A Cup of Comfort

[Show Forth the Praises]

A very good and informative post.

I got together with Christian friends last night for Food, Fun and Fellowship (and numerous games of Skip-Bo).

It was so much fun.

Today, I'm alone in the sense I'm not with Christian friends.

What a difference it makes!

PAMELA

[kimberly]

Hello dear friend, come in and rest with me a while. Today I am thanking God for music, it is something that I so enjoy.....how about you?

Reading the Word is much the same for me, it is a dance with the Holy Spirit through the many melodies God plays. From thrilling crescendos to soft lullabyes, it's all there for me. The Holy Spirit and I waltz in God's time, He leads and I follow.

I have always been a lover of God's Word, and I began to dance to it when the Spirit showed me how it could impact my life and change me from what I was to who God had planned me to be. Ever since then, He has partnered me through countless steps, with many melodies.

What comfort I find whirling to the psalms, or stepping gracefully through the gospels, ever safe in His arms! And if I should stumble or mis-step, He is there to uphold me in His strength. I am ever thankful for His sense of timing and His care of me.

A spirit-friend of mine has taught me to look at music in a different way....some of the tunes I so loved before Him, I now sing to Him. It doesn't matter that it wasn't written that way, it matters that it now has God-meaning for me.....this is the one I think of when I imagine He and I dancing in His Word:

Years of trying to keep myself free,
Now I find that I'm down on my knees.
I kept hiding the feelings I had,
Locked away everyday, Lonesome and sad .

When I'm with You Lord, the fear in me leaves,
To be in Your world is all that I dream,
When I walk away You waltz into me...
Softly, Slowly.

Time has shown me the error of my ways,
I try to find You day after day,
Our time has come now, our friends have all said.
Waltz with me, talk to me,
Our love has no end.

When I'm with you Lord, the fear in me leaves,
To be in Your world is all that I dream,
When I walk away You waltz into me.
Softly, Slowly ....
I've hidden as long as I can....


I see it's all in my head... .
You're the best Friend that I've ever had.
Won't You dance with me night after night!

When I'm with You Lord, the fear in me leaves,
To be in Your world is all that I dream!
When I walk away you waltz into me...
Softly, slowly ....
Then You hold me, softly...
And You love me, slowly...
You know that our love has no end!
(adapted from 'Waltz into Me'...Hootie and the Blowfish)

There is no greater love than the Love of God for us who believe.
1st John 3:1


He waits....will you dance?

[Mackenaw]

Hello dear, sweet Kimberly,

Amazing! I couldn't wait to look up that song, because I had never heard it. Beautiful. The Holy Spirit and I danced, and He led me -- carrying my heart to see Jesus.

God bless you, Kimberly.
Agape,
Mack

[kimberly]

Good morning beautiful friend!

Love and Peace are yours today in the person of the Holy Spirit. Come sit on the porch awhile and we'll watch the trees sway in the wind.

I have to tell you, the other day, someone gave me a piece of comfort that meant a lot to me. I was gettig my hair trimmed, and I laughed at something the lady said. She exclaimed, "Oh, you sound just like your mom when you laugh and talk!"

Now, here is why that made my day.....my mom has always had a voice of reason, and though I know that has nothing to do with sound....I immediately thought: I want to have that voice too.

In any situation of unrest or panic, my mom refused to be upset. No matter the trial or problem, she was a constant in my life.....looking at things sensibly, assessing the situation with calm and rational sense. She always believed in God, and taught us biblical values. These values existed in her approach to life's trials too.

The real comfort is, I CAN have that voice, and so can you. Our Father has that same voice of reason and calm, of peace and sense. If He lives in us, we too can use His voice.

Any time we speak His Word, or spread His message, we use His voice as it was meant to be used on this earth. We are his children, and we should be using His voice all we can.

Another quality my mom dsplayed was consistency.....do you know how hard that must have been? God is consistent also, and holds that quality in high regard.....to remain calm, and faithful, no matter what. That is the best of trust to God.....never wavering, never doubting. Being SURE He will always be there and help us.

As pleased as I am to think I have my mom's voice, I would be even more pleased....to have my Father's voice. The Holy Spirit within me brings me discernment and Word when I need them....it's my job to give my voice to His speech.

Thank you so much for your friendship...May you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, and follow it only. Speak Him out each day that He gives you life! Come back soon. Love, kim

[Mackenaw]

Kimberly

God bless you, dear Kimberly.

Every time I read your Holy Spirit messages, I want to crab crayons and coloring book and create a beautiful piece of art.

Awesome!

God bless you.
Agape,
Mack

[kimberly]

Hello friend, welcome. Come sit and visit with me a while. I have been reading the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. Here's what happened:



Matthew 14:22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

29"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."



Most of the time, we look at this and say, "well, he started sinking because he took his eyes off Jesus." That may be true, but consider this----Peter was the only one willing to get out of his comfort zone (the boat), and move towards Jesus. Where are the others? In the boat crying "Ghost"!



Much like us when we think about receiving Jesus, we have to question...."is it really Him?" We want assurances and comfort about what we don't understand. Peter asked for those, and got them. Jesus answered him with, "Come."



Peter was often bold at first, then let doubt creep in. I think I understand him.....I do much the same thing at times. But Peter never doubted who Jesus was.....or Jesus' ability to save him. The first thing he does when he begins to sink, is call out for His Savior....without hesitation.



Shouldn't we be more like Peter? Standing in faith for our Deliverer, never doubting His abilities or willingness to save us from our doubts and fears. Calling His name at the first sign of trouble.



And see how Jesus reated to Peter's cry---- Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"



Immediately, Jesus reached out, and caught him......so He still does with all of us today. I find so much comfort in knowing this: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever! {Hebrews 13:8}



I hope you let God's Word comfort you today, friend. Be lifted by His promise to always reach for you when you call. Kim

[goldieluvs]

Oh wow sis.. very powerful. Have tears in my eyes picturing that. Praise the Lord for He does rescue us as soon as we cry out. I never thought of Peter the way u described him and it has certainly made him more real to me. Keep posting. I think God led me here today cuz I needed to hear ur thoughts that i have no doubt were inspired by God. God knows what i need before i even know myself. Luv ya sis.

[kimberly]

Hello my friend....welcome back. Hasn't the summer been busy? Fall is definitely in the air today though. It's a bit cool, and I swear that tree in the front yard is beginning to turn.

Come in the kitchen and have a cup of tea with me...I just made some grain bread, it's still warm. I love this time of year.....apples and pumpkins and all the wonderful things you can cook with them.

I begin to think of all the projects I can do this winter, sitting where it's warm....but I'm getting ahead of autumn. I take comfort in knowing, whatever the season, God is making plans for things to happen. I get excited wondering what He will do, where His hand will show up next.

We should always have an expectancy where God is concerned. We should always be hopeful, always sure he has made arrangements where we need Him to. Not always easy when the bills are on the table unpaid, or the job is shaky....but his promise is to us who love Him....He will be faithful.

That means it's up to us to believe. I like knowing that I have that part in it. That I can choose to believe His Word over people's comments and predictions of doom. That I can know, by the promise of His Word, that all will be well with me.

I'm looking forward to another fall and winter with Jesus, sharing a cup of tea and my thoughts with Him, knowing he will share His with me. He has plans for me.....I'm ready. From making bread to share with friends, helping with a bible study, or chatting with my mom....I see Him in it all.

His plan is as simple and as complex as the life I'm living. As I am willing, he acts and moves, creating leaves in my lifebook as colorful and varied as those on the maple out front. His plans are many, and I don't want to miss a thing.

I hope you're looking forward to another season with God, too friend. Be watchful for little changes after You ask him to show up in your life. He has plans for you as well....plans for a good future. A future he wants to be a part of.

God's blessings on your life, Kim

[kimberly]

A new year, a new beginning. Let's begin anew, friend.We'll look ahead to this new year with anticipation, eager to see what God has in store.

I am always glad to see a new year begin, are you? Sit and talk with me about your hopes and dreams for this new year. Have a cup of tea with me, share your good news.

I love to look at what we have 'new' in the Word of God.....don't you? This is one of my favorite 'new' promises....

2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

A new covenant! Jesus was the new covenant that God made with us....He made all things new for us. Now we no longer try to meet the letter of the law, Jesus did that, and put us under a new covenant of grace!

Romans 8:2
"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."



How comforting to know, we are under the new covenant of the Holy Spirit, who gives life. It means, we are forever being made new, in Jesus. The old passes away, and the new begins. As each new year comes, so do new opportunities to grow and share, to serve and love. Anything is possible....God is on our side.

This scripture in Corinthians also calls us 'competent ministers' of this new covenant, meaning w are called to share it, minister it to others. If you've shyed away from sharing the covenant of rebirth in Jesus Christ, perhaps this new year will bring hope of a way you can minister to others. Ask Him friend, He has endless ways for you to share.


So what do you hope for in this new year? Begin each day with new expectations, look for signs of Him everywhere. Meet with Him daily, and tell Him, "I expect to see You in my life today!"

Because a new year is made up of new days, each one a hope in Him. Start each day of this new year with a new 'outlook'.....be looking out for signs of Him.

God bless you with rich, new hope. Love, Kim

[kimberly]

Hello dear friends, I have been gone a long time from here.

In the past months I have come under some major health issues. Thank God, they have been resolved, and my health future looks much better than it has in a long time.

Won't you sit and catch up with me for a bit? It's warm but not too hot here on the porch, the birds are singing, and I smell rain in the air. The trees are blowing gently in the wind. It's peaceful at this moment

Do you find, in your life, that there is often a 'lull before the storm'? A time when all is calm, and you think, "this is too good to be true, what's going to happen next"?

I used to think that was fatalistic thinking. Why look for bad when all is good? Now I wonder, is it a nudge from the Holy Spirit sometimes? A quickening in your spirit from His to pray during the calm, so the storm won't damage things?

We'll all have storms in our lives...that's why the Lord taught on them. We know we need a good foundation in the Word to build our faith on, and an ongoing prayer life to stay close to Him.

So this day, while the clouds are just building, and the air is still gentle, I'm moved to pray before the storm comes in....and reminded it's always best to stay in prayer, even when things are peaceful.

God bless, Kimberly

[goldieluvs]

awwwww ::amen kimmy its soo good to have you back!!! i have missed u much Am sooo glad you are doing better. Think i will join ya on the porch. Want some tea? I brought some wif me! Ya know funny thing. I was talking to my new supervisor at work today (which used to be my OLD supervisor) and was in supervision with him and had sent him an email the day before that i wanted to have supervision towards end of the day in case it was bad news or i was in trouble. He asked me why i wrote that and was i in trouble. I told him not that i knew, but had been extra paranoid lately about stuff. Lots of changes going on at work. Think i will still have a job, but state is changing lots of stuff, so i also told him if i think the worst then i am pleasantly surprised when nothing goes wrong . I dunno maybe just my way of coping,but i do see where i still have to work on that paranoia deal. Thanks sooo much for sharing. praying before the storm such awesome advice. Gonna try and keep it in mind

[kimberly]

Ah, thank you sweet Goldie, tea with friends is the best! Taking time to slow down, relax and share time with each other is a valuable gift.

Saturday afternoons are lazy here, just the way I like it. I've made fresh potato rolls and some frosty lemonade, won't you share some with me? The sun is warm on my toes in the grass, and somewhere a lawnmower is humming. The breeze is cool for August, and the fresh mown grass smells sweet. Nothing to do but enjoy the company and beautiful day.

Time like this has become a luxury to some....the pace of their lives seems to get faster each day. I try to make a little "Saturday afternoon" time each day....I have the richness of that gift in my life. It's my time with God in the afternoon, or early evening, the comfort of knowing he won't rush and i don't have to either. It is a big comfort to me knowing God is willing to give me all the time I need with Him.

Sometimes, we don't say a word. We just think on something in His bible, and let it paint pictures for us. Or we admire something He's created, or appreciate the air, even. I'm grateful for every 'tiny' thing I can think of, and there are many. There are places, and people, and comforts too many to number. There's the smell, the warmth and the taste of the potato rolls, the gift of being able to make them...the bigger gift of sharing them with friends.

I hope you can find some "Saturday afternoon time" to spend with Him, too.

God bless, Kim