All In All

"You are my strength when I am weak,
You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all.

Seeking You as a precious jewel,
Lord to give up I'd be a fool,
You are my all in all.

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all

When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all.

Jesus, Lamb of God. Worthy is Your Name.
Jesus, Lamb of God. Worthy is Your Name."

God's timing is perfect. Just a few days after writing my addictions post, today my Bible Study in Lies Women Believe covered this lie about God: that "God isn't enough."

As author Nancy Leigh DeMoss acknowledged, most of us would never admit to believing this lie. In fact, my head would say it knows this is a lie. However, belief (where the mind and heart meet) is visible through our actions, and my actions are currently telling me that I do believe this lie.

My endless and sometimes seemingly reckless pursuit of hobbies, relationships, activities, and fun new adventures as a means of satisfaction and accomplishment-even worth-will not let me avoid the issue: I'm believing this lie about our precious and Holy God.


I have been challenged to think of an action plan, to steer me away from this line of thinking. Hobbies, friendships and all other activities are not bad. They are a necessary part of living and growing. However, there is a balance, that remains so only when God fills the position of fulcrum, balancing out our life, with Him as the foundation and sustainer of purpose, and desire.

Colossians 2:9-10 says, "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

And Paul tells us in Ephesians, that we have been adopted as His children. The way He loves and cares for Jesus, is the same level and depth of care and love He has for us. Who are what in the world can offer more than that?

My prayer is that I would diligently seek to remember no matter what, that God loves me and will take care of me. It is my choice to trust Him start believing that He is enough, so that it shows in my actions, mindset, and attitude.

Psalm 73:23-26: "Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God isthe strengthof my heart and my portion forever."

Valentine's Day

Valentines was a sweet time. Justin surprised me and took me to Cool River Cafe for dinner, and even had a bouquet of flowers ordered to be at our table when we were seated! I had been wanting to eat here for quite some time, and it was a great meal!


I did decide on the silver shoes, and felt good about my choice. The fact that Justin liked them with the dress helped too :) Now, just need to return the other two pair. Does this mean I can buy the brown pair I need?



I hope your valentines day was blessed, whether you celebrated or not. I loved the way our church emphasized remembering God's love for us on this Red and Pink weekend. It's true for all of us, single or not, God's love is the greatest gift we could ever receive, and EVERYONE is invited to partake!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cinquain and Shopping Pain

My sweet husband has planned our valentine night on his own, and I asked him not to tell me what we were doing so it could be a surprise. All I requested was that he let me know how to dress!

He responded that I should wear the little black dress he gave me for my birthday, (necessitating the purchase of new shoes since my good heels broke in January), which in turn led to a shopping trip last night. What a bummer: a real need to shop for shoes :)

We embarked on our shoe hunt together and tackled 3 stores before we were done. I usually know what I am looking for, get it, and get out. However, I was battling the desire to play it safe (plain black heels, classy, but ordinary) and get really sassy (red pumps, or other fancy display). Tough decision for a traditionally, "don't draw attention" Kari.

The first store had both red and black. But I couldn't convince myself that I could pull of the red shoes. I really wanted a pewter heel to compliment such a classy dress, and I refused to settle at just one store.

We ventured to another store (found a brown pair that I loved, but had nothing to do with my formal attire) as well as two possibilities. Still not convinced, we walked to a last store and found the third, completely different option.

Here's the deal: All three were pretty. Two pairs of high heals--one shiny black, and the other tri-colored (black/silver/white) with an aesthetic color overlap. The third pair had a shorter heel, and was an open toe, strappy dress sandal with tastefully placed diamonds: silver.

My husband tried to follow my desperate thought patterns: "It's a short dress that really needs a heel. But the silver is classy. Yet, they cost too much! I could get the black and white and silver ones for a lot less. And when would I wear these silver shoes again? But they are so pretty! I don't know, I really think I need a taller heel."

In the end, I decided I simply could not be at peace with any one shoe until I had seen it with the dress. We bought all three (the silver costing more than the other two together) and I will try them on tonight with the dress, and take two out of the three back to the store on Sunday!

In an effort to express my shopping pains, I have written the following poem (Cinquain):

Heels

stylish, uncomfortable

accessorize, decorate, transfigure

every black dress necessity

femenine

Addicted to Addictions

Bubble tea. Friend time. Treats. Surprises. Dessert. Eating out. Making plans. Crochet. AFV. Dreaming about the future. Thinking up ministry opportunities.

I'm addicted.

The more I thought about it , I realized, that I am addicted to BEING addicted. I get some of my biggest kicks out of the next exciting thing, big plan, or simple bubble tea.

The excitement of being excited has become the pattern for my life.

As my husband and I are trying to buckle down and pay off our loans as quickly as possible, I'm finding myself experiencing withdrawals from all the excitement; and a new addiction to saving as much money as possible.

This can't be good. Although each thing is harmless in itself, the realization of how much I depend upon these things for excitement throughout the week was really humbling. And I think the next few months will be a detox period for me: a time to get a grip on what drives me and gives me energy and purpose.

I know God is the giver of life, and that He gives me purpose and a plan, but I must truly seek the meaning of putting HIm first in everything, and letting Him be enough. My All in All. My Everything!

Any suggestions from your own personal experience?

Who are you rubbing off?

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." -Proverbs 27:19

"For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." -Matthew 12:34

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:16

"Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence." -Henri Frederic Amiel

Every little thing that we say and do leaves a whiff of ourselves behind.

What are you filling your mind and heart with each day, so that when you rub off on someone, they smell Jesus? Is your perfume one that induces headaches and a rash? Could it be such a shallow scent, that it isn't even strong enough for others to notice or remember?

Or do your habits include such soulful cleansing and communion, that Christ touches and lingers after your each encounter?

Lord, may You be my reason for getting out bed, for spending time in Your word, and be the foundation of my thoughts. As the Psalmist says, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight." I want You to rub off on those I come into contact with each day, that You may receive honor and glory. Amen.

The Path of Life

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence..." Psalm 16:11

There is peace in knowing what is to come: for the day ahead-the hour at hand. We take courage in making plans for the future, and filling our agenda to be sure we get everything done.

I love planning. I am most productive when I have a list made of everything I need to accomplish, and a time line of when it will all happen. And in doing that, it is also easy for me to overlook anything (and sometimes anyone) that is not on my list for that period of time. Granted, I'll get a lot done, but maybe that isn't the point.

The Psalmist reminds me that in Christ-our Lord and Savior, and Heavenly Father-we have a very simple agenda. "The way of life," as he put it, while often a deeply sought after mystical answer in the mids of some, is grounded in the source of Life: Christ Himself.

We are told to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. That is the path of life, and God blesses obedience and provides His joy. Not just when things are going well, and everything on my list is crossed off, but also when I'm ill, when I want to be grumpy, when finances are low, when the house isn't clean, when my friend is hurting, when I cannot understand: His joy can prevail.

The result of our obedience and its effect on others may never fully be known to us. God has laid down a narrow path, but does not restrict the way our example of trust, obedience and joy will bless others. That is the other part of His plan: to use our obedience to bring others to Him, to show people He cares, and that they too can know the path of life.

May I work to always put Christ first on my to-do list, with all my heart, soul and mind, so that the things that do get accomplished each day may reflect His joy, bless another's soul, and make others want to know Him more.

What's In a Name Re-post from my xanga, January 2006 (Pastor Graham sermon reminded me of this post)

Depends on whom you ask, I suppose, but names are more than labels. They are very personal representations of individuals, with personality, imagination, and countenance. When a person thinks of your name, they think of you and all that makes you you. Maybe it's your smile, your warm hug, your laugh, the way you listen to a friend as he pours out his heart. Maybe you are a servant and give of yourself for others, or perhaps you are an athlete, and everybody knows what you would rather be doing.

Regardless what you are known for, when your name is mentioned a mental image is formed, and the speaker is thinking of you. Not the girl from your fourth grade class that shared your name. Not the man in the grocery store that answered to what you thought was your friend calling you. In fact, they are talking about the singular, and unique YOU.

I have often wondered if people with the same name behave the same and share personality traits. Or, do people become who they are in part because of their name? What about in the Bible, when parents named their kids according to current events, or supernatural happenings? Did that play a role in who the children became? I guess that is one thing to ask God when I get to heaven.

But consider it...what kind of an image pops into others heads when your name is mentioned? Are you leaving the kind of character in each step behind you that others would admire or desire?

Would someone refuse to name their child with "your name" because of your reputation, or would they proudly pass it on with prayers that their child will have similarities to your Godly character?

Something to think about.