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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 12/16/2008 8:01:55 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes
Chapter 11
A Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (cont.)
11:2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.
11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
11:12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.
11:12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
11:13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but the trushworthy keeps a confidence.
11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trushtworthy man keeps a secret.
11:15 If someone puts up security for a stranger, he will suffer for it,
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
11:15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to strike hands in a pledge is safe.
11:16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent ment gain only riches.
11:16 A kindhearted woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
11:21 Be assured that the wcked will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
11:21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.
11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains more;
another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
11:24 One man gives freely, yet gaines even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
11:25 A generous person will be enrighed,
and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.
11:25 A generaous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
11:27 The one who searches for what is good finds favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.
11:27 He who seeks good finds good will,
but evil comes to him who searches for it.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 12/17/2008 7:03:06 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes
Chapter 12
A Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (cont.)
12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.
12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.
12:4 A capable wife is her husband's crown,
but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
12:9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.
12:9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant,
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
12:13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
12:13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,
but a righteous man escapes trouble.
12:14 A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth,
and the work of a man's hands will reward him.
12:14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him..
12:15 A fool's way is right in his own eyes,
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.
12:16 A fool's displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.
12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
12:18 There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword;
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
12:23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.
12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowlege to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
12:25 Anxiety in a man's heart weights it down,
but a good word cheers it up.
12:25 An anxious heart weights a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.
Again, so much emphasis on how we speak to others. Once you say something...it's just hanging out there forever, isn't it? There is no pretending you didn't say something hurtful. And likewise, there's now way to go back and say the right thing if you let the opportunity pass.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 12/17/2008 9:50:05 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 7982
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
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Wow, Kimberly. This is definitely something that God has been working on me about. I am sooo sarcastic and soooo dry when it comes to conversation that I pride myself when I come up with a witty or biting reply to things.
Kyoudai is HUGE against sarcasm but I wasn't until I realised I was setting a bad example for the girls in my Bible study. I want them to grow in the Lord, and not in the world and if I'm going to teach them that I have to show them...not just tell them. I don't want to be a, "Do as I say, not as I do," leader. You know?
Your words are AWESOME and I'm so grateful that you're taking this journey.  I've enjoyed it with you so far.
Love ya girl!!!! *huggles*
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 12/18/2008 11:34:59 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 7982
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
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Where is...Proverbs....and...daily...devotion...????
*cries*
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 12/18/2008 11:35:50 AM
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JustJeannie
Posts: 4420
Joined: 6/14/2007
From: the state of confusion
Status: offline
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OYYYYYYYY I am sooooooo far behind on my Proverbs reading. I need to start over next month......I'm pathetic, really.
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Jeannie
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 12/18/2008 11:37:05 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 7982
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
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Just start now. I'm reading it as well.
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/1/2009 1:18:39 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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Today's devotion... (This one is AWESOME!!! I'm personalizing it...printing it out...and keeping it in my purse & my car.)
A New Year's Prayer for You
Lam 2:19 Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.
It’s a new year. What is on your heart? What would you like to accomplish? What would you like to change? Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions?
A few years ago, I gave up making New Year’s Resolutions. I could never keep them. One year, instead of a resolution, I wrote a prayer. Throughout the year, I watched in amazement as God worked in my life and in the lives of others through my simple prayer.
Today, I would like to pray for you. Below is the prayer that the Lord put on my heart. As you read it, I invite you to use it as a model. Sit with the Lord and ask Him to help you personalize this prayer for you.
Father in heaven, thank You that You are Sovereign. Thank You that You know each precious woman reading this devotion. You planned for her to meet You here today. You created her heart. You know her every need, her deepest desires, and her open wounds. Lord, I ask that in this new year, You would fall afresh on her.
Father, You are Holy, and call us to be Holy. Yet, we confess that so often our hearts wander from You; our speech does not glorify You, and our actions do not honor You. Soften our hearts to receive the words Your sweet Spirit has to speak to us. Clothe us with humility. Take away our desire to always be right and have our own way. Help us to seek Your Word in all that we say and do. Help us to submit to Your Word; allow it to penetrate those deep places in our hearts that resist change. If necessary, put us through the refiner’s fire to burn off those things that keep us from walking in step with Your character.
Give us hearts that love and seek after Truth above all else. Give us wisdom and discernment to reject the lies of this world and the evil one. Guide us into all Truth. Guard our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Grow in us those things that will make us more like You. As we study Your Word, fill us and saturate us with You!
Today, Father, we surrender our thoughts, our speech, and our hearts. Thank You that You are Faithful and True. We trust You will do a mighty work in us and through us this year, and carry it on to completion until the day we step into eternity with You. Help us to trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways so that we can hear Your voice as You say, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Lord, we love You and thank You that You love us. May our lives be a living testimony of You. We ask this in the powerful and mighty name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who will do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine! Amen.
Philip 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Eph 6:17-18 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for the saints.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/1/2009 6:04:41 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes
Chapter 13
A Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (cont.)
13:3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
13:3 He who guards his lips guards his soul,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
13:10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
13:20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
13:24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.
13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
More caution about how we speak. But also about whom we choose as friends.
My daughter and I were just talking today about how everything we do is our CHOICE. Thus, the outcome is OUR responsibility. If we choose badly, it's 'on us.' We shouldn't whine about it later...just know we need to make better choices in the future. God's Word is FULL of instruction in making the right choices. And have you ever noticed that when you think you don't know what to choose, it's because you don't want to make the right choice...because very often, it's the more difficult path? But we always know in our hearts what the right choice is, don't we? And God assures us we will be rewarded for choosing wisely.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/1/2009 6:07:24 PM
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BlessedAngel1983
Posts: 7885
Joined: 6/8/2007
From: South Carolina
Status: offline
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Happy New Year Mama KJ!!!!
_____________________________
Reflecting with Terri
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/1/2009 6:08:14 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BlessedAngel1983
Happy New Year Mama KJ!!!!
Right back atcha, sweetie!
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/2/2009 9:54:41 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes
Chapter 14
A Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (cont.)
14:3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
14:3 A fool's talk brings a rod to his back,
but the lips of the wise protect them.
14:8 The sensible man's wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools decieves them.
14:8 The wisdom of the produent is to give thought to their ways,but the folly of fools is deception.
14:15 The inexperienced believe anything,
but the sensible watch their steps.
14:15 A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
14:16 A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.
14:16 A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil,
but a fool is hot headed and reckless.
14:17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man who schemes is hated.
14:17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things,
and a crafty man is hated.
14:21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.
14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
14:23 There is profit in all hard work,
but endless talk leads only to poverty.
14:23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
14:29 A patient person shows great understanding,
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
14:29 A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
14:30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.
14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.
14:31 The one who oppresses the poor insults their Maker,
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.
14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
* Edited due to carelessness on my part...wrote over Ch 14 accidentally. 
< Message edited by kj88il -- 1/3/2009 7:22:38 PM >
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/2/2009 1:48:17 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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For those interested in the handbags, travel bags, book covers, etc my Mama & I are selling...you can find our temporary website at http://www.dragonflydesign4u.com .
Sorry.....this silly site is acting up. Wouldn't let me create a link. So copy & past the URL and click on C & K Creations.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/2/2009 1:57:50 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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I just checked again....and they finally have the 2009 catalog online. I will try to get that loaded today.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/3/2009 7:08:26 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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MY KEY:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Bold, black text is what especially stood out to me.
New International Version (NIV)
My personal notes
Chapter 15
A Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (cont.)
15:4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,
but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
15:4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
15:5 A fool despises his father's instruction,
but a person who heeds correction is sensible.
15:5 A fool spurns his father's discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
15:13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.
15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict,
but a man slow to anger calms strife.
15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.
15:28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.
15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs it answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
We are reminded again how powerful our words are. I think God is really speaking to me about this. I've had a couple occassions over the past couple days that I wanted to say something in anger...but I held my tongue...and felt the better for it. God will give me the right words if & when the right time presents itself. This has been a good exercise in restraint...which isn't exactly my strong suit. 
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/5/2009 7:44:33 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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Today's devotion...
Just A Little Heart Cleaning
Matt 5:23-24 If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God.
Yesterday I swept the mahogany dark wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn’t even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.
I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn’t say somet hing. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn’t seem to be big enough at the moment.
I’ve heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, “Jesus forgave, why don’t you?” The reality is that you and I aren’t Jesus. It’s an uneven journey, at best, as we accept His grace and strive to learn from His example. The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it’s not something that we just find along the way. It’s a purposeful intent to move beyond the burden and restrictions of bitterness, anger, rage, or unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.
Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed, and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understand the joy and freedom that comes through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.
Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9: 2 NLT) Isn’t it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man’s heart before attending to his physical body?
He hasn’t changed. He still sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life’s challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, but also invite Him into the process.
Maybe you’re like I once was; dealing with the hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn’t mean that abuse can continue, or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to live life free of entanglements to the past. Maybe you have grappled with the big issues and they no longer hold power over you, but now the little stuff is the big stuff...and you are tired of it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us”. As I talked with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. Yesterday my house got cleaned, but so did my heart.
What happens when we are willing to forgive? It moves us one step closer to deep-seated faith marked by grace.
1 Corinthians 13:5 Love does not demand its own way. [Love] is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
Lord, Help me to forgive even just one person today. I lift up my heart to You. I won’t pretend it doesn’t hurt, but I am willing to forgive. I’m not always big enough, but You are...and I am grateful. I won’t forgive based on a person’s response, or even what is fair, but instead I will trust that You desire my heart to be free so that You can love in and through me. All these things I ask...in Jesus' name...amen.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/7/2009 8:05:44 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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today's devotion...
The Night I Lost All Hope
Isa 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I remember it so well – the night I lost all hope. I had been hoping that my prodigal son was not lying to me. While I was 99% sure he was, I still clung to the 1% chance he was telling the truth. My heart simply refused to give up that final thread of hope.
As a condition of living in our home again, we asked that our 21-year old son attend a weekly support group meeting. We wanted him back home; his other living choice was not a good one. But we needed to establish boundaries , offering a safe place to live without tolerating or enabling his destructive behavior. We wanted to start rebuilding the trust we had lost. One building block was his Friday night support group meeting. Though our son said he was attending, in my heart I felt something was wrong.
One night I just had to know if he was living up to his commitment. I drove to the place where his meeting was held and my fears were confirmed: he was nowhere to be found. I went right home and waited. When he came home I asked about his meeting. “The meeting was fine. I’m tired and going to bed.” I had caught him in a lie!
Hope left me and discouragement came quickly to replace it. I couldn’t even confront him – at least not yet. I needed time to wrestle with the loss of the 1% of hope. It was just a tiny bit of hope. No big loss, right? … Wrong! That last 1% of hope is what I held onto the tightest. I was so angry and crushed. But then, God spoke. He chose a friend to speak His Words to me the very next day. She had no clue what was happening with our son. She just prayed what God prompted her -- for me to have HOPE! She emailed me her prayer:
“Father, You are the God of all hope. Your Word tells us that those who hope in You will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint. I pray this for Elaine this morning … that she will place her HOPE in You and You alone …”
Reading her prayer, it suddenly became clear to me. My hope had been in my son and in that weekly meeting. The hope I had lost – that 1% I’d been clinging to – was human hope. That kind of hope is in limited quantity, and when it runs out, you are left drained, discouraged, disappointed and …hopeless! Oh, it may masquerade as “hope,” but it is completely different from the hope that God provides. God’s hope renews and refreshes. It empowers, uplifts, and strengthens. God’s hope does not disappoint! There is an unlimited supply of God’s hope.
God knew I had been clinging to human hope, and He knew that last 1% of weak, feeble hope would run out. He wanted me to cling to Him, the God of true, lasting, unlimited hope. So, as I wiped my tears, I waited as the winds of God’s hope blew my way. My circumstances were still the same, but my heart was now filled with the hope that only God can provide.
Ps 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ps 147:11 The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Oh Lord, You knew how badly I needed this devotion today...this message of YOUR hope! I've been going to bed late, not wanting to be alone in the quiet...fearing if I start crying I won't be able to stop. I've been sleeping fitfully, even "dreaming" of my financial problems. I've been waking every morning in despair...hitting the snooze time after time as I pray that SOMETHING would change, and feeling humiliated and hopeless.
Thank You for this reminder that I've been clinging to my empty human hope...and have lost touch with Your powerful, faithful promise of hope. Please help me put my hope in You and You alone today, Father. Thank You that with You, all things are possible. Open my heart to Your Holy Spirit, that I can FEEL Your hope...and believe that I am worth it. I ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I trust your will. May Your will be done. Amen.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/7/2009 8:32:04 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 7982
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
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Hope. Such a small word with such power. And yet His Word tells us that faith the size of an itty bitty mustard seed can move mountains. To have faith in His hope for us is unmeasurable. Hope...faith...
Power stuff gf. *huggles*
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/10/2009 11:01:15 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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today's devotion...
Brain Blips, Mishaps, and Feelings of Failure
Matt 7:24-27 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Do you know what amazes me about those verses above? Both the person doing right and the person doing wrong experienced hard times. In both cases the rains came, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat ag ainst the house.
Just because we're Christians living out God's principles for life, does not mean we won't face difficult circumstances. The difference being a Christian makes is how the difficulties affect us. If we are hearing and heeding God through our prayer time and reading His Word, then we will be able to stand strong in the storms of life. Our faith will not be shaken and our identity will not be rattled.
I once heard my pastor lament to my husband that sometimes he only feels as good as his last sermon. I can so closely identify with his comment because as a friend, wife, and mother, sometimes I only feel as good as my last interaction with someone close to me. A friend tells me I hurt her feelings and suddenly I feel like a bad friend. I forget to take the cookies I signed up to bring to the church nursery and suddenly I feel unreliable and disorganized. My husband asks me where his passport is, and when I can't find the file, suddenly I feel like a wife that can't be trusted.
The passport thing is still very fresh on my mind because it just happened recently. My normal reaction would have been to get frustrated, short tempered, and beat myself up while tearing the house apart looking for the missing passports.
But God's Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "Let me invade your natural flesh reaction. Call your husband and pray about the passports instead of getting frustrated."
So, Art and I prayed. I went from defining myself as a failure of a wife to being a praying woman who can face a hardship in a Godly way. The frustration was diffused and we determined to look at this from God's perspective. If we find the passports, we'll praise God! If we don't find them, we'll see this as God's protection not to go on a planned trip later this month, and we'll still praise God.
When hard times come and beat against our stability, we must be determined to hear God's words and put them into practice. Then nothing can topple our peace, security, or true identity.
Ps 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Ps 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Lord, Thank You that my identity does not have to be determined by the circumstances of my life. Help me to hear Your Words, put them into practice, and stand firm on Your truth. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/11/2009 8:06:51 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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My New Business...
About 7 or 8 yrs ago, I had the idea to start a service business. But things being such as they were with my rocky marriage...and my daughter at the beginning of what turned-out to be 2 very difficult, rebellious years...it just wasn't the right time.
Then a couple years after I moved back here, I toyed with the idea again. While I received encouragement from my close friends and family, it didn't seem to be the right time either...and I dropped the idea. Instead, I pursued getting my CDL, which provided immediate financial return.
But with this temp job becoming more and more unbearable, I've been thinking about it yet again. And I really feel God is telling me, "Okay....try it now." For some time now, I've felt like He's been preparing me to offer myself in service to others. I have so much free time. I have no real obligations. I enjoy a freedom and availability that not many do. I think it's time to put that to His use.
So......I am starting a business as a Personal Assistant. Here are a few links to some of the things I have worked-up so far. I'd really appreciate if you want to take a couple minutes to look at them...and tell me what you think. And please feel free to point out any corrections that need made (cuz I'm cross-eyed from making changes and reading them over dozens of times! LOL), any suggestions you may have...or any other comments you may have.
NOTE: An artist friend of mine is designing a logo for me. I just plugged-in my initials where I think it will be on each page....so use your imagination. 
My business card
My tri-fold brochure - outside
My tri-fold brochure - inside
My intro letter
My rate schedule
I will continue at my current temp job for the short-term, as I introduce this business. But I'm going to separate myself from the temp agency and be paid directly for my services. This equates to about an immediate $450/mo 'raise' for myself. (WHY I've been letting them make money off me this long alludes me now!!  )
I also hope this is a non-threatening way for my landlord to introduce me into his office. His current, LONGGGGGGG-term office person is very threatened by the idea; she's afraid I"m going to take over her job. Perhaps if we present it as my being 'independent'...just learning how things operate in order to be able to step in on those days she can't come to work (both her parents are very ill and she often misses a couple days a week), it will make things easier for her and for my landlord. LOL
My brain is about fried tonight...so that's it for now. Anxious to hear what y'all think!!!
< Message edited by kj88il -- 1/11/2009 10:53:34 PM >
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/11/2009 8:09:14 PM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 16408
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
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Sounds like a good plan Kimberly, go for it!
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/11/2009 8:21:33 PM
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BlessedAngel1983
Posts: 7885
Joined: 6/8/2007
From: South Carolina
Status: offline
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Cool!
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Reflecting with Terri
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/13/2009 9:53:13 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 1183
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
Status: offline
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My Mama had a really bad night last night.
It was miserable to sit and watch her go thru coughing fit after coughing fit...struggling to 'breathe. And she received a HUGE about of steroids in the 24 hrs she's been in the hospital...which makes her so shaky and wired. So of course that means she could'nt relax and sleep...even after some industrial-strength cough suppressant. I kept making the nurse call the dr-on-call for this and that...until finally - after her 3rd breathing treatment (which just aggrevates her cough...but is hopefully helping) she started to sleep fitfully.
Needless to say...it was very late (or very early) when I got home. I had a hard time getting to sleep myself. We've been watching her struggle with this chronic lung condition for over 10 yrs. The last couple have been very hard on her. She was in the hospital for pneumonia about 1.5 yrs ago. I'm afraid this is going to be a constant worry now...especially in the cold months.
Doctors were not encouraging at rounds this morning. I think they were hoping for some improvement after all the steroids and antibiotics yesterday. They're adding a new med to her breathing treatments today. Hopefully that will help break stuff up so she can get rid of it. And they're watching another lung issue....worried that this stuff that's floating around will congregate and crystallize. That's really bad. We don't want to go there.
I'm going to work a while. Dad's with Mom at the hospital. He's not feeling so well himself, so I have that to worry about, too. But I was glad he had gone home fairly early last night. I think it would be harder on him to see her like that than it was for me. (You know how that goes...your life-long partner...worrying about the future...)
Just please keep praying for us. I'm trying not to worry...but it's not a good situation realistically. But it's all in God's hands. At least we have that comfort. (And plenty of support and prayers from family and friends and Church family.)
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 1/13/2009 10:25:19 AM
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JustJeannie
Posts: 4420
Joined: 6/14/2007
From: the state of confusion
Status: offline
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Definitely praying, KJ! LOVE YOU!!!
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Jeannie
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I'm gonna swing back and pick Jeannie up today! 
Get in, GF!! Let's start Prov 13 together today. (You can catch up on the others when you have time.)
