I found a verse in Hebrews the other day that I thought I'd share. I read it on the bathroom wall at a friends house actually, but it has a very deep implication. It's Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. There are so many atheists in this world who would like to argue "if there is a God, why doesn't he show himself so we could all believe in him?" And that might stop some Christians to wonder "gees that would be nice wouldn't it"
We already have the faith that God is real. We were looking for him and we found him. We are already certain that he is there and are sure that we will be in heaven with him someday so we didn't have to see him now to believe. The problem with atheists wanting to see before believing has 2 problems with it. First, even if they saw Jesus face to face (because Jesus is God in human form) they would likely still not believe. The doubt in their heart is already preset. It would be like if you were to tell me about a lion but I didn't believe there was such a thing as a lion because I had no way of knowing what a lion was compared to really big house cat. So even if you brought a lion to me, I might just as well say it's nothing but a house cat because I'm not looking to see a lion. Atheist would not believe they were seeing Jesus because they are not looking. It would just lead to deeper doubting.
And the second reason is this, God created us with free will. He does not want robots with no free thinking and no free ability to love him. He wants our love to shine from our heart because we truly do love him. If he were to show himself and because of his great power and majesty we would no longer have the free will to love him. We would have to because we are in the presence of the King. Much like a servant would love his King. The King is superior and if we love him he might do great things for us or punish us if we disobey. That is not free love. That is not the same love as a Bride and Groom that God says he wants with us. He wants unconditional love weather we see him or not. I personally believe we can get an overwhelming presence from him in our hearts and spirits that we don't have to see him to know he's there. And it's freeing to know that I love him even if I don't see him. And when I do I will be able to love him even more! I don't need to see God to know for certain that some day I will sit at his feet and love him unconditionally for all eternity. I think that's just a part of what faith is all about.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
"We don't deserve this."
Just yesterday my husband and I returned home from an amazing 7 day cruise to the Caribbean. We had a wonderful time, the food was great, the weather was great, the company was great. The whole thing was great. It's definitely not a trip my husband and I would have ever thought we'd take 1 yr ago but I had earned it through my Arbonne business. This was the first vacation away just the two of us since our honeymoon 11 yrs ago. And a much appreciated time of reconnection and fun together since the accident. I loved bringing Josh into the Arbonne culture that I so much enjoy. He said everyday, "I can't believe how many people I've meet and they're all so nice!"
We had 4 ports of call and at each one we got to do some pretty fun stuff. In Haiti we relaxed on the white sandy beaches, in Jamaica we went to a place called the "Big Blue Hole" You could jump down over this waterfall and over cliffs down into a deep pool 20ft below. It was great fun until I realized that my special swim leg kept coming off and just bob up in the water next to me. In the Grand Cayman, we went on a snorkeling adventure to Sting Ray City where we held the sting rays and kissed them ;( We also snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Then the last day we rented a Moped Scooter and drove around the whole island. We got to see all lot and do all lot together. We came to the one fun conclusion that we are still the best of friends. We enjoyed each other and did not stress or worry about anything.
On our way home from the airport Josh and I were bracing ourselves of the mountain of bills that would still be waiting for us at home. And knowing that we had used some of that money on our vacation, we were prepared for working alot of extra hours to get caught back up.
But hear is the amazing blessing. When we got home a started going through the mail we found a letter and a check from the IRS, stating that they had miscalculated our 2008 tax returns and we were given a$900 check!!
Josh and I were floored, it was amazing to me that God would take care of this unexpected way. My husband kept repeating "We don't deserve this." I told him "I Know, but God loves us anyway, no matter what we are doing."
SO when we thought we'd be coming home to being behind on our bills and enduring the stress of getting caught back up, God had already taken care of it to within $100 of what we needed. So know Praise God we come home to bills being paid and relief in our hearts. God truly cares about everything and everyone. No matter what the circumstances. Even when you get yourself into that trouble. Praise you God! I love you!
We had 4 ports of call and at each one we got to do some pretty fun stuff. In Haiti we relaxed on the white sandy beaches, in Jamaica we went to a place called the "Big Blue Hole" You could jump down over this waterfall and over cliffs down into a deep pool 20ft below. It was great fun until I realized that my special swim leg kept coming off and just bob up in the water next to me. In the Grand Cayman, we went on a snorkeling adventure to Sting Ray City where we held the sting rays and kissed them ;( We also snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Then the last day we rented a Moped Scooter and drove around the whole island. We got to see all lot and do all lot together. We came to the one fun conclusion that we are still the best of friends. We enjoyed each other and did not stress or worry about anything.
On our way home from the airport Josh and I were bracing ourselves of the mountain of bills that would still be waiting for us at home. And knowing that we had used some of that money on our vacation, we were prepared for working alot of extra hours to get caught back up.
But hear is the amazing blessing. When we got home a started going through the mail we found a letter and a check from the IRS, stating that they had miscalculated our 2008 tax returns and we were given a$900 check!!
Josh and I were floored, it was amazing to me that God would take care of this unexpected way. My husband kept repeating "We don't deserve this." I told him "I Know, but God loves us anyway, no matter what we are doing."
SO when we thought we'd be coming home to being behind on our bills and enduring the stress of getting caught back up, God had already taken care of it to within $100 of what we needed. So know Praise God we come home to bills being paid and relief in our hearts. God truly cares about everything and everyone. No matter what the circumstances. Even when you get yourself into that trouble. Praise you God! I love you!
Monday, October 4, 2010
When the Church Bulletin Slaps you in the Face
I think the title of my post fits perfectly with my story and you may have had it happen to you at some point.
I've been busy lately setting up my ministry. I have partnered with Buisness By Design to put together a website which has been very exciting. I"ve gotten to choose some colors, design styles and content. I've put alot of thought into my Mission Statement and been listening to some speakers training by Proverbs 31 Ministry. I'm doing everything I can to make the practical side of my ministry come together nicely. But there is a particular aspect to what I'm trying to do that has significant importance and is the "meat and potatoes" of Katie Kniss Ministries. And that would be the biblical foundation and wealth of knowledge from which I base all my speaking material. None of the "extra" stuff will make a bit of difference if I don't have solid footing on what God wants me to speak on. His Word. My messages can't come from me they have to come from God, after all it's his story and it's for his glory.
It's been on my mind lately that I may want to take some seminary schooling or get a college degree in biblical studies. I know I can still have a ministry without it, but I consider it like equipping for battle. The Bible is my ammo. If I don't use it correctly, it may blow up in my face. In other words, I need to know what I'm talking about and have scripture to back it up. To do that, requires some level of study and schooling. I've prayed about it and set it in the back of my mind because I already have alot on my plate. Just the fact that I'm a mom of 4 kids is enough to make travel to a worthy college impossible. So it sat in the back of my mind with a "some day" label on it. Until this past Sunday.
When I woke up on Sunday my feet were on the ground but my heart was still in bed. I was tired. As I lay there, half in, half out of my bed, and contemplated staying home, a thought flicked on in my head that said "get up, go to church, God's got a message for you." So we did and I eagerly sat down in the sanctuary, ready for my message. As I opened up the church bulletin the words "Want a Masters Degree" jumped out and slapped me in the face! I couldn't ignore those words and got more excited as I read "choose from a degree in Ministry Leadership or Biblical Studies. Classes to be offered in Traverse City." I couldn't believe it! God had contacted 2 good christian colleges and told them I needed a college degree but they'd have to come to me! It was one of those moments when you sit back in amazement and think "wow, that was just for me! Thanks God"
It made me realize that I was right. I gotta get the biblical foundation down before anything else. So, I have work to do and I'm excited and scared. I don't know how I will fit another "thing" into my schedule but I do know that He will not give me more than I can handle. It may be at night that I collapse in bed with exhaustion but if in the end it all glorifies God then to that I say "bring it on!"
I've been busy lately setting up my ministry. I have partnered with Buisness By Design to put together a website which has been very exciting. I"ve gotten to choose some colors, design styles and content. I've put alot of thought into my Mission Statement and been listening to some speakers training by Proverbs 31 Ministry. I'm doing everything I can to make the practical side of my ministry come together nicely. But there is a particular aspect to what I'm trying to do that has significant importance and is the "meat and potatoes" of Katie Kniss Ministries. And that would be the biblical foundation and wealth of knowledge from which I base all my speaking material. None of the "extra" stuff will make a bit of difference if I don't have solid footing on what God wants me to speak on. His Word. My messages can't come from me they have to come from God, after all it's his story and it's for his glory.
It's been on my mind lately that I may want to take some seminary schooling or get a college degree in biblical studies. I know I can still have a ministry without it, but I consider it like equipping for battle. The Bible is my ammo. If I don't use it correctly, it may blow up in my face. In other words, I need to know what I'm talking about and have scripture to back it up. To do that, requires some level of study and schooling. I've prayed about it and set it in the back of my mind because I already have alot on my plate. Just the fact that I'm a mom of 4 kids is enough to make travel to a worthy college impossible. So it sat in the back of my mind with a "some day" label on it. Until this past Sunday.
When I woke up on Sunday my feet were on the ground but my heart was still in bed. I was tired. As I lay there, half in, half out of my bed, and contemplated staying home, a thought flicked on in my head that said "get up, go to church, God's got a message for you." So we did and I eagerly sat down in the sanctuary, ready for my message. As I opened up the church bulletin the words "Want a Masters Degree" jumped out and slapped me in the face! I couldn't ignore those words and got more excited as I read "choose from a degree in Ministry Leadership or Biblical Studies. Classes to be offered in Traverse City." I couldn't believe it! God had contacted 2 good christian colleges and told them I needed a college degree but they'd have to come to me! It was one of those moments when you sit back in amazement and think "wow, that was just for me! Thanks God"
It made me realize that I was right. I gotta get the biblical foundation down before anything else. So, I have work to do and I'm excited and scared. I don't know how I will fit another "thing" into my schedule but I do know that He will not give me more than I can handle. It may be at night that I collapse in bed with exhaustion but if in the end it all glorifies God then to that I say "bring it on!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)