My 2 cents have become 8 . . .

"The most exciting way to live is in the hand of God.
The most challenging way to live is daily with the Spirit.
The most rewarding way to live is minute by minute in the shadow of our Savior."

"How much more life could we live if we gave it all up today?"

"Are you spending, or investing your life?"-Chip Ingram

"Will you be remembered for your weight in gold, or your wait on God?"

"Earthly living; heavenly minded."

" Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." -Colossians 3:14

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Jim Elliot

"If Christ returns tomorrow, what will you wish you had done today?"

My heart is overflowing with gratitude, excitement, joy, and conviction as I think about all God has done, and will do in and through my life if I continually seek Him and put Him first. Greater are His ways than my ways, and His thoughts than mine! -Kari

What I Want to Do as a Grown Up, i.e. Adventures I Would Like to Have

Okay, this is a little bit of insight into "Kari's Innermost Secrets." The following list will continue to grow at times and shrink at others. I'm hoping to cross items off even as I add more. Please share your comments and wisdom regarding any you may have experienced!

Ready? Here Goes!

1. Skydive
2. See the Grand Canyon
3. Snorkel
4. Cruise
5. African Safari
6. Ride a gondola in Italy
7. Ride a helicopter
8. Go to a Professional Football Game
9. Be an extra in a big screen movie
10. See the pyramids
11. Go to Israel
12. See a Broadway Musical in NYC
13. Paris
14. London/England
15. Visit all 50 states
16. Publish a book


Note: Bold items have been accomplished

It Is Ok to Talk to Yourself!

One of my most vivid memories from chapel in college was a sermon Pastor Schettler preached on Psalm 42. I don't remember all the points in his sermon (he was very good at purposefully giving messages with alliterated points), but what I took away from it was the importance of being in control of your emotions. He painted a picture in my mind of him, talking to himself, as he used this passage of scripture.

The Psalmist is struggling, at the least with discouragement if not even depression, and opens his heart before God. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar." (Vs 5-6)

Pastor Schettler gave us the image of making your spirit, talk to your soul. "Why art thou cast down?" Challenge the negative thoughts and emotions in your heart; try to identify what is causing the sorrow. But then, speak the truth of God's promises into your soul; "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him . . ."

Another thing I love about this scripture, is the Psalmists openness before God. He doesn't pretend not to be upset or struggling, and in fact, whether we should or shouldn't be struggling sometimes isn't the point. But once we acknowledge that we are, we should ask God to seek out our hearts and show us what is ailing us; what areas we are falling short in. And then, give ourselves a pep talk. It may seem like the team is losing in this inning, but we know that God has the victory, therefore, we ought rejoice in Him at all times!! He will give us the strength to endure this hour, this week, this season, this life.

Not always do our struggles stem from sin either. Sometimes we struggle simply to bring about God's glory in our lives, and to grow us and those around us into stronger servants. Even in these times we must put ourselves in a chair, and speak (out loud if needed):

--"God is good. All the time. You have saved me from the fires of hell, and even now, I have the freedom to come before Your throne, to know You personally, and to lean on You. Even as I struggle, Lord, please help me to choose the right thoughts, the right actions, and the right attitude. You have blessed me, may I serve you even in this circumstance, and in spite of my sin, as You have promised not to give me more than I can handle."--

Let's hear some chatter!!!

Get Real

I love the challenge to take our Christianity more seriously. It is easy to get comfortable in our routines of devotions, church, work, over and over again.

After the first couple of weeks of our Bible study, I found myself thinking a bit along the lines of "maybe the girls should have done the Pursuit of Holiness too?" I have gone through part of it before, and I know it challenges and convicts.

However, this week in my study I have seen how in some ways, the two studies are paralleled. Maybe ours isn't as intense or in-your-face, but it is challenging me to look at my sin as SIN: bad attitudes and selfishness equal to murder and thievery. Not just a bad habit or a weakness, or another item for the prayer list. Sin, that completely displeases God and revolts His very nature of holiness. Have I really forgotten the childhood memory verse from the Roman road that teaches "the wages of sin is death"? Paul doesn't specify certain sins, he just says, the wages of sin: death.

John Bunyan said, "One leak will sink a ship; and one sin will destroy a sinner." That is all it takes, and everyone fits into the "one" category. Including me.

A challenge for me this week is this thought: "How evil is my sin to me?" Nancy DeMoss included this prayer from the Puritans in the 17th and 18th centuries:

"Unmask to me sin's deformity, that I may hate it, abhor it, flee from it. . . Let me never forget that the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature of the sin committed, as in the greatness of the person sinned against." (Underlining added)

My prayer is that I will confront even the "littlest" sin in my life. For the cobwebs of many small, unacknowledge sins clutter and block our view and experience of God's power in our lives as much and sometimes more than great big one. How many blessings have I missed, or caused others to miss because of my bad habit, or laziness? "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9) What a great promise. He will use us, and cleanse us: We just need to get real!

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