HIS PRESENCE!!!!

I'm doing a FABULOUS Bible study this semester that I could not do without, for sure!

Today we were talking about God's Presence! WOW! It was so good and powerful! I KNOW that I KNOW that I KNOW, I NEVER want to be without His Presence!!!

Making so many life applications, I could go on and on, but I won't.

One thing that really resonated with me is that God made us to be relational for sure!!! But He made us for the most relationship we have is one with Him!!!

What was presented was the God created everyone with a "with" need and with a "significance" need. Can you raise your hand if you agree?! I know I have both of these and I know when I have looked to satisfy those needs in the wrong places or people. An idea that was tossed out was when I confuse me "with" need with trying to fill it with other people instead of filling that "with" need with GOD, HIMSELF, it's idolatry.

Are friends idols?

Not all of them!

Can they be?

Yes!

When I make them more important than God....Yes!

Text after text, the teacher showed us in Old Testament and New several verses telling us God is with us!! Over and over, it gave me goosebumps! And ending by saying that WITH out God, we can do nothing!

I have struggled with friends and friendship from my arrival here in College Station going on 4 years now. I have begged the Lord for friends, praised Him for friends (near and far), questioned Him why friendships end or change, but today, in His goodness and glory, wasn't He all along protecting me from falling back into idolatrous relationships? Wasn't He teaching me and showing me that the relationship with Him is the only one I truly need? Is it that I just haven't been listening?

I don't think that 1 answer, answers all of those questions or situations, but man oh man! I know it does for some!

God is so good and loves me and you that He doesn't let anything get in HIS WAY...

what am I letting get in my (silly 'lil me) way???

God says.... BE PRESENT WITH ME, (fill in the blank with your name) kari, and I WILL BE PRESENT WITH YOU!!!!!

Whether you realize it or not, there is NOTHING like the Presence of God in your life!!!!

Lord, may I never want anything more than I want You and Your Presence with me!!! -Amen

What a Wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday was the first day of my women's fall Bible study.

I love the beginning of a study.

My book smells new...

I have my new pen, new hi-lighter, and felt-tipped pen ready for action.

I meet new friends and see old friends that I haven't seen since spring.

I anticipate all that God is going to teach me through the new study.

I tear-up as I open in prayer, because I KNOW that God is going to show up!

He's going to grow me

stretch me,

retrain me,

change me!

HALLELUJAH!!!

Bring it on!!!

In 1 hour's time...

I learn something new!

I hear something old that becomes afresh!

I look forward to this week's homework.

I look forward to meeting Christ on the pages of this study.

Of seeing what His Word has to say about my heart

and what it mean's to make it a dwelling place for HIM!

Wednesday afternoons are precious to me.

Sacred.

A MUST!

Thank You, Jesus for speaking through Your Word and through Bible study teachers.

Help me to be obedient to what it is that You will call me to this semester!

I love You!

Where to Begin???

Today was the first day of Bible study in a new semester!  All I can say is WOW!!!  Look out!!!  Beth Moore's newest study is this one!  She filled it last year and it became available for purchase in November '08.

From the moment the video begins, from intros and exits filled on location in Washington DC in front of the White House, this study it so pivotal & poignant "FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"!  She had no idea who was going to be inaugurated yesterday, or who the Secretary of State would be a year ago, and everything she said was so perfect for what is going on today.  Amazing!  God is perfect and so is His timing!

I can't wait to see what He is going to reveal to me through this study!  I believe with all my heart that there is big stuff ahead for me to learn and change!  I know that God has something important for me to learn about my destiny through this study!  I also know that God is going to do something new through this study too!

For a while now, I have been feeling not quite sure what God was doing.  The direction that He had last told me to go suddenly got blocked.  A little confused, but understanding that this was His thing, I assumed that He had something else for me to do instead.  Still don't know what that is, but I know I will when He is ready for me to know!

The times I remember feeling this way and being in this place have always resulted in major life changes, not like moving or even changing jobs (although that has happened once before), I'm talking about dealing with my stuff, freeing me, teaching me something new, showing Himself to me in a different way.

So....  I'm full of anxious anticipation, hope, in what God is going to reveal, teach, show, change, grow me!  I will try to write about it, but who knows now, we will have to wait and see!  So.... here we go, into the book of Esther, that doesn't use the name of God once, but as Beth said, "He is all over it, because it is His Word!"

Conclusion to Psalms of Ascent

The study is over!  

I am sad!

I usually am when a Bible study is over,

it's like saying good-bye to a good friend.

But all good things must come to an end.

And so we conclude with 

Psalm 134

It's a benediction to those who had traveled

so far, the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem 

3 different times through the year.

This song is a song of blessing

blessing the Lord

and being blessed by the Lord.

Only 3 little verses 

but so powerful.

So worship, bless, acknowledge your God!

And receive blessings from Him that outnumber your blessing.

I'm going to include Beth's blessing to us, because it was so good!!!

"My beloved sister in Christ...

May God keep your heart set on pilgrimage.

May He keep your eyes upon the destination and never let you forget that your Goal is a person, Jesus Christ, and He is waiting for you - in person - at your finish line.

May you always remember what a great cloud of witnesses cheers you on in your journey to Mount Zion and bids you to "Be brave!"  The race is not long, Beloved, so run hard!

May your eyes be open to snares your enemy sets in you r path and, should you tumble in the ditch, may your troubled heart be disallowed to condemn you.  Jump in the air, twirl around, and buck like a bronco with repentance before your God until not a single speck of mud is left on your feet.  Let God wash them in the water of His Word and plant them back on your path.

When we feel heavy-laden in our journeys, may we check first to see if it's the burden of a swollen ego or the load of taking on a role that only belongs to God.

May we lay down what has no place in our packs and run with the wind.

When life is excruciating, may you find the strength in Christ to crawl on your hands and knees, sowing the Word of God and watering it with your tears.

May you never forget that you are inconceivable loved and that God will prove infinitely faithful.  And your way to the great feast in the heavenly Jerusalem, may you glance often to your right and to your left and offer a fellow pilgrim a helping hand.

May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion."

My Psalm 133

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant and wonderful 

it is when believers live in

unity together

It is a precious annointing.

It is a blessing that falls like dew.

And in that unity, the Lord gives 

His blessing,

life forever!

My Psalm 132:11-18

Psalm 132:11-18

Father GOD, Thank You so much for

hearing

listening

responding 

when we call on You.

Thank You for Your promise of a 

SAVIOR

ONE 

that came long ago 

to save

me.

Father, help me to live like You want me to.

Teach me to be more like You.

Show me the things that need to change.

And keep me focused on You.

Father,

Thank You for Your blessings;

make me ever aware of them!

Thank You for never leaving me,

even when I have disobeyed.

Thank You for

ALL

of Your promises to Your children.

Thank You for salvation.

Thank You for sending Jesus, the anointed One.

Father GOD, I will sing and shout for joy

forever because of what 

YOU 

have done

-amen

My Psalm 132:1-10

Psalm 132:1-10

God, remember me and all the hardships 

I have gone through.

Remember, that I have said, no matter

what, I am going to praise Your name.

I'm not going to turn against You!

I'm not going to leave Your side!

I'm not going to follow the other path!

I'm going to forever worship You, LORD!!

I remember when You have held me,

comforted me, lifted my head.

I will come to You altar, 

Your footstool,

here on Earth and worship You!

Lord, come and meet me there!

Show up!

Show me Your strength, power and love!

May I be clothed in Your righteousness and

I will shout with joy and dance for You!

Because I AM YOURS!!!

Honor me, LORD, and don't reject me, LORD.

My Psalm 131

Psalm 131

Lord, help my heart not to be prideful;

help my eyes not to look down on others.

I don't want to do great things, Lord.

What I want is to have peace!

What I want is to be clam and quiet.

What I want is to be like child when he

is with his mother.

What I want is to have THAT peace;

peace of a small child on his mother's lap

being held.

Kari, put your hope in the Lord

now and for eternity.

My Psalm 130

Lord, out of my depths, 

I cry to You,

Yahweh,

I AM WHO I AM.

Adonai

Sovereign God,

please hear my voice.

May Your ears be attentive 

to my cry for mercy, help and love.

Father God,

if You kept a record of sins,

who would be able to stand?

BUT

WITH YOU

there is 

FORGIVENESS

and because of that,

You are awed and respected.

God,

I wait on You, 

LORD,

My soul waits and on 

Your word, I put my

HOPE.

I wait on the Lord like someone in 

darkness waits for the morning.

I wait like a watchman of a city,

even more so,

I wait.

Kari,

put your hope in the Lord,

because with 

HIM

is 

UNFAILING LOVE

and with the 

LORD

there is 

COMPLETE

100%

FULL

REDEMPTION!

God, Himself will redeem 

all of His children

from all of their sins.

My Psalm 129

Psalm 129

From my youth, the enemy has attacked me.

let me say again,

The enemy has afflicted me ever since I was young.

BUT!  HE HAS NOT PREVAILED OVER ME!!!!

I have been down,

people have hurt me, 

I have been bound,

BUT! the Lord is righteous and loyal!!!

He has my back,

He has cut the ropes,

He will never leave me!

May those who are against the Lord be put to shame.

Let their plans wither and die before they can come to fruition.

Lord, may Your Sovereignty be recognized and known!  Forever!

-Amen

My Psalm 128

Psalm 128

When you fear, respect the Lord, looking to Him in every matter, you will be blessed.  

When you walk on His path, following His ways you will be happy.

Enjoy the goodness and blessings from the Lord when you join Him where He is at work.

Stay connected to the true vine, bearing much fruit on your branch.  Remember that you have been chosen and the fruit you were appointed to bear is fruit that will last!

By doing this, respecting God and reflecting His ways, You will be blessed.

May God continue to bless you from Heaven, so that we may enjoy His blessings everyday of your life and that we may see His prosperity to generations to come.

                                                                                  -Amen

My Psalm 127

Psalm 127

Is Christ the foundation of your family?

Is God at work in the work you are doing?

Unless He is, you are working in vain.  If God is not at the center of all you do and in your family too, it is meaningless.

You get up early and stay up late, all to get ahead in the game.  Stop working so hard against the Lord and go where He is and do what He is doing and rest in Him who loves you.

Your children are a gift from the Lord, your babies a reward from Him.

Your sons are like arrows who will defend, protect and take care of you.
Happy is the parent who has many children.

Thank the Lord for His rewards

Beth Moore's Newest Study!!!

This isn't even available until mid-November, but I stumbled across this and I WANT TO SIGN UP!!!!  I want this study!!!

Don't forget to go down and turn off the music before playing this!

Beth Moore's Esther, Web Promo from LifeWay on Vimeo.

My Psalm 126

Psalm 126

When the Lord revealed Himself to me

and set this captive free,

it seemed like a dream too good to be true.

My mouth was filled with laughter and song,

My heart was joyful and light.

It was said, "God was wonderful to her!"

God WAS wonderful to me;

I am a happy person.

And now, God, years later, God

do it again-

rain down on my life again

So that which I planted with tears

I may harvest with shouts of 

HALLELUJAH joy!

And so others, as well, who have heavy hearts

will have laughter and many blessings.

-Amen

                    written on 10-20-08

My Psalm 125

Psalm 125

We who are confident, secure and sure in the Lord

and who trust in Him are like a strong, 

unmovable, unshakeable mountain.

And just like the mountains that surround Jerusalem,

our God, the LORD, surrounds us, His people, now and forever.

He hems me in, He camps around me.

Those who are wicked will not rule over us forever,

tempting us to fall into sin.

LORD, be good to those who are good and 

whose hearts are honest.

But LORD, when You take away the evil-doers, will You

also remove those who stopped following You.

Let there be peace!

My Psalm 124

Psalm 124

If the Lord had not been for me,

let me say it again.

If the Lord had not been for me, 

when I was attacked & threatened,

When hurt and agony were thrown at me,

the enemy would have swallowed me alive.

The ocean would have engulfed me,

I would have drowned in the torrent.

I would have lost my life 

in the raging, fuming rapids.

BUT!  Praise the Lord!

He didn't go off and leave me!

He didn't leave me there, abandoned,

defenseless, or helpless like a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.

I escaped, flying free like a bird from a hunter's trap

that was broken and I escaped!

My help is in the name of the Lord,

Who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

-Amen

written September 30, '08

My Psalm 123

Psalm 123

I lift my eyes to You, Lord, with longing, 

to the One who is enthroned in heaven.

Just like servants whose eyes are 

on their master, and like a servant girl's 

eyes are on her mistress, so are my eyes

on the Lord, my God, until He shows me

mercy, loving-kindness, mercy and grace.

Grace me, O Lord, Grace me!

For I am overwhelmed with 

disrespect and contempt.

I have had more than enough disrespect

from prideful and arrogant people.

-Amen

written on September 29, '08

My Psalm 122

Psalm 122

I am thrilled and excited whenever I have a chance 

to go to church - the house of the Lord - Living Hope.

My feet are planted here in College Station, a

closely knit community.

In this city, many believers of the Lord, come together

to praise the name of the Lord, following the Gospel 

at Living Hope.

There I find the Lord, full of love, grace, compassion,

mercy, hope and conviction.

We need to pray for the peace of College Station:

May everyone you know and love you be secure.

May there be peace within our city limits and

security and safety within our buildings.

For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,

"Peace be within you."

For the sake of Living Hope - the house of the Lord our God, 

I will seek for what is best for you.

-Amen

written 9-26-08

My Alliteration Psalm

Shout and sing praises to our

Sovereign Saviour who 

Shepherds and saves His sheep.

written 9-23-08

My Psalm 121

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes up to the hills 

and I know where my help comes from.

My help comes from my Lord, who is

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let me fall because He

always knows where I am because 

He never sleeps.

He watches over me all the time 

because He never closes His eyes.

My God protects me; He is my covering 

that wraps around me like feathers on a wing.

My Lord keeps me from all harm; 

sun, moon, evil, Hell - everything! 

He guards, protects, watches over my life! 

My Lord knows about and watches over me 

wherever I go ALL THE TIME, now and 

Forever and ever!

-Amen

written on 9-22-08