But To Your Name

Psalm 115:1

 Not to us, O LORD, not to us 

       but to your name be the glory, 

       because of your love and faithfulness.

I received my third blog award yesterday and have been putting off the writing of this post because, honestly, I don’t know what to say.

Joanne, a  fast friend from An Open Book, whose heritage makes me crazy jealous (I'm praying about it!) and whose testimony leaves me with goose-bumps, presented me with The Arte Y Pico  award. 

In the short time Joanne has been blogging she has truly shown me the beauty of writing with purpose in mind and the absolute joy there is to be found within the salvation of Christ. I want you to run, not walk, to her blog profile and tell me that beautiful smile is not shouting the praise of Jesus!

Joanne thank you so much for this award!

You ladies are too kind to me.

I’m not sure you know what it means to me to hear that somehow, even in the smallest of ways, you are meeting with Christ at this blog. When I first felt Him calling me out into the writing waters – I laughed for a solid week. It wasn’t that I didn’t like writing or had never entertained the idea of pursuing it... it was simply that I had such different ideas of what my life “should look like”. And sitting in front of my computer screen with my Bible seemed too hilarious for this skeptical girl.

I love the Word. I wish there were a stronger word for “love” to describe the depth I feel for The Word Became Flesh. For The One Who Made His Dwelling Among Us. For The One Who Represents The Father I Love So. The One Full of Grace and Truth.

It is that last statement that has me close to tears: the one full of grace and truth.

I so desire this blog to be a place where Grace reigns and Truth is sought. (I will be writing more on that next week.) I want to encourage your heart and hold my own accountable to the pursuit of Truth. I want to study God’s Word with the passion of getting to know Him and the purpose of sharing what I learn.

But most of all I want you to know I’m not in this for me. If the Lord were to ask me to hang up my pens, notebooks and highlighters tomorrow for the pursuit of His Truth elsewhere, I’d follow Him.

Because He knows better than I and has shown me that time and time again.

For now, He is not asking that of me.

He is asking me to write and laugh and share my heart with all of you. And to find that even one of you is encouraged by Him here… leaves me awed before His throne.

And so this award, a pass along, from Joanne at An Open Book, that is given to those who “inspire others with their creative energy and talents in writing, artwork, design or contribution to the blogging community” is going to my Savior King on behalf of you and I.

Because I know all of the women who read my blog are doing their own things for Him and His renown.

You are writing.

You are designing.

You are singing.

You are raising children who love Him.

You are encouraging others.

You are holding out.

You are looking toward the coming of More.

You are dealing with life yet running hard after Love.

You are steadfast.

And all of you, like I, have one main purpose: glorifying Christ Jesus.

Ultimately, it all comes back to Him. 

Colossians 1:15-20

 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

The Brilliant Weblog Award Thanks

Beautiful Sheila at Meditations and Confessions of a Homemaker presented me with The Brilliant Weblog Award!

I am honored she thought of me and so grateful a woman with such a heart for Christ (her posts just ooze love for Him) even reads my blog! I’ve not come across many people with a hunger for Christ as deep as Sheila’s.

So, Sheila, thank you.

The rules for this particular award give me the permission to send this honor on to seven lovely bloggers.

I’d like to give this Brilliant Weblog Award to:

Andrea at Cup of Jesus – Her blog is so brilliant I go out of my way to check it! I love Andrea’s blog for the variety of topics she posts on – a visit to her blog offers funny quotes from her darling children, hilarious thoughts on life and coffee and downright heavenly posts on the pursuit of Truth: Christ Jesus. I discovered yesterday my deep desire to be friends with this awesome woman. Again, if you are not reading Andrea’s blog…girlfriend, you’re missing out! Just check out her header alone!

 Laury at In My Daddy’s Arms – Her blog is brilliant because of the rare glimpse she affords her readers into the real, raw, honest life of someone struggling with illness and aiming to live for His glory even still. Some days I read her words and am instantly reminded and encouraged of the eternal awesomeness coming for us.

Amy Beth at Ministry So Fabulous – Her blog is brilliant for so many reasons I could write about it all day. I am consistently awed by Amy Beth’s humor, heart and hunger to know Him more. My goodness, it was her idea to put Scripture in the shower to memorize and apply it better…I’ve got her exact list laminated and hanging in mine now! She is quite responsible for making my lather, rinse and repeat system so much more worth it.

Patty at Patterings – Her blog is brilliantly written.  Patty has a true gift for taking a lesson from life and eloquently putting it to the page. I read her words often and am reminded this life is about so much more… Her blog is a must read for me because more often than not I leave it mulling over another facet of Christ. Not to mention, she uses the word “Huggles” with ease and houses The Fiction Friday meme.

 

LauraLee at LauraLee’s Lifesong – Her blog is brilliant because it truly is written to the tune of worshipping the Savior King.  Her love for Christ jumps off the page and her encouraging heart is a privilege to get to know.  Her “Fruit Is A Verb” post alone is worth the award!

 

Melissa Lee at Stretch Marks – Her blog is brilliant. ‘Nuff said. She should be a comedian touring the country or just making herself at home in my house narrating my day. I love reading her words, her thoughts, her anything because she could write the alphabet and make it entertaining.

I want to ask you to pray for her…there are no words as to why- you can read about it here. Right now my heart is broken for her as she got some horrific news yesterday. Please, please, please lift her up to Him today with fierceness.

 

Lula At Lulaville – Her blog is brilliant…because she adores all the same things I adore! I’ve been reading her blog for a while now and when I saw today that one of her favorite books is The Westing Game, I knew it was time to get down to business. She deserves an award for that! However, on top of that, humor reigns supreme at her blog…she loves Jesus, loves Lost, loves The Westing Game and has an “Everyone Is Entitled To Their Opinion” Sidebar Widget. Um…could she be any cooler? 

<a href="http://ministrysofabulous.com/"> <center><img src="http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/IrishMissy16/Taste%20Buds/button1minsofab.png" /></center></a>

Nightfall, Recycled

Night had fallen and it was pitch black. There, about twenty feet away, was a man staring at each of us. He appeared to be smoking a pipe and wearing an intimidating hat. I’ve got to be honest with you, I was seriously scared. Slowly my inner circle and I inched our way over to the place where this bulky guy was sitting and one brave soul among us shouted, “Hey! Who’s there?!?!?!?!”

Crazy guy did not answer. He just continued to stare us down. Pipe in place, hat secure, arms folded, body seemingly getting larger by the second. Those of us in my ‘inner circle’ who were scared before were now just downright terrified. Indeed, night had fallen and with it darkened enemies were revealing themselves.

The Camping Trip of ’99 was an eventful one for my brothers, cousins and I. Amazing to me that what was actually a tub of pretzels, a baseball cap and a lighter looked like a hired killer waiting for his targets (we, the teenage campers) to be within range. Since that trip experience I have never forgotten what night has the ability to do: Manufacture fiction as fact.

What a powerful spiritual lesson for each of us. How many times have we found ourselves in seasons of hardship and pain; loneliness and loss? How many of us have watched the sun set and found ourselves standing under the veil of night? I wonder how we react. Do we doubt and question the love Christ has for us in these seasons or do we rise up and offer praise even in hours of darkness?

Recently, I have been confronted by a powerful statement Elihu makes in the book of Job.

“But no one asks, ‘Where is God my Maker,

who provides [us],

with songs in the night…’”

(Job 35:10)

Again I wonder in times of deep darkness and depression what cycle we fall into. Are we on the lookout for Christ and His provision of songs in the night even then? Or are we at a loss, sure that His grace has surely been tapped out?

I’ve got news for you: The Christian walk is not one set with a cheery soundtrack and constant sunny days. It is hard. Challenging. Refining. We are called to walk in a world that Christ himself has told us hates us because it hates him. Night has fallen and the enemy, just as with Job, is desperately trying to strip us. These are turbulent times. Rise up. Shine your light. Make noise for Christ so that others may find their way. Let us be a group that sings the songs provided to us in the night.

And as we strive forward, hard as it is, let us cling onto Romans 13:12, “The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

So let us under the veil of night expose what is deception

and point to who is Truth: Jesus.

New Design

I've got a new design over at Taste Buds! Check it out. And you can grab the fun freebies I made over at A Heart Stirred! Enjoy.

The Rocks

Blessed with Grandparents who wisely invested in a Summer Home, growing up (and even still) I had the privilege of spending my summer vacations basking in all the glory of the sun. With a house that overlooks the Long Island Sound, a quaint seaside home, literally steps away from the sand and seashells – you can imagine how this girl soaked up the rays and worked on her tan as a teenager. You can also imagine all of the trouble one gets into growing up with the honor of a sun kissed retreat.

There were boys to bother. Tanning lotion to test. Barbeques to feast at. Salt water to perfect my backstroke in. And of course, there were The Rocks.

Now, The Rocks, named that because well, they were and still are tremendous boulders protruding out of the water, were considered The Feat of my summer house days. Off the shore in deep, dark water, The Rocks were no joke.

My brother, cousins and I would stare at them with the determination of amateur Christopher Columbus-like, exploration -hungry intentions. One morning we awoke and declared to one another that this was indeed the day The Rocks were going down.

And so we grabbed our inflatable raft, snorkels, and towels and journeyed our way down the beach toward The Rocks. The moment we had them in our sight, we jumped into the raft and began our passage.

We were doing so well until the halfway point.

Two of the four of us, my cousins, began to panic that we were too far from shore in the event of a raft sinking or shark attack.

My brother saw trouble ahead as he took notice of a change in the current.

I was still reeling over the fact that we had forgotten the oars. Using your hands to paddle out to sea is not the wisest of things to do, especially when there was talk of shark attacks.

Our little vessel was beginning to catch on to the current change and landed us in this whirlpool like rock enclosure. The water was churning in a circular motion, caught in between two smaller rocks and well, so were we.

Looking at each other, the four of us quickly surmised that we were, “GOING TO DIE!!!”

Screaming ensued. One of us jumped. Three of us tried to pull her back in.

The salt water was spinning so rapidly, you could taste death.

We were that close.

Of course, that is until our Dads took note of us on shore and started yelling out directions.

To save myself from further embarrassment, I will just say we ended up swimming back to shore.

Apparently, we were not as far off as we thought.

And clearly, though we lacked a flair for oceanography, we did indeed possess one for the dramatics.

But what powerful freedom we tasted in our Fathers’ rescue.

Much like the rescue we have tasted in Christ.

Colossians 1:13

"God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons.

He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much,

the Son who got us out of the pit we were in,

got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating."

Purpose of Exemplify

It is the exclusive intention of Exemplify to:

 

1. Encourage the study and daily application of God’s Word.

Anyone who knows me well knows I cannot stress enough how vital I believe God’s Word is. I’m not concerned with stuffing my head with knowledge, I’m into getting to know Christ more. And He continually meets me within the pages of His Word. Most of my posts here at Exemplify are scripture focused and it is my hope they encourage others to get to know Him through His Word.

2. Start an open dialogue on how daily life can and does invite us to get to know Christ more intimately.

It is my belief Christ is not sitting at church waiting around all week for us to come and talk to Him! The number one response I get to my blog is that “it is about everyday stuff and about Christ – wow!” That statement always brings me joy because well, that is the point. I actively look for Christ in the day-to-day and it is so awesome when I get to read what others are finding Him doing in their own lives. Next to the study of Scripture, this is the main purpose for me.

3. Express my thoughts on faith and life in an open creative format.

I like to do stuff. I’m a busy woman who welcomes being busy! I’m going to write these thoughts whether or not I have a place to share them so if I can post them in an open creative format and point to Christ with even one word then I consider it a privilege to write here.

4. Have some fun.

I’m big on fun. A main purpose here at Exemplify is to loosen up a little bit, share some of my “Lucy” moments and invite others in. I don’t know if I succeed at that always, but I do try. If you've been around here for a little while you know my favorite posts include: cooking disasters, coffee, coffee, coffee and of course, lattes. 

In all honesty, blogging is one of the most fun, rewarding things I have the honor of being a part of. And I truly am amazed at how deeply effective this writing format has become in the Christian woman community. I love being a part of it…

For more mission statements check out The Becoming Me Mission Tour. 

My Determined Purpose

Thumbing through an old journal of mine, from a very specific time of prayer in my life, I’ve been thinking back on what I felt as I wrote the words on those pages.

One entry, from May of ’06, I remembered very well. Almost like a movie in my mind, the memory plays out: I was sitting in my backyard, with my Bible and my pen, two of my favorite things and I was staring off at nothing in particular. You know, it was just a moment of reflection and a day where solace was something I was aching for.

I remember well, I was hungry and I was warm.

And I remember thinking; journaling: “It’s not what I expected is it? Not what I thought at all…But now I can say to you [and mean it!]: “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I went on to write, “It is You or nothing for me. You or none of it. You. I want.”

I don’t know if writing these words can really do justice to what journaling something like that to Christ means in this life of mine.

As a matter of fact, I am rather confident my Mom and I may be the only two who fully understand the weight of that miracle. Because had you looked at me or heard me speaking my thoughts on Christ a few years earlier; you, or any Christian, would have been appalled.

Because I didn’t want Him. As a matter of fact, I wanted nothing less.

So to write, “I want nothing more than You,” is a downright miracle. And a testament to the transforming power of Christ Jesus. I cannot stress that enough.

What I thought and wrote next that day still comes back to memory for me on a rather regular basis. It is something the Lord reminds me of continually, as if to whisper His remembrance of it as well.

For it was at that moment, in that backyard, on that day, under that sun, that I looked upon a portion of the lawn covered in dandelions. It just ushered in for me, the childhood recollection of pulling as many out of the soiled ground as possible and wishing.

And so I wrote:
“If could pick those ‘wishers’; I’d wish for you, Lord. I wish you, Jesus.”

Philippians 3:10-11, penned by Paul, says, “I want to know Him. I want to have the same power in my life that raised Jesus from the dead. I want to understand and have a share in His sufferings and be like Christ in His death. Then I may be raised up from among the dead.”

All of our lives we wish for things, many of us missing that everything worth anything lies in knowing Christ now; because if we know Him now, our pasts are redeemed and our future is secure.

This is a hard one because in order for us to know Christ more and the power of His resurrection we have to accept knowing Him in suffering.

We have to even still in the midst of loss and heartbreak; in the barrenness of desert land and serious heat; in the seasons of falling leaves and bare branches – even then we must press on with the determination of following Him.

I am confident it is in those moments, those heart-heavy days, where those who still wish for more of Jesus will find more of Him.

May He and the power of His resurrection be ours abundantly; even if it means suffering…

Hebrews 2:9 (New International Version)
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone."

Forgive me for this reprint from Taste Buds - I'm still playing catch up!

I Believe You Are All I Need

If you have a few minutes you should watch this amazing video. 

 "Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed;

       save me and I will be saved, 

       for you are the one I praise."

Jeremiah 17:14

For Those Wondering About Mike

"Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!"

1 Peter 4:8-11, The Message

 

Mike called my brother last night from Hope House. He is in temporary housing for the moment (sharing a room with about 30 others) and is on a waiting list for the actual house.

 

I cannot help but share the details to you on the mystery woman who offered Mike that hotel room the other night.

 

By my parent's house there are these bike jumps in the woods – Mike spends a lot of times in these jumps. The beautifully helpful woman's car just happened to break down right in front of the jumps the other day. She just happened to be a counselor for teens in trouble. She just happened to need a cell phone and sought out Mike for one.

 

One thing led to another…

 

She blessed him with the hotel room and food.

 

As you pray for Mike in the coming days (and please don’t stop!) please thank the Lord for urging that counselor to help Mike.

 

She didn’t have to. Obviously, her day was not cruising by without interruption. She could’ve grumbled about her car, muttered a thank you to Mike and tried to catch up on time lost due to the car trouble.

 

She didn’t do that.

 

Something within her heart stirred and she did what I know the Lord was asking her to do.

 

I pray for us today that even in the face of unwelcome interruption in our lives we look for opportunities to serve Christ. We listen for His voice and we heed His call.

 

I pray boldly on Mike’s behalf today.

 

And I pray when everything in this world is wrapped up my Jesus leads me right over to The Beautiful Mystery Woman so I can rightfully thank her in person. 

Wash and Be Clean

We've had a rough weekend. With the near severing of my youngest brother's artery and the once again reality that life here is not forever -- it is safe to say we are exhausted.

And yet, I still need to ask you to pray. For Mike.

As my brother was making his way home, a miracle in itself, Mike was face to face with a miracle of his own. Unbeknownst to Danny or my parents (as they were in the hospital for 24 hours) Mike was delaying going to Hope House Ministries because he was embarassed to show up there dirty.

Oh, Lord. Steady my hands and give me words.

Had the confusion and chaos of Danny's emergency not happened, Mike could've taken a shower at my parents house. But still God found him a way.

Yesterday afternoon an old, wonderful woman none of us know offered to get Mike a hotel room for the night. We don't know why. We don't know who she was. For all I know, she was an angel sent to deliver this broken boy his heart's request.

To be clean.

Mike was able to spend the night in his own bed, with his own shower, getting ready for Hope House.

Oh, Lord. There is no one like You.

There is so much beauty within this story my heart can barely hold still with its joyful beating.

Our Father, in the midst of what seemed to be such chaos for us here on earth, still heard the plea of a 19 year old's bleeding heart. A heart wanting more.

A heart that wants to be clean.

He hears you, too. Wash and be clean.

Thank You...

Danny was miraculously released from the hospital this morning. Thank you, thank you to those who prayed and will continue to pray.

The doctors said had the glass from the window cut a centimeter deeper he would’ve died within SECONDS.

Yet again we are astounded by the mercy and grace of Christ. 

Psalm 35 was my anthem last night.

 "My tongue will speak of His righteousness and of His praises all day long."

Emergency Prayer

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY BROTHER DANNY.  I'M NOT SURE ON DETAILS. JUST GOT THE PHONE CALL. 

HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL.

Details are coming in about my brother Danny. He was airlifted to the hospital and the doctors are saying the glass cut his throat muscle - and maybe a vein. He is having scans done now to see the extent of the damage. His blood pressure is good and things look much better now than earlier. 

According to Danny, he and his girlfriend got into a fight, he punched a window and it shattered- cutting his hand and his throat. He said he told his girlfriend his neck was bleeding and that she should get my parents. She didn't want to get my parents because she was mad at him. He went to get them for help.

He is still in the hospital and they are deciding about surgery. We will know more later.


Keep praying please. 

Thank you, Kristen

Emergency Prayer

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY BROTHER DANNY.  I'M NOT SURE ON DETAILS. JUST GOT THE PHONE CALL. 

HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL - IN SURGERY NOW. 

Pray He Will Go

Please keep praying for Mike. He has yet to leave for Hope House today and seems to be putting it off. He was supposed to be there this morning but is delaying.  My brother and parents are getting concerned he is going to say no and stay back.

His bag is packed, though. He just isn't ready to leave the comfort of his friends. 

Pray. Pray. Pray.

You Called Out To God!

Ladies,

I cannot even contain the joy running through my veins right out my fingers (my sister next to me feeling the same!) but literally seconds ago I got an email from my Mom telling me the following about Mike whom I asked you to pray for yesterday.

She wrote, “You are not going to believe this but Mike is going to Hope House Ministries tomorrow to live. He was told yesterday that there was a 6-month waiting list but they called back today and he was told he could come tomorrow. I am so grateful to the Lord for seeing this boy and reaching out to him. If you let your readers know make sure they know that he will need any prayers they can say for him over the next few weeks and months. This is only the beginning.”

I am going to cry. My sister is crying practically.

Our Jesus answers our prayers and lifts us out of the pit! Please continue to pray. I know you will.

We thank you for your time and your prayers – your pleas on Mike’s behalf have brought results! Please don’t forget him in the coming days.

In complete awe of His majesty,

Kristen and Katelyn

 

Psalm 107:1-9

 Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out.

   All of you set free by God, tell the world!

      Tell how he freed you from oppression,

   Then rounded you up from all over the place,

      from the four winds, from the seven seas.

 

Some of you wandered for years in the desert,

      looking but not finding a good place to live,

   Half-starved and parched with thirst,

      staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.

   Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.

      He got you out in the nick of time;

   He put your feet on a wonderful road

      that took you straight to a good place to live.

   So thank God for his marvelous love,

      for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

   He poured great draughts of water down parched throats;

      the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.”