BROKEN CRAYONS…

ByKathy Stephens

Many times in my life I’ve felt broken. Found myself broken. Brokenness can be caused by many things. Disappointment , loss, sickness or physical ailments, Hurt feelings, and just plain ole life’s little surprises.
During those times we respond in different ways . We cry, get angry, withdraw, become fearful, feel Less than and many other emotions can arise.
Sometime Brokenness makes us ask questions, makes us feel as if we have had to start the race all over again. Try to find the strength to pull It together.
We are sorta like colors…. Tucked away in a box, tattered and torn and yes broken… BUT…….
Truth is, if we cling to God, trust in Him, Pray about it more than we talk about it, get still, we begin to see that even in our brokenness we can be used of God. We find we still have value and we begin to realize there is still HOPE .

broken

Storehouse- Pursuit Community 2016

ByKathy Stephens

storehouses

 

Having spent several days this week in the rolling hills of Georgia to be a part of ‪#‎pursuitconference‬ my heart was filled with so much goodness = Godness…… I arrived with no expectations just an open heart. I’m not sure completely what my take away is but there are a few things God has spoken to my heart in the present.
Be still-Psalms 46:10, Be Quiet-1 Thessalonians 4:11a , Trust Me wholeheartedly- Isaiah 40:31, Plant Seeds-1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed in your hearts, Do not Fear- John 6:20 But he called out to them, “don’t be afraid, I am here.”
When I came up on these Silo’s at WInshape it immediately reminded me of my childhood. We had a couple of them on our farm. Of course they weren’t this nice but SIlo’s still the same. I used to go out in the late afternoon and climb them and yes about half way up my mom or dad would run out. “kathy get down from there.” Just to climb again the next day.
I was curious about these Big tall structures as a child cause my Dad said that they held extra food for the cows. ( something stored up) I remember us growing and processing many acres of corn and silage in order to do that. A storehouse…. It made me ask myself this past week “what is in your storehouse?” IT made me ask myself “what have I put up for rainy days, heartache, disappointments, my life?” The knowledge and trust in our LORD is found in the storehouses…..
I hope today you have a STOREHOUSE……

Time for a Journey

ByKathy Stephens

I borrowed this photo from a bible journaling class for the sole purpose of  sharing it with you.
I ask myself daily, God What do you want me to do with my time? God who do you want me to seek out today? God who might you have me share your word with today? Then some days I also ask, GOD, Where is this Journey taking me? I have found that if you stay close to GOD he will take you places. Some places that seem really good and some places that hurt you to the core. The journeys that include “valleys” can be really tuff, painful, life-changing.
Can you imagine GOD actually pulling up at your house to get you. Do you think you would want to ride shotgun or would you just hop in the back-seat and try to sorta hide there. Would you holler and ask HIM to turn the radio to your favorite station or would you sit quietly waiting for HIM to ask you what you want to listen to? Truth is He may pull up at any time. He might even help you pack your bags.
IS HE asking you to take a journey with HIM or are you on a new Journey with HIM right now? It might require short travels or HE could be asking you to take a long trip. Truth is sometimes when the DETOUR signs show up, the pot holes get big, your really not sure about the journey at all. I know that to be true cause sometimes Journey’s with GOD are scary… Sometimes you show up with a lot of baggage. You had no idea it cost more for that extra baggage. You know that second bag that is really weighing you down. The one that won’t fit in the overhead. YEAH…. you know the one.
Do you know the familiar sound of GOD when HE says, “we are now boarding?” Get acquainted cause if your not on a journey now… you just might be soon.enjoy the journey with God