other way! For it was written. Paying for the sins of the world was demanding the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God.
Thank God, that in the midst of this desperate situation the Savior still clung to God in faith. As he considered his earthly life, he realized that He had a special position in God’s plans for men. From his birth on God had already marked him for special service. That God had led him to the cross had changed nothing. That, too, was part of the eternal plan to save sinners. Thus he trusted that, in spite of being forsaken, he was still an object of great concern to his Father. Even though rebuffed by God, he still sought to remain close to God and recognized him as his only Helper. When he gave up the spirit, it was with the confidence that God was still backing him. For he said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Jesus was sure that God’s will was a good and gracious will. We have the same conviction as we ponder death of Christ. Although no life, no work, could have come to a more ignominious or disastrous end than that of our Savior, yet we know that it was not a disaster.
When the answer to our prayers is different than we expect, when the goal we pursue escapes our grasp, it’s not really the end of the world. We have the confidence that God has something in mind for us, which is wiser and more beneficial if we too are faithful to the end, as the Savior Jesus Christ was.
I know so many times I struggle in my life making sure that when I chat with God I’m thankful for what He has given me and that I need to put my whole trust in Him, I need a strong faith. I may not know where my life is headed but there is a path I just need some road signs and a few detours and some day I hope and pray I will join the Father in heaven.

I pray that God directs my life for me, I follow meek and lowly.

Graduation!!

This was the video clip of my graduation song..but it did not work.

I hope you Dance

With graduation coming up for so many very soon, it got me thinking about my past days of high school... I even pulled out some old yearbooks the other day just to help with the memories. (I’m forgetful…and it has been a while since I’ve been in high school) I have students graduating that I use to baby-sit for back in the day….a girl that was a freshman in high school when I started coaching her….where does the time go? I was looking through video clips and found my graduation song “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. It reminds me not to sit back and let life pass. Have a wonderful day….I hope you dance!

Peace of God be with You,
Kristy

question about you

How do you see yourself....and how do others see you? I was listening on the radio today and it asked those questions and really got me thinking and questioning how I present myself to others, and how others present themselves to me. So I ask you the same things......how do you see yourself...and how have others seen you, have you ever thought about it before, and is this something that is imporant to God?

There is true beauty in a rose....it is naturally beautiful, it has no worries....it grows...it dies...and then the cycle is repeated by one next to it.

dun dun dun dun done!

For all of you who aren't going to the same school as me or aren't a good'ol speder....we are done for the semester. By far this was the hardest semester ever and I am thankful it is done and over with. It was great to celebrate last night...took a load off my shoulders! Have a great day!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother’s day is just around the corner….as a young women in my mid twenties, I often wonder to myself as to whether or not I’m going to make a good mother. Will I be able to provide for my children to help them grow in a loving environment, shelter them from evil things, provide for their daily needs? I often time wonder if the ideal parents often struggle…how am I going to do it……?
I look towards the future and ask myself someday if and when I become a mother…..am I going be a good one? I don’t know if anyone else ever questions what kind of parent they will be, but as I struggle with children at work I often wonder if I will have enough patience for my own children. These are just a few thoughts running through my head. Don’t forget to wish your own mother a happy mother’s day and thank her for being apart of you life and bringing you into this world. If you don’t have a mother…who do you consider to be a motherly figure in your life, a female role model?

God Bless you and your mom,
Kris

Sinners

Are we born sinners??? Why yes I think we are. I think that we are born in to sin and die in our sins, but by the death and resurrection in Christ we have new life and are forgiven by those sins. Some people say that we as humans choose to be good or evil…well sure that is true…but that doesn’t take us any less of a sinner. To be doing something bad and to be a sin is the same thing, but doing something that we might think is good could also be a sin in the eyes of God and not our own. I feel that doing wrong and sin while connected doesn’t mean that those who are innately good in life aren’t any less of a sinner. We are born on this earth with our sins. We may look at a little child and say they are innocent, how can they know sin. It is hard to look at a small child on their deathbed and know they haven’t had the opportunity to know Christ and His love so they are not saved. (don’t take the wrong way…I’m not saying they aren’t) I think that even as a child from birth we are filled with the ability to be aware of His presence. It is not our place to judge who is to enter the kingdom of God….it is His call. We have a choice in our lives to serve Him who sent us, to try to lead good lives and be good just because you think you can earn your way to heaven, choice a path that is crooked and evil….we have choices no doubt, but regardless of our path we are all sinners, born into our lives to die in our sins without GRACE we are to look forward to eternal death…but with GRACE we look for eternal life in the place Jesus has prepared for us.

May God Bless You In Your Daily Walk With Him,
Kris
My prayers are with those who are finishing up finals and for those who are beginning to travel home.

Who Jesus is......to me!

Yesterday I posed the question who is Jesus? The reason I ask is because I wanted to know what Jesus means to others. When it comes to religion, to my faith….it means nothing without Jesus. So He is an important figure in my life. I know that I have had this conversation with a few of you lately and we ran out of time to finish our own ramblings….so I thought I would post my own opinion on the matter. I have been questioning my path in life and if where I am going is the right one. I know in my heart that I don’t have to question who Jesus is. Jesus is a man there is not doubt in that. He cried, he walked, he crawled, he felt human emotions, he was born and he died. He however was sinless…something we are not. Jesus knew he was the light of the world. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 I have no doubt that other religions believe that Jesus lived, some believe that he was a prophet, a great teacher. I agree to some extent….but I feel that he was much more than that. How can some say they believe in God and believe that Jesus was alive and not realize the connection between the two? “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30. I think it is easier to think that we can save ourselves, that we are the human race and have choices that either get us to heaven or hell all on our own. I don’t feel that is true…..I think that God gave us his son (John 3:16) because he loves us….he gave us the choice to believe and except Him or to live an earthly life lost to our own sins. I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. Who took on a fleshy body as a human to help guide us, to teach us, to love us….to help us understand that God paid the ultimate sacrifice…that Jesus was sent to do something we could never do, we are not capable of doing anything with such greatness as the son of God. Jesus is man and God. Jesus is a friend, the good Shepard, the Messiah, Emmanuel, the Savior.

God Bless,
Kris

Who is Jesus?