Completely Loved: Recognizing God's Passionate Pursuit of Us

July is almost over--when did that happen?? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy. Bring on Fall!

Well, I'm starting a new series of devotionals. It's the "Loving Jesus Without Limits" series by Shannon Ethridge. I've read her book Completely His and it was wonderful! Shannon's testimony is incredible. I'm so glad she's told her story. I'm sure she's helping so many people through these books. If you want, you can click HERE to read my story.

There are 4 30-day devotional books in this series and while Completely His inspired them all, the first is Completely Loved: Recognizing God's Passionate Pursuit of Us. I'm so excited to start this. Insecurities have made their way in my life and I can't wait to again recognize how much God loves me and how he pursues me.

Pray me through this friends! I'll be updating as I read through it and find something that I love.
-katie

God, can You send the answer in an E-mail??

Lately, I have been feeling like a change is near and fairly necessary. For a long time, I've been feeling like I'm being called somewhere else. I would hate to think that I missed an opportunity because I wasn't listening closely to that Still Small Voice or wasn't willing. I guess I was/am being cautious so that I can be sure it was God who was calling me and not my selfish human nature.

So last night, I prayed. And I will continue to pray this until it is answered.

Father God, I thank you for the incredibly relaxing weekend.

You knew I needed that.

God, I need your guidance and your wisdom as I enter into this time of change.

You know how much I don't like change.

I pray that you would give me a clear cut sign to what I'm supposed to do.

I want nothing but your will for my life.

Please give me no doubts about what happens in the weeks to come.

Thank You, Father.

Amen.

Hope you all have a wonderful week! 

-katie

Long time, No post

Friends, I have failed at so many of my New Year's resolutions...I am ashamed...

I hope you all have had a wonderful year so far. It's half over--YAY! I'm ready for colder weather, it is blazing hot here in the South!

As for my prayer today, the serenity prayer is my choice. Here it goes.

Father God, grant me serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

-katie

New Years Resolutions...

They never work. But we can hope. Hope. It's a tricky word.

• I want to read the Bible this year. 
• I want to take a picture of 1 tree and at the end of the year see God's amazing creation at it's finest.
• I want to start saving money from each pay check.
• I want to blog more.
• I want to pray at least once a day, whether I blog it or not.
• I want to get in shape.
• I want to travel more.
• I want to be brave
• I want to do things I never would've tried.
• I want to be on my own by this time next year.

I hope these things come to fruition. I'm going to try my hardest to make it happen. But don't judge me if it doesn't happen, because it's likely that I might judge you for your failed resolutions. ;)

Happy New Year!
-katie

PRAYER REQUEST!

Ok Prayer Warriors, I need you!!

A friend of mine, that I graduated with, Mark Webb, is in the hospital. He fell out of a truck on the 21st of November. He has inter-cranial pressure at the level of about 15, which is decent, but we need it to be at 0. God can do this. And His Word says, "Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them."[HCSB] Let gather together and pray for Mark's healing. 


God, spare Mark's life. He is a wonderful guy who loves you and serves you. Heal him and let this be a testimony to you in his life. Bless and comfort his family through this time. Thank you in advance for Mark's healing.


Amen.

Remembering Reese, Audrey & Luke

Happy Friday to you all!

Father, You know very well that today, October 15, is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It's not fair for all these families-mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters to go through the tragedy of losing a child, losing someone that they haven't even gotten to know yet. Their personalities haven't formed. They won't be running around the house getting in trouble just like their siblings. It's not fair. I don't understand. I pray peace for those who have lost babies. I know they're running around in Heaven having the time of their lives they never knew existed. Love on them, Lord, because we can't. I ask for your comfort and your love on these families. I know they have their days. Anyone who experiences loss have days where they're not okay. They'll throw things and scream and just weep. Let them know that You are with them.

You said in your Word,

"Jesus said,

'Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of Heaven

belongs to such as these.'"

Matthew 19:14

"I will never leave you,

nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5(b)

They are with you Father--happy, healthy, and whole. Thank You.

Now Father, I ask your comfort. My worries and stress levels are up. Lord, you know the situation and I ask you to give me a sense that things are okay. I feel as if my world is pure chaos. I need you. I trust you. Let me see you.

I love you Father. Thank you.

Amen.

Satisfied

I am very blessed in my life, but sometimes I overlook that fact. I shouldn't complain about what's going wrong in my life, because I am blessed. I should be satisfied with all that my life is. I should be satisfied because God is my Rock and my Father. And at the youth's Sunday night service today, our speaker, Whitney, blessed us with a word from Philippians.

"Dear friends, you always followed

my instructions when I was with you.

And now that I am away,

it is even more important.

Work hard to show the results of your salvation,

obeying God with deep reverence and fear.

(Here's where Whitney took it from)

Do everything without complaining and arguing,

so that no one can criticize you.

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,

shining like bright lights

in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Hold firmly to the word of life;

then, on the day of Christ's return,

I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain

and that my work was not useless.

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life,

pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,

just like your faithful service is an offering to God.

And all I want of you to share that joy.

Yes, you should rejoice,

and I will share your joy.

Philippians 2:12-18

Dr. David Moore of the Arkansas Baptist Association (I think) spoke at my church this morning. Wonderful message. He spoke on generosity. We should be generous to those less fortunate that us. In taking notes this morning, I got 4 points.

1. See a need, fill a need. - There's a animated movie called "Robots". All-star cast includes Robin Williams, Amanda Bynes, Greg Kinnear, Halle Berry, Drew Carey, and many more. But there's a robot who grows up idolizing his hero, always wanting to move to the big city to work with him to make people's lives easier for them. "See a need" If you see something that needs to be done, a problem that needs to be solved--"Fill a need"--do something about it. Don't just sit there doing nothing keeping to yourself.

2. Surrender to the Lord. - David mentioned that the word surrender doesn't mean submit (aka, letting it happen), but to give it all up. He mentioned the verse in Matthew 16:25,

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses their life for me will find it."

3. Listening to the Holy Spirit. - Psalm 46:8-11

"Come and see the works of the Lord,

the desolations that he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

He burns the shields with fire.

'Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.'

The Lord Almighty is with us;

The God of Jacob is our Fortress."

4. Experience the joy of giving. - Giving away your time is important, God will bless you with more when you give your time and talents away.

That's all I really have today.

Lord, bless these readers with all that You are. You are amazing and You are for us. And if You are for us, who can be against us? Zeph. 3:17 I pray your love on this week. Thank you. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5

Well, I thought I was going to start it. Turns out, it's really hard for me to read a chapter and do a lesson in an hour while the baby I watch is sleeping. I'm going to try and make it a habit to do my lessons and reading a chapter a nighttime ritual. I encourage you to do the same.

Yesterday, I found out that my cousin was involved in a IED (Roadside bombing) over in Afghanistan. No one was injured. Just cuts and bruises. Praise the Lord!! Hearing about things like this, makes it real to me. My cousin is the one fighting and putting himself in danger. Keep praying for him, please.

Father God, I pray for your protection on Blake as he is fighting for our earthly freedom. Keep his whole troop safe and let them return soon. Thank you for letting Blake get this opportunity. I pray that you be with his wife, Tara, and son, Dawson. I pray that you will make sure that they know that you are with them all the time and that you love them more than anything. And, Lord, I pray for your wisdom and comfort in my current situation with my mom. I'm just so frustrated all the time. I want her to be happy, but at the same time, I want her to do the right thing and not make any mistakes. Bless her, Lord. I also pray for your guidance through my search for a college and a major. I want something that I want to do and like to do. Thank you for everything you've given me. Thank you for everything you've taken away from me. I wouldn't be the person I am today if you didn't love me like you do. Thank you.

Amen.

Have a wonderful weekend! GO HOGS!

-katie

Breaking Free

I'm starting this book/Bible study called, "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. I'm so looking forward to getting into this book and literally breaking free from all that has burdened me and everything that is holding me back. I want to discover the victory of total surrender that is Christ Jesus. That is the under title: "Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender". I'll hopefully be reading a chapter or two a day and blogging about it and maybe even quoting an excerpt or two.

Father, Bless me through this book and through your servant, Beth Moore. I pray that I will break free from Satan's bondage. Thank you for your faithfulness and your Sovereignty.

Amen.

-katie

Do I see what you see?

Precious Lord,

Thank you for my great Uncle Bill. He was such a blessing in my life and I loved him. Now he is with you and what a pleasure to know that fact. Thank you for the knowledge and comfort of knowing that he is with You in Heaven. I thank you for his life and the legacy that he left behind. I praise you for his life even though I will miss him here on this Earth. I pray that your hand be on his family especially his children (even though they are grown) and his grandchildren. I pray your comfort be with them.

I cannot express how grateful I am for life. I'm so thankful for this baby boy Pierce. I'm so blessed to get paid to do what I love, nanny. He is such a joy with his little gummy smile and absolutely irresistible laugh. I am thankful for his parents, Jennifer and Dave. They are hilarious and insightful and full of opportunities. Thank you.

Last night, Mike was talking about seeing things as you see them. Father, I pray that I would see as you see. I pray that I wouldn't just glance over the crowd but actually see people and see what they are feeling, etc. I pray that you would bless me through 501. I pray that I would develop life-long friendships and that they would be a blessing to me and vice versa.

Thank you for this incredibly beautiful day!

Amen